Ok, so i got the lift in - It was a bear. But it's done, it's solid, the car is siting on its wheels.

 

I just took it for a test drive, and everthing was more or less ok.

 

But I can't hit third gear! It doesn't want to stay in 1st either. Second, forth are fine, as is reverese. I didn't try 5th but im guessing it won't work either.

 

I also didn't try 4x4.

 

Anywho, I guess its the shift linkage, but I dunno what the hell I'm doing at this point.

 

A lil' help, PLEASE!

 

Oh yeah: 88 SPFI EA82 3" lift

This seems to be the dirty little secret of subie lift kits. I built my own kit for my EA-81 and had similar problems once I got it all together.

 

I know you have an EA-82 but on the EA-81 you can heat and bend the shifter so you can hit all your gears.

 

Also on the EA-81, the 4wd lever linkage ends up pointing at an angle in normal 2wd and will pop the shifter out of reverse when you engage 4wd. I found that fabbing a modified linkage for that was absolutely necessary. That was with a 4" lift in a hatch.

 

Anyway, just know that it's normal and fixable, just take apart your console and boots and everything and have at it.

Good Luck!

Wish I could be more specific but I just know the EA-81s...

ozified lifT? talk to snowman.. he lifted his.. he may have some ideas to help you out. Hes helped me out a bunch on other subaru stuff..

Usually, the only shift difficulties come with the 4/3 kit. I haven't had feedback about the EA82s and that problem, but none the less, often with the kits the shift boot hampers movement and sometimes the boot hole requires some hammering just a wee bit to allow the shift rod full movement. Other have like Hatchmonster, heated and bent the shift rod a bit to do the same.

 

I can call you and discuss. r/ PK

Ok, so i got the lift in - It was a bear. But it's done, it's solid, the car is siting on its wheels.

sorry....cant help....but am curious what it looks like....pics???

Usually, the only shift difficulties come with the 4/3 kit. I haven't had feedback about the EA82s and that problem, but none the less, often with the kits the shift boot hampers movement and sometimes the boot hole requires some hammering just a wee bit to allow the shift rod full movement. Other have like Hatchmonster, heated and bent the shift rod a bit to do the same.

 

I can call you and discuss. r/ PK

The weird thing. . . I just put a 4/3 in my hatch. 0 problems shifting into any gear. Had to extend my front brake lines, but no shifting problems.

try taking the plastic console pcs. off and see if it will shift then.

 

 

i had the same thing on my 88 when i was done with my lift.

 

just had to trim a very minor amount off the inside of the console.

often with the kits the shift boot hampers movement and sometimes the boot hole requires some hammering just a wee bit to allow the shift rod full movement.

It's working fine now with the boot and plastic off. I guess I'll be trimming more than just fenders.

 

Everything is working, included 4x. I didn't try 5th, but I get the feeling that I won't ever use that gear again [with big tires]

I took the plastic trim piece and trim boot off. I'm going to cut it for clearance but haven't gotten around to it yet.

I had the same problem with my lift. I can't shift into reverse. I haven't tried 4th, but I am thinking worst case there as well. I took my console out before the lift and so it's not that.

It's working fine now with the boot and plastic off. I guess I'll be trimming more than just fenders.

 

Everything is working, included 4x. I didn't try 5th, but I get the feeling that I won't ever use that gear again [with big tires]

 

My friend has a lifted hatch with a variation of a 3/3 or 4/3 lift, and still uses 5th. Custom console and shfter boot mods as well.

mine's an ea81. when i had the ozified lift. i had to cut and reweld the shift rod. never really heard much about the ea82's having a problem...

 

 

hey pk! when we going out to the dunes or the orv park in el centro??

need to check your transmounts. I had some bad mounts, and I couldn't get into revers if I was parked with my right side up a hill....