Originally Posted by
PitchBlackC3
Well the axles, don't hold the wheels on, but they do hold the preload on the wheel bearings. They will not last 10 miles with the axles out. You can take the end shaft out of the CV axles and leave them bolted into the bearings or use 2wd bearings.
The transfer case will transfer 100% to the rear with the 149 without the front diff. It will work fine as a 2wd, but it will ruin it for AWD.
If you swap in the 2wd tranny you will have to do something about the driveshaft length, the 2wd ECSBs all use a 2 piece shaft with a carrier bearing.