AWD/RWD G/Box & Axle Configurations

[yamirider]

Afternoon all, first post so excuse the lack of knowledge for stuff i've not been able to find via the search function.

I've recently, finally picked up a Mk7 RWD transit and am enjoying it, its acting as a camper 3-4 nights a week whilst working away from home and doing a 500 mile round trip each week. Should have bought one years ago. Anyhow...

Later this year i'm moving to Australia. I'm planning on another Van when i get there (towing a boat/car trailer, motorbikes/dogs in the back, camping trips, remote beach fishing etc.) and am toying with the idea of building a off road capable van that i can pretty much do anything with. Fuel economy day to day doesn't have to be a primary concern as i'll almost certainly be commuting via the bikes i'm taking with me and i've got a 911 to take too for when i need a proper car.

I'm toying with the idea of a AWD Mk7 L4H3 van however Australia being where it is, with the low population density, choices are limited. As i'm taking a 40' container i've got the option of sourcing some bits here to get me going if the concept is viable. What i've currently got in my head is buying a RWD T350 (although a T430/450 could be a possibility as i believe you get 4.5T as standard on a car license as a pose to the 3.5 in the UK) and converting it to AWD spec utilising the Gearbox (and ancils) and front driveshafts from an AWD (yes i know this will be expensive).

So, some questions you may be able to answer or point me in the right direction of:

Are the rear arches depths different between the twin wheel and four wheel axle series vans to allow the second set of wheels or is this achieved by using the narrower transit tyre thicknesses coupled with the small plastic arch extension the 4 wheel vans appear to have?

If the arch depths/chassis is the same, is it possible (relatively straight forward) to convert a twin rear wheel to four rear wheel by swapping the complete axle assembly over (ignoring diff ratios and i know this wont effect its rated load capability?)

Can the differential gear internals be transferred between twin wheel and four wheel axles?

The important one, does anybody know the rear differential ratio of the Mk7 AWD? (i'd obviously need to match the AWD gearbox with its integrated FWD outputs to the same rear axle ratio)

Whats the best place to find a repository of Mk7 transit exploded parts diagrams to check compatibility of items like driveshaft and front hubs between RWD and AWD models and to check the rest of the AWD system buying the gearbox (i believe it to be auxiliary wiring loom, ECU and switch)?

Is the rear of the 2.4 and 2.2 PUMA engines the same (i.e. same clutch, bell housing mounting etc.). Whilst the number of RWD vans in Australia is limited, the number of 2.4 TDCi is even more so. The later years 2.2 seem to be much more widely available.

The project my be a none starter however with as i'm led to believe no officially imported AWD Mk7's and very small numbers of 4x4 sprinters, the feasibly and price difference of a custom build compared to one of the drive in drive out conversion specialists in Oz is currently on the cards. Country do a upgrade for the AWD gearboxes to make them a switchable as a pose to just reactive which is handy too.

[yamirider]

I should also have asked. Had anyone attempted or succeeded at this conversion before?

[v8dave]

The width of the van between the rear wheels as specified by ford is different for single and twin wheel driven axles.

Centre of vehicle to arch is 696mm on a single wheel and 577mm on a twin wheel.

[knobby1]

There's no info on the 4x4 front axle diff ratios in the manual or parts list either, it basically just says it has a gearset...! And the whole front end transaxle, shift linkage and mounts are different on the 4x4.

http://www.catcar.info/ford/?lang=en&l= ... EzMw%3D%3D

http://www.catcar.info/ford/?lang=en&l= ... EzMw%3D%3D

Lord Knobrot