Yes, you read the title right. Everyone has and is discussing FWD to AWD swaps, and AWD to RWD conversions (welding the center diff permanently), but never once have I heard of AWD to FWD being talked about. First off, I know this would defeat the purpose of buying the car. It will completely kill the handling characteristics of AWD in the turns, and there will be no such thing as a launch with it converted to FWD, it will be wheel spin. But luckily I don't drag my car, and the twisties only come every so often, and yes, there will be no snow driving in FWD. Most of the time I drive my car like and old man anyways. It is modded, but the power is there more for just knowing it's there, not really to use it (alot).

I live in CA for part of the year, and Idaho the other part. So I do NEED all wheel drive part of the time. What I am thinking about is the ability to switch from AWD to FWD on the fly, via a lever. Our old late 80's Subaru wagon we used to have was FWD with a lever for hi or low 4WD by shifting a lever next to the manual transmission shifter. I understand that I will not be able to have hi and low AWD because of the handicaps of the AWD differential, but what if you could disengage the transmission/center diff from the rear differential (essentially disconnecting the driveshaft from the rear diff)? I understand that the center diff would still be working as usual from the front tires turning, but it will not be straining to send torque back to the rear diff. Is this plausable, or am I just crazy? And why would I want this, do you ask? More wheel horse power (that I can play around with from rolls), less shock to the tranny during take offs and shifts, and possibly slightly higher fuel economy. I hope my jibberish makes sense.

Thank you in advance for your time,
Smitty
2003 WRX wagoon 5 speed

 

Bump, anyone?

 

first off, anything is possible

secondly, fwd is good for the snow, when awd and 4wd is not an option, the next best choice for the snow is fwd

I was looking into getting (more like wishing I could get) an air locker for my wrx, i wanted to fool around with rwd but don't want it permanently because of the weakness of the rear diff. So welding up the center diff is out of the question and I believe a few companies make a part for the center that just needs to be installed, but that also permanently eliminates the awd, leaving again a problem with the weak rear diff.

So, to answer your question, anything is possible. Just take out the rear drive shaft, or if you want a lever like a 4wd vehicle, pay out some major buck$ for a custom one off center diff.