AWD with a 420 is it possible...

[Davion1089]

I have posted many rather ignorant threads and i hope this is not a repeat of that ignorance.. I would like to know why you can't get awd with a 420a because that's the only real advantage of a 4g63 as far as i can currently tell... is it the trany or what.. please help me figure out how to get awd with my 420a so i can smoke the 4g63's out there or at least lose more equal because awd is always better than fwd..

 

[steve]

Simple answer, no.
Not so simple answer, it depends on how much time and money you have to waste on this.

The AWD drivetrain in DSMs is based around the Mitsubishi W5M33 amd W4A33 transmissions. These have center differentials and a output shaft for powering the read end.
You would have to find AWD trans that mated to the 420A and make all the hardware to hang it, support your drive shaft and rear diff.

Nothing wrong with dreaming but it might be easier to build a car from scratch than pull this off.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Or do what i did made my awd turbo a non turbo awd, it still has a turbo on it for the exhaust but does not boost. I did this because my turbo blew up and have spent 2 months for a replacement and still nothing so i did it.

I think you're missing the point...


Someone was toying with the idea of using a Chrysler 4-speed AWD tranny from a Jeep a while back. It had a few abtract similarities to the NV-T350, but when it comes down to it, it's just like Steve said; you need time and money to mount the new drivetrain and get it to mount to the engine.

 

[Defiant]

Just wow. Both of you.

WTF

 

[dr1665]

While I'm sure you've experienced a healthy dose of ignorance mixed in with more frustration on the part of the experienced fellas on this forum, keep in mind that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting different results.

Nothing is impossible. It's all a matter of time, money, and aptitude. You could likely fab something up, but you need to focus your attention on learning how to fabricate things up before you consider something like this. The fact that, given all the guys on this and every other DSM forum that know how to fab up custom equipment, this has not been attempted yet should be grounds to dismiss the dream right off the bat. Unless you're a qualified fabricator, this is not something you could do.

There has been talk of converting a 2GNT into RWD by using the tranny from a RWD, 2.4L-powered Jeep Liberty. Has it been done yet? Nope. There's also a guy out there currently giving thought to a Viper-powered, RWD, back-halved 2GNT, but he's also a professional fabricator with a good deal of experience in building tubular chassis and the like. Even he is apprehensive, although it's certainly an exciting concept to wrap your brain around (Viper has the same wheelbase as an ESi, FYI.)

Basically, this is the sort of project that, if you really want to do it, you have to actually do more than post a question on the internet asking others how to do it. It's not been done yet, so someone will have to, dare I say it, innovate and take a shot at it. Who knows, it could be you, but just remember, this is serious shit. You stand a very good chance of crippling your car to the point of it never driving again. This sort of project will be a great deal of trial and error. You have to have the time to be without a running DSM, the money to continue to buy more parts and supplies that, ultimately, won't work for you, and the experience to know how to spot the problems you can fix, rather than just trying to force a lame duck through to "completion."

Hope that gives you some insight into things. It's never been done, so there is no information out there on how to do it. Most people who've been around a while know it's more trouble than it's worth and so aren't interested in attempting it. So, you're essentially asking people who A) Haven't done what you're asking and B) Aren't interested in doing what you're doing, how to do something they haven't done and aren't interested in doing. Why not ask how to knit a quilt?