Just bought a 2000 Subaru outback with a bad manual trans.  Car-part tells me 2000 is the only match.  Surprised a 2001 or 2002 wouldn't swap in?  Anyone know?

 

 

 

You can swap any year you like up to 2004 as long as you use the matching rear diff or the trans matches what you have. With 2005+ you also need to swap the front axles. Don't go beyond about 2007 though or you may find there is no way to install the speed sensor in the front diff. There's ways around that also if necessary but it involves some electronics to create a VSS signal from the ABS wheel speed sensor......

99's are the same also. And you can use older transmissions as well. They just have a different transfer case housing and such. But they will interchange as long as you have a matching ratio rear diff. If you use a 90 to 98 trans it will have a 4 bolt bell-housing so 4 of the bolts will not be used. 

GD

so a 2001 or 2002 from another outback will have the same gear ratio and will work correct.  I want to to try to swap in the replacement trans only if possible.

Yeah I think all the Outbacks from that vintage had 4.11 final drives. Go on parts.subaru.com and cross reference the part number for the rear differential. Anything that matches will have the same trans. 

GD

Thanks GD.

All-Wheel-Drive 5-speed Transmissions
USDM
3.454 / 1.947 / 1.366 / 0.972 / 0.738 / 3.900FD - '02-'05 USDM WRX
3.454 / 1.947 / 1.366 / 0.972 / 0.738 / 3.700FD - '06-'07 USDM WRX
3.166 / 1.882 / 1.296 / 0.972 / 0.738 / 3.900FD - '08-current USDM WRX
3.454 / 1.947 / 1.366 / 0.972 / 0.738 / 4.444FD - '04-'08 Forester 2.5XT
3.454 / 2.062 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.780 / 4.111FD - '04-current Forester non-turbo
3.166 / 1.882 / 1.296 / 0.972 / 0.738 / 4.111FD - '05-'06 USDM Legacy 2.5GT
3.166 / 1.882 / 1.296 / 0.972 / 0.738 / 3.900FD - '07-'09 USDM Legacy 2.5GT
3.166 / 1.882 / 1.296 / 0.972 / 0.738 / 4.444FD - '05-'09 USDM Outback 2.5XT
3.545 / 2.111 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.780 / 4.111FD - '98-'01 USDM Impreza 2.5RS
3.545 / 2.111 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.780 / 3.900FD - '96-'01 USDM Impreza L/OBS
3.545 / 2.111 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.780 / 4.111FD - '96-'99 USDM Legacy 2.5GT
3.545 / 2.111 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.871 / 4.111FD - '96-'99 USDM Legacy Outback
3.454 / 2.062 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.871 / 4.111FD - '00-'07 USDM Outback
3.454 / 2.062 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.825 / 4.111FD - '08-current USDM Outback
3.454 / 2.062 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.780 / 4.111FD - '02-'04 USDM Impreza 2.5RS/'05 Impreza 2.5RS Sport
3.545 / 1.947 / 1.366 / 0.972 / 0.780 / 4.111FD - '93-'94 USDM Impreza 1.8L
3.545 / 2.111 / 1.448 / 1.088 / 0.825 / 3.900FD - '95 USDM Impreza 1.8L

Get the front drive shafts too. At some point in the Gen3s (or was it the foresters, I can’t remember now!) they went from diff stub axle with cotter pin to hold drive shaft on to drive shaft pushed into diff held by a C clip on the driveshaft. This changes the bearing tensioner setup and the oil seal as a result of this change. 

Having the matching driveshafts come with the gearbox ensures you have what you need to drop in and go. 

Cheers 

Bennie