Phizinza

I guess its because our car market in Aus is for smaller cars there for we have more Nissans and other cars that run that stud pattern. I was just thinking, if you wanted to go out and buy wheels off the shelf, going for a more standard pattern would help. Instead of only sticking to Subaru places.

5x114.3 would get you the biggest selection of street mags I would of thought. As that is the Nissan stud pattern and everybody does up nissans.

Yeah, it's fun doing that sort of thing. Next step is to just drive right through where they got stuck with no worries.. hehe

Yeah, I've heard lots of stuff about stuff too. But face the facts, every car has it massive list of problems. I've talked to many people on a couple of 4WD forums and one a Land Rover forum. From what I can see they are just as good as the Toy. Yes, the pre 90's Land Rover's and Range Rover's were pretty terrible when it came to electrical side of life. I have to say, the wagons don't do it for me. The sedans have the look I like for the Subaru option.If you lived here in Australia without a job (for the moment) you'd understand why owning two cars isn't an option. Registration and third party insurance isn't cheap. Each year I pay $640 on those two, the car will only cost $6k-$8k. Just say I get a towing vehicle and another Subaru, thats $5k-$8K plus $2k-3k plus $1280 a year. I really can't see that working. Even with a reliable job.

How can you be so sure? It may be making less pollutants, but it will probably be making much more of the harmful ones. And I'm not just talking about ones that cause global warming. I'm talking about the ones that give you cancer and kill plants and so on. Last time I checked, people can't live without plants. But go ahead. If you understand how they work and how they are good and still choose not to have one, thats all I can do. Have a nice day.

Sorry. But I find it my responsibility to let people know how something does a job, and why it should be used. Some people don't understand why they are of use (I didn't once) but now I do. And I'll keep letting everyone know that they should have one. Here in Australia you can (and will) get a $10,000 minimum fine if your 85 or older petrol car has no catalytic converter. Diesel is different, it doesn't burn, and create the same chemicals petrol does. Yes, it is bad for the environment, but at least you can run it on pure bio fuel with no problems (like we do in our turbo diesel toyota.) And yes, on Bio diesel you will still see black smoke, but its no worse then a canola crop going up in smoke. Which for you people who don't know how bad that is, its no as bad as a crude oil pump going up in flames.

Well... Looks like its too hard to find a manual 3.0L TD Surf/4Runner. So you may be thinking thank god, his going to stay with Subaru. But no, I'm looking at Land Rover now. Disco 300TDI. Solid front and rear axles with coil springs. And 11L/100KM economy. My EJ Brumby only gets 9L/100KM, so I reckon thats pretty damn good.

Isn't that the thing that can convert horrible nitrogen oxides into nice nitrogen and oxygen without screwing up the environment? CO2 isn't the only bad thing out of your exhaust you know.

FT4WD or PT4WD?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure on this too. They are held in with circlips. Not slip rings. I think anyhow.

I would swap the cups on the driveshafts. Splitting the box just for that is a lot of work.. If your putting an LSD in the front, then I would split the box right away!

http://www.crossbredperformance.com/index.html have started up again under new ownership. Price is around $1200AUD a kit. Then you just need all the brakes and front knuckles plus suspension from an EJ with 4 wheel discs. I have seen a couple of nice street rims for 6stud. But you'll get a much better selection in 4x100. Just depends on how much you want to spend. I don't think its cheap to get the hubs drilled in a totaly new pattern. But you never know I guess. Some how I reckon it would be easier to drill them in a 4x114.3 (nissan old 4 lug and a few others.) It would just leave some more room for the process. Just might be an option anyhow.

Sounds kinda like what a nissan diff looks like? Was it bigger looking to the R160's found in all the Legacy's and EA series?

This is in the rear, right? Is this the doom wagon I've read about before? WRX powered in RWD?

Gotta also remember, not all are equal. There are many different things that can go wrong when making engines that won't show up at stock power, but once modded may just decide to say good bye. Then again, you may have one of the better castings of what ever production and it may take quite a bit more power. From the little I've read in magazines, stock STi blocks take upto about 300-400hp. Anything beyond that and people start swapping in stronger parts.

There was another imported hatch in Australia that got 'accidentally' crushed. Apparently the tow truck took the wrong car and the guy wasn't home when they came to pick it up.

