Hot-rodding the Toyota MGR

[MPaulHolmes]

Are there only certain cars that you can bolt the wheels to the half-shafts? I just don't really have a picture in my mind to know what I'm talking about. But it would be nice to have a big "thing" that I can just stick in the right kind of car, and then drive away without having to do major fabrication.

[e*clipse]

Originally Posted by MPaulHolmes

Are there only certain cars that you can bolt the wheels to the half-shafts? I just don't really have a picture in my mind to know what I'm talking about. But it would be nice to have a big "thing" that I can just stick in the right kind of car, and then drive away without having to do major fabrication.

Unfortunately, no.

Here's a pic of a similar part; its not the same thing...
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTc0WDQwMA==/z/1hIAAOSwc0FUonUi/$_1.JPG?set_id=8800005007

When you consider the variables out there - differential width, car width, power transmitted, etc etc. it become a really specific problem.

Add to that, the output flanges have different bolt patterns or just splines and then the wheel side splines have different splines.......

It will have to be a custom part or maybe use some really clever adapters between parts that were never meant to bolt together.

- E*clipse

[freebeard]

That is progress. I am interested in price and availability on the cables, connectors and crossbar.

While I don't ask too much of that picture, what I notice is 'compressed' length, and teeth and splines on the outer end.

One possibility I'd thought of is to use Toyo/Lexus hubs and wheels and fabricate a DeDion axle out of an old driveshaft spline section. That would get the welding away from the rotating parts.

MPaulHolmes -- somewhere back in the older posts is a suggestion to just bolt sprockets into the drive flanges and chain them to a single shaft. It could spin a paddlewheel in a tub of water or anything else handy. Or are you already thinking beyond the testing stage?

[e*clipse]

freebeard,

They didn't have connectors or pigtails for the resolver and temperature sensor.

They did have the big orange cable, which I think he quoted at $125

I will ask about the crossbar.

Regarding the half-shaft, that may be the front half-shaft, or it may merely be a stock generic image.

The real OE ones do have teeth & splines - the teeth are for the ABS sensor. On the flange side it looks like they use a tripod joint instead of a 6 ball rzeppa joint.

I think Paul also has a VW - perhaps you can help him out with some of the VW specifics?

Thanks a bunch,

E*cipse

[MPaulHolmes]

I used to have an electric VW, but we sold it. Now we just have a golf cart. haha

[e*clipse]

Here's the rear halfshaft for the MGR: This halfshaft costs $75.


Here's the power wiring harness, for $125: There is another data harness, with - believe it or not - more wires and it costs more.


- E*clipse

[freebeard]

That's more cable than I would need (should/when I get that far). Is there any chance that Prius uses the same connector.

Once I can get back out to the barn, I think I'll cut up the Lexus subframe. I would still need the crossbar.

[e*clipse]

freebeard,

Sorry, I forgot to ask about the crossbar.

I did ask if the other Toyota connectors, such as the Prius, would work. Sorry, no luck there.

It may be possible to break that big harness into smaller, usable bits. For example, it might function well as a battery>controller as well as the controller>motor harness. I think it's all of the high power stuff for the Highlander.

- E*clipse

[freebeard]

No worries. I'm currently saving up the deductible for an insurance claim. (Black ice after dark)

[pearl62]

Do you happen to know what the max input [battery] voltage can be for the Toyota MGR?