AWD Dakota R/T

11482 Views 27 Replies 16 Participants Last post by 99dakotaman, Feb 7, 2015

WeezyRT

Discussion Starter · Jan 30, 2010

Humor me on my weekend snowed in.

Not really something Im looking into doing (well maybe waaaay down the road depending on the replies I get). More of "can this be done/how hard would it be?"

My buddies were throwing around ideas about doing AWD setups, one has a 500hp Del Sol and he was saying that some CRV driveline parts are used to do this for his car and it isnt TOO hard to do. Then my other buddy has a Cobalt and said its been done on other Cobalts using certain model Porsche parts.

Well a Durango R/T rolled by and got me thinking... Im probably over simplifying things but wouldnt the trans/transfer case and other parts needed from the Rango swap right over? Maybe need a custom drive shaft made. I dont know... :huh:

Thoughts, opinions?

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

gocartone

· #2 · Jan 30, 2010

They made an AWD transfercase in the Dakotas aswell. Someone else will have to help you with it as I don't know much about going from a 2wd truck to AWD. But I promise you it would be a HELL of a lot easier then what either of your friends have planned. I've never heard of anyone making either of those cars AWD, the crv parts are true but they sure as hell won't hold at 500hp.

I would just stick with the 2wd and get some bigger tires out back, unless you REALLY want AWD.

WeezyRT

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 30, 2010

gocartone said:
They made an AWD transfercase in the Dakotas aswell. Someone else will have to help you with it as I don't know much about going from a 2wd truck to AWD. But I promise you it would be a HELL of a lot easier then what either of your friends have planned. I've never heard of anyone making either of those cars AWD, the crv parts are true but they sure as hell won't hold at 500hp.

I would just stick with the 2wd and get some bigger tires out back, unless you REALLY want AWD.

This is most likely what I would do.

Im more so just curious and then obviously bored being snowed in, throwing ideas around.

RTZoD

· #4 · Jan 30, 2010

Isn't the durango R/T awd? Could be as simple as taking shit out of a wrecked RT Durango.

ColoDak

· #5 · Jan 30, 2010

I think that in order to get it to fit properly, your not going to be lowered, you'll have to have it sit up some. Unless, you were to get the AWD drive-line from a Magnum/Charger or 300C and swap it in.

ColoDak

· #6 · Jan 30, 2010

RTZoD said:
Isn't the durango R/T awd? Could be as simple as taking shit out of a wrecked RT Durango.

But it's not a low set vehicle, it sits the same height as a normal part-time 4wd durango. For it to look right, he would need a drive-line that could be tucked.

WeezyRT

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 30, 2010

RTZoD said:
Isn't the durango R/T awd? Could be as simple as taking shit out of a wrecked RT Durango.

Yes they are. Which is what got me thinking about it along with my friends talking about doing it to their cars.

WeezyRT

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 30, 2010

ColoDak said:
I think that in order to get it to fit properly, your not going to be lowered, you'll have to have it sit up some. Unless, you were to get the AWD drive-line from a Magnum/Charger or 300C and swap it in.

Yea, the reason I thought of using the Rango R/T setup is sharing the same motor, the trans and whatnot would bolt right up.

2k1AmberR/T

· #9 · Jan 30, 2010

I don't think it would be too terribly difficult.

caulk04

· #10 · Jan 30, 2010

Won't work that easily...

The frames are different from 4wd and 2wd vehicles, specifically in the front end.

The front suspension is totally different, the front CV shaft wouldn't be able to go through the coil spring...

It would be much easier to buy a 4wd and modify the suspension to sit at the height you want.

Hustlajustin

· #11 · Jan 30, 2010

Body swap a Dak R/T onto the Durango R/T frame :funny:

WeezyRT

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 30, 2010

caulk04 said:
Won't work that easily...

The frames are different from 4wd and 2wd vehicles, specifically in the front end.

The front suspension is totally different, the front CV shaft wouldn't be able to go through the coil spring...

It would be much easier to buy a 4wd and modify the suspension to sit at the height you want.

My only issue with that would be, arent you not supposed to run 4wd on the street in dry conditions? Mainly tight turns and such correct? Obviously the main benefit here would be for excellent traction and in a 4x4, I could just put in 4wd and launch that puppy.. Id more be interested in full-time AWD though, not having a lowered 4wd.

Hustlajustin said:
Body swap a Dak R/T onto the Durango R/T frame :funny:

Simplest, therefore, best idea! :jester:

jmaack727

· #13 · Jan 30, 2010

Easiest to just put a 5.9 in a 4x4 dakota .haha

Neil

· #14 · Jan 31, 2010

WeezyRT said:
Simplest, therefore, best idea! :jester:

Not simplest. The rear Durango frame is different from the Dak. The bed would never bolt on.

caulk04

· #15 · Jan 31, 2010

WeezyRT said:
My only issue with that would be, arent you not supposed to run 4wd on the street in dry conditions? Mainly tight turns and such correct? Obviously the main benefit here would be for excellent traction and in a 4x4, I could just put in 4wd and launch that puppy.. Id more be interested in full-time AWD though, not having a lowered 4wd.

The only difference between '4wd' and 'AWD' Dakotas/Durangos is the transfer case. 4wd is a general term for the models that can drive the front axle. AWD is a more specific term used for models that drive the front axle all the time.

mamasboy

· #16 · Jan 31, 2010

i myself believe it could be done without to much pain,,,just need the parts is all,but from the front ends of the 4x4,4x2, and the durango rt- shouldn't need to much fab, maybe a little cutting/welding to get parts to fit properly,,but with all the people on here it should be good to go

jmaack727

· #17 · Jan 31, 2010

Over thinking it.

WeezyRT

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 31, 2010

jmaack727 said:
Easiest to just put a 5.9 in a 4x4 dakota .haha

Or 6.7

Neil said:
Not simplest. The rear Durango frame is different from the Dak. The bed would never bolt on.

Realisticly not the simplest, I just joking because he answered everything I asked in like 10 words. That obviously wouldnt work. :jester:

WeezyRT

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jan 31, 2010

caulk04 said:
The only difference between '4wd' and 'AWD' Dakotas/Durangos is the transfer case. 4wd is a general term for the models that can drive the front axle. AWD is a more specific term used for models that drive the front axle all the time.

Right.

Iv never understood why they recommend not driving in 4wd on dry roads etc etc.. but its perfectly fine for AWD vehicles to do so.

ShadowRango

· #20 · Jan 31, 2010 (Edited)

WeezyRT said:
Right.

Iv never understood why they recommend not driving in 4wd on dry roads etc etc.. but its perfectly fine for AWD vehicles to do so.

Most 4wd trucks have no center differential, just a transfer case to send power to the front wheels. This means that the front and rear are locked in constant 50/50 torque split, and when turning sharply, since the front and rear aren't turning on the same radius and at the same speeds, the driveline will bind. An AWD or full-time 4wd has a center differential that can remain unlocked and allow torque to shift from front to back as needed, allowing the front and rear to travel at different speeds.

Ideally, an AWD system will have differentials front, rear, and center, all with LSDs or lockers so that power may transfer from tire to tire on dry pavement, but lock into true 4wd when the traction is needed. I know jeep and other automakers have some pretty complicated electronic systems that can send pretty much 100% torque to any tire. BUT, from my experience, electronic systems are not as capable as simply locking all 4 tires together (ie jeep rubicon) when you're in slippery conditions or climbing over large obstacles.

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