idosubaru Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Yes - all automatic AWD subaru's can have the Duty C switch installed. It's only one wire. Cut the wire and you have "locked" 4WD, un-cut it and it's back to normal. just need a double pole, double throw switch. personally i will wire mine to have the emergency lights come on when it's engaged so i can't forget. Yes - you can just swap in another transmission. They are very cheap (at least around me they are) and easy to find for the most part. I picked an EJ auto trans up for $150 a couple weeks ago with less than 100,000 miles and they had a few more as well. Actually many different SUbaru auto trans will swap with varying level of minor things to address. Subaru's are not hard to find for a decent price. I'm looking at a few nice subaru's right now for not much money at all. If you have a few thousand to spend it might be easier to just find one that's good and running unless you have lots of spare time, tools, and a garage. A transmission swap isn't that hard, but still takes time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfox Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 Thank you, again grossgary....you, generaldisorder and a few others have been very kind and informative answering my queries. I appreciate you very much. Yes, you are probably right. Why mess around with a problem when a good vehicle that fits your desires can be found with some patience? This Legacy in question does look in very good shape other than the tranny, it's a southern car and it would be easy to get to for me. However, it would have to be fixed by unkown persons before driving it back to Wisconsin and it really isn't the model that I would like or the color combo I would like. May as well keep looking. I'm in no hurry. Thanks again for your kind help. Fox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 sure thing, glad to help. i was doing the same thing a few years ago when i was first getting into new generation stuff for my wife. i had always driven the old stuff. i'm glad i asked and got good responses then...you do have to be careful who you listen to of course, i got lots of great suggestions and ended up with a good fit. $3,500 60,000 miles 1997 Impreza OBS. gave it a good tune up and my wife loves it. haven't had any driveability or starting issues at all. now at 111,000, so that's 51,000 miles and a few years of trouble free driving with no car payments and i could still sell the thing for what we paid for it. come to think of it - crap - it's probably time for new spark plugs, better look into that replacement interval. sounds like you're doing the right thing based on your likes and such. i'm looking at picking up a couple in the next week or two for friends/family. i'm seeing impreza's and legacy's in the $700 - $1500 range that will suite their needs...and they're running vehicles not needing anything major. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfox Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 Sounds like you don't have any problems going with the 2.5 engine, grossgary. All the info I have been gathering here sort of steers me away from those and to the 2.2. Frankly, I like some of the newer body styles better than the older 2.2 models but was afraid to look at them because of piston slap & other issues explained here. What's up with the 2.5 newer stuff.....a bad choice?? Fox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 What's up with the 2.5 newer stuff.....a bad choice?? Bad choice if you aren't a mechanic like Gary The 2.2 was made through 97 on some models. The 96 Outback's came with the 2.2 and the higher suspension package. You should look for either a 95 or 96 - those were the years after the body style change, but before the 2.5 was released to most model lines. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Bad choice if you aren't a mechanic like Gary hey, wait a second, did he just poke fun of me? yes, i would avoid the EJ25. if you have to get an EJ25 then get one with a blown motor and replace it with a new one from CCR or find one that has already had the head gaskets replaced. even then, they are less reliable than the 2.2. they have head gasket problems, piston slap, and use oil more frequently. and they are more likely (though not very) to have major internal engine failure. they aren't bad motors, but i like reliability. the piston slap is "normal" and causes no issues, using oil is the same, and internal failures are rare. if it's body style you're after buy an EJ25 you like with a blown engine (they are easy to find) and install an EJ22 in it's place. The 2.2 was made through 97 on some models. the 2.2 is available a few years later than that. the OBS had the 2.2 after 1997 as well as some base legacy models - like the brighton. You should look for either a 95 or 96 - those were there are a few LSi's with an EJ22 right around these years and they look nice. also, as i mentioned talking to you off-line the 1996 and earlier models are non-interference which is a good choice for some people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 hey, wait a second, did he just poke fun of me? Actually that was supposed to be a compliment to you, and to indicate that if the OP isn't a mechanic (or does not wish to wrench) then he should probably avoid the 2.5 EA82's and EJ25's are the realm of the Subaru "mechanic". EA81's and EJ22's are for the masses. Just one guy's opinion. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milemaker13 Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I didn't read all the posts here, but I feel the very same way... I want a D/R FI wagon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 So install a D/R on your Loyale. It's really quite easy. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 People fear the 2.5 motor. They probably shouldn't now though. In the early years they were prone to bad headgaskets at or around 100K(some sooner) That has been remedied with an updated headgasket. I have 3 2.5 liter cars in my family now and love them. Most of the information you have been getting is good(most of it is most of the time). The early Legacy is the best platform to start with for room and comfort. The Impreza is very good as well. The early 2.2 motor(up through '96) is a non-interference motor. Meaning if the timing belt breaks the motor is not destroyed. After that they changed to an interference design. Still not an issue if you follow the suggested maintenance intervals. The Legacy Outbacks will give you the most bang for the buck. The early ones will be up to $5K +/- 1K for a good low mile one. The 2nd gens will be up to 8K for a good one that has had all services done to it. The Outback sports are all good. They all run 2.2 motors and are available in manual or automatic. The sports are not raised like the Leggy Outbacks. Something to consider. They are slightly smaller outside but still provide enough room for a larger person. I am 6'4" and 230lbs and fit fine in them. Whatever you decide on should be a good experience for you as long as you do your research and have the vehicle checked out prior to purchasing. And for all the new gen haters. Realize that it may not have a D/R in the states. It does not have the classic lines of old. But it does have more power and creature comforts for those who have matured and want a little more out of life. Good luck with your quest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I didn't read all the posts here, but I feel the very same way... I want a D/R FI wagon! Maybe you should have before making a rediculous statement. Start your own thread and leave the OP's thread alone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyewdall Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I didn't read all the posts here, but I feel the very same way... I want a D/R FI wagon! '88 and '89 GL's..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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