The front outer CV joints actually hold the wheel bearings together.
They can not be eliminated. You can remove the center driveshaft with no
problem. The increase in fuel economy will be minimal. The elimination
of wear will only be significant if you have mismatched tires or a bad
VC,

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Karin Baker & Raymond Paquette
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 12:44 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Synchro to 2wd

Hey

I'm considering removing the driveshaft and front axles from my Synchro
in
preparation for a long road trip.  I'm traveling with my parent-in-laws,
so
I know we won't be going offroad, so no need for the 4wheel drive.  The
front CV's are klacking, so I'll be taking them out to replace, and it
occurs to me to remove the driveshaft, and not put things back together
until after we return.

I'm hoping for: better gas mileage, more useable power, as well as
saving
the wear and tear on the front drive parts.

Does anyone have any experience with this?  I'm especially concerned
about
damaging something by running my Synchro this way.  Can't imagine that
it
would, but sometimes my imagination is limited.

Thanks

Raymond