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  #1  
Old 10-09-2019, 12:10 PM
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2WD convert possible?

Wondering. I have a fine running old 01,3.0,auto with 250K miles. I see where down the road many X5'ers have problems with the front drive portion of the drivetrain system. So, is it possible to convert these beast to a 2 WD system by simply removing all the front drive parts? Can I swap in a 330i motor, tranny,driveshaft etc. and go? Old X seems to have mechanical system and not the electronic engage system of the newer X's. Just wondering.I live in FL, its FLAT and seems to be where old stuff goes to pass on.
Thanks..
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Old 10-09-2019, 11:28 PM
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Motor swap complicated by ews. I'm not sure if you'd be able to put in the transfer case from an xdrive model. That would be the easiest way I think.

I recently removed a damaged front drive shaft from an e90 and the car just reverts to rear drive. Not sure if that is possible or if you can somehow modify the tc to freeze the front output on pre xdrive car.

I thought there was an option to get rwd on pre 03 and if so I'd find out how they did that. Maybe eliminate the TC completely and use a longer drive shaft


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Old 10-10-2019, 12:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewwynn View Post
I thought there was an option to get rwd on pre 03 and if so I'd find out how they did that. Maybe eliminate the TC completely and use a longer drive shaft.
This PLUS a transmission swap - a member here did this a couple back (williamx5?)- moved to a manual transmission and 2WD. He made up a longer rear drive shaft.

Lots of fabrication in auto to manual swap, plus all the re-coding in the DME etc.
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Old 10-10-2019, 03:38 AM
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Yes it is possible to convert to 2wd. You have to do a bit of welding on the front transfer case or something like that. Look on the E46 forums, the AWD e46 guys have done it before.
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Old 10-10-2019, 11:51 AM
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I thought so, but I am confused. I don't see any wires at all attached to any of my moving front end parts. MY Trifecta light as been on for over a year, but everything works. Just have to emergency brake like I was taught, tap/remove,etc. If the speed sensors aren't working properly in front what else is connected to mechanically moving parts. These old X5's don't have the AWD engagement plastic gear. I would think the biggest issue is weight distribution when you remove the front drive system, transfer case. Just curious.
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Old 10-10-2019, 12:26 PM
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I'd be happy to learn something and be corrected, but my basic understanding of how these early (~pre-2004) x5's work is:

- the transfer case works just like a dumb differential. Constant torque split front to rear (38% / 62%). Just gears, no sensors, no actuators, no clutches, etc.

- the traction control works just like ABS. Detects wheel slip / lockup and adjusts braking accordingly.

For the experts, is that simplification still accurate enough for me to keep believing? I'd gladly throw a switch and be done with the front wheel drive, but am not interested in complicated mods. So I just need to know enough that I can understand how it basically works for driving or diagnosing purposes.
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Old 10-10-2019, 12:29 PM
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That's what I thought.. that's why I prefer the pre 2005/X5, 3.0's , they were practically bullet proof. My thought was to just cut stuff out. Imagine the weight loss when dumping the front diff, axles, driveshaft and the entire transfer case, minus the spline/cut between transmission and rear driveshaft. Cut n paste. RIGHT? Lol....
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Old 10-10-2019, 12:30 PM
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Don't understand the emergency brake comment. Are you saying you can pump the brakes to control understeer?

I thought that could be the case until I had trifecta in a snow storm. In a way you are correct I think: once converted to RWD, you could drive X5 without DSC but in a slippery environment, with three open dif, the X5 is nothing but dangerous, you can't guess when you'll get engine braking and it will put you in random uncontrollable spins. With Rwd, you can at least let off the gas and still steer.

You said you have trifecta but everything works. That is contradictory. Usually when trifecta won't go away and all the parts are in apparent good shape the problem is the abs module.

$200 or so to send that in to have the wiring leads re welded. It's a pretty well known issue with the Bosch abs brains of the early 00s.
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Old 10-10-2019, 12:40 PM
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Ok, what I meant was. My brakes work just fine, but yes, in e.brake situation I can lock them up to skid. I too had a snow storm issue. Years ago, I climbed a steep hill and could feel the entire system take over,it was truly amazing. Then, some years ago,I was in CO and tried driving with the trifecta and you're right,it was scary to say the leasts. I drove around 10-15mph. Paid $1000 to have it fixed and within a year back in FL, trifecta was back on. SO, I am going to check n clean all four speed sensors, then, pump, then go to the supposed new abs module. THey were supposed to have changed out the Steering angle sensor. Im in FL, so I don't really need the AWD.
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Old 10-10-2019, 12:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmwtvboy View Post
Ok, what I meant was. My brakes work just fine, but yes, in e.brake situation I can lock them up to skid. I too had a snow storm issue. Years ago, I climbed a steep hill and could feel the entire system take over,it was truly amazing. Then, some years ago,I was in CO and tried driving with the trifecta and you're right,it was scary to say the leasts. I drove around 10-15mph. Paid $1000 to have it fixed and within a year back in FL, trifecta was back on. SO, I am going to check n clean all four speed sensors, then, pump, then go to the supposed new abs module. THey were supposed to have changed out the Steering angle sensor. Im in FL, so I don't really need the AWD.
Run it for codes. It could be a steering angle sensor. If it is a speed sensor it will usually give you a code as well.
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