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dual range swap into loyale?


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Indeed. Very simple swap. It wouldn't be a bad idea to install a new clutch kit while you're there, but not necessary.

 

If you want to know how hard it is, I have some videos on YouTube. It was my first major repair, so the videos aren't great. I also did it the hard way. I pulled the transmission out from under the car, which wasn't very smart. Much much easier if you pull the engine (I've also got videos from when I swapped my engine). If you've got an hour to kill, you can watch my series (you can find the second part in the related videos section):

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK_tMtkWPCw&list=PLWKW712Na2Z5uYMhUIrlkcgGSaNQ8ozGA&index=16

 

MilesFox also has videos on YouTube. I used his videos to help me. If you've got another hour or two to kill, watch his videos. I recommend his over mine because he really knows what he's doing.

 

 

Oh, I have a thread on here as well. If you've still got time to kill, feel free to read through it. You can also find numerous other D/R swap threads.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/136457-dr-swap-new-clutch-pics/

 

Hopefully one of these three choices will help you and give you a better idea as to what's involved in a D/R swap. It was my first major task on a vehicle and I pulled it off in 5 days. Which, to me, wasn't too bad for an internet-taught 17 year old kid with no experience and limited tools.  :P That should speak for itself on how easy this swap is.

Edited by jj421
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The dual range trans has a separate lever. You swap the trim cover on the console to match. The 4wd button will then be obsolete, but if oyu were lucky enough to find a full time dual range RX trans (and diff), the vacuum solenoids that operate the pushbutton 4wd will operate the diff lock.

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I don't suppose somebody knows the serial codes for these transmissions (I've found the various Subaru Transmissions Serial Tables from 1990s+ but not from the 80s)?

I picked up a 2nd transmission for our RX but have been having trouble determining if I would need to do anything else (different axles, etc) in case our original D/R fails us at the track.

it is an 1987 RX. The spare transmission claims to be from an 89 GL.

I've included a couple photos. Thanks.

 

8RH9ypX.jpg


jiXmrYf.jpg

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count the splines on the stub shafts. they should be 23 splines. The RX has 25 spline axles. You can use 23 spline turbo axle for an automatic to use the GL trans. The GL trans will have a 3.90 final gear, whereas the rx has a 3.700

 

some of the individual gear ratios may be different for years in the 80's. There is a chart somewhere in this forum, search the archives

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  • 3 months later...

I'm just about to finish swapping the d/r tranny from a 85 gl into a 92 loyale which had the push button. I thought it was almost completely bolt-on and everything went smoothly until I went to re-connect the transmission wiring and THEN saw that the plugs were different (of course I didn't notice when the transmission was out of the car :mellow: ...). The new d/r tranny has one white 6 point plug and the loyale has one white 4 point plug and one black 2 point plug. 

I read this thread and jj421 's thread and I watched most of MilesFox 's ea82 videos and couldn't find anything. jj421 mentioned the issue but it was never fully addressed. Is there any easy way to swap the wiring - un plug something from the firewall or from further back on the transmission and just swap the wiring in from the other car? Or will I have to cut out some plugs and splice in the proper ones?  Also If this is just a backup light / telling the car whether I'm in 4wd, should I be able to skip this step for now and get the car started to work out the bumps (I did other engine work during the swap) then worry about the lights once I'm ready for the road?

Thanks yall, and special shouts out to MilesFox 's videos. USMB always saves me asstons of time and cussing.  

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"...or from further back on the transmission and just swap the wiring in from the other car?"

 

This. Follow the wires on the transmission back, and there will be like two or three separate small two-pin plugs or whatever. Unplug it there, and swap the wiring harness from the push button to the D/R tranny.

 

That's what I did. The 4WD Lo connector on the D/R tranny will just hang, since there's nothing to plug it into. Try and test to make sure the reverse lights work before putting everything back together. I didn't do this, but luckily I connected them correctly, haha.

 

I see you're in Seattle. If you'd like, I can drive to your place and help you. Give me a couple buck for gas, and I'll help you put everything back together. I can come over as soon as tomorrow. I'm replacing a fuel pump on a GMC Jimmy in the morning, but I can drive over after I'm finished with that.

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I hoped it was something like that, I wish I had seen it sooner so I could have done it when everything was still out of the car... whatever... 

The car's actually in Kitsap with a buddy so there would be ferries involved.... But I'm nearly done now and haven't really been hurried or stressed - just takes time and I can only look at it once a week between real work and other stuff. So it goes. But thanks though, if I can't get it running or I hit serious issues later I'll let you know!  

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  • 4 months later...

Yes, Yes, Yes. BUT: swap flywheel, modify holes in it, use ea82 bolts, reloate timing marks. Might be ab le to use 4spd clutch disc with ea82 flywheel and PP.

 

MUST use 4spd's driveshaft. Prefer swap 4 spd's diff. 3.999 vs 3.90.

 

MUST use ea82 trans mount, and hybrid a dual range lever.

 

Moral of the story: Yes, a 4spd an work, but you will still need parts from a 5spd if converting from an automatic.

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Pulling the engine eh? I was thinking it was a much simpler task from what people were making it out to be. I guess 'just bolts on' doesn't mean quick or easy. I was thinking of getting a shop to do it for me as I just want to drop off my loyale and pick it up with a DR. I don't have time or skills to do this myself. Would it still be worth it to get a garage to do it at $60/hr?

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Lumber Jack Jeff - Why bother?  

The 4 speed would be a lot of work for what's really a backwards step IMO.

Subarocket - I'd say that paying a shop will cost more than you'd think - especially if it's some sort of conversion, in which case this could come under that classification.  Basically what I'm getting at is that if you're paying someone to do the work and they don't understand something it will take longer to sort it out.

If it were a subaru specialist that knows their stuff about the older models I'd probably say go for it.  Otherwise, if you pulled all the gear from the donor I'm sure you could put it in yours over a weekend.  If you have a motor bike jack you can use this to remove the gearbox, my brother used one on his 10t truck with a modified frame - worked a treat!  

 

Tman1058 - I know it's been a while, but I wouldn't mind a push button 4wd setup for my ride - they're rare as hen's teeth in Oz!

 

Cheers

Bennie

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Thanks for the advice. I found a tranny to do a swap with. It doesn't have the 5 speed shifter with it. It does have the hi-lo shifter though. Can I use the shifter from my 5speed?

 

87 5spd GL DR into a 92 push button 5speed loyale.

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 Prefer swap 4 spd's diff. 3.999 vs 3.90.

 

Uhhh.......4 spds are just 3.9.........There never were any 3.999

 

Heard claims of a 3.8999......But never seen any supporting facts for that claim.

 

All D/Rs in the U.S.  are 3.9 (RX 3.7)

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  • 3 years later...

Thread dig:

All D/Rs in the U.S.  are 3.9 (RX 3.7)

Interesting. In Australia - L series 5spd 4wds:

 

Series 1 ('85 to '87): single range = 3.9, I believe dual range were a mix of 3.7 or 3.9 depending on DL or GL.

Series 2 ('87 to '94): no single range available. All dual range were 3.7. I believe the 2wd boxes were all 3.7 too.

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

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