i have wanted to make my 97 v8 awd. 2wd for a temparary amount of time like the summer on dry roads would pulling the fuse hurt the awd in any way?? like not getting any oil to part of the awd or somthing i would like any help i can get

 

Yeah I was wondering about something similar. My mom has a '97 AWD Explorer with the 5.0, and the thing is pretty bad on gas. No one needs AWD in the summer time unless you're driving on beaches and whatnot. I was considering removing the front drive-shaft that comes from the transfer case and goes to the front axle. I don't know if that would hurt any. I know the transfer case would still be spinning the internal driveshaft for the front end, but would that still mean less stress on the engine for not actually having to DRIVE the front end, thereby making for better gas mileage?

Is either doing that OR removing the fuse for the AWD a bad idea??

 

well i tried the fuse and it dident work but i should have known cuz the awd in the truck is not electric its all machanical so it still spins any way so im just goin to have to live with it i geuss cuz i need it somtimes in the summer so never mind a geuss

 

You can cut the brown wire under the seat, add a switch to it and your set.

I've never done it, as I have a 96, so I already have 2WD, 4Auto on the dash switch. But I've heard of a lot of guys doing this and working perfectly.

 

i read the same thing to and thats foe 4x4 explrers not AWD awd is fully machanical not eltrical i just foynd this out so cutting wores or pulling fuses will not work the only way to get it to go in 2wd is to take out the front drive shaft but thanks any way

 

Oh I see.

 

Sorry guys, with all respect to the contributed solutions, there are a few things not to be overlooked.
As english is not my native language I try to be as clear as possible.There is a basic difference in a standard 2 WD and a 4 WD with only the rear engaged, the 2 WD only has two spindles in front with bearings and wheels mounted on it, the 4 WD still has the drag of a frontaxle, driveshaft and gearbox. Disconnecting the driveshaft doesn't reduce the drag of the axle.The Ford AWD gives 65% traction to the rear and 35% to the front. Removing the frontdriveshaft means cutting off 35% of traction! This always will result in poorer mileage, not to mention what it does to the electronic system.
You will have to live with the gasconsumption and enjoy the superbe handling of the AWD.
Greetz, Tony.

 

the awd system for uses in this truck does not have any electonics controling it its all machanacal so there wouldent be any damage to the electronics on the other had it would be nice to go play around in the mud and stuff and spinn around yah know what i mean?
i did know that the front will still creat drag from the cv joints and all that stuff but thanks