4x4 Conversion....

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Topic author
leadtrombone
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:36 am

4x4 Conversion....

Post by leadtrombone »

Ok i know. I have look at this road before on other vehicles, and mostly the answer is .... heeeeellllllllssss noooooooo...


That being said. Even if a possibility it will probably never happent (money and time and parts never show at the same time right)...

But i still am curious after getting slightly stuck on some icy cruddy snow today.

How hard would it be to convert a 2wd astro/safari to a 4 wheel drive.

I have never looked under a 4x4 astro/safari to compare but i wonder if it would be doable with subframe - tranny - and ??ecu swap...

Hmm....

I know that you would at least need the transfercase, drive shafts (front and rear) front diff, half shafts spindles and suspension components.

The thinking here is if i were to find an AWD that was not worth restoring because of body/engine damage, would it be possible to transfer the AWD compnents out.

If it is totally crazy. just say so..
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

Image
P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr

The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)

1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon

ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by ihatemybike »

With a AWD as a donor and a full subframe swap it would be doable. It will be a lot of work and most have said it would be better to just purchase an AWD van. I've been thinking about doing it with Green since I have the parts van to do it, got a lot of other things to do first.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86

Topic author
leadtrombone
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:36 am

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by leadtrombone »

Finding such used vehicles here is not so easy.... That why i was thinking of it. Of course the parts vehicle is also dificult to find..


Hmm. gets the wheels turning.
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

Image
P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr

The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)

1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Lockdoc did the subframe swap several years ago and I don't know if he would ever do it again. Of course finding an AWD here in the states is easy.

There is no way to convert your 2WD subframe into a 4x4 unless you do a solid axle swap so getting an AWD subframe, 4x4 tranny, t-case and drive shafts is the only way.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

astrozam
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Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by astrozam »

The easier route ( and one I took ) was to install a Powetrax no-slip locker, its not going to be as good as an AWD, but it will be good enough to get you outta most jams...http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/ ... /index.htm it does take a little getting used to but its overall road manners are civil enough.

Topic author
leadtrombone
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:36 am

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by leadtrombone »

Well on that note. i am seriously looking at a limited slip diff. Both times that i got stuck this week it was only the one wheel that slipped.

I think just getting the G80 axle would be a vast improvement. Now if i could only find one. (same issue with all the other junkyard peojects... Not enough junk round here... especially astrofari stuff)
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

Image
P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr

The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)

1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

If you go with the powertrax like zam did, the installation is very easy. If you go with a posi, you have to setup the rearend. This means measuring and adjusting for backlash, carrier preload and gear pattern.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

Topic author
leadtrombone
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:36 am

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by leadtrombone »

Zam. What issues have you had running the locker. Since my van is pretty much only on roads. I am only really looking to save the trouble in the winter months. I think they are on there way to gettin worse in this area anyway...

Is it permanantly locked then or is it a part time thing??


I will have to look into that though.
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

Image
P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr

The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)

1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon

astrozam
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Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by astrozam »

leadtrombone wrote:Zam. What issues have you had running the locker. Since my van is pretty much only on roads. I am only really looking to save the trouble in the winter months. I think they are on there way to gettin worse in this area anyway...

Is it permanantly locked then or is it a part time thing??


I will have to look into that though.

The locker is unlocked while turning then acts like a locker while going straight if it senses wheel slip. When you get on the gas you have a slight moment where it wants to nudge you over a bit ( this you get used to very quickly and don't even notice after a few days driving )

I will say that its important to have the same size tires on the rear and that both tires offer the same quality of traction, this will prevent the locker from sensing any false slip and will make the road manners much more manageable. I had the powertrax which was installed down at LiftedAWDAstro's for 2-3 yrs and it served me well and for the price was certainly the cheapest option, I believe it was around $300 U.S. If used parts are hard to come by where you live then its an option to consider, and Like Dean said its a fairly straight forward install. :cheers:
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loopie
I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by loopie »

One-wheel-peal is definitely what's holding you back out there. For snow/ice...I've found even a "normal" clutch disc limited slip to be quite adequate.
Are your winters long enough to warrant having two sets of tires? Are you allowed studded winters?

Topic author
leadtrombone
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:36 am

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by leadtrombone »

no studs. but multiple tires are a definite possibility. Just too cheap at the moment. Thats why i am looking at longer term solutions..
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

Image
P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr

The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)

1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon

Topic author
leadtrombone
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:36 am

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by leadtrombone »

On the subject here. Are the subframes the same across the years or do they change periodically.

To that end. If i fin a 95 awd and wanted to use that as the donor vehicle, would the subframe (and awd components) work in my 99.

And would the (mechanically??) controlled TC from earlier models then work with out computer mods on the 99 .... or lots more work there.
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

Image
P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr

The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)

1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon

patgizz
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 65
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:57 pm

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by patgizz »

my 95 and 96 have different subframes.

Topic author
leadtrombone
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:36 am

Re: 4x4 Conversion....

Post by leadtrombone »

patgizz wrote:my 95 and 96 have different subframes.

Oh. Fuuuuuddge
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

Image
P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr

The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)

1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon
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