gadberry

There's a similar issue with the EA81 4" (and greater) lifts too; particularly if your EA81 was equiped with an A/C unit. Dropping the engine 4" into the engine bay as you "lift" the body for larger tires, results in the A/C compressor colliding with body/frame of the car. So, I removed the compressor and sawz-all'd the aluminum bracket off.. See the result by clicking the link below: (maybe this will work) https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c7YJTB7AnB3HmfTP2CbuLdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink Congrats on the successful 2" lift; looks great! gadberry

well, i ended up removing the brake calipers during the 6 lug hub conversion. while the hubs did separate from the rotors easier than the rear junk yard set I used for the rear upgrade, i was replacing my calipers with new reman'd ones anyway (thanks rock auto!) so off with the old; on with the new ones.. freshly turned rotors and fire engine read backing plates and we're good to go after a full brake bleed.. wahoo!!! okie bill.. as for Adventure Subaru, i've purchased a used 06 outback from them in 08 and they service it but not my old subaru.. i only buy parts from their counter that i can't find elsewhere/online.. they're good folks and do a good job..they've always righted any issues i may have had, but they're also the only guys on the block.. the family has been in business round these parts for decades though and they do their best to please in this small town. They seldom price haggle; don't have to, and won't... they move product here in NWA and I would suspect that a better price might be had in little rock at the dealer since there's fewer soob nutz down there and the cars may be more difficult to move than here in a college town. just my opinion.. i'm no expert in the car biz.. cheers,

What year is the alternator? 1981 had an external regulator and later models (most likely 1983) went to internal regulators withinh the alt.. I'm sorry that I can't recall the exact year for the change, and therefore, I prolly should keep my mouth shut... Double check your battery ground to the engine and fender FIRST!! That was my problem last year but it was the last item I replaced.. . It's in the archive somewheres too. Good luck

man, that's the first i've heard/seen of the X100 subaru (100mpg) car.. more info here: http://www.rongineer.com/x100.html

Thanks (for the wagon comment) and yep, those are old VW wheels with the SJR adapter plates for the standard 4 lug soob nutz... there's a better shot of those adapters in my album http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/album.php?albumid=311 and i didn't 'tilt-shift' every photo within the gallery... Those SJR adapters and wheels may be for sale soon, if anyone is interested. cheers

Well, this isn't "awesome" but it is an older Gen GL wagon ...

Hey everyone, I'm trying to plan (ha!) my project time required to redrill the front hubs on my 1981 GL Wagon to accept the toyota 6 lug pattern.. I've completed the rear conversion already, so I know what's involved, BUT my question is this.. Is is possible to safely remove/separate the front hub from the brake disc/rotor without removal of the brake caliper? I got a feeling that the hub and rotor aren't gonna separate without a little gentle persuasion from a mallet or small hammer (striking the hub only).. At least that was the deal with my junk yard rotors/hub combo used for the rear disc brake swap.. so what do you think? thanks for your time; answering "what if's" from newbie's.. I appreciate it. best regards, and I hope you have snow soon. gadberry

>>>1981 Subaru Wagon GL - already lifted 4" with 15"wheels Last weekend, I upgraded the Soob a bit... finally Completed my Rear Disc Conversion; including new rear calipers Completed the 6-lug HUB conversion on rear only; mounted tires on nissan wheels Replaced Battery Ground wire to engine block (prolly the source of my charging issues last fall but i've relaced the alt/reg/batt. already.. ha!) Installed an eBay sourced passenger side door mirror.. I can see!! Replaced the broken right rear axle that snapped while climbing STEEP snow-covered roads last winter... (yep, she sat idle all summer.. bummer) >>>>>>> see some more project pics here: <<<<<<<<

thanks for the update; if I can help with the wiring diagram from the FSM then let me know, but I'll need to know which body style/year/drivetrain he's working on; then I can determine which diagram will (hopefully) be of use. I didn't see any reference to a pink wire (white wire with red stripe is used but not pink). btw- dog sled teams are bada$$ imho. cheers,

I agree that the accessory switch position on the ignition is the issue. I have a 1982 Factory Service Manual and after a review of the wiring diagram, I believe you should follow the advice given and try a jumper wire to see if that fixes your problem. good luck,

The 'posture adjustment' instructions should be in your owners manual too. I've not done the procedure yet, so I hesitate to describe the where/how but I'm pretty sure I've seen it in my Owners Manual. I'll double-check my Factory service manual tonight too.

Would a few scanned pages from an '82 FSM (axles and wheels chapter) help? check out the attachments at the bottom of the page. https://sites.google.com/site/cycletrips/Home/subaru-lift

GD was right on the money, The rear wheel had to be removed before I could get the correct angle to apply the 2ft length of pipe and BFH blows required to remove the outboard axle cup that had been firmly in place since 1981.. I read in my 1982 shop manual that the rear axle IS DIFFERENT on the inner vs outer DOJ so I'll double-check to confirm i installed the oil seal cups on the correct end of the new axle.. darn glad i read through that manual.. (read'n right'n mite pay off after all!) I'm now rebuilding my junkyard set of 34mm rear disc brake calipers and working up the nerve to complete the 6-lug conversion PLUS the rear disc brake upgrade on the '81 wagon. Anyone have pics of their rear disc setup, installed?? I'll eventually figure out where/how all the parts go together, but I thought I'd ask here.... I'll take some pics and post'em of my process so as to keep alittle karma in my cup. thanks! gadberry

