4RnrRick

I'm just concerned with all the overhang on the Subarus.... I think I will get hung up on it more than I want too.

Don't mean to keep comparing to my Yota but bear with me.... See my 4runner is bobb'ed 9". You just cut the back off, section the body vertically and then weld the butt back on. So when youre done, you shouldn't notice other than it looks a bit different.... The body work isn't that bad and really goes pretty quick. But heres my curernt project that I'm going to sell probably to fund a Subie build up. Its a 83 sandrad cab Toyota with a 86 xtra cab graphed onto the back. Toyota NEVER made this model!!!! Oh and the bed is bob'd 13 off the fron and 20" off the back since it use to be a LONG bed.....I was going to go all out on this project and make it a REAL preunner with fiberglass and long travel but I've lost intrest so Its time for a project change. So when it comes to body modifcations, I have the skill and the tools to do it.

Well see I got some 30x9.50 BFG MT (actually 7 of them) that might be perfect for a Subie. right now they measure 28.5" tall but I want to make sure I have enough clearance when I'm at full flex I can steer from lock to lock without the tire hitting anything. So I'm just thinking about stuff.....

As some of you know I'm interested in getting a Subaru but I haven't decided what I want yet. Just curious if anyone has tried (bobbing) cutting the back of their Subie off to make less overhang, thus increasing departure angle..... This is real common with 4x4 trucks to improve departure angle and I've done several vehicles mayself..... What I'm thinking is say a EA82 Wagon with 9-12" removed from behind the rear wheels with plexiglass/lexan windows.....

First let me say - YES I'm a Subie Noob and no I don't own a Subie yet...... So sorry if this question is really stupid. Just from what I've seen, it looks like the firewall is the main issue on fitting large tires. Is that true? Is it possible to move the front tires forward on a Subie to gain Firewall clearance so you can clear larger tires easier and with less lift? For instance on my 4Runner the front axle is moved 3 1/2" forward and I tubbed the firewall 2" this give me the ablility to run 36" tires on 15 x10 rims and 2" BS rims for only 4" of lift for that LOW WIDE stance..... My guess is to this question is no..... but after thinking about it some more I would have to say that anything is possible. Would it require fabbing up new strut towers same a couple inches forward of the stock location? and then possible relocating the radiator and moving the engine forward? Anyways its, just something I wanted to ask about since I don't own one yet to look the idea over..... BTW I like to try to think outside the box.....

Just curious if there is a spread sheet or table somewhere that shows the lift/fender modifications required for a certain tire size for the different models of Subies. I know there are lots of tire fitment posts on here but I haven't seen any that shows a general table....... But the real question I have is: if I'm going to get a Subie with the plan of running large tires - Iis there a certain model that is easier to make large tires fit? Hope that makes since.

So is low range on all these RX models 1.2 ratio?

Thats what I have been starting to think is that my co-workers car is not quite what I want even though its a nice car. And yes I've been tring to get him to just sell them to me "as-is" since he's mid process in buying a house, totally renivating it, fixing up his old house to sell or rent and trying to move into the new place for the last two months.......

This is just a general question but how do you guys find cheap Subies that are worth building/buying? Is it just a matter of having the right connections or Luck? He's my dilemia: I have a co worker that has a 86 EA82 2wd GL-10 Wagon with a bad engine. It has around 120K and every option but a sunroof. But unfortionaly it also has a Automatic Tranny. But the interior is PERFECT! It looks cleaner inside that my 01' Corolla! it does have a small dent near the right rear taillight and the bumper skins look a bit abused. He bough the car for $200. He also has a 87 EA82 2wd GL wagon with a Auto that was in a front end collision. But it has a good engine ~150K. He got that car for $25. So he is going to swap motors and do a few little other items to make the 86 to be near perfect condition. He wants $800 for it when he's done. I might be able to talk him down a bit from there. but not much. So is this a good deal? after looking at the car it sounds good to me but unfortionatly Its not 4wd and its not a Manual. I just need some advice from veteran Subie buyers and builders..........:-\

Well that sucks......

I thought the RX was a single range tranny? And you had the option of fulltime AWD or you could lock the center dif to make it true 4WD. And there was NO low range.... Am I wrong?

I'm not a big fan of power tanks.... I like free AIR. Also I have no place locally that I can get CO2. :-\

So what do 'stock' subies weight for the different years/models? I haven't been able to find anythign on that.

