AWD to FWD Questions

[evileclipse98]

I bought a 98 Eclipse GSX and the engine, trans, driveshaft, and transfer case are toast. I want to know if I can remove the rear diff and axles and convert it to fwd. I would go from GSX to GST. Also, do I need to replace the rear hubs, if so, will other factory parts work? Thanks.

 

[1990AWD]

it can be done, but I would still find a way of replacing stuff and keeping it AWD. AWD is just too much fun

 

[ilco187]

i to am trying to convert from awd to fwd only for good cause for temporary, as my trans has blew up like a damn grenade the center diff, had exploded my trans its way beyond FUBAR.

 

[Afroclipse]

I bought a 98 Eclipse GSX and the engine, trans, driveshaft, and transfer case are toast. I want to know if I can remove the rear diff and axles and convert it to fwd. I would go from GSX to GST. Also, do I need to replace the rear hubs, if so, will other factory parts work? Thanks.

leave the rear alone and get fwd tranny, axles and flywheel. Explain how these parts became toast again?

 

[evileclipse98]

Bought the car this way, cheap. I knew what I was up against. I just wanted to sell the rear diff and axles to go toward the other stuff. Also, it was an auto, and I have absolutely no interest in autos, faster or not. So I need to convert it to manual trans also. I just want to know rear component interchangability(hubs and whatknot) and whether the rear structure will be too weak without the differential and axles. I am wondering also if the rear hubs/bearings would be ok just leaving the splines exposed without axles. Thanks.

Just to ad, I am also wanting to shed all the extra weight of the awd components.

 

[jdunbar10]

i would keep it awd if you can and if at most swap the tranny cvs and thats about it i would keep and hold on what you can and look for awd parts

 

[ilco187]

what do they do, how do you know they are toast.

 

[evileclipse98]

I don't really want it though. I understand the benefits of awd, but would rather be fwd. That said, any info on this will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[evileclipse909]

If you dont want to swap out the rear subframe then all you will need to do is remove the driveshaft, rear diff, and rear axles. You will then need to swap out your awd rear knuckle assymblys with fwd ones including the e-brake cables. Then just install fwd tranny axles and flywheel.

 

[evileclipse98]

Cant I just pull the rear diff and axles, leaving the hubs, brakes, and knuckles alone? Would it really matter if the rear hubs just spun without axles?

 

[evileclipse909]

yes because the axles hold the wheel bearings together. You shouldnt even push the car around without axles. If the wheel bearing comes apart say good-bye to the wheel atached to it.

 

[mike96]

you could probably use the stock spindles if you can find the caps to cover the back of the holes in the spindles. the rear hubs will need to be changed out for the FWD ones, if there is no axle in the AWD hub then they will inevitably shear off the car. the only other ways you could work around it would be to either leave the entire rear end in the car and just remove the center driveshaft... or find a bad pair of rear axles to dissemble and bolt the outer end back into the AWD rear hub (if your rear axles are still good then they are worth more intact) leaving the GSX suspension in place but removing the rear diff and axles... those would be your quickest/easiest options. what i would do in your situation is try to find someone in your area with a GST that is looking to do an AWD swap and try to work a deal where they can help/guide you trough the process of converting everything including the gas tank using the FWD parts from his car in exchange for the parts from your car. if i lived a little closer to your area and if my car hadn't just been totaled that is something i would take you up on...but.

 

[Calan]

With all the people that would kill for an AWD instead of a FWD...why don't you just sell it and buy (or trade for) a FWD if you really want one? It would probably be cheaper, more reliable, less weight, and faster in the long run.

Just a thought

 

[evileclipse98]

Wouldn't rear hubs from a fwd rs/gs/gst just bolt up to the gsx knuckle? I've heard the knuckles are the same on all the models 95-99. If thats the case, no problem. Thanks.

 

[chaggard27]

I have an extra gst tranny. If u want it cheap pm me

 

[evileclipse98]

Wouldn't rear hubs from a fwd rs/gs/gst just bolt up to the gsx knuckle? I've heard the knuckles are the same on all the models 95-99. Is this true?

 

[cardot33]

keep in mind the FWD rear axle isn't independent like the AWD version. you could go to the junkyard and buy yourself a cheap FWD donor car.

 

[joshs1074]

yeah you can pick up a donor car cheap. ive picked up a couple of them for 200 or less

 

[jrohner]

Just pull the driveshaft and leave the rearend alone. Why do you want to pull the rear diff out anyways, is that shot too?

 

[Mr PopUps]

You can run the AWD front axles and have equal length half shafts.

 

[Lumix315]

With all the people that would kill for an AWD instead of a FWD...why don't you just sell it and buy (or trade for) a FWD if you really want one? It would probably be cheaper, more reliable, less weight, and faster in the long run.

Just a thought

Agreed and a good call, as well! If you want a dog or a cat, buy a dog or a cat. Don't buy one, and try turning it into the other.

And for the rest of you guys saying that you can leave the read end alone and just pull the drive shaft, are you serious? Please explain this to me. There is a REAR DIFFERENTIAL in these cars that needs lubrication and maintance just the same as a FRONT DIFF/TRANSFER CASE. It is my understanding that if you just yank out the driveshaft and leave the rear end alone, your rear diff is just going to grenade itself, causing more problems for the OP. To me, this is just common sense...or is it???

Next to Calan's input, evileclipse909's make the most sense out of everyone that's posted up so far.

 

[evileclipse909]

Fwd and Awd knuckles are different. So are the e-brake assymblys and wheel bearings. Trust me I know. I did an awd swap last summer.

 

[Nick2gGST]

i tried the awd thing...sucks having to share power with all 4 wheels, big power loss.

 

[ilco187]

i tried the awd thing...sucks having to share power with all 4 wheels, big power loss.

weld the center diff, and there ya go, i like awd cause when racing i dont wanna seem like a ricer throwing excuses like, oh i lost traction or oh i spun through 2nd or oh my clutch is slipping all because they got left at the stating point.

 

[stevestevesteve]

to the OP i have a transfer case and driveshaft you can have. pulled from a 98 gsx. PM me