Auto fwd to manual rt4wd

slipscreenslipscreen Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
hello all,

pseudo-newbee here... had my fwd wagon for a little while and i've been fixing it up... little things here... little things there...

until i found some 'inspiration'....

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i'm getting things ready for this swap... i've searched... and realize there are a few things i need to watch out for...

my fwd auto passenger side, fender mounted engine mount needs to be replaced with a rt4wd manual one

the floor needs to be massaged to accomodate the new shifter, etc..

the pedal assembly needs to be replaced...

i've been actively trying to acquire these parts from some of the good folks here... and i'm getting there... still need the engine mount and rt4wd pedal assembly.... :mrgreen:

anyone with experience doing this swap?

any inside hints would be greatly appreciated, i am an open book at this point...

i'll be doing the swap once i gather the parts, get the time, etc. but want to get started on the information gathering...

thanks in advance...

oh, here's what my wagon looks like now.... (with winter tires...)
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dave

Comments

  • curtcurt Wagonist
    http://yota1man.tripod.com/vtecwagon/
  • curtcurt Wagonist
    the link i posted is the best guide i haver found for the fwd to rt4wd conv.
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    I thought jaker said the mounts for the rear end were in the 2wds it was just finding the 4wd crossmember and bolting it in..... and no mounts for the viscouse coupler.... that sucks.
  • JakerJaker familEE
    Nope! I had to weld in the front mounts for the rear diff, and I went without the mounts for the viscous coupler, hence the reason for my expensive driveshaft (1 piece, no center bearing). That left me a lot more room for my exhaust. You're right about the rear subframe though. Bolt in the 4WD version. Simple as that.
  • slipscreenslipscreen Wagonist
    that link is awesome... thanks curt!
    http://yota1man.tripod.com/vtecwagon/
    the guy I bought the setup from unbolted the whole drivetrain and lifted the car above it so almost everything necessary is there, i think,
    but yeah, bolting the viscous coupler is the one thing i hadn't thought of...
    I thought jaker said the mounts for the rear end were in the 2wds it was just finding the 4wd crossmember and bolting it in..... and no mounts for the viscouse coupler.... that sucks.
    i would want to get the mounts for the coupler... but having the 4wd subframe still bolted to the rear end helps..
    Nope! I had to weld in the front mounts for the rear diff, and I went without the mounts for the viscous coupler, hence the reason for my expensive driveshaft (1 piece, no center bearing). That left me a lot more room for my exhaust. You're right about the rear subframe though. Bolt in the 4WD version. Simple as that.
    from reading bam-bam's swap, i thought there was a hole in the firewall on later model wagons that wasn't there on the 88-89's... hopefully...

    anyone have a wrecked, easily accessible manual rt4wd?????

    viscous mounts and pass. side motor mount needed...

    thanks guys!!!!
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