RT4WD to 2wd both manual questions

AbideAbide Council Member
So im picking up wagon #2 this weekend since my brown RT is down while im doing a full rebuild on a new motor getting ready for boost later. the new search isnt cooperating the way i want. so i figured i would just ask.

the wagon in question happens to also be a 1988 RT4WD just in blue! What luck!
With the scarcity of parts these days i want to save this (relatively) low miles tranny and diff and shifter ect in case i break something in the future and just convert the newbie to 2wd since the body is really rough anyway. I could use something that gets over 40 mpg!

I know i'll need the trans (duh), the correct transmission mounts, shifter linkage, and shifter box.

my main questions are:

Is the fwd wagon shifter box the same as any other civic or is it wagon specific? is the linkage the same length?

Should i change out the rear spindles and trailing arms and such as well to save them or just let it roll without axles and a diff back there?

what about the transmission mount on the car side. I know you have to drill it out and go to the rt one when converting that way but do i need to do it going the other direction or will the motor just be tilted a little?

can anyone think of other random issues i may run into?

Comments

  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    1) the linkage is close enough to the other 4th gen Civics to work. I hesitate to say it's exactly the same because when I've used aftermarket swap linkages the shifter always ends up toward the rear of the hole in the floor. Since you'll have to cut your own hole, it won't matter anyway! For a better install, cut the tunnel section with the hole from your donor. That way all the OE boots will work.

    2) if you run the RT arms, you'll have to install axle stubs or half-cv joints to retain the bearings. 2wd arms sounds easier to me.

    3) you'll need the 2wd trans mount, or fab a drop link.
  • AbideAbide Council Member
    somehow i knew it would be you......thanks bam. We'll see how it looks saturday. i'll post some pics.
  • AbideAbide Council Member
    545328_764746680166_1546506218_n.jpg

    she made it all the way home! runs like a dream, looks like junk. perfect
Sign In or Register to comment.