is the dual range RX transmission a FT4WD or does it have a FWD mode as well? i thought the dual ranges were all FT4WD, but saw another thread today that says there are dual range trans with FWD modes.

The ones in the RX's are FullTime.

The "normal" dual-range is fwd, 4-hi, & 4 low.

The ones in the RX's are FullTime.

The "normal" dual-range is fwd, 4-hi, & 4 low.

 

isn't that only 87+

 

the 85 RX sedans had PT4WD D/R with the 1.196 Low Range (and I'm assuming the 86 RX's did as well)

Yep I believe your right Mc...doh always thinking of the cars in my driveway..

(Luckily he was asking about an 89' RX which I didn't even notice until now)

thanks, makes sense.

how hard is it to swap this 89 dual range RX trans into an 87.5 turbo XT FT4WD? only issue is room for the additional shifter?

(not including the low range) the gearing is the same right?

is the dual range RX transmission a FT4WD or does it have a FWD mode as well? i thought the dual ranges were all FT4WD, but saw another thread today that says there are dual range trans with FWD modes.

the '85 and '86 RX had the same 5-speed 4WD D/R tranny as the GL's (PT4WD, usually FWD, then 4WD hi and lo), but with different gearing, and 25-spline front stubs - they were NOT full-time 4WD, so you had to be on a slick surface to use the 4WD

 

The 87+ RX has the same transmission as you, while you can make it work like a regular 4WD by locking the center differential, there is no easy/reliable way to make it FWD - at the very least it is a bolt-on-bolt-off change of the driveshaft (just the rear section), and locking the center diff - but I don't know if the locking mechanism could take the strain, and it would probably fail if it was driven hard

 

grossgary - I am ~90% sure the high-range gearing is the same - there seems to have been only two main gearing schemes for MT 4WD cars - turbo and non

cool, no need for FWD yet. i figure if they're the same gearing and it's a straight swap why not have dual range right? it's exactly the same as the FT4WD trans in there except extra gearing. i'll swap the RX motor and trans into my XT Turbo at the same time. thanks again all!

 

grossgary - I am ~90% sure the high-range gearing is the same - there seems to have been only two main gearing schemes for MT 4WD cars - turbo and non

awesome, you're the MAN!!!

it's not hard at all to swap in, especially since you already have turbo axles.

When I swapped an RX trans into my wagon, I had to retain the RX shift linkage stuff on the trans (different bolt pattern thingy) so don't toss anything.

so don't toss anything.

cool thanks, will (or won't!) do. i wasn't going to, but sounds straight foward, i'm swapping soon as i can two the car here. looks like snow may delay that. thanks again all.