converting a st184 to st185

[xander279]

i have been told that this cannot be done.... i beg to differ

the gt-s and all trac turbo both share the same exact body (the widebody liftback)... which makes me believe not only can i swap in a cool st205 engine and tranny, but i can do other conversions such as a front bumper rc cs bumper replacement, and other cosmetic upgrades. but i think a drivetrain swap is possible as well, is it? i believe so but feedback would be great. plus would it be worth it or should i just buy a st185 and swap in a st205 engine/tranny and just bolt it up to the existing drivetrain?

[88gt4DE]

Theres a few people on here that know better than me , but i think the tunnel for the driveshaft isn't there .. some some sheet metal alterations would be in order. Im sure its not impossible with the right tools and a good welder ....

[CMS-GT4]

The tunnel is there. At least on some FWD models, I can't say for all. The rear pan and gas tank is the issue. It can be done, yes. But in the market, it is far cheaper to find an alltrac that needs a paint job, for less.

[88gt4DE]

Kewl on the tunnel ... good luck finding a gas tank ... Im there now ... none left anywhere. Even tried the locator at work ( toyota ) no good ...

[Mafix]

might as well play russian roulette.
just go buy a 185.

[xander279]

might as well play russian roulette.
just go buy a 185.

just curious... i do plan on getting a st185

[Mafix]

the roulette comment was for finding a gas tank and all the parts needed for that.
it's so much easier to get a 185. you need one anyways to do the swap. might as well just keep it and fix it with the FWD body.

[chaos_cascade]

Here you go. My first write up for the how to section.

How to covert your ST184 into ST185.


step 1.) Create Craigslist ad for your ST184

step 2.) Convert ST184 to cash

step 3.) Use alltrac.net and search Tempest to locate ST185 for sale

step 4.) Convert cash into ST185.

step 5.) Now you have created the project you wanted to work on anyway ( there will be things to do )

[bloodMoney]

^lol I like that

But honestly I think that if you have the time, money and skills to do it; why not? I think that if you can make it road-worthy and don't mind destroying a perfectly good ST18* You'll be pretty unique.

Just don't go around claiming that its a 'real' alltrac!

~bloodMoney

[xander279]

^lol I like that

But honestly I think that if you have the time, money and skills to do it; why not? I think that if you can make it road-worthy and don't mind destroying a perfectly good ST18* You'll be pretty unique.

Just don't go around claiming that its a 'real' alltrac!

~bloodMoney

i would if it was awd with a 3sgte... with the widebody liftback (ST184) and CS Bumper and hood with gtfour decals on side and rear.... why not?

[bloodMoney]

I guess that I'm a stickler for purity. "alltrac elitist" if you will.

Why not just be honest with what you've got? One of the attractive features of this car is the 1/3000 claim that we have here in the states. Aside from maxaud and a few others who have brought them in from Canada, this still holds true. You could call it a 'conversion' but with what you will have spent on all of the custom work to get it to a drivable stage, you might as well have bought a real one.

I know that its coming off like I'm an ass, but honestly, I want you to make me eat my words. I want to see this done, b/c there have only been a few that have done this conversion and most of them are 6gens. I would like to see a build thread where a guy completes this.

~bloodMoney

[WarTowels]

Why attempt to make something that already exists?

If your going to convert something convert a sixth gen.

Otherwise, you are starting off with an inferior - everything.

Alltrac's aren't that hard to come by. Where are you located?

There are TWO Alltrac SHELLS a couple hours from me in Massachusetts.

Start with one of those! Then you can bolt on whatever you want!

If I'm coming off like an ass, it's probably because I am one.

-Towels

[xander279]

i'm the one who started this thread... i just bought a st185 not too long ago... lol

[++ Sean ++]

Not ever going to happen.

[mike325ci]

i'm still for the idea of splitting a ST205 into two, bringing it stateside, and then welding it back together. tada, ST205 in the states. someone do eeeeeeeeeeeet.