Traction control retrofit

[foureyedbuzzard]

Subject vehicle is a 2000 Chrysler Town and Country LX minivan, 3.3liter, auto trans, front wheel drive, with ABS.

Can traction control system be added to this vehicle via aftermarket components or by using salvage yard parts? If so, how involved would such an installation be?

Thanks.

[curtis73]

You are looking at a HUGE undertaking. As far as I know there is no aftermarket product. If the minivan had it as an option, you can salvage the parts, (control unit, entire brake system including lines, master cylinder, maybe brakes at the wheels, sensors, master pump, relays, wiring harness, and there is most likely an interface with the ECU and maybe the tranny. Possibly differnt ECU altogether. Then you have to make sure your final drive ratio is the same as the source vehicle.

In a word, no. It would be cheaper and much wiser to trade the van for one with trac control.

[Moppie]

Most companies that make stand alone engine management systems also make after market traction control systems.
The catch is you need to install the aftermarket ECU for the traction control to work.

But you might want to try useing some quality tyres and being a little easier on the loud pedal.

[foureyedbuzzard]

Thanks,

I didn't think it was economically feasible, but figured I'd ask for advice due to the relatively low initial cost of traction control as a new car option. The main reason for wanting it is my location in northern NH - it would be nice to have a little more grip when trying to go up hills in the snow. This is our only vehicle without 4x4 or AWD.