AndrewT

Hi guys, bit of an update. I've had the car off the road (in the workshop) for a while now pushing ahead on the transfer case mod. I've made my upper engine crossmember - it's another Legacy turbo crossmember. The control arm mounts and swaybar mounts have been lopped off, and i've also cut the outer edges off so it can slip in nicely between the list blocks the the enginebay chassis rails. Needs holes drilled before I mount it. My EJ20G engine now has an RS Legacy turbo 5spd gearbox attached which I've had modified (welded centre diff) to be just RWD now. I also just bought a buggered Datsun 720 ute which I'm going to be stealing the transfer case out of. My plan is to just run the car in RWD for a little while to iron out any bugs then start installing the front diff and transfer case. I've also managed to source myself a second old RX turbo clutch LSD diff for the front end. So I'll be running one of these at the rear and one at the front - both will be re-ratio'ed to 4.111. Also picked up some mag wheels from a Forester which look 1000 times better on the car than the black rims in previous photos. Hopefully in the next week or so I'll have her going in RWD, then maybe a few more weeks I'll get the transfer case in.

Thanks for comments so far. Yeah bump in the roof is because its the "Touring Wagon". Came with electric windows/mirrors etc. Yes we have reasonably strict inspections here in Western Australia, however I do not plan to take this car in for an inspection. Without engineering certification she will not pass (max body lift with no certification is 2"). Provided I keep the registration paid up I will never need to take it for an inspection. Unless a nasty cop pulls me over and slaps a defect notice on...but I am no boy-racer so hopefully that won't happen. If it does then I've just got a bit of work on my hands to take the lift kit out, go for inspection, then put it back in again Yes I do plan to construct a bash plate....currently it has absolutely nothing at all. I've only taken her onto boggy sand in this form so far, still kindof in testing phase. Definitely I will have a bash plate on there before hitting some rocky outcrops. But yeah, rest assured, this has been built for offroading and she will be WELL used!

Hi Guys, AndrewT from Western Australia here. Just though I'd introduce my wagon. Here's a quick list of specs; 1989 L series Touring Wagon Engine; 1992 EJ20G turbo from an RS Legacy. Running custom Dual core radiator & electric thermos. Gearbox; 5spd Dual Range AWD 4.111 from a 1999 Outback using Legacy RS Turbo front driveshafts. Rear diff; RX Turbo clutchpack LSD re-ratio'ed to 4.111 Lift kit/suspension; 6" bodylift kit from HiRise Subaru Customised front end blocks to incorporate linking of engine crossmember and radius rod blocks for extra strength. Custom radius-rod blocks to allow fitment of Legacy engine crossmember and Wishbone control arms. Front end now runs full Legacy engine crossmember, power steering rack, balljoints, hubs, brakes, wishbone control arms. Lift kit all bolts up to the standard L series captive nuts, no mods to the actual body of the car. Front struts are KYB Series2 Outback. Front springs are std height Outback Kings Springs. Rear struts are KYB L series wagon. Rear springs are Kings Springs. Rear end utilises a Crossbred Performance hub conversion kit allowing Subaru 5stud pattern (to match front end) and ability to run the Legacy rear brakes. Wheels/tyres; Running 15" stock rims from a PT cruiser (they have a good offset). Tyres are 235 x 75 x R15 AT's. Exhaust; 2.5" straight through to the canon rear muffler which is 3". The next (and hopefully final) major modification will be a transfer case conversion. I really need to tuck the engine and gearbox back up nice and high and seriously need a decent low range! Also majorly need to construct a bash plate. Here are some pics of her as she sits now. There is quite a long build thread on my local Australian forum for anyone who wishes to read. http://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6143 I'll be seeking lots of advice when it's time for the Transfer case conversion, seems like this is the place to get it

Anybody have any decent photos of one of these setups? I'm interested to see what (if any) transmission tunnel cutting/welding was required to get the t-fer case mounted up nice and high. Also very interested to see how people have gone about mounting the R160 diff at the front end. With regards to the front end, my L series is 6" lifted...if I'm now going to run my engine crossmember and engine back in the stock location, surely this is too high up for the front control arms to mount? Wouldn't I need to run a second engine crossmember spaced down 6 inches for the control arms and steering rack to sit on?

yeah I was thinking a gearbox which is designed to be just RWD from the beginning would be better. But I guess this would require a gearbox from a road car like a Nissan (possibly Toyota Supra, I hear these are very strong) but then you would not have any low range. Would the low range from the transfer case alone still be a decent enough reduction? (ie, much better than the standard reduction you get with a plain old EA subaru gearbox) ? note that adapting an odd gearbox to my engine is not a huge concern for me, I'm reasonably confident in making something up to suit. Really interested to know if somebody has used an actual gearbox from a larger 4x4 vehicle adapted to a Subaru motor. I imagine this would be quite good to use in conjunction with it's matching transfer case if you could get the gearbox adapted to the motor and mounted in the car okay.

Is there an alternative method to using an EA subaru gearbox permanently in 4x4 mode and connecting to a transfer case behind? I ask because I run an EJ20turbo engine, and I fear with all that power running through an old EA gearbox (obviously adaptor plated) it will continually blow that gearbox or at least the low range gears. Has anyone tried running a gearbox from a larger 4x4 and adapting that to the Subaru engine? Perhaps the matching gearbox to suit one of the popular transfer cases used?