AWD VF Ute??

[Farmboy]

Has anyone ever done a AWD conversion on a VF Commodore utilizing the front driveline components of VZ Commodore AWD Adventra/Cross8 platform? Is it possible with a few mods to the 6L80e transmission to suit the transfer case, moving power steering components and then simply installing the VZ subframe and front drivetrain...or the General Motor's Zeta platform utilized by the VE/VF doesn't allow for a simple retro fit and would require significant reengineering to accommodation the AWD components? I'm hoping someone reading the "justcommodores" forum can share their experiences on this topics with me so I can make the right decision moving forward.
Thx.

 

[vywgn]

The front cross member is different from the 3 models to each other so would be too hard to accomplish

 

[_R_J_K_]

or the General Motor's Zeta platform utilized by the VE/VF doesn't allow for a simple retro fit and would require significant reengineering to accommodation the AWD components?

That one, they are completely different chassis. You can bolt some engine and gearbox parts together because they're from the same families and that's where the similarities end, the entire front end is different, they have a different track, use different styles of knuckle, and different k-frames.

The front cross member is different from the 3 models to each other so would be too hard to accomplish

VE and VF have a different k-frame to each other?

 

[Farmboy]

Thx gents, your comment is much appreciated. Looks like I'll need to find another project.

 

[VS 5.0]

Old mate on another forum did this to a VR/VS and is now putting it in a 3 series Beemer.

Lots of fab work involved.

 

[Farmboy]

Cheers, I'll see if I can find more information about the VR/VS conversion you mentioned.

 

[_R_J_K_]

VR/VS conversion

Will be the same kind of deal. The VS is a lot closer to the VZ than the VF is, but the car is narrower so the VT-VZ k-frame won't bolt in and the track will be narrower, that and they didn't have an LS either.

People have done it, but they always ended up doing it to a VY/VZ for obvious reasons.

 

[Forg]

It can be done, everything can be done. For a price.

This is the sort of thing you could easily burn $60k on (a lot more if you don't have the ability to do all the custom chassis, powertrain & paint stuff yourself), and you REALLY have to want the end-product because it's all for your own interest and nobody else will be all that excited about it (ie. it'll be worth nowhere near what you spent on it).

 

[vywgn]

VE and VF have a different k-frame to each other?

Yes, there are 4 different versions between them VE Series 1, 2 for the VE Series 2 and 1 for the VF

Main thing with the series 2 is to do with the length of the steering rack bolts and Holden decided to use longer bolts with a Torx head

VF has the addition of the extra bracing, extra holes for plastic shield to protect the steering rack motor and the extension to the front outriggers for a lower energy absorber

 

[Fu Manchu]

The VY and VZ AWD versions have completely different cross members to regular VT-VZ in both V6 and V8.
Major suspension components are also different in many places.

As of yet, there is not a 6L80/90e adaptor housing to bolt on the NV124 Transfer case. (Yet) Check the Development forum on that one.

The VE and VF platform was designed with AWD in mind, but never eventuated.

You can fit the AWD sump to a VF engine.

Struts are similar.

The absolutely fricken enormous problem you will have is the H2 Hummer software embedded in the AWD ECM's that control traction control.

This would be near impossible to find and copy, and then imagine trying to get that to work with the VF and its engine management system. You would need to be some amazing software engineer, and even then it would be a monumental task.

AWD traction is controlled via the ABS system. They do not have LSD or diff locks etc.