How to determine if my VC has been removed?

[heli80]

Hi,

I have a '97 80 that I picked up quite a few years ago where the PO did a bunch of work to it (3.5" Dobinson lift, bumpers, head gasket, knuckles, winch, etc). I am trying to determine if the VC has been removed also. I recently removed the front drive shaft to isolate a vibration issue and I locked the center diff when I did to test it drive it. I decided to see if the VC would lock up too, so I turned off the CDL and the truck wouldn't move when giving it gas. It would rev up and a bit of a screeching noise from the transfer case but no movement.

Is that normal with the VC installed? Is there a way to tell for sure if it is installed without taking apart the TC? The reason I ask is I live where we get a lot of snow and appreciate a limited slip center diff on snow/ice.

Thanks for the help.

 

[jonheld]

With the transfer case in neutral and the center diff unlocked, you should be able to rotate the output flange of the missing driveshaft by hand.
With the VC in place, there will be significant resistance, but it can rotate.
Without the VC it should rotate easily with minor resistance.

 

[heli80]

With the transfer case in neutral and the center diff unlocked, you should be able to rotate the output flange of the missing driveshaft by hand.
With the VC in place, there will be significant resistance, but it can rotate.
Without the VC it should rotate easily with minor resistance.

Thank you. It spins freely. Appreciate the help!