good deal or not so good??

[LiftedAWDAstro]

is there a relatively easy way to disengage the AWD feature and run 2wd until the AWD is required??

That is exactly how the NV136 transfer case in the 1999 to 2005 vans works. It senses slip in the rear wheels and then engages the transfer case to start pulling with the front end. What you can do to disengage it until you want it is to put a switch inline with the "ATC" fuse under the hood.

There is no reason to be leary of the AWD vans. The added traction and security in bad weather more than outweighs the added maintenance that the transfer case and front diff requires. Once you change the fluids there is no other maintenance to do for about 30k miles. When you look at the van check the front diff for fluid leaks and check the CV half shaft boots to make sure there are no cracks or tears. If these are in good shape there is no reason to be hesitant on buying that van based on the AWD functions.

[crash]

that is some great info. on thing I did notice is that you said 99-05. that 00 that I was looking at is gone. If i come across another that happens to be awd and is pre-99 ... are there any differences I should be concerned about .. or is it set up differently.

btw.. this 'sensing slip in the rear'... is this the same setup as the olds bravada awd's have?? I've heard of issues with their transfer case motors

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Rob, the 98 and older have a much more reliable transfer case in them. It is 100% mechanical and they almost never fail. The newer electric cases do have an occasional servo motor failure. I believe it is the same case that is in the Bravada's as long as they don't have low range.

The rest of the drivetrain in the pre-99's is the same basically.

[Someone]

I got to thinking about it.. and not really knowing how the AWD works on these things...

is there a relatively easy way to disengage the AWD feature and run 2wd until the AWD is required??

I run mine in 2wD all the time... you can either hook up a switch or just pull th "ATC" fuse.. Only time I use the AWD is in the bad weather

EDIT -- 1999 and newer models only