I have a 2004 AWD Hemi Durango. It's killing me on gas. Can I remove either the front or rear drive shaft without it causing damage to the transfer case? It is a family vehicle at this point so off roading is not an issue.

On a side note the Rear Climate Control only blows cold air. Heat no longer works. Anyone else had this issue?

 

There is a thread in the first generation Durango section about removing the driveshaft and your blend door may need replaced for the heat issue,
FF

 

Yes you can. Gain will be minimal at best and not worth the efforts and/or pending damage later. Costs will be higher than just living with it.

The Gen1/Gen2 Durango was never, and never will be, fuel efficient. You are pushing a brick through the air, not a sleek supercar. The Pentastar v6 in the Gen3 is designed to be more fuel-friendly.

IndyD

 

Buster:

+2 on what Indy said. The only way to keep gas in a Durango other than the gas station is to leave it parked. You will see maybe 1 mpg change if you remove the front driveshaft.

This is because the majority of the 4x4 hardware is still installed and turning. Add to that a 5100 pound curb weight and poor aerdynamics, and you arrive at the window sticker mpg which is 13/18 for the 4.7L and 13/17 for the Hemi.

Don