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Building a lifted GL


Torry33
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I've been wanting to build another lifted wagon after giving my daughter my 93 lifted Loyale.So I found a super clean 86 GL wagon and picked it up for my project.155,000 miles on a rust free car with incredible interior for the age.This is the KEEPER!so plans include a 4 inch lift and an EJ SWAP!!and it happend today!did a power steering transplant from a 91 Legacy to my GL,that didn't have power steering.a couple of mods to that and it fit it there!Next I got ready to drop the EJ in.Slapped on my ADF adapter plate and clutch pack.cut the nipples off the EJ mounts and lowered the motor.after a few adjustments and BAM!its all bolted up in the engine bay.hopefully I can get it fired up tomarrow!have a thinned out harness that looks in order.that process took three days!installing the high pressure fuel pump out of a Loyale and running new fuel lines.Have a brand new radiator and some 12 inch cooling fans.Making progress!

Edited by Torry33
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Got more done today!Radiator is in with hoses fit.got the EA hose to fit the top outlet and had an old hose laying around that fit the bottom.power steering pump is hooked up and the intake with all the breathers are in place,just need a cold air filter to fit in there nice.redid the fuel filter to the EJ style in the engine bay,with high pressure lines.old fuel pump is hanging by the wires,ready to get swapped for the high pressure one.been dodging rain drops all day here!sucks doing this in the driveway but Idont have garage.getting it together!soon as i get this EJ dialed in I will start getting things together for the lift.already have some 235/75/15 on 6 hlole mazda wheels.would like to get some pics up as soon as i can figure out how to post them.cooling fans and start the harness tomarrow!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Its ALIVE!!Got the EJ running!runs strong,and this thing hauls butt in the little GL!Had some problems with the alternator wiring but got that sorted out.most of my gauges dont work and all my dash lights are on but it runs good.so im just going to put in some after market water temp and oil pressure gauges for now.Time to start getting things ready for the LIFT!!!My last one i did was a simple 2 inch strut lift.This time im going BIG!!4 or 6 inches of lift is in order!time to break out the welder and cut off tools!also scored some square tubing of various deminsions for free to build a bumper guard and sliders for under the rockers!got a little cold air filter and modified the mass to fit.sits in there nicely!have one cooling fan on a toggle switch,seems ok for now,have another if i need it for hotter weather.got the stereo in there too,gotta have tunes!had the original subaru radio.kinda a pain to fit a full size Pioneer in there but with a little cut and weld to the stock braket and PRESTO!still have to fit the trim piece.

 

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Did a 400 mile drive with the new EJ installed and ran AWESOME!no leaks and it didnt use any oil!man I love the POWER!messed around with a WRX on the freeway,probably wondering how my little GL kept up!Im sure after i put larger tires on it some of the peppiness will go away but thats ok.starting the lift this week if the weather doesnt get to bad,man im ready for summer to GET here!

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got a lot done today!the rear is all loose and brake lines rerouted.cut and drilled all the lift blocks for the rear.should have the rear done tomarrow if the weather holds out!just have to make the diff drop braket and strut lift bracket.got all the hardware and ready to bolt it up!also the other day i painted the car olive drab.lookin good!

Edited by Torry33
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ALL I CAN SAY IS HOLY COW THIS THING IS HUGE!!got the rear done yesterday and it is AWESOME!went to a yard sale and they were giving away piles of metal!i grabbed as much of it as i could.used some angle that i got for free for the rear strut lift.did the diff drop and the axle angles are perfect!5 inches of lift with 235/75/15 tires with no cutting on the fenders and all the original mud flaps still intact!starting the front today!

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lift blocks in the front are done!today im doing the front strut lift spacers and hopefully get the steering joint done.still need to figure out the shifter and d/r shifter.then on to the exhaust!cant wait to drive this thing!

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ITS DONE!!got the front lifted and all the little things sorted out.what a good feeling to look at a tranformed Subaru that i built!this thing is a blast to drive and people are always checking it out!It Memorial Day WEEKEND and i got it done just in time to take it out and enjoy it!gonna be hittin some back roads for sure!should have no problems with clearance since i built a custom exhaut that tucks up where the driveline used to be.super cool!need to build a roof rack to carry a spare tire and get some LED ligts mounted.gonna build a front bumper too and add a winch!fun stuff!

Edited by Torry33
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Been driving the GL everywhere!its AMAZING how many people check it out or coment on how cool it is!the other day me and a friend were driving on a trail in the woods and i forgot to turn on the cooling fan.oops!it blew the temp sender out of the plastic adapter i made to run the mechanical gauge.danm,but luckly i had some tools and got it back together.had to "steal" some water at a house that nobody was home at but got under way.we were headed to a country bar and pizza joint to meet up with friends.when i pulled in the plastic T split and steam blew out all over!ok what now?so we went in and had a beer and let the Subbie cool down.after a bit we went out side to see what we could come up with,and found an aluminum awning tube.cut a piece of that with a sawz all blade by hand and it fit!filled her up with water and made it home!then i went down to the local hardware store and found a copper T and JB welded the fitting into that!working so far!

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