Caravan AWD rear axle transferability

[GaryBz]

I'm new here folks. - This was the closest i could find for my question.
Does anyone know if the AWD rear axle assemblies (in toto) are transferable between different years and models of the Caravan and Grand Caravan, (etc) ? - This would include the 'differential' (if that's the proper name for their interconnecton). I'm trying to find a used one. So, does it make any difference?

Thanks !
Gary.

[urclueless]

if you tell me what you have, I can find you a rear axle. do you need the whole axle including main beam, hubs, cv's and differential or are you in need of just the differential?

[GaryBz]

Hello urclueless - (yes. I'm clueless also !) - Also see you're from PA. I'm near Somerset in the summers. - Anyway. -

I have a 1998 Grand Caravan WITHOUT AWD. - I want to 'drop in' an AWD rear axle (complete - with differential/transfer case). - I do not need the drive shaft from the ICE engine to the transfer case. - My plan is to put in an electric motor to drive the transfer case (axles). - So, i will be running a parallel hybrid. - I will leave the ICE "on" (in neutral) to maintain other functions (power steering, brakes, etc.) But, i will be getting my main driving torque (in town) from the rear wheels, electrically driven.

I just don't know if the under body of my vehicle has a predesigned way to allow the installation of required support brackets, etc. for the AWD transaxle, (?) - I saw a picture of the AWD setup. I know the muffler arrangement is different. (Not a problem). But i don't know what other things may step on my toes trying to do this. (?) -

Thanks much for response. -

Where do i go from here ?

Best to you,
Gary B.
====

[urclueless]

Originally Posted by GaryBz

Hello urclueless - (yes. I'm clueless also !) - Also see you're from PA. I'm near Somerset in the summers. - Anyway. -

I have a 1998 Grand Caravan WITHOUT AWD. - I want to 'drop in' an AWD rear axle (complete - with differential/transfer case). - I do not need the drive shaft from the ICE engine to the transfer case. - My plan is to put in an electric motor to drive the transfer case (axles). - So, i will be running a parallel hybrid. - I will leave the ICE "on" (in neutral) to maintain other functions (power steering, brakes, etc.) But, i will be getting my main driving torque (in town) from the rear wheels, electrically driven.

I just don't know if the under body of my vehicle has a predesigned way to allow the installation of required support brackets, etc. for the AWD transaxle, (?) - I saw a picture of the AWD setup. I know the muffler arrangement is different. (Not a problem). But i don't know what other things may step on my toes trying to do this. (?) -

Thanks much for response. -

Where do i go from here ?

Best to you,
Gary B.
====

wow, that's quite an undertaking. sounds like a lot of money and work for really no gain. what you really want is find a smashed or non-running awd minivan 1996-2000. I have a 1998 AWD van that I'm trying to sell for $1200. but seems nobody has any money.

[GaryBz]

I'm just trying to find out if that AWD rear end axle assembly will mount on my non-AWD vehicle. - I don't need or want the drive shaft from the ICE to the transfer case. I don't want another entire vehicle. -

I do hope you can sell your vehicle in these hard times. -

The wheeler dealer financial companies seem to be doing quite well. -

What's wrong with us. - - - Are we in the wrong business !

Best to you, Thanks,

Gary B.
====

[urclueless]

again, the best bet is to find a whole van that's been wrecked or trans shot. it'll be cheaper to buy a van in this condition than you can find just the the rear axle assembly. there's a junkyard in Bunnell, Fl that has the differential for $250 IDK if that includes the axle shafts and hub assemblies you'd need.

[GaryBz]

Thank you. - I am still pursuing this. - At least, now, we're looking at prices i can afford.

Best to you,
Gary B.

[urclueless]

afford? oh that's right dodge caravan owner = no money Again, if you go looking for a trashed or dead AWD van, you can get all the parts you need and junk the rest. total investment ZERO if you do it right.

ex: I bought a lebaron convertable for $300 with a bad engine, then I bought another lebaron convertable with a bad body for $250. after I took the engine, I sold the extra trans for $250, stereo system for $175, extra wheels/tires $100, catalytic converter $80, front header panel $50, junked what was left for $150. in total I'm into my nice $300 convertable for -$115 (I have a nice a car for free and $115 besides)

[mikefaster]

I just sold my AWD Town and Country...

I had a good look at everything too... EXHAUST is NOT different... Same thing... I changed mine, so I know... I mean, other than the heat sheild welded to the front pipe to protect the driveshaft...

You NEED to change the "I-BEAM", along with the leaf springs due to the extra weight... The AWD has 3 leafs on the springs... You have to get the axles with the donor car, as well as convert the whole rear brakes to DISC BRAKES unless you get that from the donor car as well...

OH, by the way... Those rear hub bearings cost $214 each... DON'T bother with the Chinese ones on ebay (if they have them)... AND YOU WILL NEED THEM...

One thing I didn't understand was the ARRAY of vacuum lines and a huge vacuum ball that went to the REAR axle... Made no sense to me because it worked constantly...

In reverse, there is NO AWD because there is a sprag bearing on the driveshafts (or one-way clutch)... I believe Chrysler did it so the system would bind on deceleration...

If you wanna "GO GREEN" with your project, you'll need a lot of it!

Remember the electric cars of today weigh like 2500 pounds... The Caravans with AWD are up close to 4000 pounds! I think you may need a 1000lbs. of batteries to run the darn thing...

Good luck...
Mike

[urclueless]

. Oh and you need to change the differential assembly. it sure seems like a waste of time money and effort but i guess if you have nothing better to do. I wonder if this is more of a fantasy internet dream vs reality. have you ever done this kind of thing before?

IMHO, I'd rather see someone put forth the effort to convert a gen3 van into turbo diesel like what's available in europe then bio-diesel it. Now that would be worth the effort.

[mikefaster]

Well, he wouldn't be "changing" the differential, he doesn't have one to start with, so he KNOWS that he would need to get one, but like we all were saying, it's not that easy...

He'd be better off getting an AWD van to start with...

[urclueless]

the whole thing is pretty odd. the gain in fuel milage would be less than 20%. the batteries, and other components would cost more than buying a nice AWD van. sounds like a pipe dream and really won't ever happen.

[GaryBz]

Originally Posted by urclueless

the whole thing is pretty odd. the gain in fuel milage would be less than 20%. the batteries, and other components would cost more than buying a nice AWD van. sounds like a pipe dream and really won't ever happen.

I see that more than 'one guy' has chimed in - AND, i appreciate it ! - (But, i also appreciated that one guy. (Thank you.) -

Honestly, i thought i had some good ideas (at first). - I have never done this kind of thing before, so i'm a bit dumb about it. - I did not mean to just waste space on this board. (It has NOT been a waste for me. It has been informative.) -

Thanks for your help and information.
Gary B.

[mikefaster]

No wasted space; you never know... Maybe the next guy that reads this post has an AWD van will do something "interesting" and post his/her ideas...

Mike

[GaryBz]

Thanks, Mike !

Gary B.