el_freddo

Sounds like a good project with a lot of potential! I'd recommend looking at an AWD gearbox, this way you've got maximum traction to get all the power to the road without the wheel spin. To change the gear ratios in the gearbox for the best low 1st gear can be a bit of fun if you're up for the task... The only issue is that with this method your 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears also become "shorter" thus requires the engine to rev faster to maintain the same speeds as it would have before any modifications. 5th gear is independant of 1st - 4th gearsets so you can find your desired ratio and fit that for highway cruising. Best bet would be the 3.7 diff ratio'd AWD gearbox that would be found in most bog standard legacy's (liberty in Oz). Find one of these then go hunting for either another gearbox or just the ring and pinion for a 4.11 or 4.44 (hard to find in Oz, dunno about the US though), fit this to your 1st gearbox that was 3.7 diff ratio standard and you'll have effectively lowered your 1st gear's ratio for a better take off. Run a legacy size tyre diametre and you'll be apples. Someone will be able to shed more light on this I'm sure. Cheers Bennie

Keep up the coolant and oil - do the usual regular oil and filter changes and your subi should be sweet! I know in km's that subarus are good for well over 300k kms over here, so I'm sure they'll do the same in the equivalent miles over there if you maintain it well Happy subi motoring! Cheers Bennie

No, quite the opposite, they were "custom shaped" on top for the best seating possible. Much better than any jack stand I could find - plus they were cheap! Found them in the wood stack Also, I'm waiting for some 14 inch scorpion rims to arrive I'm sure these were only made by a local australian company that no longer produce them, reasons not known to me - either way I've finally got hold of a pair, once they get here... The Scorpion rim: And the set of five rims en route: Standard offset and for me a better alternative to pug rims that are not as "easy on the eye" as I find these rims to be More pics of that later... Cheers Bennie

G'day all I'm after some info/pics of how to fit EJ series (legacy, foz etc) seats into an L series. Any info would be a great help. Cheers Bennie

G'day all I'm after information about replacing the uni joints in the tail/prop shaft? I know the subaru uni joints are non replaceable from factory but I'm looking for a mod/part that can get around this setup so that I can replace the dead/dying units. If anyone has some info/experience with this please let me know. Cheers Bennie

That's awesome! Love hearing things like this... I've got another one in the pipeline but I need some motivation and inspiration to get it completed... Its of our last outing to Robe in the sand with some South Oz subaru nuts. Good times! Cheers Bennie

Nice ride mate! I'm into lifting, not lowering, either way it shows how versatile these subarus really are. The way it came home to you is pretty much the same as how mine arrived home - except the steering wheel is on the other side and the gearbox is a dual range, so if you're ever going to drop the EJ AWD gearbox in shoot us a PM or something if no one has dibbs on the push button 4wd gear shifter knob Also wish I could get hold of the XT6 brakes etc - then I'd be running the 5 lug setup as well As for the amber lights, I prefer the clear with the smaller amber indicator lense that came in the post '87 models over here. Keep up the good work! Cheers Bennie PS - I've never seen a front bumper like that one with the indicators recessed into the bumper - or the high rise centre console.

Damn! This thread/idea died in the arse didn't it?! I too am after a rear R160 diff locker, namely an air locker for total lock when I want it offroad (not always ) and open when I'm on the black top - I'm in the midst of building up an L series AWD centre difflock gearbox with 4.11 diff ratios. Hence the air locker for the rear end. I've been down the welded rear diff modification road and hated putting in and removing the CVs all the time. I went the open diff again after heading to the snow and the EJ conversion. Now I'm after an air locker for the rear - but like everyone else there's a load of resistance from manufacturers. I reckon there would be a great market for this item - especially if it was fitted into the standard r160 diff housing, then everyone with an AWD subaru would be able to use it if they desired. I for one want one and would definitely be lining up (and saving) for a rear air locker for the r160 diff. Cheers Bennie

^ Looks like there could be an ok L series dual range 5 speed gearbox in there... Here's Ruby Scoo in the snow last winter up at Mt Buffalo: Mt Hotham: Can't wait to get back up the snow later this year, will be moving back to Mt Hotham in the next month or two before the winter to start organising apartments for occupation... Love not having to put the chains on too! Rarely do 4wd's need chains, most people fit them anyway because they don't know how to control a vehicle if a side is induced. Anyway, I love it and am jealous that you guys have ************-tins of snow over there at the moment! To cap it off our summer sucks this year - no heat Cheers Bennie

G'day Seven, I'm el freddo - currenly living in lakes entrance and driving a blue L series 4wd wagon that's *slightly* modified Might catch you around the traps some time... Cheers Bennie

