How hard to retrofit ABS to a non ABS car?

Skree

Skree

Skree

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Was just wondering.. as i was saved by the abs recently on ice in a mate's car.. my van, a 1999 peugeot partner 1.9D 800LX has no ABS brakes..

I have no problems with doing mechanical work.. the questions are would the system fit, and is it a self contained system?

If the ABS is part of the ECU then it prob wouldnt work..

Can it be done merely by swapping the whole brake system off an ABS partner 800?(800 signifies max payload in kg) or even just putting an ABS module and certain parts in my existing system?

just an idea i had, something sensible to do when i strip it down in spring - going to be doing plenty of work anyway so if i could add ABS easily i'd be a happy chappy :D lol
 
I've always been led to believe its cheaper and easier to sell your current vehicle and just buy one with ABS already fitted. ABS needs wheel sensors, Controller, Pump all the wiring (If its not already there).

Im no expert though, I've had so much trouble with ABS on my volvo anyway, its not a simple system.
 
numnutz said:
I've always been led to believe its cheaper and easier to sell your current vehicle and just buy one with ABS already fitted. ABS needs wheel sensors, Controller, Pump all the wiring (If its not already there).

Im no expert though, I've had so much trouble with ABS on my volvo anyway, its not a simple system.
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I Concur.
 
Be easier to sell your van & buy one with ABS on it. I'd never attempt to instal ABS & i am quite brave when it comes to modding/tweaking motors.
 
its a shame that because my van has done VERY low miles and is in stunningly good condition, but being a 1999 it wouldnt sell for enough to buy a similar condition newer vehicle.. I kinda need the 1.9XU engine as well as it...*ahem* well it likes running on waste vege oil - the newer DI engines dont like it so much, it causes a lot of problems for the more modern engines.. this is why i'm stripping the van down for a full rebuild, so i can rustseal it so it lasts and lasts.. i want to keep my free fuel vehicle going.. :(

I'm still going to look into the possibility.. always knew it'd be a really big job to do even if all the parts are a straight bolt on-bolt off
 
Skree said:
its a shame that because my van has done VERY low miles and is in stunningly good condition, but being a 1999 it wouldnt sell for enough to buy a similar condition newer vehicle.. I kinda need the 1.9XU engine as well as it...*ahem* well it likes running on waste vege oil - the newer DI engines dont like it so much, it causes a lot of problems for the more modern engines.. this is why i'm stripping the van down for a full rebuild, so i can rustseal it so it lasts and lasts.. i want to keep my free fuel vehicle going.. :(
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Go do a couple Advainced Driver training courses and learn to drive Propperly.

That way you will improve even on ice and make up for the lack of ABS:)
 
Tell yer mate to improve his driving skills a tad.

I've had no issues going from my previous ABS equipped BMW to my current non ABS Mondeo, drive to suit the conditions and you have few problems in my experience. :)

That said, ABS on articulated trucks is a life saver!
 
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ABS on any loose surface is a PITA. It can be nice to have ABS in a tight situation but too many people use it to replace driving skill.
 
It would certainly be possible to retrofit an ABS system, but it would be a vast amount of work, and there will be many components that may require replacing or modifying e.g. driveshafts, uprights etc. Not worthwhile unless you value your own time at nothing and you have a complete donor vehicle to swap bits from.
 
Zip said:
Go do a couple Advainced Driver training courses and learn to drive Propperly.
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You mean like the Institute Of Advanced Motoring? I'm a member of that. Had to do a lot of advanced driving stuff on skid pans etc for an old job and i've done a lot of track time.

It wasn't actually me driving when we were saved by the ABS.. it stopped us careening off a big cliff.

I've never actually needed ABS in the 8.5yr i've had my licence, and driving between 25,000 and 45,000 miles a year. It'd be nice to have, but i can't say i've actually needed it.

Yeah i'd be looking to buy a complete donor vehicle - i quite often see crashed partner vans for sale at auctions - I planned on doing this anyway so i could have a load of spares for my van - see them all the time with fairly heavy structural damage but decent mechanicals.

I think the main issue would be time. I dont think any shell modifications would be necessary, but it'd end up being a weird hybrid of both vehicles in terms of the hubs, driveshafts etc

I cant really think about it much at the mo cuz i cant think with family running around like crazyfools and taking my attention but i'll give it some thought later when i have some peace and quiet
 
I would discuss this with you insurance company. I know what you plan to do should make the vehicle safer. But if you have an accident and they notice you've moddified the brakes they'll use it as an excuse to throw out the claim.
 
dalin80 said:
at a guess i would say retrofitting abs would be 3 or 4 thousand, unless you have a donor vehicle with straight swap bits.
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I reckon doing the work yourself you could do it for WAY less than that. Its definatly not worth the hassle of doing though, at minimum you would need an ABS pump, lots of brake pipe rerouting, ABS sensors, 2x driveshaft (or CV joints) with the ABS rings on, wiring loom (or wiring for the ABS system if you can get away with it), possibly ECU and the pads/discs/drums calipers may all be different as well as many other parts.
A garage may well charge thousands to do it, but DIY i reckon you could get the parts for under £1000.
 
BigglesPiP said:
Sensors on the wheels are near impossible.
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Would depend whether the non ABS car has the location holes/mounts for the sensors. I know Saxo (with rear discs) that dont have ABS do have the mounting holes in the rear trailing arms for ABS sensors.
 
it was the ECU part that's the main worry. If it came down to simple mechanical refitting, I could do it but i don't want to get into altering the fuel system any more than i already have to run vegetable oil properly - IE to change the ECU would probably mean changing the fuel pump = no-no because it wouldn't be a bosch one, which is best for the veg conversion. I'd be quite happy to mix the suspension, brake and driveline parts - i have a lot of tweaks i'm going to do anyway. I'll be waiting till i take the vehicle apart anyway, which'll be coming in spring. In the meantime i'll be looking through my workshop manuals for the vehicle looking for any differences that can't be solved easily.

EDIT: and yes, cadence braking is good for low grip situations - your foot isnt as fast as a abs system though
 
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