Dante

I never had a trans in the back of my '83, but I had a rolling jack, jack stands, a big spare, a lug wrench. In addition, I often had a tool box and camping gear. For a while after I got an LSD, I had my old diff back there. No trans, though...

I'm back Shopping for a '96 Outback (5-Speed/EJ22)...

I won't be towing anything with it. The biggest loads any of my cars have seen are bags of fertilizer, concrete or play sand from the home and garden store.

The angle of attack and departure on Outbacks isn't great, but it's good enough for my worst-case scenario (rough, poorly maintained, unpaved roads). It's not a trail rig. My VWs front valance is closer to the ground than a Legacy's or Outback's, and I've never hit a curb.

I know there were no 96 EJ22 auto outbacks. If you read my posts, you'll see I never said there were. I just said I also considered an EJ22 wagon (I did not say Outback) with a solenoid to lock the center diff in passing. I should probably go back and delete that from my original post to avoid further confusion. Sheesh! This is a good suggestion, but I don't think it will be difficult to fine an Outback. Mods are a slippery slope, and I have a hard time exerciseing restraint. I'd just as soon buy a stock outback and keep it that way. My heavily modified VW keeps me busy enough with mods. Thanks for the info on the 5-speed. I'll do some searches.

You need to look in Washington I've already seen two decent examples. One seemed a little $pendy and the other had almost 200K miles, but they both looked good.

I should have been more straightforward, Kieth, but I said considered - past tense. I want the 5-speed for the Hill Holder. I want the 5-speed Outback for the ground clearance and the 2.2. I might consider the auto if there was a real EJ22 Outback that came with one. I understand the 1995 Outback only differed cosmetically from the other EJ22 wagons.

Thanks teppichkopf - I think that's the route I'll go. I considered and EJ22 wagon with an automatic, so I could install a solenoid to lock the center diff. Ultimately, I decided I'd rather have a stock '96 Outback than a modified EJ22 wagon. My last modified Subaru tried to kill me when the lift extension in the steering column fell out

I've done without a third vehicle since I sold my '83 wagon, but I miss having a trailhead car. Based on this thread, http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=64615 I'm thinking about a '96 Outback (for the EJ22, Hill Holder and ground clearance). I considered an EJ22 wagon so I could install a solenoid to lock the center differential (http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?p=517568#post517568), but decided I'd rather have a stock Outback. I'm ready to start shopping. I plan to take my time and look for a really good car. Anything specific to look for or avoid in a '96 Outback?

Good to know. Now I know my pre-96 EJ22 wagon will be an automatic. I had an old Datsun 510 with oversized tires and an automatic that I took some amazing places (e.g. up the "zorro road" above Granite Lakes past the saddle above Gifford Lakes). The slush box made it easy to ease the car forward without spinning the tires.

Thanks.

I'm thinking about buying another subaru for use as a third (backup, trailhead, home and garden store and dump) vehicle. I'm thinking I'll go with an EJ22 Legacy Wagon. (My last Subie was a lifted '83 GL.) IIRC, certain years are better than others. I remember reading posts recommending '93 to '95 or '96. I've tried a few searches, but can't find them. Can anyone tell me if certain years are better than others and, if so, why? Thanks! Dante

Well, I sold my only sube so I probably won't be checking in here much any more. I sure learned a lot and met a lot of great people here. I'm going to try to do without a "dump and trailhead" rig for a while. If I can't live without one, I'll probably buy the best Loyale I can find (I guess I'm an "Older Generation of Subarus" guy at heart - the newer models just don't grab me) or an SUV. Thanks everyone (particularly Qman and Zapar). It's been fun. Dante

Sweet! Thanks. One more question (I should know this). Was '89 the last year for dual-range trannies?

I still want to replace my '83 wagon with something newer. I know my LSD and other goodies will work in an '85 to '89 GL, but what about the '90 to '94 Loyale 4x4s?

I put a tape on my Coopers and Pugs and they are right at 25 inches. I might put them on the new car when I get it and see if they rub. They probably won't work, but it's worth a try--a bird in the hand...

I got the A-bar from Qman http://usmb.net/gallery/albuo90. I'm pretty sure it's an EA81 only item. I won't need it on my EA82. I'll keep the LSD and maybe the wheels. I'll sell the A-bar, tires and maybe the wheels. I'll sell what's left in one-piece or part it out. I already got a PM about the motor. What's the name of the Subaru scrapyard in Seattle?

How many of the goodies can I swap into an EA82? I think I can swap the LSD and know I can swap the wheels, but not the tires (unless I lift the EA82). What about the A-bar? Coil and wires? I'm not going to lift my next Sube. I don't do any serious 4-wheeling and I'd like a newer more "conservative" vehicle my wife can/will drive if the minivan is in the shop. That's why I'm looking for an '89--easier to find than '83s and '84s. I'd get something even newer, but I want the dual-range tranny.

Thanks starkiller. MorganM, I'm not a Reiters Pit kind of guy at this point in my life. I just need to get to trailheads or down the odd rough road to go car camping with my buddies. I can always lift the EA82 later, right

I've got a 3.9 LSD on my '83 GL wagon. I'm thinking of replacing the '83 wagon with the nicest EA82 GL wagon I can find. I'd like to keep the LSD and based on a quick search, it looks like it can be made to work. Is that correct? If so, any tricks to making the swap?

Thanks! I have a set of Pugs on my EA81, so I could go to 14s, but the 185/80-13 dimensions and 25" max height gives me an "envelope" to work with.

I'm trying to decide whether to part out and/or sell my '83 GL wagon. It's got some goodies (Mudrat79 lift, Coopers & Pugs, LSD, A-bar, Accel coil, good wires and plugs, etc.). I'll probably keep the LSD if I can put it on the EA82. I blew out a tire and broke a strut abusing it and the wagon tried to take revenge, if not kill me, by not steering. A splined shaft in the steering column fell out of its collar--thank god I was not on the freeway or an exposed mountainside logging road, as I had been earlier in the day, when it happened. There's also a disconcerting "clunk" caused by a loose right rear strut mount. I was unable to get it tight when I replaced the strut. I'd just sell if, BUT: (1) I question the car's safety--don't want to sell a lawsuit waiting to happen, and (2) I think I might get more by selling the LSD, Coopers & Pugs and A-bar separately, and then selling the car "as is" or for parts. Any suggestions?

What are the tallest tires I can put on an unmodified '89 GL wagon without rubbing? I'm thinking about replacing my lifted '83 GL wagon with the nicest '89 GL wagon I can find. I don't need or want a lift this time, but would like to put the tallest tires that won't rub on the '89 when I get it.

Not till you pointed it out

I was thinking about getting something stock to replace the lifted '83 wagon I'm selling in the marketplace and found this '83 wagon in Edmonds, WA: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=177203432&dealer_id=1363379&car_year=1983&make=SUB&distance=25&lang=en&max_price=&model=SUBGL&end_year=1983&min_price=&certified=&address=98112&search_type=both&advanced=&start_year=1983&isp=y&cardist=13 I bought a Carfax report for it and there is a mileage discrepancy (137K in '97 and 133K in '99) but otherwise the Carfax was clean. Dealer said there are "some small dents" on the driver's side, but the interior is in "great shape." It's not my car and I'm not affiliated with the dealer in any way. I just considered it as a replacement for my lifted '83 wagon. Unfortunately I think I need a bigger (me, my wife, three rapidly growing kids and occasionally friends) third vehicle - Might get an SUV with 3rd row seating.