2000 CE auto trans - looking - for AWD options

[Richnerd2000]

Hi - So I joined your circle today - HI NICE TO MEET YOU -

anyway I did some reseach around the toyota forums and google
about the Corolla's AWD options and wanted to know a couple more
things about transmissions options here in the US (Rav4) and where
to buy the rear diff, CV axles, ECU if different CHIP wise ???? and shock hub and the hub assembly?

Thanks for your input-- travis

[DjiNN]

If you want a AWD vehicle why not sell your Corolla and buy a car that comes with AWD? For example, You could get a Subaru 2.5RS 1998 or so for about 3-5grand.

[fishexpo101]

I agree with DjiNN - to convert the FWD Corolla to an AWD with off the shelf components from other Toyotas - would be a monumental undertaking, to say the least.

Has it been done - sure. Was it worth it - depends on whom you ask. Fensport UK is one example - took a 9th gen Corolla and swapped the AWD from the Celica GT4. Something to the tune of well over $40K initially, and they are a full garage that deals with Toyota modification (they also did a 7th gen Celica AWD).

If you are doing this for experience and have access to a garage, fabrication equipment, and pile of parts (whole donor RAV4 or AWD Matrix or similar) - I'd say go for it. Even for a hardcore DIYer with nearly an unlimited budget - this is a huge project. Depending on where you live, might not even be able to register the car for highway use - which makes it a track-only car or expensive paperweight.

If the car was a body on frame instead of a unitbody and/or if Toyota also released an 8th gen Corolla with AWD - then I could see this possibly being a DIY-able project. As most of the powertrain can be modified significantly without affecting the base vehicle. As it stands, not enough parts exist to allow for a drop in swap - fabrication required to "make" the other COTS parts fit is non-trivial.