GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Is it possible to convert a FWD to AWD?
I would assume I would need a new transmission as well as a the rear diffs, drive shafts, etc, but is there anyone who's tries such a thing or know much about any structural differences?

Any info or know who/where to loon would be great.
Thanks.

it has been asked many times.

anything is possible with money. but sooo much has to be changed, just sell yours and buy an AWD. You will be light years ahead on saving money.

There is no parts list for this, because no one has gone through the completely unnecessary and ridiculous expense to do this. It would be an extremely long list if you did.

Bedlam wrote:it has been asked many times.

anything is possible with money. but sooo much has to be changed, just sell yours and buy an AWD. You will be light years ahead on saving money.

There is no parts list for this, because no one has gone through the completely unnecessary and ridiculous expense to do this. It would be an extremely long list if you did.

Sounds like a challenge.
Just weighing my options.

Due to the all-wheel-drive and independent rear suspension the chassis is very different from a front wheel drive

There is no pass through for the drive shaft. Unless you jack it up. Oh by the way they are not AWD just 4WD. Pontiac got that wrong. You could go from a 4WD to a FWD or maybe a RWD.

Salsa Guy wrote:There is no pass through for the drive shaft. Unless you jack it up. Oh by the way they are not AWD just 4WD. Pontiac got that wrong. You could go from a 4WD to a FWD or maybe a RWD.

*sigh*

^I understand what SAE says. Been through that with Justin. There is a difference how they work...PERIOD.

Is it possible.
Yes.
Is it advisable.
No.
If someone were to undertake such a project it'd be best to obtain an AWD Vibe or Matrix that has been wrecked, and has an intact drive train.

Here's a quick list, off the top of my head, of things you'll need to change over. This is assuming you're starting with Automatic FWD Vibe with traction control.

• AWD Automatic transmission
  Rear subframe
  Rear suspension (struts, springs, sway bar, endlinks)
  Rear hubs and brakes.
  Rear diff
  Drive shafts (transmission to rear diff, left and right rear half shafts)
  Exhaust (OEM header back, or custom)
  AWD Fuel Tank (12 gallon vs 13 gallon)
  ECM (Main engine/transmission computer also controls awd system).

Note: The ECM must be from a car with the same type of throttle system your engine has (throttle by cable 03-04 throttle by wire 05-06).

Thanks for all the info

I don't believe the 05/06 AWDs had an electronic throttle. Bluecrush's 06 AWD didn't have an electronic throttle.

The best bet for power to the rear is to start with an AWD chassis. I'm not sure if the tunnel through the car can accommodate a driveshaft, but if it can't, you'll be cutting away a large portion of a car, and will even need new carpet for the interior to fit the altered chassis.

KITT222 wrote:I don't believe the 05/06 AWDs had an electronic throttle. Bluecrush's 06 AWD didn't have an electronic throttle.

Gosh, I forgot that all the AWD's are Throttle by cable. Yes, if you have a 05-06 Vibe, it's going to be very hard to get the software to make it work properly.

KITT222 wrote:The best bet for power to the rear is to start with an AWD chassis. I'm not sure if the tunnel through the car can accommodate a driveshaft, but if it can't, you'll be cutting away a large portion of a car, and will even need new carpet for the interior to fit the altered chassis.

I agree getting an AWD chassis is ideal.