The AKDBuilt V1.5 AWD Kit: The Reason Ours is Different than Other AWD Honda Conversion Kits

This V1.5 encompasses all that we have learned in the last three years of research and development! This pinnacle of performance is the brainchild of Stephen Dunn and the team at AKDBuilt and integrates seamlessly into our unibody chassis. It is extremely versatile, allowing all of the best fitment characteristics to the chassis and aftermarket sway-bars, tire and wheel options, braking kits and upper/ lower control arms, with a new variable design for the trailing arms that allow easy adjustability on the car, without removal for adjustment. These systems are in production and are being shipped all over the world to customers eagerly waiting for their AWD conversions. 

Features included in this design are:

• Variable chassis mounting for over 21 different configurations of unibody Honda chassis
• Variable lower control arm mounts to fit many different aftermarket sway-bar kits and sway-bar combinations on the market
• Increased ground clearance and a sleek new bolt on design allowing increased strength for the frame rails
• Centralized mounting for 4 different Honda differential designs both RTAWD and RT4WD in both B and K Series bias to align to the transfer case and rear differential for increased drivetrain performance
• Zero degree axle angles allowing high performance drivetrain configurations with OEM and aftermarket axles
• Durable chromoly steel construction making the subframe and trailing arms weigh 33lbs total allowing great weight savings 
• New triangulated trailing arm design allowing corrected suspension geometry and 1.5" of length adjustment for each trailing arm on the car without disassembly
• Compatibility with many aftermarket and OEM braking systems on the market allowing OEM fitment with aftermarket performance braking systems
• Easier installation using the factory automation ports to align, and install the subframe for an accurate fit every time without fail
• Shock mounted subframe chassis mounts allowing good fitment and reducing vibration when applying high horsepower from the rear differential
• Grade 12.9 hardware for the subframe and trailing arm installation offering additional strength and endurance
• No welding or fabrication required to install our kit. Installs with basic hand tools only. 

Why do you need this?

Compared to other AWD conversion kits on the market, this one approaches performance from the perspective of what is possible, not how to tweak what's already been done. The idea was to promote a more stable platform for performance from the chassis and suspension at high horsepower and high rate of speed allowing this modular approach to integrate seamlessly into the vehicle and assist with strengthening the factory unibody. 

The Majority of AWD conversions on the market today focus on being quick and easy, using a bolt on subframe brace design to bolt to the factory 16 gauge subframe and a weld on bar to hold the weight of the rear differential in place between the frame rails making them straight line performance kits only. This "quick and easy" method has never yielded peak performance results over time, and often leads to catastrophic failure. These kits do not address changes in suspension geometry, axle angles, ground clearance limits and weakening the chassis over time. When you bolt something directly to the frame with no isolators or anti vibration mounts, especially a unibody chassis that isn't designed to receive power from the rear wheels, you start to get metal fatigue. Once you have installed their kit onto your car, you cannot transfer it to another vehicle in the event of an accident or you decide to trade up to another vehicle. 

Our system is compatible with over 21 different configurations of unibody Honda chassis. Installation uses the automation ports (factory rotisserie mounts used during assembly) under the car for exact alignment and measurement every time for a guaranteed fit. It is the only AWD kit on the market that allows the use of a sway bar of either OEM or aftermarket design. Our design uses an "X" brace design, which promotes stiffening of the OEM rear frame rails. The V1.5 also promotes amazing ground clearances and protection of the differential for lowered vehicle applications, allowing a care-free driving experience. Our competitors weld a bar in between the factory unibody 16 gauge steel frame rails, but do not compensate for body roll, leaving that upper diff bar to tear away at the thin gauge metal, damaging your frame overtime. Our subframe can use all of the popular Honda differentials (both early and late model) with bias centering on the transfer case for B and K Series applications. This creates better driveshaft u-joint lubrication and driveshaft performance by aligning the driveshaft and transfer case to the same side of the exhaust tunnel for a straight shot at power transfer. Our competitors mount the differential in the center of the rear subframe, forcing the use of a two-piece driveshaft and an offsetting the forward flange to B or K series bias. Our kit uses a one-piece driveshaft for most applications and is counterbalanced to support RPM's exceeding 10k.

Our best-in-the-industry V1.5 design allows the use of several axle configurations in the rear from OEM to aftermarket. This zero axle angle gives the serious performance enthusiast a competitive edge. Other companies, using the factory subframe location, often have a 12 degree axle angle at ride height, leaving you less than 6 degrees of angle before binding. Our entire system is 33lbs. That is 16lbs for both trailing arms, and 17lbs for the subframe, ready to install. That weight savings comes in before the installation of a differential or braking kit. However, with the chromoly construction, it helps tie in the added performance requirements to support a rear differentials at high horsepower, making the car more stable. 

Taking your car to the drag strip and need to adjust the suspension or the big end of the track? No problem! Extend that wheel base by adjusting our variable length trailing arms. Our trailing arms not only offer extreme adjustability, but compatibility to many aftermarket and OEM braking systems on the market allowing OEM fit with aftermarket performance braking systems and the use of an emergency brake. This system requires no welding and no fabrication to install. It uses the most basic hand tools, and does not require specialized knowledge of mechanics. 

At the end of the day, your options are many when deciding how to spend your money and what aftermarket parts you use to build the performance desired. This approach to design is next level: it is the first of its kind (but not the last) from us. Secure your investment and your vehicle by building your car right from the beginning with our V1.5 AWD Conversion!