Yeah I was thinking that converting to the elcetric power steering from a XT6 might be able to be swapped out for added room. That or a huge hood scoop..... As for OBA, I really like the engine driven compressors. on my 4runner I have a rotary York that I can air up my 36x13.50 Irok's on 15 x10 rims from 5 -18 psi in 7 minutes for all FOUR tires from the time I park the rig to the time I'm ready to roll again. And for that size of tire thats a LOT of air. But I guess with these small of tires (27-30") range they don't require teh type of air that my rock crawler takes so I might just be able to get away with a air tank and filling up the spare to 70 psi... I'm just trying to decided what I want before I dive in a purchase a car......

Is there enough room on a EA82 to add a belt driven AC Compressor for On Board Air and still have Air Conditioning??

So from everything I've read so far, basically there is not 1 perfect car to start with but since they are made like "legos" I can just put the car together that I want. Well for me I think I want the EA82 for more horsepower and struts suspension. I also want it a more modern interior and lots of room inside. It also sounds like a Turbo is not for me... so NA is what I need. I also want a dual range tranny and the 3.90 diff gears. So that pretty much leaves me with the 85-89 D/R NA Wagons with SPFI. Then the things to find are: Rear disc brakes from a Turbo model. Get some 14" or 15" Rims. Then install some 27-28" Tires. Then look around for a rear LSD - I don't like the idea of welding the diff and then having to drive around without a axle installed. Not sure on bolt pattern conversion yet but thats looks real easy. A 3" lift I will either purchase or make myself. So does that sound correct???? Or did I miss something?

What gear ratios where available? and/or What ratios came on what vehicles/models?

Thanks for the opinons and keep them coming...... First question ? You guys say the Turbo isn't very good offroad but according to: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/80s/specs/mechanical/engine-specs.html year, Size, Horsepower, Torque, Designation 83-84, 1800, 73@4800, 94@2400, EA-81, 1800 cr 8.7 83-84, 1800, 95@4200, 123@2800, EA-81T, 1800 turbo cr 7.7 85-86, 1800, 94@5200, 101@2800, EA-82 GL-10 MPFI & XT 85-86, 1800, 111@4800, 134@2800, EA-82T turbo 87-91, 1800, 97@5200, 103@3200, EA-82 XT MPFI 87-90, 1800, 115@5200 134@2800, EA-82T turbo The max torque and horsepower happen at a lower RPM??? Next question ? Are Turbo models the only ones that come with factory rear disc brakes? Next question ? Is there a noticable difference between SPFI and MPFI? Next question ? Since LSD's are optional how do you detrime if a car has one say if you just looking at it? Are there any other opinoins on torsion bars vs struts?

I've tried.... Problem is the search feature ignores LSD because its only 3 letters long! Can you please post a link?

This question probably has been asked over and over but I can't seem to find anything on it using the search button. So what year and options should I look for if I was going to build up a "standard issue" or best donor subie to buildup? You know the vehicle that everyone wants.... For me I need a hatch back wagon for the addition family room and interior cargo room. Also for now say a manual Dual Range transmission. Is a turbo really worth it? What about digital dashes? What about Power steering? Do rear disc brakes make that much of a difference? EA81 or EA82? The end goal that I would like to get to is a Subie with 3" of lift, 27-28" tall tires and LSD's front & rear..... Can you guys help me out?

What vehicle have LSD's? Are front and rear diffs the same?

I feel that every forum should have a FAQ! This stops (or slows down) the same old questions from being asked and it also help Noob's (like me) become familiar with terminology. It also helps out regular foyum member for finding information quickly when they are working on there own projects or explaing stuff to there friends that might not like to post on BBS Forums. For a good example of a FAQ, check the one I helped put together on Toyota Trucks for Pirate 4x4.com: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173918 So I would highly recommend putting a FAQ together with a sticky.

Sorry, I did not realize that all Subura's didn't have window frames.... I also forgot to mention that I did have a set of tube doors for the 4runner but they threw a lot up crap up into the cab and then I made my sheetmetal half doors. After I ran those once - I sold the tube doors...... The sheetmetal doors are was less drafty. So anyone got pictrues of there halfdoors? Because I haven't found a single one on a Subaru....

Yeah, mine for my 4runner have cup holders and a relocated door handle...... For anyone that is interested, here is a post about me building mine for the Toyota (might give you guys some ideas.....) http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225825 Oh and if I was to ever do it again, I would keep the upper window frames so you can make snap on canvas to keep you warm and dry on the way to the trail..... http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2506996&postcount=2

Just curious if any of you Subie owners run half doors? If you don't know what I mean, here is a picture of the ones I run on my 4runner during the summer.....