Welcome to the thread of wild and baseless speculations, a world of "man, that'd be cool!" and "oh gee, if only!" No idea is too wild to be considered and discussed.


With that in mind, I'll start:
Inspired by the picture of a front wheel drive 442, I wondered if one could make an all-wheel drive Cutlass. I've seen 4x4 automatic transmissions for sale from Astro vans(I think), and assuming that the Toronado FWD solution works, it wouldn't be TOO difficult to fit a rear from a rear-wheel-drive car into the same car, right? I do not doubt that there'd be complications, like the wheels not turning at the same speed front and rear, and so forth. Did the Toronado have a Posi-traction-like feature, or does it only pull on one wheel?

Just think how American muscle'd move with twice the traction! Discuss.

 

I know Nnothhhiinggg!

 

http://bangshift.com/blog/craigslist...-out-back.html

 

I remember that one, but it's a loutish solution to the problem. Hell, even the article in the thread I linked has mention of a four wheel drive Toronado built for Hurst, so it must be doable with one engine.

 

The 4wd Toronado from Hurst was this same setup, two engines and two transmissions.
If you made some sort of PTO to connect the FWD TH425 to an inline rear drive transmission you could do it. Of course you have to get one with the same gear ratios internally for 1st, 2nd and 3rd and if I'm not mistaken the only GM transmission that has that is the TH400. That would set back the 2nd trans considerably and you end up with it in the front seat. I suppose you could eliminate the torque converter and save some room.
Well that's as far as my wild speculation is going to take me

 

I have saw one Tornado in 1974 converted into a 2 engine system (home brew). From memory, it was not fast, it was gas hungry. The guy built it to show that he could do it.

My suggestion for a 4WD Cutlass, would be to find an existing 4WD GM pickup truck frame that matches as closely as possible to the cutlass mounting points. You would most likely need to shorten the frame, etc.
Reuse all of the existing 4WD stuff. Then attach a Cutlass Supreme body. Next add a roller cam 455 EFI under the hood.

 

I would think that a late model AWD chassis may be able to be slid under there and maintain a stockish height. Any truck type setup would probably require lifting the car.

 

I've seen several late 60s/early 70s all wheel drive builds, camaros, corvettes, etc. Dont recall an A body, but wouldn't doubt there's one out there.
I think trying to modify the TH425 would be one of the more difficult options. Most are using all the parts from an all wheel drive car rather than the 4wd truck setup.
Very interesting builds, but by no means inexpensive I'm sure.

 

This is a pretty long thread, with some pissing and moaning going on, but it's cool lookng car.http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=36165

 

I've thought of building an AWD Vista Cruiser, using a Toro front differential and oil pan, S-10 front spindles, and Bravada transfer case.

 

If it fits in a VC, it'd fit in an A-body too, yes?

 

Oh that is sooooo good!!!!

 

Very cool project, but every time I've lookrd into awd, it just gets more and more complex. Most GM 4wd use tortion bar front suspension. Engineering that into an existing spring suspension body would be a nightmare. Coil over conversions could be done but expensive. The guys that undetake these projects get kudos from me.

 

Well since there are no rules perhaps take a 62 jet fire , and an Audi a6 avant quatro , the wheelbase is the same I think not sure about width , now of course you say you want holds power I believe there are a few guys in the UK making adapters for the rover engine? Not sure if the bolt pattern is the same as the old Oldsmobile 215 but maybe , joe was looking at doing a rover swap into one I think. With the funky early torque tube and all I would see about mating the older body onto the Audi floor pan? Modern suspension, brakes etc etc could be cool

 

If there's no limit that COULD be done. I was looking at the low-tech, mechanical solution - my fault. :P

 

Yes, a VC is an A-body.

 

Hot potatoes, that'd be awesome.

 

I disagree. As an example, my 1999 Chevy crewcab dually 4WD (OK, 6WD) uses torsion bars, but the 2WD versions use coil springs. I'm thinking one could adapt the S-10 front suspension including torsion bars. Didn't say it would be easy, and even I have to admit that this project is pretty far down on the list of cars I need to build before I die...

 

Hi Guys,

Anybody thought about using a Range Rover, not sure how the wheelbase and track would stack up, but you would have strong chassis, Rover V8 engine (range in size from 3500cc up to 5000cc), 4WD, option of manual or auto gearboxes, diff locks already built in, coil springs (some of the late ones are on air). All relatively modern running gear, disc brakes all round.

Food for thought maybe.

Cheers.

Russ.

 

Exactly why I said those who can do it get kudos from me.
Be sure to start a thread on that build.

 

Seff, how much daylight are you getting over there this time of year? Could lack of light be impacting your Cutlass projects and leading to all this daydreaming? Still, all wheel drive is cool to contemplate. I've wondered how much work it would take to drop a cutlass body on a typhoon/cyclone AWD frame.

 

What about the drivetrain off an AWD Astro Van?

 

BLUE72RAGTOP: 7 am to 4 pm, not too bad. I was wondering about it as I looked at my spare frame while grinding away the extra aluminum from my crossover blocking project. :P

Gearhead:That was the original idea. Saw the transfer case from one of those the other day, definitely not as massive as some suggest. Maybe I'm miscalculating.