ellie-ray

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm currently installing a 4" lift in my L series/Loyale and was hoping that someone might be able to help me with the linkage part of this. I understand that I need to extend the 4wd selector and gear selector levers although I am unsure exactly how to go about dropping the plate that the gear linkages attach to. The bolt that the plate affixes to is welded in and I can't drill it out. I'm hoping someone has done this before and can tell me how to go about it.

Brilliant!!! Thanks, really appreciate the advice!!! I'm going to make this work one way or another! Thanks heaps again

Thanks Ionstorm66! In that case do you know where the small steel blocks go? I know I can do this if I try, I'm just afraid I might install it wrong and damage something.

Wait, so in that case, where do the long rectangular alloy blocks go?

Thanks heaps Bennie and Numbchux. I did a bit of research and the steering extension can apparently be sorted by making use of a '98-'00 forester steering knuckle. I still don't understand where everything goes though. The front and rear strut tops blocks are obvious enough and it would seem that the the steel blocks are for the engine and gearbox crossmembers. I can only assume the rectangular alloy blocks are for the diff crossmember, however, I can't work out where the flat alloy plate and the sleeved bolts would go. Could one of you please fill me in?

Hey fellow Subi enthusiasts! A number of years ago I bought a 4" aluminium lift kit from SJR. I never actually had the chance to install it and now all these years later I have a touring wagon I would like to put it in. Has anyone out there installed one of these before? I was going to pay someone to put it in although he seems to think that it's not a complete kit and is unsure how to fit it despite having installed heaps of (Subaru) lift kits before. I know I need to sort out gear linkage extensions as well as steering shaft extensions and possibly even brake line extensions. Can anyone help please. Cheers, Lincoln

Yeah fair enough mate. Cheers for the advice.

Thanks again Bennie and thank you too for the extra info Numbchux! Haha true, cheers! Great info on the cut and shut job, makes a lot of sense about the bevel. Thanks mate! Appreciate it! Great to know! Yeah I have seriously considered just doing up a forester or something like that but I have always had a serious thing for the L series, I can't really describe it but they just feel so right to me. Plus I have dreamed about this for years and am prepared to spend a fair decent amount to get it the exact way I want it (custom progressive longer travel suspension system and many more cool bits), although it may take me a while to do so. When I get this going I will definitely post a build thread as I'm sure I will need some more advice along the way! Thanks again Bennie and yes Numbchux, if you decide you don't want that gearbox please let me know and I'm sure we can work something out. Lincoln

Thanks so much Benny. I wasn't expecting such a comprehensive reply. I used to watch you guys with all your amazing projects over at ausubaru with serious admiration ~10 years ago when I was youngster. Unfortunately once I finally had the money to start properly doing up my cars I had an extremely serious turn of health not long after making my intro post there and crashing my lifted L series. Had to sell all my cars and was for many years subiless . Fast forward to now and I have my health back (mostly), have graduated uni and have a brilliant job so am ready to live my dreams (OK enough fanboying ). I know the 1.59:1 is quite decent, I just think something a bit lower would really take these cars to the next level. My general plan for the car (L series Touring Wagon) is either an EJ22 or EJ20T engine, with an AWD D/R gearbox w/ center locker with a 4.44 ratio (now I know I can do so!) and the r160 diff so I can run a torqlocker in the rear. I want something that I can regularly drive which also has great offroad capability to take me to some of the most remote places in Australia. I don't think I fully understand this bit though. I would probably need to see it with my own eyes to fully grasp it. Firstly, is there any companies you'd recommend for the cut and shut on the pinion shaft as I have no real machining skills whatsoever. Although I do have a friend back in QLD who is a fitter and turner and owns a nice lathe. Also, did you have to file it down even after the cut and shut job? Also, how did you put the auxillary oil feeders in for the low range? This would be brilliant to ensure the low range gears maintains lubrication on steep angles. Otherwise, I guess it's time to start gathering the parts for this build so I can get started. I think I'll look into importing an EA AWD box from the states and then go from there. Thanks again for the excellent info mate.

Hey all, I'm looking to upgrade the running gear in my L series (Loyale). I'm just wondering if anyone knows a way to have an AWD manual dual range gearbox with a center differential locker. From what I understand all manual EJ gearboxes have a viscous center diff. I know there is automatics that you can do the "center locker mod" to although would much prefer a manual not only for the reliability and other advantages a manual box offers but also because I intend to get custom gears cut of the lowest low range possible considering the area constraints of the gearbox housing. However if it has to be an auto then so be it. In my searching I did find this by the master of gearboxes; Phizina. Although I'm not too sure how I'd go finding a FT4WD box in Australia or getting one to here https://offroadingsubarus.com/subaru-tri-hybrid-ft4wd-transmission-centre-locking-differential/ Thanks in advance.