Thread: NX2000 Awd Conversion

nice

3-4-09

Here is what I accomplished so far this week.

The rear transmission mount hit a bit so I notched out part of the body.


I use cardboard to make templates for what I need to cut out of metal.


I need to do a little more grinding on it yet but here it is all filled in.


Here is the last mount I had to make.


I don't know how many of you noticed the big gap between the sub frame and the body it self. Anyways I decided to make the tunnel bigger so the sub frame now goes up to the body.


I tacked a square bar connecting the two ends so the sub frame keeps it shape after I hack the top off.


Here is the new shape of the sub frame.


I made all my templates and then cut them out of 3/16 thick metal and welded them in place.




Tomorrow I will finish grinding my welds on the sub frame and box it in rest of the way. I also have an idea for moving my steering rack so I'll try that tomorrow. Friday I will more then likely paint the engine bay as well as my brackets and replace all the gaskets on the engine.


New Update

You will also need to notch out the passenger side to allow clearance for the power steering pump.

3-5-09

The sub frame took longer then I thought it would to finish so that’s all I have for updates today. In case any of you were wondering I use a grinder with a cut off wheel to cut my pieces out.

Here is the last 3 pieces tacked in place after I sprayed 3M Rubberized under coating on the inside to help prevent it from rusting.


I always cut my pieces a bit big as shown below that way I can use a grinder to grind it down to the size of what its being welded to.




Just a picture of some of the welds.


All the welds are ground down.




After I weld the steering rack brackets on then I will be spraying it with 3M Rubberized under coating.

Nice

3-7-09

This is about as high as you can go with out the steering rack binding up. At this height it will also be about 1 1/4" above the awd transmission.


You will need to modify all your power steering lines




The plastic cover on the inside has to be modified in order for you to get it at this angle.


Now I have to adjust the tie rods out so they will reach the control arms. I'm not sure how many threads they will be held on by at the moment so I might have to make some longer tie rods.

cool project you got going

Great project!, have you thought a bout running a manual sentra e steering rack to ditch all the lines? I think a few guys on here said that it is a direct swap and would probably clean things up a bit for ya. just food for thought.

Keep the pics coming! I'll have to come up there and check this out. Did you ever repaint that hood i sold ya?

The lines are easy to re run and im sure it won't look terribly cluttered. The only benefit I would see is if the width of the steering rack was smaller besides being manual. I never repainted the hood yet since I was waiting for when I do a full restoration on the outside. I'm actually going to see if I can make a fiberglass replica of it once I finish the awd setup.

great project man, looks like a lot of fun, once you get that front done all you have left to do is the back, which is gonna take a bit just like the front, but from what ive read the sub frame and steering rack was the biggest pain in the whole deal. But your welding skills make up for that.

3-8-09

It was easier for me by trimming the original steering rack brackets way down then making my pieces to connect it to the sub frame.




I still need to finish it tomorrow but that’s how it will look.


Now here is a cheap way to improve your engine mounts. Go and purchase a tube of PL Polyurethane Window, Door and Siding caulk ($5.90 a tube).


What you do is clean your motor mount and fill it in with this caulk. The wax paper is so you have something to set it on that will come off easily.


After you fill it in make sure to use something to smooth it out with and then let it dry until it is no longer tacky. The caulk will bond with your original mount making it a lot more solid. It won't look as nice as buying polyurethane mounts but its a lot cheaper and does the same thing.