You could split them right at the pinch welds and just swap floorboards! Think of it, an AWD Jaguar Contour.
The insurance costs of the Jag with the resale of a Contour.
I've thought of this, but mainly just because it would be intresting. Looking at what I drive the chances of it ever happening are about as high as winning the lottery. The best option would be to find an 4X4 version of the Escape/Tribute (or Jag but the Escape is cheaper), with the engine/trans combo that you want. You would need to mount the drivetrain to the Contour subframe, hopefully the transfer case will clear the mounts that the rack sits on. Also coming with it would be the Escape's wiring harness/computer (need it to control the 4WD). Who knows what kind of wiring mess you would have making it work with the Contour guage cluster. The ABS system might not work since the Escape parts were built for larger tires, thinking of that, the guages would probably read wrong too. Move the fuel tank, relocate the spare tire, and design and fabricate the rear suspension. Volia! 4X4 Contour.
