Why not AWD

[shelby1.5turbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti To me the only interesting awd project would be one that used dodge parts, Just making it work wouuld be reward enough for me. Doesnt need to hold huge power. Im sure you could do things to beef it up.

I think you missed what I was saying. The caravan platform would work and save you a lot of money since everything is interchangable all you would need to do is fab a driveshaft everything else should bolt or fab in with little or minor fabbing.

[joker5k1]

I have to agree with Ondonti about beefing up the internals. I admit I'm fairly ignorant when it comes to AWD transmissions. But yes, it would save a considerable amount of time and money to use the caravan trans even if you take into account needing to rebuild and strengthen it. I asked about the new Pacifica transmission a while ago, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the LX (Magnum, 300, Charger) AWD trans. As that might be a viable option as well despite having to mount the engine long ways.

-Joe

[shelby1.5turbo]

I was just saying that if you wanted to do a conversion and make it AWD that would be the way to go. Beefing up the internals is a great idea, I was talking from a swapping stand point.

[phantomrt]

I just got done looking at a Ford Escape AWD setup. The transaxle is mounted how ours are and the transfer unit is similar to how the caravan's AWD is. The driveshaft to the rear is small, so I doubt clearance would be an excessive issue.

Of course, we'd have to take a 568 or similar trans and have a big chunk of it chopped up to be able to custom bolt the transfer unit on. May even be able to use the independent rear suspension of the Escape.

As far as I know, I haven't heard of any Escape AWD stuff breaking.

[Ondonti]

Well I have 2 extra a543's here. It seems it would be fun trying to slap/cut/chop/grind that transfer unit on one of them. I guess I dont want to pay the prices at the local yards here for the stuff :P
If I could get that to work then I would need to start modding the rear of my duster for RWD so the awd would hook up. Then start breaking parts and buying more jackstands.
hmm I hate jackstands.....maybe its a bad idea.

[shelby1.5turbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti Well I have 2 extra a543's here. It seems it would be fun trying to slap/cut/chop/grind that transfer unit on one of them. I guess I dont want to pay the prices at the local yards here for the stuff :P If I could get that to work then I would need to start modding the rear of my duster for RWD so the awd would hook up. Then start breaking parts and buying more jackstands. hmm I hate jackstands.....maybe its a bad idea.

Why would you hate jackstands at least it will be the smoothest ride in the world. I don't get why you dont go and use Chrysler parts They started doing the AWD back in the 87 if I remember correctly

[Ondonti]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelby1.5turbo Why would you hate jackstands at least it will be the smoothest ride in the world. I don't get why you dont go and use Chrysler parts They started doing the AWD back in the 87 if I remember correctly

Apparently you dont know that dodge = chrysler.

Do I need to quote myself?

[azkcar135]

they made one or two in 89 and they were just proto types. anyways why not use a dsm independant rear or a conquest? those are almost indistructable!

[phantomrt]

I've thought about this a lot recently... the whole concept of an AWD K-based car would be quite easy, but the only thing is that it costs $$$$$$$$$$ in custom fab parts. With a $15k budget, it should be do-able.

[azkcar135]

15,000 plus a shop plus machine access plus weld / fab shop well you get the picture 15000 ain't enough!

[shelby1.5turbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti Apparently you dont know that dodge = chrysler. Do I need to quote myself?

I do know dodge = chrysler but i was saying that you acan pick up an AWD caravan and use those part all you would need is money for a junk yard donor, rebuild of the tranny, and rearend. The fab part of it should be minimal

[shelby1.5turbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti Apparently you dont know that dodge = chrysler. Do I need to quote myself?

I do know dodge = chrysler but i was saying that you acan pick up an AWD caravan and use those part all you would need is money for a junk yard donor, rebuild of the tranny, and rearend. The fab part of it should be minimal

[shelby1.5turbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti Apparently you dont know that dodge = chrysler. Do I need to quote myself?

I do know dodge = chrysler but i was saying that you acan pick up an AWD caravan and use those part all you would need is money for a junk yard donor, rebuild of the tranny, and rearend. The fab part of it should be minimal

[azkcar135]

WTF!!!!! triple post!!!!!

[Ondonti]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelby1.5turbo I do know dodge = chrysler but i was saying that you acan pick up an AWD caravan and use those part all you would need is money for a junk yard donor, rebuild of the tranny, and rearend. The fab part of it should be minimal

Yeah Im still doubting you knowing that since I said this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti At that point I would just buy a DSM. I think it would be fun to try to adapt chrysler stuff just to say "i did it"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti I think if there was a way to avoid blowing the crap out of the chrysler PTU you could easily upgrade all the other awd parts that chrysler has on the awd v6's. The only part you really need is the power transfer unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti i dont know about using another ptu because all the other similar drivetrains have the tranny on the opposite side of the engine bay. I really dont know what the weaknesses are in the chrysler PTU. I know that recently the 3000gt guys have had someone make both cast iron and billet aluminum transfer cases to help their breakage problems. If it was a problem with the actual case breaking, I would almost think you could build a "tomb" around it of other materials to keep the case from breaking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti To me the only interesting awd project would be one that used dodge parts, Just making it work wouuld be reward enough for me. Doesnt need to hold huge power. Im sure you could do things to beef it up.

If you actually read my posts in this thread you would know I was already talking about caravan awd system and arguing against trying to fit "another" awd system in.
Doesnt make any sense to do all the work to use a DSM drivetrain in a turbododge if the cars will weigh the same.

If I did all the work to make an awd car then I would probably also be running spool in front, spool in rear, and spool for the center dif.