Converting to awd worth the effort

[brentlysubaru]

I found a 95 impreza fwd with nice body meaning the rear quarters are just about rust free. I'm in Ohio and its hard to find one like that. The bad thing is its fwd. I have everything to switch it. How much of a pita is it to do? Has anyone done it? Thanks

[AdventureSubaru]

Generally no, but if you've already got everything, then not as big of a deal. Half the work and all the expense is getting all the parts needed. We're talking trans, front axles, driveshaft, rear differential and mounts, rear axles, gas tank and possibly different wiring/TCU.

 

If it's all coming from a parts car, you've got the parts and template right in front of you so it's a full day or so of wrenching.

Edited January 23, 2016 by AdventureSubaru

[brentlysubaru]

I was thinking of maybe trying to take the front and rear cross members out of the parts car and rolling them under the car. I figure the worst part of its going to be the wiring and the gas tank. I'm still a little up in the air about doing the swap but I guess I'd have a better car in the end or at least nicer body parts for my other impreza.

[Fairtax4me]

Do you have an AWD parts car?

You need the entire rear suspension. Struts and springs, crossmember, trailing and lateral arms, etc. The whole rear suspension setup is different from FWD to AWD.

Parking Brake cables to match either drums or disc setup that's going on the car.

Fuel tank and the evap system parts to match. Evap stuff won't matter unless your state requires inspection. But you may end up with a CEL on all the time.

 

Transmission and rear driveshaft.

Center exhaust pipe and muffler are different as well. The FWD pipes will probably hit the AWD crossmember.

 

Even if the car has only minor rust, the crossmember bolts can be seized in the body and you have to cut holes in the floor pan to get access to the captive nuts.

[brentlysubaru]

Ya the parts car is awd. I didn't know that the exhaust was different. Thanks for the info. The captive nuts aren't too much fun I've dealt with them on trailing arms before.

I'm hoping to be able to unbolt the top the struts trailing arm brackets and the crossmember. Rolling it under the car in one big chunk. Should be able to do it all in a weekend. Gonna have to wait till its a little warmer though.

[idosubaru]

Find one from down south or out west and go pick it up or fly and drive it back.  pretty easy to find a cheap 20+ year old subaru (well you might have to avoid the west for the cheap part)

[brentlysubaru]

Few months back my buddy and I were checking out cars down in the Virginia area. He used to live near Virginia Beach. There were quite a few cheap cars (under $1000) down there that up in our area (Ohio rust belt) that would be in the $3000 or more range. It definitely might be worth the trip.

[brentlysubaru]

Well it ended up I didn't get the 95 fwd impreza. The guy I was getting it off of backed out of the deal. Oh well worked out for the better anyhow I found a 97 outback sport that's in really good shape for the same price. The drivers quarter panel has a rust spot the size of a half dollar. I can fix that easily enough. Unlike the one I'm driving right now that the right rear strut tower is about gone.

[lmdew]

Good things come to those who wait.