I guess I'm over my head with fixing the axle seals, and I'm ready to give up on the 4x4ability of my ram until I get a job and can afford to fix it.

if I want to drive it in 2WD only, can I run on the hubs without the axle shafts (so that I don't have to worry about oil in the front diff?)

Or do I have to keep the axle shafts for support? (in which case can I just pop the carrier out and run it that way?)

thanks!

 

You'll need the outer axle shafts, as the axle nut is what holds the hub bearings together. After that, feel free to strip everything else out.

 

If you don't care about the front diff, remove the shafts. Separate the inner shafts/ujoints and just use the outer stub for the hub bearings. ! Just remember, when you have enough money or decide one day you want 4wd back, all the crap getting in through the tube's is not going to help your cause.

 

Sounds like a great excuse to throw some beams under there and set up some cheap long travel..