Drive shaft disconnect

[RVMike]

Is anybody using one. Looking at a new Nissan Frontier but want an automatic. Thanks

[John_Wayne]

Had one on my 4 runner and put over 80,000 miles on it with no problem other then adjusting it once. Son now has 4 runner and it's still going. Installed myself in the drive way. Installed one on a friends 4 Runner and it's still going no problems.

[Bumpyroad]

I had one on my S10 PU and hated it. periodically would slip out of mesh. you would hear a little pinging leading up to disengagement. and to engage it you have things turning then mash/grind the gears together. do yourself a favor and have somebody show you this engagement before you consider buying one. If you haven't bought a new toad yet, you would be foolish to get something requiring one, JMHO.
My BIL had one and was satisfied but he was willing to crawl under the vehicle periodically and clean things up, grease or whatever.
bumpy

[harold1946]

I have been using a disconnect since 1993 and it works just fine. Properly adjusted and dry lubricant are the key to easy operation.

[RVMike]

j-d, Only looking at an Auto because we live in Los Angeles and with traffic a stick sucks, this will be my only car. Around town I drive a VW Baja bug but no heater or air for the winter, Have towed it for 10 years but need more comfort now. Wife has an FJ if we need 4wd.

[j-d]

I haven't seen the "axle lock" (actually a half shaft disconnect) used on FWD vehicles for quite awhile. REMCO had them and presumably others.

The Frontier, as an RWD truck, is a different animal. Only manual shift versions are towable. What? You say. Put the 4WD transfer case in N and go. Nope: No Neutral in the Frontier's TC. 2WD manuals tow in N and 4WD tow in N with the TC in 2WD-High.

We tow a 2009 4-cyl 5-speed manual Frontier. Great truck, but we want manual transmissions anyway.

An OP here on RV.net wanted a Tacoma and to be able to tow it four-down. Went Driveshaft Disconnect and hated it. Traded trucks to get out of it.

The things DO work. The problem seems to be they're temperamental about the connect/disconnect routine. I'd want a spare driveshaft as noted above.

Might be a REMCO lube pump for 2WD Frontier with automatic. Many use pumps OK. Others have had transmission failure and grief with Warranty, REMCO, etc.

I don't like the trucks but perhaps the GM Chevy Colorado/GMC Whatever would be an option. Their transfer case shifts to N electronically.

[Johno02]

We used an axle lock on a 96 ford Tarus sw that we wanted to use for a toad. Towed it all over the US, and loved it. Never had any problem whatsoever. SO. I did have to carry a small foam pad to put my knee on while releasing or engaging the lock, but it was a 5 second thing. These may not be available any more.

[Trackrig]

A friend used one and had nothing but trouble with it. He even carried a spare drive line due to all of the problems. Finally sold it and went to a toad with a transfer case that could be shifted into neutral.

Bill