Front driveshaft ?

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

‘14 3500 SRW 4wd, can I run my truck at highway speeds with the front shaft removed? I removed the front shaft when I replaced my clutch and when I set it on the floor, a weight fell off. I drilled a hole thru the weight and plug welded it back on. I’d really like to get the shaft balanced before putting it on, but I need to use the truck this week.

 

[bcbender]

I ran mine for testing a vibration issue a few days that way, no issues I am aware of, I would not push the button for 4wd though as the yoke and chain may not be rotating at the same shaft speed as the main driveline.

EDIT[ that was on my 04 with NV5600 and 273D auto shift transcase.]

 

[AH64ID]

With CAD the driveshaft isn’t spinning in 2wd, so I can’t think of any reason you can’t drive it without the shaft installed.

 

[Audiowriter]

I have a 2012 and drove for weeks with my front shaft off while I replaced u-joints.

 

[Ozymandias]

No problem to drive without the front shaft on any Ram HD Truck. Don't know about the LDs, probably there too.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Thanks for the replies!!
On a side note, ever since this truck was new, the front shaft spins while driving in 2wd. I can stop it with my hand, but as soon as I let go, it starts spinning again. Any idea why?

 

[kthaxton]

It's just parasitic drag from within the differential, they've always done it. As you drive in 2wd, the side and spider gears are spinning along with the passenger side axle shaft. This tends to drag (so to speak) the carrier/ring gear with it which spins the driveshaft. The carrier/ring gear doesn't spin at the true rpm of the passenger axle shaft (road speed) however, and therefore the driveshaft doesn't spin at the true rpm of the t-case.

 

[bcbender]

Yes, but on the 3rd gens they did because of no CAD.