kodiak1232003 Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 hi, totally new to subie's but not to cars in general. i'm looking at a 1980 gl wagon for $800 bucks... specifics... -150,000miles showing -seems pretty rust free -has A/C -manual tranny (4 or 5 speed) -needs carb work(to be completed by mechanic before sale) questions 1. were all GL's AWD? or were there 2wd models? 2. how far can i take this car as far as mods? lockers, tires, lifts, snorkel, bull bar, etc? 3. is there anything to look for? problem areas? 4. how much can i expect to pay to maintain it, if its in pretty good shape? are parts expensive? (im in missoula(subie heaven) and going back to san diego in a month...(it would be towed) 5. does it have a viscous coupler for AWD or.... clutches? and did any of them come with hi/lo transfer cases? anything swappable? 6 thanks a lot in advance.. regards brian p.s. im also looking at a 92 loyale wagon. (250,000miles) would that be a better rig for wheeling? i'm gonna flog the crap out either one of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeshoup Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Not all GLs are 4WD. Only the Turbo versions had an AWD option. The rest were either FWD, or Part Time 4WD. Some of the 4WD models had dual range (hi, lo, transfer case built into tranny). Being its 80, it will not have AWD at all. If its 4WD, I beleive it would have the 4 speed dual range 4WD tranny in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiak1232003 Posted August 2, 2006 Author Share Posted August 2, 2006 Not all GLs are 4WD. Only the Turbo versions had an AWD option. The rest were either FWD, or Part Time 4WD. Some of the 4WD models had dual range (hi, lo, transfer case built into tranny). Being its 80, it will not have AWD at all. If its 4WD, I beleive it would have the 4 speed dual range 4WD tranny in it. hmmmm, ok. it didn't have a range selector for a transfer case, so that makes it 2wd, right? if thats true im gonna pass... found another subie tonight that sounds like what ur talking about...looked like a GL wagon, but i looked inside and it was a manual w/ an indicator that said AWD/4hi/4lo.... for sale for 250.00 bucks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phizinza Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 1. were all GL's AWD? or were there 2wd models? 2. how far can i take this car as far as mods? lockers, tires, lifts, snorkel, bull bar, etc? 3. is there anything to look for? problem areas? 4. how much can i expect to pay to maintain it, if its in pretty good shape? are parts expensive? (im in missoula(subie heaven) and going back to san diego in a month...(it would be towed) 5. does it have a viscous coupler for AWD or.... clutches? and did any of them come with hi/lo transfer cases? anything swappable? 6 thanks a lot in advance.. 1: a 1980 model GL won't have AWD, it came in FWD and 4WD (the 4WD version is FWD switchable to 4WD.) Also the 4WD boxes normally have dual range (a much for offroading) 2: You can put a rear LSD in pretty easy (pulled off a 87 to 89 RX) Lockers are pretty much out of the question. Lift kits come in 3.5" from http://www.ozified.com these days and you can make anything upto 12" really, check out http://www.subarubrat.com. With a 3.5" lift kit installed you should beable to fit upto 29" tires with bashing and cutting. 27" without (I would think.) People have put snorkles on, and there are some nice custom bullbars around on this forum. Try searching the Subaru Offroad section on this forum. 3: CV joints, they seem to be the expencive thing and normally needs fixing. 4: ... see 3:? 5: the 87 to 89 RX's came in FT4WD (Full Time) which had a open center diff that could be locked via a button. Some 4sp 4WD boxes in the older models 80 to 84, 87 for Brats and Hatches, had single range only. But most seem to come with dual range. Don't expect miricals form the dual range though, it is only a 1.49 to 1 ratio (unlike the 2.5 to 1 or there abouts form big 4WD's.) Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 All 1980 model 4WD's came stock with the 1600cc EA71, and single range 4WD. There's my take: 1. Wrong engine, wrong tranny for off-road. Without the dual range, and at a whole 74 HP, the EA71 is both too weak, and the transmission lacks any sort of low gear. 2. 1980/81 have the externally regulated alternator - I hate those. 3. $800 is insanely high for something from 1980 that needs ANY type of work. Being as undesireable as the EA71+single range is, $100 would be generous indeed. 4. Sure - you can swap as much as you like - but $800 for a body you are going to trash, and you have to find an engine and tranny for it? Lotsa luck - hope you have a real thick wallet. 92 Loyale has the same problem - Single range transmission (pushbutton in the Loyale case, so more junk to break). It also has timing belts that have a tendancy to snap and leave you stranded at just the right time. And please - get it straight - these cars are NOT All Wheel Drive - they are Part Time 4WD like a truck. No center diff - 50/50 power split when in 4WD. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phizinza Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 ... So EA81's started in 81? but the body style started in 80? (sorry to hijack) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 No - 2WD's came with the EA81 in 80, but not the 4WD. The D/R didn't come out at all till 81, and so they had the single range, which had the top mount starter bell-housing so was coupled with the EA71 of past years. I imagine it to be some sort of house-cleaning operation to get rid of them, but yeah - 1980 is a weird year. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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