1995 850 Wagon - FWD/AWD question

Bmason · Post by **Bmason** » 22 Dec 2014, 15:59

Greetings everyone,

I've done a search for my particular problem but really can't find an answer. Hopefully someone can help me. My '95 Turbo Wagon (B5234T / M4.3) is down for a rebuild of the motor. I found a '98 B5234T6 engine with an AWD tranny to replace it until I rebuild the original motor/tranny. My plan is to swap the '95 injectors and turbo to the '98 block, and use my current M4.3 computer. I'm pulling the motor and tranny out as one unit. Both transmissions are 50-42LE 1208. Is there a kit of some type to make the AWD until FWD after removing the transfer case? I've not yet removed the snap ring from inside the AWD axle carrier, but it seems like it's an easy fix. Thank you for your time.

-Bobby

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Dec 2014, 20:11

I don't know of any conversion kits. The FWD and AWD transmissions are remarkably similar except for the seal on the left hand side but that is a big deal. The transfer case holds a sleeve that transmits the transmission power to the transfer case with the axle shaft running through it. It is a weird double seal that keeps the transmission fluid from mixing with the gear lube in the transfer case. If you could come up with a way to hold that sleeve in place it might work.

Since you have a '95 you have an even larger obstacle though. The vehicle speed sensor is on the transaxle through the '95 model year but it was derived from the ABS module on the '96 and on models. The '98 transmission has no provision for the speed sensor. There are also differences in the RPM sensors between the two years.

Without the VSS signal the transmission control module is going to have a fit.

...Lee

Bmason · Post by **Bmason** » 23 Dec 2014, 09:39

Lee,

Thanks for the response. I did notice that the sensors were located in different positions and there is a little dust cover on the '98 trans were the '95 sensor is. It figures that it wouldn't be as simple as swapping locations...but it was worth a try. Since I cant use the '98 tranny, I think I'm going to grab the S1 and S2 sensors since my '95 tranny was acting funny and that was on the 'to do' list. It'll go a lot easier with it being out of the car. Again, thanks for the assistance.

-Bobby