85 gl wagon why is the xt6 5 lug worth it what other options is there for suspention

[pbilt]

iv been doing alot of reading on here about the xt6 5 lug swap now i just have a few questions about is it any better. 1 why is the impreza or legacy suspension better then the ea82s.

2 if you do do the swap what are the advantages other then the 5 lug rims. 3 .with the 5 lug set up can your run 14s and 15s im not sure which set up i like yet.

4 if the suspension is better is it worth finding all the parts compared to drilling hubs to 6 lug yota rims (is there a noticeable difference) thank you for reading this have a good day

 

[idosubaru]

availability - axles and struts and brake parts and upgrade options.
it gets old trying to source old, unavailable, CV boots, axles, brakes, struts, and springs and lift parts...

if you're running a reliable daily driver or wheeler breaking parts - it's just annoying looking for parts.  much simpler to just go get, order, and find maintenance parts that are everywhere. 

XT6 and some early EJ wheels are 14" so you can 5 lug 14" rims just fine if you don't get huge brakes.

[pbilt]

thank you for the reply its going to be a camping/woods wagon but im going to have fun in it also im thinking just drill out the hubs just wondering how much of a6 differance the full swap makes suspension wise is it a more stiff autocross set up or a nice flex in the woods. from what iv been reading 88-89 honda accord springs work in the rear not sure about the front without the swap

[el_freddo]

The XT6 5 stud hub swap doesn't do much for suspension other than change the front strut to EJ for the bigger brakes. 

Two reasons for this swap 1) wider rim selection becomes available and 2) you get the EJ brakes which means just about anything from the first liberty to the wrx and early sti (pre PCD change).

as for the springs, heavier usually gives a little bit of lift but at the same time you lose some compression unless you're carrying a heavier load. 

The Honda springs go well unloaded.

I'm now looking into IFS prado springs/shocks as the next piece of kit out the back. I might end up just using the Honda springs with the prado shocks - I'm not sure until I get the prado shocks and have a play. 

Cheers

Bennie

[idosubaru]

6 hours ago, pbilt said:

thank you for the reply its going to be a camping/woods wagon but im going to have fun in it also im thinking just drill out the hubs just wondering how much of a6 differance the full swap makes suspension wise is it a more stiff autocross set up or a nice flex in the woods. from what iv been reading 88-89 honda accord springs work in the rear not sure about the front without the swap

if that's all you are doing then yeah do whatever you want.  the 5 lug doesn't change the suspension *at all* really.  you're just taking out the struts and springs and replacing them with other struts and springs. it's still got the same suspension just different struts and springs, which aren't a huge deal. it's not like it's converting the *type* or *style* of suspension significantly if that's what you're asking.  you can build what you got with enough time and effort.  as he said it doesn't do much suspension wise, you can get struts and springs as needed.  

 

[pbilt]

sweet that answered everything i was wondering about thank you i have the dual range also so 23 spline seams like alot of parts to find just for bigger brakes if it was a considerable difference in handling like night and day i would do the swap ill think about it after i run out of parts in the parts car

thanks for the time

[el_freddo]

I'd assume that the 5 stud conversion would change the ride handling through bigger brakes - giving better stopping power and reduce the chance of brake fade.  Other than that you're essentially running the factory suspension and geometry.

Cheers

Bennie

[Numbchux]

Camber adjustment, improved Ackermann angle (if you use EJ front knuckles), 100s of front strut/spring options (rear shocks don't change with the 5-lug, but are a pretty simple design so there are options there). dozens of brake options, front and rear. Wheel/tire options. Might not seem like much, but makes a huge difference. Of course, a better torque curve (EJ engine) and real AWD help a LOT, too.