RodderMods

Upgrade your Ride

Upgrade your 1968–76 BMW 2002

Keep the look, change how it drives. These upgrades turn a classic into a car you can drive anywhere: a modern chassis, disc brakes, a fuel-injected engine (new, or from a donor car), an overdrive transmission, quicker steering, real cooling, new wiring and A/C. Pick your car to see what's made for it.

  1. 1

    Chassis

    Complete chassis, subframes and frame upgrades

    The foundation: a modern chassis or front subframe brings independent suspension, disc brakes and rack steering in one piece. Or stiffen and update the original frame.

    Compare chassis for the 1968–76 BMW 2002
  2. 2

    Chassis stiffening

    Frame rails, subframe connectors and braces

    Ties a unibody or tired frame together so the suspension can work: rails, connectors, torque boxes, tower braces and roll bars.

    2 kits for your car
  3. 3

    Suspension

    Coilovers, control arms, shocks and rear links

    Everything between the body and the wheels that sets how a car rides and handles: coilover or modern shock and spring packages, tubular control arms with better geometry, sway bars, bushings, and rear-axle locating systems such as 4-links, three-links and leaf-spring upgrades.

    4 made for your car · 10 universal
  4. 4

    Brakes

    Disc brake conversions

    Most 1950s to '70s cars left the factory with drum brakes at all four corners, or with small front discs and a single-circuit master cylinder.

    0 made for your car · 2 universal
  5. 5

    Powertrain & Fuel Delivery

    Crate engines, fuel injection and fuel systems

    The engine and everything that feeds it: a modern crate engine (GM LS or LT, Ford Coyote, Gen III HEMI or a fresh small-block), fuel injection that replaces the carburetor, and the tank, pump, regulator and lines that EFI needs.

    0 made for your car · 31 universal
  6. 6

    Transmission

    Overdrive manuals and automatics

    Swapping the original 3- or 4-speed manual, or 2- or 3-speed automatic, for a modern overdrive: a Tremec TKX 5-speed or T-56 Magnum 6-speed manual, or an automatic such as the 700R4, 4L60E, 4L80E, AOD, 4R70W or 6R80/10R80.

    1 made for your car · 32 universal
  7. 7

    Steering

    Quick-ratio boxes, rack-and-pinion and columns

    Replacing a worn manual box or slow factory power steering with a quick-ratio power steering box or a rack-and-pinion conversion, plus a modern tilt or collapsible column and steering shaft.

    0 made for your car · 2 universal
  8. 8

    Cooling

    Radiators, electric fans and shrouds

    An aluminum radiator sized for your engine, electric fans with a shroud and a controller, and the hoses and overflow tank that go with them.

    0 made for your car · 7 universal
  9. 9

    Electrical, Dash & Lighting

    Wiring, alternators, gauges and LED headlights

    A new wiring harness with modern fuses and relays, a higher-output alternator, modern gauges (digital, or analog with electronic senders) and LED headlights that fit the original buckets.

    0 made for your car · 19 universal
  10. 10

    Climate Control & Interior Comfort

    A/C, heat, insulation, seats and belts

    Air conditioning and heat (complete kits with compressor, condenser, evaporator and controls), sound and heat insulation, supportive seats and 3-point seat belts.

    0 made for your car · 15 universal
  11. 11

    Donor cars

    Modern drivetrains from used cars

    A donor car is a modern car or truck, often wrecked or high-mileage, bought for its engine, transmission and electronics.

    0 donors suit your car