rwd to awd

[Captn.Crunch]

I did a search and didn't find anything so if I missed it please point me to it. My issue is my 99 awd Safari's rocker panels are GONE! I've been looking for a replacement but anything close and reasonable is suffering the same fate. Searching far from New England will net me some solid vans but awd is not very popular south of the snow belt. My question is what's to stop me from buying a solid rwd and putting my front awd clip under it? I was looking and there aren't a lot of wires to the tccm that don't come from the tc/tranny/4x4 switch. Wiring is my biggest weakness when it comes to wrenching but it'd be worth the effort to get a SOLID van under me for a change

[1lowcab]

How bad is the rust on the rockers? You could always cut it out and weld in new panels, it really is a lot easier then it sounds....trust me, I'm not a welder. lol!

I got my repair panels here https://www.millsupply.com/auto-body-rust-repair-panels/ very nice, thick metal and made in the usa.

[astroracer]

Doing the drivetrain swap is a no brainer. All you do is remove EVERYTHING from the donor van and swap it over to the new one. It's simply plug and play. If you take good notes and pictures while you are taking both vans apart it will be very straight forward.
Mark

[Captn.Crunch]

I've seen first hand what goes into fixing rusty rockers on these things and I'd rather drink turpentine and piss on a brushfire than go down that road. Mine are shot. There's just no way. I'll find something solid and get proactive. Prevention will be my motto!
And with all that being said I'm still trying to figure out just how tough it would be to roll my AWD clip under a RDW van?

[Captn.Crunch]

Doing the drivetrain swap is a no brainer. All you do is remove EVERYTHING from the donor van and swap it over to the new one. It's simply plug and play. If you take good notes and pictures while you are taking both vans apart it will be very straight forward.
Mark

That's what I'm thinking. My concerns being with the electronic tc control. Does the
tccm talk to the bcm or ecu? I'm fine with the great big pieces-it's those itty bitty things that find me scratching my..... head

[The Drummer]

I have looked into that as well , as anything is possible ..., but it looked to be a lot of work i have never done before , i found a much easyer way to do it , i sold the rwd and bought an awd , much easyer beleive me .

[1lowcab]

Here ya go! Arizona, rust free and AWD! https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/6104703008.html

[Astro Pop]

I know I've advocated many times here that CA Astros are completely rust free and are plentiful. It's just the expense of getting here and then driving it back. Depends on how dedicated you are to owning a clean Astro. In driving just to the local grocery, about 3 mi, I see 2 or 3 every time. Mostly large company vans, which says a lot about their reliability.

[Captn.Crunch]

I'm very dedicated to finding a solid van-ask my friends-I drive them nuts! Had one in fla. lined up. AWD with leather needed a fuel pump $700. Sent them a deposit and called to tell them the transporter would b there in two days " sorry man my wife thought u were a scammer and sold the van to our neighbor."
"Dude-scammers don't wire you money!"
The search and the research continue....

[1lowcab]

Heres some more, Nevada and cheap!
https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/6136048813.html

[WimpTech]

How to Convert a RWD to AWD: by WimpTech

1) Loosen and remove gas cap.
2) Move out RWD from under cap
3) Move in AWD under cap
4) Tighten cap
5) Dispose of rust bucket in accordance with local regulations.
6) Crack open frosty beverage and celebrate!

[Captn.Crunch]

I'm thinking about pulling the wheels off it and planting a maple seedling in each wheelwell. Check back in 25-30 yrs

[WimpTech]

Astro tree fort!
Saaay whaaaat?!