Doing an AWD Right Drive Swap, pictures explain it all. If you don't like my way go buy your own and build it better, then you can talk trash! Also for everyone who thinks welding two pieces of a car together is a bad idea, go lift up your back seat and see where the factory welded the two pieces of your car together before they sold it to you!












You get the idea

This post has been edited by jmeyer: Jan 2, 2012 - 9:37 PM

>
WOOT
good stuff.

WOW.

>

x2 O___o really?!?!?! talk about cut and paste i wouldnt have the heart to cut my car like that. best of luck

no kick to the balls intended Clicky just some humor i found

This post has been edited by 808celica: Jul 31, 2009 - 5:53 PM

Man, you've got balls! (Are we allowed to say that on here? I'll edit if not!) I'd be way too scared to do that to my own car. Best of luck.

DAAAAMN! Wow, guy. I'm amazed. Keep it up!

1 word................... awesome

While you're in there, why not add a mid-body extension and add a few rows of seating. GT-four limo!


After the car is JB welded and duct taped back together ( ) are you going to have the frame(s) painted so that they match (inside and out)? Or are you just going to spray the exterior?

This post has been edited by 95CelicaST: Jul 31, 2009 - 6:27 PM

I'm speechless not sure what to say?

I have always thought of what it would be like to do this, but I was thinking more of the front end, this seems daring. I can't wait to see how it is when you complete it. Is this actually easier than just the conversion maybe another way? I would like to hear your thoughts on that.

can it be legally registered, i want to know the rear awd , props. keep up the good work...

I've read so many threads about why this is a bad idea that at first i couldnt believe you were trying this.
but PLEASE make it work. i would love to see this thing tear it up. are you just going to weld it together or will there be reinforcements involved?

also, how is this gonna be AWD? from what i tell ur welding an st205 front to a usdm chassis... where does the whole rear AWDness come in?
sorry if its so obvious that i should get smacked.

>


Actually, I think this can work. You see, in some states, you cannot legally register an import. So what people do is fabricate their own replica car. Now, I have looked into this, in Las Vegas (Nevada), they allow you to register a "Replica" car is made to standard OEM specs for that car, now in California, I heard of the same thing that this guy is doing, but to Skylines, using frames of the Maxima, etc... So if this guy manages to do this, plus remove any indication that it was a Celica, he might be able to pass for it as a Kit car and it can be registered, since it is not against the law in the USA to build your own car and legally drive it.

Just curious, but is this saf at all? Not trying to talk Sh!t but it seems really supid and dangerous.

FM your brave..............Dont know if I have got the wrong end of the stick here, but you have taken a 2wd LHD celica...cut it up to make it into a 2wd RHD celica???? Wouldnt it have been easier just to change the bulk head?????

Also there is a huge difference between a Toyota factory weld that has been tested and some one doing a weld at home.

How are you going to make sure that it is straight? what are you going to do to make it 4wd? Can you guys not import complete shells???

Good luck, I hope it works out

This post has been edited by Nial: Aug 1, 2009 - 1:54 AM

as far as i know, the all the different celica's body from the back seat on forward is the same as the GT4. Wouldn't it be easier to do the motor swap into the stock celcia's body then to cute the entire car in half?


I cant wait to see how your gonna tackle the rear end.

Just my two cents, it seems that the motor swap should have been done into the USDM front and then the st205 rear should have been welded to the USDM front. You had it USDM rear to JDM front. I'm just throwing this out there, since the rear has always been the issue for AWD not the front. But then again, you are trying to make it RHD too so I dunno. Just curious. Really interesting stuff.

On the side, you are right about the welding as long it is done properly. People have put two halves together before so it wouldn't be the first. I was wondering who would be gutsy enough to do this.

what is up with the early aggravation in the first post? Did someone already piss you off before you posted this thread?

This post has been edited by trdproven: Aug 1, 2009 - 6:50 AM

Why USDM Rear and JDM Front?

As of right now i have spent about 16 hours of labor stripping the USDM car and cutting it in half, vs about two weeks to pull both motors, cut out a firewall, remove and reweld every single HVAC bracket, remove two entire consoles, rewire it all, and swap suspension for super strut. The reason I must use a USDM rear is becasue I could not locate a full JDM rear, obviuosly that would have been a more favorable choice.

