dirt racer Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I have 3 speed automatic with 4wd apperantly it is single range. Is it hi or lo? I drove this vehicle for awhile racing around on trails and such, I've jumped it done corners on washboard at 60 mph, and done plenty of REAL offroading........ in the snow. But now I keep hearing nasty things like that model is no good for REAL offroading, steep grades will damage vehicle, ect. ect. what is up? is it hi or low? and what are they talking about I 've gone up plenty of crazy steep grades. Please give me your epinion, experiences, technical data thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueTrain Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 oh, please don't let that kid, The Loyale read this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Single range means you do not have hi and low. Hi and low range 4 wheel drive is dual range. The 3AT is not known for reliablity or drivablity for that matter. You would be much better off with a 4 or 5 speed dual range. I went from the 3AT to 5 speed in my 2wd sedan and couldnt believe how much quicker it felt with just a tranny swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 The 3AT's are junk. They have a high failure rate in NORMAL use. What do you suppose extreme use will do to one? Hell - I had one fail just trying to drive it home in 4WD with a busted axle. No good - no good at all. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudduck Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 oh, please don't let that kid, The Loyale read this. That car might not be a 3at if he does what this dude has done with his Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 The 3AT's are junk. agree...except that maybe he's understating it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85T-REX Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 The 4WD clutch pack will wear out pretty quick running in RWD. It's only made to assist the front. I wore mine out when a front axle popped out but it was a cheap and easy fix. If you like your 3at, keep it serviced and it will be just fine. Even for a little rompin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLoyale Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 To me the car is very capable of Trail rideing and easy off-roading.. Nothing to hard, Just injoying the outdoors and stuff. PS: A little tranny advice please, On the 3spd auto if i'm going 25-30mph it will shift to 3rd depending on how much gas you feed. Ok now if i'm coming to a rolling stop about 5mph and go to take off sometimes it's still in 2nd and then shifts to 1st. It's not hard shifting and is really shooth so is that normal? And the trans fluid smells fine so any ideas? Just wondering. -Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueTrain Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 To me the car is very capable of Trail rideing and easy off-roading.. Nothing to hard, Just injoying the outdoors and stuff. PS: A little tranny advice please, On the 3spd auto if i'm going 25-30mph it will shift to 3rd depending on how much gas you feed. Ok now if i'm coming to a rolling stop about 5mph and go to take off sometimes it's still in 2nd and then shifts to 1st. It's not hard shifting and is really shooth so is that normal? And the trans fluid smells fine so any ideas? Just wondering. -Tom did you ever change the fluid when you bought it? i switched from reg valvoline to mobil 1 gear oil and it has made a huge difference in shifting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLoyale Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 No, But i've been thinking about it.. I'll do that then! Moble 1 gear oil hey, Okay! Thank's man:banana: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueTrain Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 No, But i've been thinking about it.. I'll do that then! Moble 1 gear oil hey, Okay! Thank's man:banana: again, thats for my MANUAL tranny.. other folks with the auto tranny may have a better suggestion to help you keep it from failing on you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLoyale Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Yeah alright.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueTrain Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 however, don't make the mistake this guy made... http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61818&highlight=transmission+fluid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLoyale Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Ooo! No i don't have any mistake issues like that. I know where the front diff dip stick is and i know the difrence. Just to make sure. In Wisconsin what is a good oil to use? 90-95w? Mine does not slip BTW, It just some times will be in 2nd from a rolling stop and then while feeding the gas for a sec it will shift to 1st. It's always smooth so i'll change the tranny oil this weekend. And see what happens.. And brand i should go with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_postie Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 1:Run a tranny cooler 2:keep a eye on the fluid 3:get a stash of auto boxes Ran these autos for a few years before swapping in ej22 and ej auto.3AT rob a bit of power from the already under powered ea82 .Big sandhills were my enemy.Never got towed or stuck ,just have to drive differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd45 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I have the 3AT in the 84 Brat. There does not seem to be any issues, it shifts smooth, and will spin the tires if I take off too fast. I filled it back up after I changed the radiator, since I lost most of it. Does the tranny have a filter like GM trannys? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I have the 3AT in the 84 Brat. There does not seem to be any issues, it shifts smooth, and will spin the tires if I take off too fast. I filled it back up after I changed the radiator, since I lost most of it. Does the tranny have a filter like GM trannys? Thanks. Yea it does have a filter..at least thats what they call it. Its just a screen that u replace periodically. Not much good if you ask me. I replaced mine when i had a 3AT and what do u kno it still shifted like poo. Low miles on it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivantruckman Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 the diferantial box is a pile too. i would no recomend running a 3 speed auto with any other tires except stock 185 13 , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 This is very much like the debate over LSD's vs. Welded rear ends..... people who have LSD's think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and will tell you..... till your EARS BLEED. Then they get a Welded diff and go: "OH! That's what traction is!" Same goes for 3AT's vs. 5 speeds. Till you have driven both, and driven off-road I highly doubt your experience is germain to this discussion. It seems like this comes up every once in a while, and it feels like someone is trying to defend their ignorance on how to drive a manual..... just buy one and LEARN already so I don't have to hear this foolishness! (the 4EAT is a different animal entirely - the 3AT has no computer, and is traction "dumb") GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 It just some times will be in 2nd from a rolling stop and then while feeding the gas for a sec it will shift to 1st. This is traditionally caused by a sticking governor valve. There is a round cover on the upper pasenger side of your tranny, with 3 bolts holding it on. Pull it off, and pull the governor out after you do. Check the gears for apple-coring, and clean the valve assembly with solvent and compressed air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLoyale Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Yeah i know the round hump looking cover your talking about. I'll change the fluid and see if it change's and if not i'll take a look at that governor valve and gears for any sort of wear... Thank's! Maybe a dumb question but what is the governor valve really for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebaru Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 the 3at might have enough gearing to go up some hills but its gonna get the hell torn out of it if you have anything hilly plus with real off road tires even the d/r low range isnt really low enough for serious hills and serious hard driving. bottom line: it cant help, and it can definentaly hurt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLoyale Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Yeah i agree you can't really do hard off-roading with the Soobs but you can have fun. Then for the hard stuff go and buy Land-rover discorvery! I like the Land-rover's from theres looks. But driving it is probely diffrent.. -Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueTrain Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Yeah i agree you can't really do hard off-roading with the Soobs but you can have fun. Then for the hard stuff go and buy Land-rover discorvery! I like the Land-rover's from theres looks. But driving it is probely diffrent.. -Tom i'm sure there's folks here that will take issue with that statement. many soobs with a few mods can do some ridiculous things off-road. just not a stock Loyale with the 3AT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLoyale Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Yeah now that i read my message, I take that back! Dunno what i was thinking? I was distraced by the TV:lol: Sorry fellow Soob lovers! I know a soob with a few mods can really cook off-road i just had to re-word it better i guess.. I still like Land-rovers too.. but Subaru is #1 on my list!! -Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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