Caravan AWD rear axle transferability

[baron1701]

I think that vacuum assembly controls the Visciuos clutch engagement. Remember that our AWD minivans almost never use the rear axle to any amount of power. I have read some say that in normal driving it is not used and others say that it is a 90 / 10 split. There was a write up on the Allpar forums about a guy who rigged a control inside his van to modulate the vacuum pressure and control his AWD.

I think that before my 97 t & c sees its final days I may play around with the lines and try it. But, if you were to power a motor / generator you could control the amount of power. On an OBD2 scanner you can read the engine Load percentage easily, it comes right up. If you had a computer control a solenoid based on that number you wouldn't overtax the engine and there would be little wasted. It could be done. I think you would better off running E85 and making a difference that way.

[GaryBz]

Originally Posted by baron1701

I think that vacuum assembly controls the Visciuos clutch engagement. Remember that our AWD minivans almost never use the rear axle to any amount of power. I have read some say that in normal driving it is not used and others say that it is a 90 / 10 split. There was a write up on the Allpar forums about a guy who rigged a control inside his van to modulate the vacuum pressure and control his AWD.

I think that before my 97 t & c sees its final days I may play around with the lines and try it. But, if you were to power a motor / generator you could control the amount of power. On an OBD2 scanner you can read the engine Load percentage easily, it comes right up. If you had a computer control a solenoid based on that number you wouldn't overtax the engine and there would be little wasted. It could be done. I think you would better off running E85 and making a difference that way.

Baron, thank you for your input. - My intention was to remove the drive shaft to the rear transfer case and replace it with an electric motor shaft, battery driven. - The real question was, whether or not the uni-weld body construction of my 98 NON-AWD van would be able to accept the installation of the AWD transfer case and wheel axles, etc. - No one has answered that question. Perhaps only the Dodge engineers (who could care less at this point) could answer that for me. - It makes sense to me that a designer would make the installation possible from a single uni-weld body design, but i don't know the real answer. - The decision of what to install would be made during manufacture. It would not (normally) be an aftermarket change to make. (Other than by someone as crazy as me, trying to create an electric van, in parallel mode.) - Thanks for your input.

[Alphabravo]

I had two gen 2 (1992 & 1995) AWD & regular vans. From what I remember, the major difference (aside from a driveshaft & rear suspension) was the gas tank. I'm inclined to think the body wasn't much, is at all, different.

Good luck on your project. It sounds very interesting.

[GaryBz]

Originally Posted by Alphabravo

I had two gen 2 (1992 & 1995) AWD & regular vans. From what I remember, the major difference (aside from a driveshaft & rear suspension) was the gas tank. I'm inclined to think the body wasn't much, is at all, different.

Good luck on your project. It sounds very interesting.

Thank you for your input. It kind of reinforces my own thinking about the "body" design.

Because of the expense involved (and the probable down time on my van) i have 'solved' my in town commuting a different way. I am now the proud owner of an "older" ($69) electric moped (A "Gelato" - if anyone has ever heard of this discontinued item). It WORKS ! - Now, i am refitting it just a bit and getting new batteries for it. - In a few years, i may pick up a used Leaf. - - - - Thanks !