taking the outback out in the woods a little

[zyewdall]

Took the new OBS out on some forest service roads on the way back from work this evening. It did well... not as much clearance as the old GL, but the EJ22 sure does have more torque. It still has the stock transmission in it now -- it's going to be nice with the dual range transmission (there was one or two bumpier sections where I would have liked the low range just to go slower over the rocks). I couldn't feel the wheels slipping at all even in the steepest snowiest stuff (none really steep or really snowy... but still)

 

When I get the dual range transmission in there I'll post a call to see if anyone in Colorado wants to do a switzerland trail run. I'm interested to see how it does compared to the older subies in the snow and off road -- probably not comparable to a lifted GL with an EJ22 swap, but I bet it will do pretty well.

 

And... I completely yoinked the driver's door on it this morning -- pulled into the warehouse bay to unload some stuff, then backing out I didn't notice the driver's door swung open and caught it on a bollard outside the garage door. ack. It looks okay, but it won't close now because the hinges are bent.

 

[hardtail_pride]

looks good. I havent heard of a DR swap into a newer outback. Let us know how it goes.

[zyewdall]

I know that there used to be a forester on here with a dual range tranny and a lift. But, they aren't that common, for sure.

 

I found this one really cheap because the transmission is toast (4th gear is completely gone, and all the others grind pretty bad). And, I've always liked the older subies better because of the dual range 4wd.... but I'm realizing that I also like the more powerful EJ engines, fuel injection, working air conditioning, nice sound systems, etc that the new subarus have... so it seemed like the perfect chance to take the older transmission and put it in a newer subaru. Same transmission/flywheel adaptor stuff as putting an EJ22 into an old subaru except I won't have to do any wiring. Maybe a custom driveshaft. '93 FWD impreza axles should match the stubs on the old transmission I hear. Some of the guys from CCR in Denver are going to do the swap for me.

 

Style-wize I still like the EA81's better, but the 95-99 Legacies and Imprezas are not bad either (except for the front bumper.... that's going to need a brush guard added I think....)

 

Z