2WD convert possible?

Bmwtvboy · #1 10-09-2019, 12:10 PM

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..

andrewwynn · #2 10-09-2019, 11:28 PM

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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wpoll · #3 10-10-2019, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

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.

Don Nguyen · #4 10-10-2019, 03:38 AM

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.

Salony · #5 10-14-2019, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Nguyen

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.

On first gen E53 possible just remove the front half shafts or front drive shaft and you will have 2wd, my buddy have done that several times on his X5 3.0d with no issues.

Bmwtvboy · #6 10-14-2019, 01:06 PM

That's what I thought. But what did he do with the front diff? Front drive shaft and the transfer case? Could be another way to extend life of the X if the front craps out. I guess.

Salony · #7 10-14-2019, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmwtvboy

That's what I thought. But what did he do with the front diff? Front drive shaft and the transfer case? Could be another way to extend life of the X if the front craps out. I guess.

Just removed like I wrote above and havent done anything with diff.

Happy · #8 10-14-2019, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salony

On first gen E53 possible just remove the front half shafts or front drive shaft and you will have 2wd, my buddy have done that several times on his X5 3.0d with no issues.

Wouldn’t that result a 38% power loss?

Salony · #9 10-14-2019, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy

Wouldn’t that result a 38% power loss?

His wifey drove those 3 months, so no big deal

Bmwtvboy · #10 10-10-2019, 11:51 AM

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.