Fwd To Awd Re-swap

[trunks]

I've got a 95 GSX that had its legs cut off before I bought it. Well, I'm getting tired of the wheel spin already and I've found a guy with most of the parts on craigslist and was wondering if putting it back would be easier than if it was originally a GST? I guess I'm asking if in the process of making it a two wheeler there would be frame parts cut out or welded that would make putting it back a real pain or impossible?

I've read through the most of the swap posts but haven't found anyone who's 'put it back'.

Thanks for any help.

 

[mike96]

the person you bought your car from more than likely did not switch out the gas tank for a FWD one and i would be willing to bet the rear sub frame is the GSX one as well. take a look under your car and see if all the bolts for the drive shaft are still in place and see if it looks like a rear diff will still bolt in to the rear sub frame. if so it should just be a matter of just bolting in the correct trans, drive shaft, rear diff, and axles, ma-by exhaust.

 

[trunks]

Thanks for the reply. I'll crawl under tonight and take a look. I'll bring my camera with too and snap some photos. I'd sure be nice if all that stuff was still intact. I know when I bought new brake pads that the 2wd ones were incorrect but I think that was on the front

 

[99gst_racer]

I agree with mike96. If the previous owner didn't change out the subframe or gas tank, then you're in good shape. Th biggest pain in the ass would be swapping fuel tanks. The FWD tank used mounts that were tack welded to the chassis, and when you swap to an AWD tank, you need to cut those off. Soooo, if he did that already, then you'd have to source out the mounts, and re-weld them back in place. Not fun, especially the one that's near the brake lines on the passenger side.

Yeah, definitely snap some pics to we can see what you're working with.

 

[trunks]

Okay, thanks. I'll definately jack it up tonight and snap photos. Meantime, I'll keep my fingers crossed for the rest of the day.

 

[trunks]

Okay so I got some pics here. I looks to me like there is nothing left. The tank must be 2wd since it's metal (I knocked on it). The good news is that it looks like he made some brackets to attach the tank instead of welding it and I spotted some of the original bolts for the awd tank.

Is that condensation on the tank normal? Also, I'm pretty sure something crawled up in there somewhere and died.

So I pretty much need everything? It looks like a bolt on affair at least?

Thanks again.

 

[bastarddsm]

well the driveshaft mounts are still there...thats half the battle

 

[trunks]

Yeah, I didn't even think about that. The one by the tank is there too - bolts and all. The more I think about it, the more this will be a great winter project. I've been wanting to get a 3 inch exhaust anyway.

 

[bastarddsm]

haha cool you'll love AWD, best mod I ever did!

 

[99gst_racer]

Yeah, that's a FWD fuel tank (not mounted with the factory mounts, btw), and a FWD rear subframe. But like bastarddsm mentioned, both carrier bearing mounts are still intact. That will save alot of headache alone.

You'll need to source out a complete 2G AWD rear subframe, fuel tank with shield, driveshaft, and exhaust. You'll also need the tranny and t-case if it/you don't already have one.

 

[bastarddsm]

It looks like it should be a pretty bolt on affair for you. I wonder if they swapped out the subframe bolts. Thats one of the only parts that requires welding.


Side note: It amazes me how clean these cars stay from up north. My talon was from michigan, and was spotless when I got it A few illinois winters, and its starting to get a few rust bubles...####ing Salt.

 

[trunks]

Here's a photo of the passenger subframe. I did notice it's only bolted down with one bolt. It looks like the holes match but no fastener.

The car spent most of it life in South Dakota with no salt (and one snowplow for the entire state). Here in MN they love salt but this car will never see snow as long as I own it.