Will it be straight, and how will it be welded?

The body lines on the JDM car are identical to the USDM so with careful measurements and using lifts to keep both halves level it shouldn't be a problem. The floor pan will be reinforced from the inside as well as being welded on both top and bottom. The a-pillars will be receiving a plug for extra support before they are welded. People underestimate how incredible strong GOOD welds are, so sorry to disappoint it wont split in half on the thruway.

It this legal?

It will be legally registered in New York, and if every sold the build information will be disclosed to the buyer. Would I try this in California, absolutely not.

Paint?

It will be painted the orginal toyota red like the JDM clip, and only the exterior will be painted so under the carpet you will see one white and one red car.

What about AWD?

That is the next step, I will be doing exactly what TheMadScientist did right down to the two brackets to support the rear support frame. So once the spare tire well is cut out I will begin fabricating the brackets to mount the rear diff. The clip I purchased came with everything I need to make the car awd (rear subframe, driveshaft, axles, diff, hubs)

Is this easier?

I have not a clue. This is the way I chose to do it based on examinig what needed to be swapped between the cars and the labor times.

Is this dangerous?

I sure hope not.

For all that have faith in me thank you, and I'll keep the pictures coming.

^^^ I am looking forward to seeing this complete for better or for worse and it really can go either way. I think you have your reasons why you are doing this, however supposedly there is some reading on doing the AWD "The Right Way" which had something to do about our rear ends to the front not being like a real GT4, although there are other ways, just that was supposed to be the "Correct" way of doing it.


and the only other thing I wanted to say was that I had no idea our celicas are USDM, considering that they came from Japan as well and I am quite certain they are the very same as any other LHD that was made and sold overseas.


Other than that, you listed some good reasons and we are standing by to see you spread your knowledge and experience with the rest of us who are not so bold.

he will be fine there is no right way to do this.... i did mine completly different and it works......so will his

Good luck man, if you ever need an extra body let me know, I'm not real good with anything yet but if you want some help and wanna teach me along the way I'm willing to learn, not like it's a very long drive.

You are crazy, unique, and awesome at the same time!

Props to you jmeyer for taking the road less traveled, lol.


Hope this works out for you, i look forward to seeing your results!!

ITS FRANKENCAR!!!!!!!! bwaahahaahahahah! lol.

Good luck.

First off , good luck with project..
I can really appreciate work that will go into this and hope it all works out ..

Now as one of the older guys on this board i will give me 2 cents

If didn't have my ST205 then way i would go about making a st205
is special order a roof cut st205 ..so that way you have everything
below and can either fix and drive or use all the parts on a US car..

If not a option then order front and rear cuts ... that way you get
fuel tank and stronger rear shock towers .

US AND ST205 are same chassis except for rear floor and shock towers
and firewall swap would have been suggested choice ..

I don't understand RHD swap as own 2 RHD would sell both for
same cars with LHD ..But i am old and don't care so much about
unique factor ..

anyway overall looking good and you will be very happy with AWD..

This post has been edited by FORGMANN: Aug 7, 2009 - 11:19 PM

wow man...your amazing if u pull this off bro...best of luck man =)

I hope you the best of luck, damn I wish I had the skills you have. Will follow along with this and hope to see it in person being that your so close to me.


Good luck

(update)^2 ???

Update

After another day of work and the two halves are together. I was able to keep everything level with the help of two floor jacks and all measurements are pretty much spot on. I was able to weld one a-pillar and the inside floor (the rivets are just to help hold it together while I weld), I will try to get the underside and other a-pillar done today. Once I put the doors on I was quite shocked because it looks factory. The front and back gaps are identical and it even opens and closes porperly. I also test fit the windshield and it sat flush, so far so good.








My new toy, and I love it

Nice work man, and kudos to you. Hmm, what will you call it when your done. A celica ST2045? lol...

a well done slice and dice. keep it coming. this is awesome

Whoa! This is amazing! Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see the finished result!