everything you say tracks. The delete should work, based on the information here, assuming that the yoke doesn’t pop out of the PTU/PTO case allowing oil loss or dirt intrusion.
I’ve personally come across a couple of 4x4 trucks, Subarus and AWD bmws with the “other end” removed, even a Range Rover running as a FWD a few years back. You just have to be certain of how the transfer case or PTO works, and the details about yokes falling out.
if there is a true “center diff“ AWD architecture, otoh, the removal of one end will quickly destroy any limited slip component for the diff in the tcase. It does not sound like this is the case with your suv.
I’ve personally come across a couple of 4x4 trucks, Subarus and AWD bmws with the “other end” removed, even a Range Rover running as a FWD a few years back. You just have to be certain of how the transfer case or PTO works, and the details about yokes falling out.
if there is a true “center diff“ AWD architecture, otoh, the removal of one end will quickly destroy any limited slip component for the diff in the tcase. It does not sound like this is the case with your suv.