[Sickflo_rs]

Hey I was wondering if you documented how much room you had to play with in the rear of the vehicle during the swap. I'm planning on doing a similar build on my st but with a electric rear axle on an independent system but I wanted to get as much info as possible before I jumped in head first. The part that intrigues me most is the size of the diff and how much head room it had after you removed the original spare tire well.

That's ambitious

 

[Neverfeed]

That's ambitious

Its a bit ambitious but I wanted to make it my graduation project and hopefully be my foothold into EV/hybrid drive train development

 

[DaRStar]

Following for the curiosity of how it turns out.

 

[GmpaJimj]

Its a bit ambitious but I wanted to make it my graduation project and hopefully be my foothold into EV/hybrid drive train development

This should do it. Nothing was ever accomplished without a plan and enthusiasm

 

[HiluxSR5]

Above the rear diff there was about 4-5 inches of room with the spare tire well removed. In my case, it was entirely taken up by the charcoal canister system. If I had relocated that, it may have been possible to keep the spare tire with modifications.

The diff itself is pretty much contained within the subframe, only the ecu mounted on top comes close to the limit.

 

[RoughRoadDD]

Couple more miscellaneous things to do. First, I decided to redesign the dummy ABS pump mounting. I had previously designed it for the red 2018 to work with the battery box and tuck as far out of sight as possible. This was nice for packaging, but meant swapping the connectors was a 20 minute job, taking out the airbox, battery, battery box, and the pump itself. This new type will mount a group 35 battery sideways, and will be the only thing to remove to swap pumps.

The ideal solution would doubling the connectors with a switch to choose between, but the SE pump connector was very different, and I'm not sure how everything would react, unless I switched all 12 or so wires. A project for another time.

Another little difference, the RS strut brace is double walled, and much stiffer than the SE, though either fit fine. Can also start to remount the doors - another item that's been taking up space. Once it start looking like a car again you can feel a sense of accomplishment.

All of the interior trim and dash bits needed to be taken apart and cleaned by hand to remove glass shards, and a myriad of dirt that came in from having no windshield. Even the cluster somehow had glass in it.

Brand new trim retainers for the windshield. A nice feeling to install brand new trim. Also, for some reason these retainers, and the trim that covers them are considered RS specific. Different number, different price. But I can see no difference whatsoever.

And finally, a complete windshield. It's been months I've had to cover the RS with a tarp, enough of that.

Next time, the continuation of the Recaro seat wiring.

WORK progressing on abs dummy switch block. The pin matrices allow me to try paralleling the wires without relays to see if all relays needed. Wiring harness from real abs set up so this module can be removed.

I'll let you know how it's going. Waiting for some parts at present. The duck clutch mounts mean I need this as the servo is large and hard to get to abs module. One big concern is vibration proofing. Using dow3145 and lacing. The Dow is the clear adhesive. There are 4 pairs wheel speed sensing plus 6 other low current wires. Also two big power wires to be switched via panel relay. . Work in progress. More Photos to come.

Making the veroboard relay boards was a nightmare. Im 65 andmy hands shake a bit plus me old eyes are not as good as in me yoof. Plus the pcb relays have a pin spacing which doesn't fit veroboard so had to drill holes, groan. I've now ordered an 8 relay x dpdt module which is bigger than this box. I'll keep it on hand and build a new module if this gives trouble.

 

[HiluxSR5]

Wow, this could be a sale item if you can produce it this nicely!

 

[HiluxSR5]

Small update after a year of use. Everything continues to work as intended and it has given me no trouble whatsoever. The changes I made were definitely an improvement.

The larger, accessible handbrake is so much better for both general use and especially drift initiation. Short throw clutch pedal required a bit of adjustment to get the engagement perfect though once it was dialed it, it feels great!

Did a proper cut and polish on the whole car and better matched all the panels. Reworked the side skirts, and the front bumper was made nice too.

Yet, as is my way, it's time to move on to something else. Honestly it's been hard to come to decision to sell after all the time I've put into it, especially since it has worked so well. Having multiple cars and a desire to experience more means this is how it has to be.

I've since removed the Evo Recaro seats, and put the OEM ones back in, as well as removed the ABS defeat system. Will be selling the custom seat rails and dummy ABS pump eventually if anyone is interested.

 

[320icar]

I was trying to find this thread earlier today, to bump it and ask how it was going. Saw an Instagram post of an RS swapped sedan in Ontario earlier today that made me think of you.

sad to see you go. But you have showed the community just what is possible with this platform, so amazing. Curious on how you’d price the car

 

[HiluxSR5]

Thank you, it has been fun experimenting with a different type of car.

I've priced it at $29,800 Canadian which is a good bit lower than a normal '17 RS with similar mileage in nice condition given the confusing title may deter some buyers.

 

[mzdrati]

You are incredible, Hilux. I'm "good" at a few things, but I wish I were this capable at something.

What will your next project be?

 

[HiluxSR5]

I don't actually know. At the moment I have too many cars, so I need to get rid of a few before I can think of the next project. They've been piling up as I complete one, think it's too nice to sell, but still buy another.

Eventually some kind of wrecked exotic or JDM mini truck/kei car seems likely as I have no experience with either.

 

[Crevarius]

Build a GR Yaris next.

 

[Engage]

I just love watching someone who doesn't have understand limits or reasonable! Great posts.

 

[crashcourse460]

Having done this kind if thing with various Impreza to STI models over the years, I thought I'd try it out with the Focus. I've seen lots of speculation on the plausibly and difficulty, so it's time to find out for sure.

Donor car, 2017 RS, appears to have taken out a moose or some other large hairy object, roof mostly sheared off.

Swap car, 2013 Focus SE. Basic, manual, with a sunroof.

I'll be changing out everything to the bare shell, and moving over the RS strengthening plates, missing captive nuts, and other little details.

I know it can be done, but let's see just how hard it is to do.

I have a 2016 focus se. I always wanted it to be awd. I had a chance to get a wrecked rs. Everyone told me it wouldn't be worth the $ swap. I'd love to know how it performs . Thanks.