Hey guys, I just wanted to know if this is possible and if so what parts would be needed/need to be removed. I've searched and only come across pull the AWD fuse & buy a rwd. I'm looking for actually converting a AWD to rwd. I've read about some Audi, Sti guys doing this, so I'm wondering if anyone's ever done this on a G. I'm not lookin to do this anytime soon but with how expensive awd parts are and how theyll become harder to find as the years pass, I'd like to know if it could be done. Thanks in advance!

 

Not hard just remove all the awd parts and then you will have a rwd car. Our cars are rwd to begin with so the car will still drive fine.

The sti, Audi are fwd cars first so they need to be modded to work as rwd

 

Why do you want to do this?

 

The cost of the swap isn't worth it IMO. you will need to swap: trans, wire harness, TCU, ECU, all suspension in front end and even then you still might have issues with the BCM.

There is no sense reverse engineering something like this. If you dont like AWD (sedan only) then you have a RWD option already available. Don't reinvent the wheel for fun.

 

What's wrong with switching the AWD system into safe mode, dropping the t case and all other front drivetrain components? Only one light will come on and it's for AWD being in safe mode... just need a RWD drive shaft and a differential. You can swap for the 6 spd differential for better gearing also. I am doing this mod along with a VB upgrade to compliment my paddle shifters. My main reason is because my AWD coupling blew in my T case... ouch.

 

How is your swap coming along? I'm considering doing this do you have any pics of your progress ?

 

I've been driving on my converted X for... Months no issues. Better mpg, less bearing whine, no T case noises... No Clunking on slow low RPM acceleration (T case problem) no RPM pickup issues... (Also AWD related). I even Dyno'd on a RWD mustang dyno.

You do not have to swap the transmission, or any front suspension components whatsoever. After being under my car for two seconds I was forced to facepalm myself. There is no way to remove the T case but it can be left on there as useless dead weight. Simply wire a switch in to cut power to the T case coupling. Jack up the car, remove the front drive shaft (My drivers side cat had to be removed) Optional; drop the front sub-frame, take the differential and mid shafts out and plug all holes.
Make sure you make a plug out of a bolt, some tape, and a socket to hammer into the shaft hole on the T case. The bolt allows you to thread something on in the future to yank it out if you have to.
The most nerve wracking step is modifying the front CV axles.
You have to first remove both of them. At this point you can put the suspension back together mostly. Sever the CV axles at the CV joints so just the front wheel speed sensor rings and main axle bolts are left. Re-install these, and torque your axle nut. Your front wheels will now spin freely like RWD.

The one downfall to doing this mod:
When I start my car, it forgets I converted it to RWD. There is no AWD light on the dash. Like when you start off witha cold car, when the ABS pump purges or whatever it does as soon as you drive the car 5 feet, this is how the AWD light will react. When you drive (or rev the engine sometimes) You will see the AWD light come on and stay on. For the 5 seconds after the light kicks on, the throttle will be limited.
The T case goes into safe mode and the throttle input is cut for approximately 5 seconds to what feels like 25% throttle. You can drive, it just wont be doing any burnouts for the first few seconds. It's quite annoying if you want to start up a warm car and go but it is very easy to deal with.
At the drag strip I just turned the car on when it was almost my turn, did a quick blip of a tire spin and got the computer to recognize it will be in RWD mode for the run. If I didn't do this, when I started moving off the line the throttle would be cut and crap, a bad run would occur.

Traction control, snow mode, and ABS all works 100% of the time. My traction control disable switch also works flawlessly so basically just do it. I have to say this car is a different beast in RWD, it handles much better IMO.

 

Alot of work. I have a x. I dont get any of the noises you describe! A rwd can not handle better than awd! I would just sell and buy a rwd G.

 

What year and how many miles on it? I didn't have issues until 120k with my '05 X. I'm still in college so a new transfer case did not fit the budget, that would have been nice.

To save posts here is a picture of the modified CV axles for reference just in case someone decides to take this route.

 

Yosip it is an 05 with 84,650 miles on her. I bought it last August.The nissa dealer gave me a 2 yr warranty with it. They are nice cars.Just as nice as the a6 quattro I had.Yea it has to be hard on you to fix while in school! Is it still driveable? It has to be making terrible noises. I know when I had a 86 ranger 4x4 and the transfer case was going bad you couldnt turn radio up to drown it out! What kind of times do you get? Thats one thing awd wont do is smoke the tires!

 

Doing that all the time would **** me off.

I'd just sell the car and buy a RWD car to begin with

 

I think I updated; turning the wheel to the right makes the lights turn on and you're good to go. Didn't have the money to buy a new t case at the time so had to do what I had to do...

 

That's a bit easier to do.


The bit about having to drive a bit in a sort of limp mode would seem like it would get old after a while.


Did you ever change the front bearings to the RWD type? I'm curious to how the AWD ones have held out without the CV axle in there helping to reinforce them?

 

Haha they would fail miserably without anything in there. I severed the front axles at the outer CV joint and reinstalled the axle nuts. But no I have not gone over to the RWD bearings yet... Maybe next round. I've gotten it down to one hour to change out the bearings but it isn't cheap! The limp mode thing only lasts for a few seconds. I had to drive a few feet then it would get funky for a second or two. Kinda weird. I wish I knew turning the wheel made it sync, that would have been nice at the track.

As far as longevity, the bearings have been lasting just as long as they ever did in front. Best thing I ever did was ***** up and swap it. I really didn't plan to go TT but somehow that just happened ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I like this post! *Subscribed*
"I really didn't plan to go TT too, it just happened. haha"