I know it's possible to convert a trep to a RWD, The question is...Is it really cost effective. Your talking about a complete transmission, and rear end coversion. Your looking at at least 4-5 grand and a ton labor even if you do it your self. Though it's completely doable, that's just a big chunk of change that could be used to get a RWD. Not putting down your idea, just sharing info. I did alot of research on this about 6 years ago when I was thinking of converting. Just a massive can of worms to get everything you need mounted and functioning, and finding a good place to make you a custom driveshaft.

 

4-5 grand plus labor? Trans is only 900 (http://www.transmissions4less.com/dodge.html) IIRC there's a shop around here that'll do a good custom drive shaft for around 80-200 then I just have to get the rearend.... To me that seems like 1.5-2 grand plus labor....

I appreciate your info on it, and I know it'll be kind of expensive but Hell I'm probably gonna be putting 2 grand in the motor soon anyways, and I always wanted a RWD so if the trans goes out this could very well be a good answer to me, also it's not my daily driver anymore so I don't have to worry too much about having it done really quickly....

I also want to know how much would have to be done to hook it up to the stock electronics... Just splicing as with the 2nd gen in the 1st gen or what? Just trying to gather info....

 

We'll besides the rear end your looking at rerouting your exhaust along with getting the suspension mounted with the proper locations for all the bolts. If it's not in the exact spots for the platform then the handling will be very dangerous. The Closest package I had found was a conversion off a Crown Victoria, But that would have ended with a motor swap as well. Hunt around on youtube...I know I saw a fully converted rwd Trep on it. It was functional but not very pretty looking with all the cutting and modding that was done.
You would also need to look at making a subframe since the car was built with all the torque coming from the front and not the rear, The geometry will be off when it comes to load transfer from driving. Just a lot to think about.

As for the electronics, I can't give you an answer for that...From an electrics standpoint my knowledge is fairly limited.

 

We'll besides the rear end your looking at rerouting your exhaust along with getting the suspension mounted with the proper locations for all the bolts. If it's not in the exact spots for the platform then the handling will be very dangerous. The Closest package I had found was a conversion off a Crown Victoria, But that would have ended with a motor swap as well. Hunt around on youtube...I know I saw a fully converted rwd Trep on it. It was functional but not very pretty looking with all the cutting and modding that was done.
You would also need to look at making a subframe since the car was built with all the torque coming from the front and not the rear, The geometry will be off when it comes to load transfer from driving. Just a lot to think about.

As for the electronics, I can't give you an answer for that...From an electrics standpoint my knowledge is fairly limited.

Well I knew about rerouting exhaust, as is I have it coming out the sides, it would take just a little modification to clear up the tunnel also IIRC the intrepid was originally meant to be AWD but they took away the option last minute before producion in 93 because they thought it wouldn't be a huge selling point, and that they would lose money off it. But that's only if I'm remembering correctly.

I'm answering this from a very fuzzy memory of what I researched a few years ago when this transmission came out... I believe there was never an application for this transmission where it used our bolt pattern so you will need a custom adapter. The internals are nearly identical so with some component swapping or harness splicing it should be fairly easy to make the TCM run it. (thats the only good news here) But like Ravin said, there are a TON of hidden costs associated with doing a RWD swap, yes the big ticket items are large and obvious and fairly low cost but this is one of those projects that will nickel and dime you into the poor house before you even know it happened.

Besides the big parts you are looking at: starter mounting. adapter for the transmission to include the flex plate. build a new transmission mount. exhaust system. driveshaft. you might run into clearance issues in the tunnel. the rear end needs to be mounted. will you run leaf springs or coil springs. both of those will need structural mounting points. our cars have exactly none so you will need to engineer, fabricate and install all of those. coil springs will need links and shocks, those need mounts also. on the rear axle you will need to sort out the new brakes and how they will be plumbed into the existing system and how to make the brakes on the axle work with the existing system. the parking brake on the axle needs to be integrated with the car's system. the stock gas tank is exactly where the new axle will be so you need to relocate that somewhere, mount it, plumb it in, possibly move the filler neck location.

and that is just what is off the top of my head, there are probably a whole lot more things and even more that none of us can expect since we have not done this before. I'm not trying to shoot down the idea, on the contrary I still want to do this myself eventually! I just want to make sure you know as much as possible about the project before you get in too deep.

