RWD ?

[Maddog79]

Is there anybody running just RWD on there e53 ? If so how did u do it.

[williamx5]

Good day!!

Well, I am about ready to pull my automatic and put in a manual 6-speed in my 2004!! I'm just about fed up with this ZF 6hp26!!

But, to answer your question, I don't know if anyone is running the auto with RWD only... I guess it is physically possible to lock up the transfer case to only run torque to the rear tires and pull the front drive shaft... That is kinda what I plan to do when I get around to the 6-speed swap... I'm not positive if I will try to keep the transfer case in the vehicle to keep the stock transmission cross member or ditch the TC and modify the cross member...

Stay tuned!! BUT, this conversion won't be any time soon!! I'm still sourcing parts for the swap... If I make it work in the 2004, I'll be repeating the process on my 4.6is!!

Cheers!!

[Maddog79]

That's cool but what would be the benefits of doing it ?

[williamx5]

Originally Posted by Maddog79

That's cool but what would be the benefits of doing it ?

I would be able to shift the X5 myself and retain the power of the V8... It would be like the 540i sport with the manual 6 speed, but in the SAV platform... I never use my X5 for off-roading, so no need to keep the AWD... Others have done it and retained the AWD, but at a significant cost... I am essentially making my X5 into a big 540i/6...

Cheers!!

[dannyzabolotny]

Depending on which X5 you have, it could either be easy or somewhat complicated. The newer (2004+) X5's have an electronic transfer case that can select where to send the torque to. There are ways of tricking it into full RWD mode. As for the older, pre-2004 X5's, they have a fixed-ratio transfer case so you'd have to remove the front driveshaft and modify the transfer case to just be straight through without any gears. Or you could remove the transfer case entirely and get a longer driveshaft made to compensate, but then you'd have to modify the rear of the transmission to accept the driveshaft and figure out some other way to mount the transmission since by default it's mounted to the transfer case which mounts to the body.

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by Maddog79

Is there anybody running just RWD on there e53 ? If so how did u do it.

Only works on facelifted e53, but you simply pull fuse #46 in the glove box fuse pannel. It will disengage the ABS and 4x4 (obviously).

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[Unique X5]

Good to know I was wondering if possible. I just want to confirm if I pull fuse #46 on my 2005 turbo diesel I can run it on my 2wd dyno? We do this on Nissan R32 GTR's which we work on here. Are there any potential issues with the transfer case or other? R32 GTR's are a bit different as they rear wheel drive until they lose traction, then they transfer power to the front. They have a torque split gauge in the dash.

[Unique X5]

Well can anyone tell me if the transfer case has pre load? If it does like the R33 and R34 Nissan GTR it will damage or wear the transfer case. For these cars you should remove the front prop shaft to run it on a 2 wheel drive dyno. The R32 GTR you can pull the fuse as no pre load. Next question, does anyone know if you can remove the front prop shaft on a E53 and drive the car or run on a dyno, with out any leaks or issues?

[Clockwork]

No idea. I'm going g to assume your diesel tranny/transfer case are same as a petrol facelift

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[Maddog79]

I'm experiencing a shuttering in acceleration i wonder if it's the transfer case ?