EA81 - GL Wagon 1981 4wd - 4" lift The right-rear half shaft of my 1981 GL Wagon is broken at the outboard end of the shaft. I've not replaced one before but from searching through the archives of this forum I would like to CONFIRM that i will not have to remove the right-rear wheel to replace this axle. Here are my questions to the soob masters: 1. Can I replace the REAR half-shaft without removal of wheel? 2. I assume I'll need the car placed on jack stands (at least) so that my only floor jack can be used lift the wheel/swing arm for fitment upon replacement or removal...? 3. REAR axles have slightly larger roll-pins and a 1/4" punch is needed, right? 4. I have a 4" lift installed on the wagon too so will that alter the replacement methods? 5. Can I remove the broken axle half-shaft and safely drive the car to a friends shop so that I can finish the repair in a heated shop? This may be an incredibly stupid question, but I've not reviewed my shop manual yet. I did drive it home a few blocks after I broke the axle, so hopefully i've not fubar'd it too much. Thanks in advance; please accept my apologies if this was detailed elsewhere already.. but I did look for it first; just couldn't find it. cheers!

Ok, i've made some corrections to my post so that GM doesn't file a copyright suit.. .. what about cutting one of those aluminum foil/bubble wrap car sunscreens to fit your rooftop windows (that aren't really t-tops but certainly look alot like'em..ha!) .. not sure how to affix but there's bound to be a way. i store my windshield sun shade between the "roof window I only use for moon watching" (and it's not to be confused with the t-tops that GM trademarked years ago but I just wanted to clarify because there's at least one person that is concerned about the GM copyright on the USMB... and the sliding blind within my '06 outback and it helps with the heat.. at least i think it does, i dont have any hard facts/numbers to prove it. guess i could call 'myth busters' and see if they'd look into it. I wouldn't mind seeing:slobber: Kari Byron:slobber: discussing subaru's on the show..

Well, if i'd seen this post earlier, I could have helped with the metra kit. I happen to have one I found for my '81 GL but didn't use when I installed my kenwood Head unit. As for speakers, I placed my 6x9's in individual, prebuilt boxes (best buy) and left enough tether on them to move them around the back, if needed. They'll turn into a coupla 'clackers' if I ever roll this thing, but they sound better than nothing at all. I'll post a pick of my install, i moved the change holder into the slot that the original "am jam" was located, and it's worked out well.. see the install results here: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tUfcbeZjM8iRev1s1nnjRA?feat=directlink cheers,

Nice Find! thanks for posting the pics too! I like it; want one too.. cheers!

CHECK THE GROUND FROM THE BATTERY TO THE BLOCK... I have been chasing similar gremlins on my '81 Wagon GL which is a lil different than your wagon, in that i have an external voltage regulator. I've replaced the alternator, battery and the voltage regulator (now's the appropriate time to giggle) and my last part to replace will be the negative cable to the block.. which appeared to be partly seized back when i was working on this beast 5hrs from home, in the woods... so hopefully that 7 buck section of black wire will solve my bouncy voltage gauge... i'll confirm when I get around to changing it out. but i'll buy ya a coffee if it ain't the ground wire.. i'm feeling generous tonight, I guess. I hope that's it! cheerio,

Man, Am I the only one that thinks that old blue subaru looks waaay better than that green GT..? that poor lil mustang... cheers gadberry

could it be something as simple as the idle speed adjustment? if someone set the idle RPM while the engine was cold, then once it warms, it would drop down to nothing and stall the engine.. happened recently to my beater 'yota pickup, so... hope that's all it is... btw- I was gonna say "yep, I know a girl like that.." but that wouldn't be appropriate now would it... cheers man,

Ok, I checked it out... Numbchux nailed it, the right rear axle is broken and free spinning. the outer joint is toast. MWE axles are the way to go, right? Cheerio

take a look under your front bumper, dead center of car, and if its an EA81 engine (you didn't specify) then look for the oil filter. Between the oil filter and engine block you should see the oil pump, and just to be sure, post a pic of this area to confirm. If you're experiencing low oil pressure, it *may* be a bad oil pressure sending unit (it should be a small canister with a single wire attached to it). I had to replace the oil pressure sending unit on my '81 GL wagon, so bear in mind that i've never replaced an oil pump (so i'm no freak'n expert here) but I have replaced the oil pressure sending unit.. and that's easy. Easy enough for me, but I do have a full service manual to reference. hope this helps, keep us posted.. hopefully others will jump in here. gadberry

I've not had a look at it on a lift yet but I'm hoping that the the four flange bolts broke between the drive shaft and diff... That may explain why i was able to drive it home (last week) while 4wd was engaged but without any apparent problems or really loud noises... The only oddity was almost getting stuck on sn uphill, ice covered street.. Little did I know, I didn't have all four wheels pulling I figure if a rear axle broke, I would definitely notice/heard about it at 45mph coming home... Or maybe not... Thanks for the input. I'll get pics and post results once it warms a bit.. The car is kinda lodged in a snow drift at the moment.. Cheers

hello all, 1981 GL wagon 4wd - 4 speed tranny I've searched the forum but didn't find an answer yet (though it's there, I know it is..) Today, I realized i no longer have drive train power to the rear wheels when i engage 4wheel high or low.. Drive shaft spins and a little clunkiness can be heard but no spinny spin from the rear wheels.. Guess I played a lil too hard last week during our last snow storm (wondered why i had a few slips coming home..) anyways, I'm gonna begin a review of my factory manual to see what's likely the problem, but I thought I'd ask for help/input from you guys. I do appreciate all the past/prsent/future help provided here! too bad she's busted, we've had a historic snow event today.. cheers, gadberry NW Arkansas