Hello. This is my first post in this forum. It’s nice to be here. I’m getting ready to take a 440 mile trip tomorrow to pick up a 04’ Mazda Tribute 3.0L 4WD. It’s in good shape overall. However, the catch is that it has a rear driveshaft issue. From what I’ve read, it’s likely a carrier bearing issue. But what I’d like to do is just disconnect and remove the rear driveshaft, put the vehicle in 4WD mode, and use the front wheels to drive home. Then fix the issue on my own time and my own terms when I get back home. So will this trick work or is it just a hair brained scheme? What type of 4wd is this? I’m guessing it’s push button activated. I’m guessing it’s high range 4wd. What is the comfortable cruising speed going to be? I’m going to driving on the highway 440 miles back after all.

 

That should be ok , be aware that when awd kicks in it "connects" the rear diff , so its a fwd 1st , no need to put it in awd at all , one could treat it normally driving imo just be aware that if it did need awd the check engine light would come on (sensing no rear wheel drive) but that is all .
I'd go for it .