G'day all I'm a new USMB member from the other side of the "puddle" in Australia. Been on a couple of forums for a few years, ausubaru mainly. Looking to help out others and learn more things about subarus along the way. Here's my L series - Ruby Scoo as she stands at the moment (with "new honda accord springs in the rear): ^ 3 inch lift, EJ22 with the stock L gearbox internals cased in an EJ dual range gearbox casing - no adaptor plant needed plus I keep my stock gearing for now. When I head offroad her "big boots" are strapped on: Some EJ conversion pics: Gearbox re-casing: EJ fitted and running well: All geared up for Australia day last year (2010) with the EJ: Ruby Scoo in mud: In snow: In water In the (crappy rented) shed a month after being in water: In sand: And hanging out with friends: My videos on youtube Everything on this subi has been built or modified/fitted by myself with exception to the rear bar where my uncle helped me out with the whole construction for start to finish - well he built it, I was his caddy for a day - meaning I was just trying to stay out of his way Future mods: Snorkel, bonnet vent to get rid of more heat from under there on the hot days. I'd like to supercharge it but I'm not sure if I'll get onto that pipe dream. An endless air would be super but again space is an issue. A dual battery setup is half way complete, just need some frame work to mount the second battery under the bonnet. Then a rear cargo setup for everything I need when I'm offroad... Just time and shed space I don't have at the moment. An awd dual range gearbox is being sorted for better onroad handling and reduction of the torque steer behaviour the EJ can induce. Can't wait for that gearbox! This is such a large forum I hope to get to all the corners at some point in time, hope you've enjoyed the short story about my 88 DL wagon and the videos if you had the time to check them out. Cheers Bennie

And I'm pretty sure if you want to listen to your alternator through your radio it's "engine speed controlled" Cheers Bennie

I'm pretty sure the backing plate won't fit up. If this does the next hurdle would be to fit the hub to the stub axle. IF this all fits up I don't see why the master cylinder won't be up to the task... Is this a case of shelling out for the parts and you want to know if its defenetly a yes or no fitment? Or do you have the parts and want to know before you get your hands dirty/waste an afternoon? Cheers Bennie

And here's an insightful thread by TOONGA on ausubaru. Thought it might be of some interest Cheers Bennie

We never got the carb'd EJ engine - only fuel injection over here UNLESS it was a grey import which means that it was not shipped to australia by subaru australia... That's awesome! Cheers Bennie

I would suggest you look at either a new/reconditioned alternator or work out how to pull the one you've got apart and replace the bushes in it. There would be plenty of options for upgrades available if you need a bigger alternator. Cheers Bennie

TOTALLY worth it if you can find them! I don't think they're much of an issue in the US in terms of availability compared to over here... If you've gone the EJ22 route they're a must in the braking department at the very least. Best brake upgrade is the crossbred kit produced by a local fella over here. Yesterday I did the honda front spring conversion on my L's rear end. Here's the before and after: ^ currently got her "small boots" on for around town trips. Those springs pick the rear up quite a bit and I'm thinking of cutting a loop out to maybe drop it down a little bit. Either way the drive is much better and the rear end handles itself very well over speed bumps. The aim of this conversion was to keep the rear up and handling loads better than with the standard springs - particularly when offroad and the only way up a dune or something of the like is flat footed... Things are looking good so far, just have to get used to the new look and feel while driving. Cheers Bennie

If it doesn't work, pull it a part and soldier any dodgy looking joints on the board... works a treat! The rare sort after part in oz for the offroaders is the L series AWD locking centre diff gearbox! AWD onroad and true 4WD offroad... The RX 4wd rear discs are rear too but the Crossbred conversion kit has changed the demand for this setup a little bit. Crossbred brake kit is the way to go for better brakes on the old 4 stud'd subarus One good one that I've only seen one example of is factory climate control in the L series - I'd love one of them for my subi but would't have a clue as to where to look for a unit for a subi with the steering wheel on the correct side of the dashboard, also known as the right side Also the R160 detroit locker - an aftermarket part that was made by some of the subaru rally teams here in oz. Dunno if they made it to the US. I'd seriously love an air locker for the R160 but am currently dreaming! Cheers Bennie

Mate your subi's come a LONG way! Looks awesome! You'll have to tell me more about it - and yep, I've finally pulled my finger out and joined up on this massive board! Cheers Bennie

I disagree with the bypass comment - the heater is a radiator, it gets its coolant from under the thermostat that is then sucked through the heater core back to the water pump to then cycle through the engine block again. This helps for a quick heater, even engine warm up and opening of the thermostat. Thus during cold engine operation the only coolant being cycled is that of the heater circuit - the radiator out front is blocked by the thermostat until the thermostat is warm enough to start opening. The EJ takes it differently - having the thermostat mounted upside down before the water pump on the inlet side of the engine! But the same principal applies really. Cheers Bennie

Wow mate, breaking a control arm is pretty serious! I've got a 3 inch BYB kit in my L, I've been bouncing around on many things but have not broken a control arm - or heard of it being done, you'll usually bend the radius rod or rip out the captive nuts that hold the radius rod's plate to the underside of your subi! As for your camber I'm not sure where the issue is as I don't know the details of your subi's build. Are you running a 2 inch body lift or only a strut lift? I'm sure they would have built the kit with some kind of offset on the strut tops to change the camber to something near normal for these subi's... Add some pics of your front end lift blocks - this might help us work out where the issue is. No other suspension mods we should know about other than the lift? Cheers Bennie