How to convert AWD to FWD

[rvr]

Guys I need your help badly!

I'm from the Philippines and have a Misubushi RVR JDM w/ a diesel 4D68 turbo intercooled engine and a manual AWD transmission. My problem is ever since we replaced my stiff clutch w/ a new set of pressure plate, clutch disk and release bearing, I'm now having low speed vibrations, most specially at slow speed wherein I'm supposed to downshift (say 4th to 3rd or 3rd to 2nd) so that the engine would attain an ideal RPM. In other words, its the time when I have to shift and at this time when I get this clunking or rattling vibration on my drivetrain. It seems that the vibration which causes the rattling (ANNOYING!) sound stems from the tranny since we've tried removing the propeller shaft, the noise disappears but I could still hear the slight vibration that probably comes either from the AWD tranny or transfer case. We've also replaced new cross joints on the propeller shaft and still the vibration is there. It seems that the vibration stems from the AWD tranny then resonates to the transfer case into the propeller shaft which finally creates the rattling sound.

On normal or high speed, there is no vibration or rattling at all.

Btw, during the time we removed the propeller shaft, we discovered that the car would'nt run normally without the rear wheel rotating. The car ran as if it had a sliding clutch, most specially driving uphill.

I strongly suspect that the AWD tranny's the culprit and am thing if there is a way to disable the viscous coupling in so that I could isolate my problem.

Any recommendation or suggestions would be highly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Morphius]

Try looking into your carrier bearings on the propeller shaft. Maybe there is one that is bad.


What is a RVR? How much boost are you running on your 4D68T? Stock levels or more? Got a pic of the monster? Can you readily get parts for it there? or a complete motor. I've got a 4D65 I'm turbocharging and installing in my DSM, but talking to shop in New Zealand, they claim the pre-combustion chamber and cup in the piston are different. So, I don't know how well this is going to work in the end.

Cheapest motor I've found is in New Zealand. $1500 for a 4D68T. What are the prices there? Any companies you know of that have reasonible prices for engines?

 

[rvr]

Thanks for your suggestion Morphius but we've tried switching the whole propeller shaft assembly (including the center carrier bearing) from my friend's rvr but still the vibration and rattling sound is still there :-( I still suspect the vibration comes either from the tranny or transfer case w/c then crawls and resonates into the propeller shaft.
I hope someone out there could give some diy tips how to disable the viscious coupling so that i could try FWD only.

Btw, now with engine running and the car stationary, there is this rattling sound already and when i hold hard on the propeller, it goes away though i can still feel the vibration :-(

Here is my rvr. Some other mods i've done is a surplus 3" Fujitsuba muffler, auto meter boost gauge, nardi 3 spoke steering wheel, momo shift knob and diy short throw shifter.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/japorms

here's another picture
http://www.japan-partner.com/Picture/Mitsubishi/RVR/895/1/picture.html

more..
http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/mitsubishi/rvr/

racing version
http://www.xspeed.com.au/ssport/28rvr/28rvr.htm

The max boost level of my 4D68 is 9 lbs. but i've got a manual boost regulator waiting to be installed maybe before new year. The car is very responsive for a diesel engine. my top speed is 160 k/ph, although the rpm at that speed is close to 4.5k (redline is 4.5-6k rpm)and looking for a 6th gear.

Havent personally seen a 4D68T in the surplus market but i've heard that its selling around US$900. parts such as timing belts, nossle tips are quite easy to find. a lot of surplus body part too in the market.

btw, my rvr used to be right hand drive. twas converted to left hand drive. rack and pinion steering came from mitsubishi delica 4x4 van. dashboard was sawed in half then epoxied to convert to left hand version.

and btw, my 1st rvr had a 4g63t motor, a/t. sold it cause i couldnt afford its gas consumption, around 4-5 kms per liter city driving w/ air-con on, on a commute car. power wise, i couldnt ask for more, it was real fast and sleeper!! really fun to drive!