+1

It's also the early design aftermarket unit, the one that flexes/tears the sheet metal around the mounting area.

The later design has a support bar that goes forward (underneath the battery box) and ties into the frame crossmember behind diff.

Yep, and the safety chain hoops on the sides look more substantial on the OE version. At least from that pic anyway.

What is the mileage of that 4.6is?

Good day all! Well, yous were right! It is a "Drawtight" hitch... I may take it if and see how it compares to the original! I hope the PO that installed it didn't cut and splice wires! It does have the square tubing that goes under the battery box and ties into the diff support. I think I'm still gonna pull it and maybe install it on the better half's X...

The red X has 164K on the dash, that you can barely read... Build date 01/02...

The X has the TC and drive shaft issue... I have to say this one could have been avoided if the tech that installed the replacement TC for original owner used the $10.72 collar and seal on the front drive shaft. Oddly, I went to the pull it yard to check the one X5 out there for anything good... TC and drive shaft were there... but 3.0L version TC... Was going to pull the DS, but this one also didn't have the collar and seal... TC looked newer than trans. I have the parts needed for my X on their way... I'm going to put it back to original for now. I am still getting all the parts needed for the conversion together... Once I get them all, I'll start the swap... It should be warming up by then...

Okay, so one issue I have that maybe someone can help me with... My turn signals don't work... The PO stated he needed to replace the LCM... Would that cause my issue? I can code the module, but is it possible to have the wrong one in there?

I'll post more pictures soon! I wanna get it cleaned up a little...

Cheers all!

Good day all!

Well, the 2004 is still giving me transmission issues and my 4.6is is just amazing! So, I've once again pulled the trigger on another X5... 2006 with the 4.4L and panoramic sunroof for $2500... Charged up battery enough to turn the motor over... seems to be missing compression on a few cylinders... I'll tear into it my next few days off!

So, I'm not sure what to do here! My first thought is to pull the motor from 4 (2004) and get 6 (2006) on the road with me still using 2 (2002 4.6is)... The interior in 4 is so much better than 6! BUT, I can let the better half use 6 and convert 4 to RWD manual and finally solve the transmission issue I've been dealing with for months! Once the conversions done, I can let the better half use 4 and think about another conversion on 2 or 6, while I use the one I don't convert!

How many want a RWD V8 6-speed if I can get it to work like it came from the factory? No crazy hacking of wires or crazy alarms on the dash that won't go away! My end product would resemble what BMW would have made, if they were smart enough to make it!

Thoughts?

Cheers!

Well, you aren't far... Once I get everything sorted... Parts list, wiring pulled from correct donor car or modified from existing harness, and programming sorted, you could come up with the patient and assist or drop it off and I'll let you know when it's done and done right... No idea what the parts list will cost with used items... I could guesstimate going off new item prices if that is what yous want...

Just so everyone knows... It might be spring time when I will be able to source all the parts needed... Not many salvage yards are pulling items from the manual 3.0L's that don't fail... Like ALL the parts I need for the conversion, so they get crushed when they get done pulling all the good stuff... I have to make some sort of deal with the salvage yards to get these parts before they crush the shell... Or find that unicorn at the PIY!!!

EDIT:: I checked all the PIY's yesterday... Nothing avail... I just checked and one is brand new on the lot... Unknown transmission, so I will be losing sleep to check it out tomorrow... Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Cheers!!!

Just keep me posted on your progress. When you have it figured out let me know and we can go from there. I'm not really in a hurry and would prefer to wait until the conversion is fully worked out. So if it's a few more months, that's fine with me.

I cant wait till this is done and perfected. I intend to convert my 4.6is as well to a 6mt to go along with my m54 5mt.

Good day all!!

I didn't get lucky today at the PIY... It was a 3.0L but in automatic form... I'm still hunting the pedal assembly and shifter bracket that goes from the rear of the trans to the body of the X... I need all of that for every vehicle, so if you want to do the conversion, it might be a great idea to see if you can locate those items too... I'm striking out here in S.C... If I don't find what I need when I am ready to do my conversion, I may end up buying new... I doubt BMW has a surplus of that stuff, but I figure there are a few examples of everything needed in a warehouse somewhere...

I'm going to call around to some of the salvage yards to see if they can put me on a call list when they get a manual X5 in... I'm going to add up some figures tonight of what I think it might run in parts if needed to buy new...

Oh, if you are planning on doing a 99-2003 V8, the 540i transmissions are becoming more avail and cheap... If doing a 2004-2006, I would recommend getting the 6-speed that matches up to that year motor (545i) and associated parts... Just to keep programming easier and wiring harnesses that match better... I have to do one of each to start off with... I think my 4.6is will be easier in the end, but that is still up in the air... The 4.6is needs better gearing... I'm running far too many RPM's doing 80... Errrrrr, I mean 55....

Okay, I'm rambling...

Cheers for now!!!