Author Topic: Kind of A Dumb Idea....But I'm Intrigued (Read 2147 times)

moldyoldy · « **on:** March 28, 2008, 07:41:24 pm »

Has anyone ever converted a VW diesel for rear wheel drive use? I'm mulling over my summer cruiser project, and have it rounded down to either a full sized Ford, running a Mercedes turbo 5, or was thinking of going small and doing something like a diesel Mustang, Falcon or Rambler. Was thinking since the weights of these are pretty low, I might get away with a VW diesel. Only thing is....how difficult would it be to modify one for a rear wheel drive car? Any help or comments welcome! Thanks!

Possum79 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2008, 08:38:39 pm »

People do it a lot(Well to me it seems like a lot). Off road users love em. They either purchase an adapter plate for another trans or fab their own. Search on here for Suzuki Sidekick conversions or sammuri conversions.

haybayian · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2008, 04:07:11 am »

I have done this and I don't consider it a dumb idea.

My project is building a Lotus Seven like car from scratch. The engine is a remaned 1.9 TD (AAZ) with lots of mods. The 5 speed transmission came from my Suzuki Samurai, the adapter came from ACME in the US, the rear axle is a 7.5 Ford modified (3.08-1 crown pinion). So far I am quite happy with the project, although the real test will be to drive the thing.

Haybayian

jimfoo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2008, 06:19:29 am »

Very cool, though the real test will be the tranny I think. At least the car will be light. I have a friend with one, but he has a turbo Miata engine in it.

haybayian · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2008, 09:14:49 am »

Quote from: "jimfoo"

Very cool, though the real test will be the tranny I think. At least the car will be light. I have a friend with one, but he has a turbo Miata engine in it.

Yes, the tranny, I agree. I will be asking a lot of this little (55 lbs) transmission designed to take about 60 lbs of torque (I think that my AAZ will crank more than 100ft- lbs). I can only hope!!!! All these rock crawlers (albeit using high gear reduction) must also be torturing this poor tranny and I have not heard of anyone (VW+ Zuk) loosing their transmission. Perhaps they would not brag about it.
Someone not too reliable told me that I could get the Zuk's tranny rebuilt with stronger gear. Do you think it can be done?

Haybayian