How hard is it to convert a 2002 RWD to AWD?

[tungtide]

Astro fever has set in, It may become safari pox before long. My question is> If you find a cream puff, but it's 2 wheel drive. ( say an 2002 with only 12 K miles on it ( garage kept ) can you make it into a 4x4?? and if so how many dollars will it take?? It's only an ad at this point so I don't know, but I'm assuming it's rear wheel drive. also I haven't called it could be a mis-print. My wife will have a cow if I pull the trigger, but how many of these come up? The ad says 5900.00 it's a match to the one I have now other than being 2wd. Thanks in advance!!

[TurnNburn]

Its going to require a whole subframe from an AWD to make it work. Which for the record, is not easy to pull off. Not to mention swapping all of the steering and suspension components. You are looking at probably 20 hours or work ahead of you IF you knew what you were doing. Perhaps days if you don't... not to mention you have to have the allusive subframe, aaaaand on top of that you need the awd transmission, the t case, and both drive shafts. Basically you need a whole donor car to make it cost affective.

I have done it, so yes, it can be done, but it is technician level 9 to pull it off

[tungtide]

I was afraid of that. Thanks turn and burn. for any who might be looking I'll mention it in classifieds. auto trader Cincinnati.

[deeiche]

IF you wanted to do it best is to find a same year donor AWD. Better yet, just sell the RWD and buy a good AWD, you will be happy you did.

Having said that we are in the final steps of converting a 1989 Provan Tiger to AWD using a donor 1992 GMC Safari. I did not want to sell my Tiger, just went through a compete interior renovation a couple of years ago, also AWD TIgers fetch high $$.

Converting from 92 to 89 is a huge task, I would recommend no one do it.

[AstroWill]

Converting from 92 to 89 is a huge task, I would recommend no one do it. :doh:

Why is that?

[deeiche]

Converting from 92 to 89 is a huge task, I would recommend no one do it.

Why is that?

89 is throttle body, vacuum assist brake and steering
92 is CPFI, hydroboost brake and steering, also ABS.

So it is a lot more work than going from same year RWD to AWD. Of course it can be done. I'm hoping to have my 1989 AWD Provan Tiger on the road some day.

[AstroWill]

Converting from 92 to 89 is a huge task, I would recommend no one do it. :doh:

Why is that?

89 is throttle body, vacuum assist brake and steering
92 is CPFI, hydroboost brake and steering, also ABS.

So it is a lot more work than going from same year RWD to AWD. Of course it can be done. I'm hoping to have my 1989 AWD Provan Tiger on the road some day.

Oh, you were changing the engine as well. Gotcha, could run the 89s TBI on the 92 engine. Would love to see pictures before, during and after :)

[deeiche]

Oh, you were changing the engine as well. Gotcha, could run the 89s TBI on the 92 engine. Would love to see pictures before, during and after

yes, I wanted the "newer" tech provided by the 92. In retrospect it makes more sense to use the opportunity to upgrade engine and transfer case. I have a low miles 2001 GMC Yukon sitting in the yard with the Vortec 5300 which I thought about using, but I didn't find it until after a lot of the 89 to 92 heavy lifting had occurred.

[AstroWill]

Then again, if it's your first time with the conversion it's all good experience. Sometimes better to do it one bite at a time instead of trying to eat the whole pie at once.