# Bypassing transfer case with strait drive shaft to have a 2wd **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** dakota, dodge\ **Created:** [February 8, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bypassing-transfer-case-with-strait-drive-shaft-to-have-a-2wd/158156 "2020-02-08T23:03:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bill\_Walz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a4c791/32.png) [@Bill\_Walz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bill_Walz)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bypassing-transfer-case-with-strait-drive-shaft-to-have-a-2wd/158156/1 "2020-02-08T23:03:00Z")
I have a 95 Dakota 4wd with a 318 motor. My transfer case exploded recently and evidently that particular transfer case was only in production for a short time and is very hard to find. Meanwhile I am missing work because I work construction on the road. My idea was to measure from the tranny spline to the rear axle spline and put a strait drive shaft connecting them to give me a working 2wd so I can return to w ok to and out 2 transfer case at my leisure. Does this seem like a good idea, boo ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bypassing-transfer-case-with-strait-drive-shaft-to-have-a-2wd/158156/2 "2020-02-08T23:12:30Z")
You need a driveshaft with 2 universal joints in it . see if one from a 2 wheel drive of the same wheelbase will fit. I don’t know if a Dakota uses a center carrier bearing, If you can’t find the right length, find a longer on and have it cut welded and re-balanced. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bypassing-transfer-case-with-strait-drive-shaft-to-have-a-2wd/158156/3 "2020-02-08T23:16:48Z")
You’ll need a 2wd transmission to do that. the tail shaft is different on the 2 transmissions. The only way to change tail shaft and output shaft would require total disassembley of the transmission ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bypassing-transfer-case-with-strait-drive-shaft-to-have-a-2wd/158156/4 "2020-02-09T01:21:30Z")
There are 2 95’s near me. A 94 and 96 also. It’s mn so I assume they are 4wd