You may find that the little hose going from the middle of the top of your engine block to the manifold is leaking. Its very common. Its right under the carby.

Yeah, pitty you got non of the awesome diesels. I'm looking at getting a late 4-runner with the 3L turbo diesel. Heres a new picture, some spotties and recovery hooks, plus a view of the winch. Still needs to find a place for the number plate. Yeah, thats one of my favorite topgear clips.

Haha, think out side the wheel.....

5 stud swap, then with 6 stud converters... I love it.. You crazy mad man.

Just thought I'd share a few pics of the bro's Toyota 4-Runner. It's on 35x12.5 MickyT's. Running just the little 2.4 diesel. Resently got a new rear bumper plus longer shackles and lost two leafs from each pack in the rear to loosen her up. It's got front and rear auto lockers. And the one of the next things for it is a second low range, got the casing parts, just need that little kit. Anyhow, heres the pictures.

Yes, I agree, they are boring. I need to move on from the Brumby. I've come to a point where if I modify it anymore its just ridiculous. It's going to be very illegal and I probably would have trouble with insurance if I ever did need to claim. As it is now its alright, but I'm still not happy with it. Surf's are like 4-runners, 4-runners are just wagon pickups. The difference in the later model Surfs vs the Pickups (not sure what the later model 4-runners have) is 4 link coil rear suspension, which is good for comfort and suspension travel. Wagon, which is good for what I want seems I want space and 4 seats. Although the Sedan Imp would be enough space. And the Surf's normally come with all the extra nice things as standard. Like aircon, cruise, electric everything, central locking, etc... I have to admit, I really am leaning towards the Yota. I really love Subaru, but at the moment it doesn't looks like they make the type of car I need for what I want to do. At least if I didn't have AWD I wouldn't kill myself on the next dirt road I drive on. I'm a bit of a stupid driver.

I am deliberatly asking here so I get more objective answers. If I ask in a offroad forum or in a toyota forum people won't even think once with the subaru. At least here you'll say subaru but then add things about the toyota I can pick out and use to help me in getting an answer.

Yes the welded diff was nice. But I had to go back due to the FT4WD box. I still enjoy the FT4WD more then the locker, but thats probably because I drive more onroad then off.

I've been looking at getting a Impreza sedan, late 90's model, for a while now to replace the Brumby. But now there is enough choice. I'll explain my thoughts on the Subaru first. What I was looking at getting was either the 1.8 GX model or the 2.0 RX model (not sure if the US got the RX, but anyhow its just a 2L version of the 1.8 and 2.2 EJ's.) I would upgrade the ECU and block to a 2.2 or 2.5 EJ block. I would also get rear disc brakes, and maybe WRX front brakes for it. I would lift it 2" or so (Suspension.) Also fitting some 27 to 28 inch OD tires. I would build a AWD VLSD center Dual range EJ gearbox for it, with the 1.59:1 low range and 4.11 diff ratios. Was also looking at getting that new LPG injection that is available here in Australia now which gives anywhere from %10 to %20 more power and the same litres per 100km. What I want it to do: Tow a 1200kg - 1500kg total load (buggy on trailer) to and from offroad parks. Be fairly economical. Be sporty and fun to drive. Be comfortable. Able to soft offroad (things like sand dunes, trails to camping spots, all pretty easy stuff here in Australia.) Then my brother said I should get a Toyota Surf. If I were going to get one of these it would have to be the 3L TD (turbo diesel.) This would be a 93 to 95 model he told me. So for the same money I could get a stock Surf which we think is coil sprung rear solid axle, IFS, blah blah. This would come stock for the amount of money I'm looking at. Pros about this rig is: Much better towing. Much better offroading (which isn't necessary in my mind for what I want.) Can run on bio diesel, with the added LPG for better economy and power (costs a fair bit, but is a future mod.) Can get a rear locker cheaply. Can get lots of other mods (not so cheaply, but are available.) Cons of the Surf are: No where near as good handling. Not sporty to drive, won't drive rally style on the dirt roads. Heavier and more fuel usage. Will end up making me spend more money then I need (because I can.) Is very generic (everyone owns one just about) and I don't like that. I do like the look of both. But the lifted Imp would stand out more and thats my style. Ok. So my question to everyone who is still reading is, what do you think I should get. A stocker Surf or a hotted up Imp?