Well I don't plan on it any time soon. This would be long after the conversion you and I are talking about through PM And it would be if my trans ever went out. Also I was honestly hoping to put a fuel cell in the trunk and get it to work with the stock system so the gauge would be correct if I do this. As for the rearend I am still coming up with ideas for it, I know the 2nd gen v8 RWD that's done used a 69 (I believe) Grand Fury III rearend.

This will be one of those long term (very long term) goals for the car, I was mainly trying to through the idea out there to gather as much info as possible

 

I'm answering this from a very fuzzy memory of what I researched a few years ago when this transmission came out... I believe there was never an application for this transmission where it used our bolt pattern so you will need a custom adapter. The internals are nearly identical so with some component swapping or harness splicing it should be fairly easy to make the TCM run it. (thats the only good news here) But like Ravin said, there are a TON of hidden costs associated with doing a RWD swap, yes the big ticket items are large and obvious and fairly low cost but this is one of those projects that will nickel and dime you into the poor house before you even know it happened.

Besides the big parts you are looking at: starter mounting. adapter for the transmission to include the flex plate. build a new transmission mount. exhaust system. driveshaft. you might run into clearance issues in the tunnel. the rear end needs to be mounted. will you run leaf springs or coil springs. both of those will need structural mounting points. our cars have exactly none so you will need to engineer, fabricate and install all of those. coil springs will need links and shocks, those need mounts also. on the rear axle you will need to sort out the new brakes and how they will be plumbed into the existing system and how to make the brakes on the axle work with the existing system. the parking brake on the axle needs to be integrated with the car's system. the stock gas tank is exactly where the new axle will be so you need to relocate that somewhere, mount it, plumb it in, possibly move the filler neck location.

and that is just what is off the top of my head, there are probably a whole lot more things and even more that none of us can expect since we have not done this before. I'm not trying to shoot down the idea, on the contrary I still want to do this myself eventually! I just want to make sure you know as much as possible about the project before you get in too deep.

 

Here the thing: A RWD conversion is very cool. But the problem I've seen with every one that's been done is that they are cobbled together with such high tech pieces as carburetor V8s, solid axles, and leaf springs. I mean the novelty would be fun and unique, but you'd end up wit a car that is heavier and handles much worse than it did from the factory, where a team of engineers spent millions of dollars developing the suspension and testing ride and handling characteristics.

That and its a ton of fabricating work that will give you problems throughout the project. Head over to L H F and look up blackskyracing's project to see what I mean.

I personally wouldn't want to give up our cars' good ride and handling characteristics. I'd rather just buy something RWD to go with my Intrepid, like a Charger or a Magnum, which you can find for five grand these days. I mean if you really want to do it that's your call and it would certainly be cool. Just keep in mind the costs, time, and sacrifices you'll be making.

 

Here the thing: A RWD conversion is very cool. But the problem I've seen with every one that's been done is that they are cobbled together with such high tech pieces as carburetor V8s, solid axles, and leaf springs. I mean the novelty would be fun and unique, but you'd end up wit a car that is heavier and handles much worse than it did from the factory, where a team of engineers spent millions of dollars developing the suspension and testing ride and handling characteristics.

That and its a ton of fabricating work that will give you problems throughout the project. Head over to L H F and look up blackskyracing's project to see what I mean.

I personally wouldn't want to give up our cars' good ride and handling characteristics. I'd rather just buy something RWD to go with my Intrepid, like a Charger or a Magnum, which you can find for five grand these days. I mean if you really want to do it that's your call and it would certainly be cool. Just keep in mind the costs, time, and sacrifices you'll be making.

I always thought that the best, and only real way to do it, would be to buy a v8 charger, perhaps cosmetically damaged, for several grand, and swap everything over, including welding in the necessary sheetmetal in the rear to pin the suspension. would reduce the amount of ******* engineering that needed to happen.

 

As everyone else said there would be a lot of work to get it done.

The 42RLE on the newer 3.8L Wranglers would have the correct bolt pattern, the NSG370 6spd manual would also bolt up.

Makes me wonder what a 1st generation Dakota with a second generation aluminum 3.5L would be like. Maybe a more modern little red express.

 

Makes me wonder what a 1st generation Dakota with a second generation aluminum 3.5L would be like. Maybe a more modern little red express.

The 318/360 Dakota's dont do anything for you? Personally I've wanted to drop the SRT-4 2.4L Turbo engine into a 5spd Dakota, I think that could be a fun little parts getter.