AWD Transmission: convert my xc90 to 2wd?

[Clan]

you really need to inform your insurers as vital safety systems are disabled and it is not as made by volvo . This car is built with roll stability control and DSTC and ABS none of which will work . so implications and your responsibilities in any accident ( which will be more likely to happen now ) dont bear thinking about ..

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by Clan

you really need to inform your insurers as vital safety systems are disabled and it is not as made by volvo . This car is built with roll stability control and DSTC and ABS none of which will work . so implications and your responsibilities in any accident ( which will be more likely to happen now ) dont bear thinking about ..

Insurers, if not fully informed and in agreement, WILL definitely take a hike if you have an accident, especially if it is your fault.
Bearing in mind that they will try to squirm out of their obligation on even the most tenuous points then your totally unauthorised ( as far as Volvo are concerned ) modification will be a heaven sent opportunity to say "Null and Void"!
It could end up costing you far more than a full legitimate repair bill if you are sued by an injured party.
Lastly, how are you going to get this through an MOT with the anti skid message evident?
Rather you than me!

Darryl

[spokoluzik]

have to tell insurers about this for sure. have abs, but nothing else working(dstc=abs+tracs+anty skid).
but i think is cheaper to buy used parts and fix that than pay extra for insurance.
by the way who charged you 700 for parts removal??
for that money you could buy most of parts....(used but in fully working order)

[Britsud]

Originally Posted by xc90fubar

Just to close the loop on this one - I have now had the car converted to 2wd - have removed the propshaft, the haldex, the diff and the half shafts.

Runs fine, in fact (as you would expect due to less transmission drag) it is more sprightly and is using less fuel.

Traction/stability wise, I can notice little difference - maybe a little chirp from the front wheels as the torque comes in when turning out of a junction but other than that all is as normal. Can't see it performing as well on the next ski trip but I have a set of chains for the front wheels anyway.

One minor flaw - can't trick the computer so I always get an 'anti skid service required' warning on start up. Anyone think of a solution to this?

Total cost just shy of £700 for labour.

Cheers,

Fubar

That has got to be better than forking out 30k on a new one. You have a car with another 100k mile there and still of value.

Well done

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Britsud

That has got to be better than forking out 30k on a new one. You have a car with another 100k mile there and still of value.

Well done

Well done?

He turned off the Haldax and siezed the diff running it without oil.

I just hope he's used a proper kit for the conversion, but it sounds like he hasn't as he has a warning message permantly on. In an accident his insurance will almost certainly be null and void.

[xc90fubar]

There's no 'kit' involved - it's simply removal of mechanical items.

The ABS is certainly working, I have tried it. The stability control possibly is not, and the collective views on informing insurers are probably correct and I admit it's something I hadn't thought of - I will contact them.

On balance though, I can't see how the car is that far removed from the 2wd version they make in the States - it hasn't suddenly become some top heavy out of control death trap overnight..! I have driven it fairly hard in both it's previous 4wd state and also since it was made 2wd and I can't say I notice any difference other than as mentioned, pulling out of junctions.

I did get a value from WBAC and it was for £11K. The cost to repair the car to manufacture spec for me to be able to sell it was £7K. In effect I would have got £4K back for an otherwise immaculate 1 owner full volvo history car...!

For £700 conversion cost I have now a 100,000 mile non 4x4 big estate car, albeit as you guys point out some issues still to be resolved. I am in contact with some breakers and if I find the parts required to put it back to it's original spec at reasonable cost I may well do so - certainly before I need the car next Winter for the annual ski trip. Now the car is back on the road I will probably keep it and run it into the ground.

And yes Roy, you are right I have learned a major lesson as regards the oil leak, but if you read my original post pulling the Haldex fuse was done on main dealer advice..!

Going on the information supplied by the garage that carried out the conversion, it's not the first time an XC90 has been converted to 2wd in view of cost prohibitive/uneconomical repair to the 4wd system. In fact they are considering whether putting the 2wd USA spec map onto the ecu would restore the stability systems as the car would no longer be looking for the 4wd unit. It's not as if Volvo don't themselves market a 2wd system mainly in the States and knowing how litigious the Americans are Volvo must consider that 2wd is sufficiently safe in that application.

Cheers,

Fubar

[RoyMacDonald]

I wasn't passing comment on your following the dealers advice Fubar. Just the congratulations on the result.

Changing the software was more the kind of thing I had in mind. I know USA XC90's have been converted but they have a kit marketed there for doing it. I assume it involves the software and sealing the exposed parts caused by removing the components.

As you say Volvo sell a FWD only XC90 there anyway so it is possible to have without it being regarded as unsafe. It must reduce the cornering ability at speed though, but one always has to drive within the limits of the vehicles capablities anyway. An AWD XC90 without AWD seems to have poorer traction than an FWD XC90 as far as I can make out so it must be down to the software I think.

[Volvophile]

They now sell a FWD XC90 in Europe badged as the D3. It is essentially a regular D5 without a Haldex system I think.

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by xc90fubar

The ABS is certainly working, I have tried it. The stability control possibly is not, and the collective views on informing insurers are probably correct and I admit it's something I hadn't thought of - I will contact them.

On balance though, I can't see how the car is that far removed from the 2wd version they make in the States - it hasn't suddenly become some top heavy out of control death trap .

It's not as if Volvo don't themselves market a 2wd system mainly in the States and knowing how litigious the Americans are Volvo must consider that 2wd is sufficiently safe in that application.Cheers,Fubar

Hi, not for one second am i suggesting that you have turned the car into a deathtrap, indeed i can wholeheartedly see your point and agree with what you have done especially as a 2wd version is available from the factory.

My point is that your car left the factory as a 4x4 and YOU have modified it from standard in a major way.
Unless informed and in agreement, your insurers will take any opportunity of ducking a claim if they have even the slightest chance of getting away with it leaving you in a potentially life ruining financial situation if serious injury to another party were involved.

Regards Darryl

[Britsud]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

Well done?

He turned off the Haldax and siezed the diff running it without oil.

I just hope he's used a proper kit for the conversion, but it sounds like he hasn't as he has a warning message permantly on. In an accident his insurance will almost certainly be null and void.

Yes I agree Roy, I also hope all the repairs are safe and insurance agreed.

Cheers Bri.