Subaru Quits

Depends on what you want out of your 4wd. I was running out of gearing on my stock '86 wagon out here in the sand and rocks (mud? what's that?) I finally learned that it's gearing and torque in the off roading world that is required. I was always burning my clutch trying to crawl through sand and rocks because I couldn't charge it.

So, I read the board, read many a off roading story, read many a off road roo buildup. After weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a lifted Roo vs a bigger 4WD, you know what I found on every one of those threads? The search for more torque at a half MPH.

According to my calculations, with the kind of terrain I travel while wheeling, I would need enough lift to put a second transfer case in with 4.44 geared diffs and no bigger than 32" tires and an EJ22 tuned for lots of low end torque. Just so that I can crawl through that rock bed or that sandy wash I got stuck in countless times due to not enough power to spin the stock tires let alone 27" or 30" tires.

I've seen what a lifted Roo can do (and it's awesome what they are capable of) and I've seen what a stock bigger 4wd can do. At least for me, I chose the bigger 4WD - an F350 V10, 6spd Manual, 4:30 gears and 35" tires (one step up from stock). Why? Gearing and lots of torque. That thing will crawl over anything it can get it's tires over, at idle, and I can tow anything I feel like. Did I loose a bit? Yes. The truck is a standard cab, it gets half the mileage my Subaru got, it is a bit bigger, the insurance is higher, and maintenance is more expensive, . But for me, it was the better trade off. If it breaks less, that means less wrenching and more wheeling.