I'm planning on getting a used LS in the next couple of months. Most likely something between 92 and 96. I live in the northeast, where snow is a problem during the beginning of the year. I'm wondering if anyone knows around how much i'd be spending to make the LS an AWD car? i know it can be done, but i don't know what i might be spending to do it so that snow doesn't become a problem.

 

Honestly....... I've never seen it done on an LS, and don't know if it can be done. I guess anything can be done with the right amount of money. Even if you could use some transfercase from an suv or something, I don't see where you would have the room to mount it. Not to mention getting some sort of drivetrain to the front end.

You would be spending 10x the cost of the car if not more to convert that model LS to AWD, if not way more!


Good luck!

 

Studded snows and turn OFF the traction control. Mine was mint in the snow this last winter. I'm up here in NH.

 

+1
The old girl does surprisingly good in snow with trac off

 

I personally found the car to be more...dangerous to drive with it on. Is not predictable in the least. The slightest hint of a slip and the traction control steps in. This was WITH studded snows.

Example, pulling out of my driveway into the street or out of a parking lot. You think you have the opening, then you ease into the throttle and it falls on its face. Not a fan of that when cars are coming.

 

With trac on, the car is completely useless.
You wont get 5 feet past your driveway.

Trac off, you be fine in <3inches of snow. if you have experience driving in that weather.

 

The LS400s drivetrain is tucked up and into the undercarage for aerodynamic reasons, i don't see how adding an additional transfercase, front driveshaft, and differential along with hubs and CV shafts, let alone front 4WD hubs in general could be feasable/possible with the design of the car the way it is.

 

^^^ right on Yoshi.
There is just no room.
adding all the required parts would just make her drag through any snow on the ground

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Crownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Aristo
looks like you could get awd with both a 1/2jz or the 1uz now just trying to get the parts

 

That will be your biggest challenge, getting the parts though the GS variant makes it a bit easier. It's your $. Probably easier to buy a complete AWD/4x4 for the winter months.

 

http://www.japan-partner.com/Auto/19...-for-sale.html

just buy this one

http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...dapter-for-2jz

post #14

 

$10-15k parts and labor and up I would reckon.

That being said, many '98-00 owners have had relatively positive snow experiences, especially those with snow tires.


the AWD aristo isn't elligible for legal import into the US at this time, would likely cost as much as the conversion if not more

 

It would likely be cheaper to buy a used LS460 AWD which would also give you a more modern car. The 98-up LS400 with the snow mode transmission setting does absolutely great in snow with heavy duty winter tires - I have Blizzaks on mine. The main problem I had last winter during a couple of experiences in 10+ inches of unplowed snow was trying to get around all the stuck and abandoned cars blocking streets. The 90 LS400 I drove through 13 winters sucked in snow.

 

I think the better alternative would be to start with an LX470 and swap an LS400 body on top.

 

haha true!

i have never seen a 4wd LS but anything can be done with money. just spend the $5k you will be spending on this conversion and get a subaru.