Doing a 5-lug swap on my '88 Wagon, main issue right now is inner DOJ fitment.

Don't have the available cash right now to buy the '93-'94 Impreza FWD MT axles required for this swap. So,,,,

 

Is it possible to swap the axle stubs over between the 2 trans? I have both here, but have never opened a Subaru trans before, so I'm lost to begin with.

 

Just wondering if it's possible, and if anyone has a walk-thru they could give me. All I have for manuals on the car are Haynes and Chiltons. Not much help there for me.

unless i'm forgetting something it is possible but it's essentially a front diff swap. you'd have to drop both trans and separate the front diff...and put it all back together again. i'm pretty sure you know but a front diff swap is pretty fun. just kidding.

 

it's only the auto trans where the front stubs pull out.

 

these guys have two for $19.95 each.

1-813-689-8131

Gary is close. you don't have to actually swap the front diff, but you have to get to it. the stubs are held in with a snapring on the inside of the diff. AFAIK (I've never taken apart a 23-spline transmission, so I'm not 100% sure), the splines on the diff-side of the stub are the same, so once you get it all apart, they should be a direct swap.

 

 

Taking apart the transmission isn't toooo bad. But it's not easy. You have to pull the center diff housing off (don't forget to pull the access panel so you can remove the set-bolt from the shifter so you can get enough play in it to get everything loose). And then all the bolts to seperate the transmission case. there are a few sources for the XT6 FSM online, they have some diagrams about how it all goes together, as well as torque specs/sequence for re-assembly.

 

 

Let's just say, I'm VERY glad that the first transmission I pulled apart was junk already....

unless i'm forgetting something it is possible but it's essentially a front diff swap. you'd have to drop both trans and separate the front diff...and put it all back together again. i'm pretty sure you know but a front diff swap is pretty fun. just kidding.

 

it's only the auto trans where the front stubs pull out.

 

these guys have two for $19.95 each.

1-813-689-8131

 

 

Ummmm, two what?

 

And Thanks to both of you. Atleast I know it can be done.

I've rebuilt a few RWD Manual and Auto trans, so this won't be my 1st one, just the 1st Subaru trans.

Time to go, 'In Search Of' info.

Ummmm, two what?

oh sorry, they have two of the FWD EJ axles for $19.95. sell the other axles that don't work and you're hardly out any cash at all....and there's cost for the couple gaskets, sealants, and seals you'll need to swap the front stubs too. seems like 15 hours of work to save $16.

 

in the time it takes to do what you're doing you could buy another subaru that needs work and flip it for enough cash to buy 50 axles.

in the time it takes to do what you're doing you could buy another subaru that needs work and flip it for enough cash to buy 50 axles.

 

It's a project, but even then, I think my first one only took a couple hours. The last time I swapped transmission internals (way more than just diff stubs), it was only like 45 minutes.

 

 

 

some pictures.

 

My thread, talks more about mixing and matching internals. But a few pictures of the transmission apart:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=106668

 

and The Beast I Drive started making a hybrid trans awhile ago. I don't know if anything ever came of it, but he's got some great pictures of the teardown. The tailhousings will be different, but the XT6 one (FT4WD, single range) will be closest to the EJ design. You can't see it in any of the pictures, but on the shifter rod inside the tailhousing, there's a 10mm set-bolt that has to be removed first. Otherwise you'll have a hell of a time getting it all apart.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=106140

Thanks to all..

 

Going to have to spend more time reading the links, but I'm liking what I see.

I have an Hybrid 3.9 RX/XT6 D/R CL Diff box in my EA81 wagon using the stock EA81 23 spline front axles. The D/R-S/R 23 spline stubs fit right in the XT6 or R/X front diffs. Fair amount of work but you get the chance to re-seal it at the same time:grin:

 

The above links are EXCELLENT! I probably wouldn't have tried building my trans without them. Also, search for the thread on replacing the front trans bearing. GREAT tear-down instructions with good pics.

Edited January 1, 201115 yr by Crazyeights

Thanks. Found that thread on the front seal/bearing replacement. Most excelant....

 

Opted not to do the stub swap for now. Do appreciate all of the info provided though.

As mentioned above the stubs clip in. As long as you use the same generation of trans it will work fine, a 4spd stub won't work in place of a 5spd one but the stubs can be swapped. I have this very thing on an RX trans in my storage unit that I built for my ea81 car.