eponodyne Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 I've got two EA82 wagons; a '90 Loyale turbo (blown head gasket, auto trans, okay body), and an '87 GL NA (Runs rough,5-speed/LSD, great body). I reckon that between the two I can make one decent daily driver, and one ***************in' rig. But I am desperately in need of advice. I don't visit this forum as often as I should, and for a n00b there is so much information here that wading through all of it to find the nuggets I need is quite frankly a little daunting. You guys really know your $h1t!!! So here it is, guys (and ladies, oops): Assuming I can take care of the daily driver on my own (it's all pretty basic)Could you, in one thread, describe the mods a fella like me needs to get started on the off-road rig? Answer dumb questions like "EJ swap and 5-lug conversion--yea or nea?" I've got a decent budget for this, BTW. Any advice or help you could offer would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Pics will be posted. Jollity and merriment will ensue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 install a lift trim fenders get some 27" tires get rims to fit Pugs etc. make sure you have a Dual range tranny go wheelin !!! :brow: go easy on the clutch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarian Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 I'm planning on the EJ swap, mostly for on-road, but the off-road advantages seem pretty good, too. As far as the 5-lug swap, you might want to look at 6 lugs, since it's a relatively easy mod and gives you tons of choices for tire/wheel combinations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eponodyne Posted February 14, 2006 Author Share Posted February 14, 2006 That is EXZACTLY the idea. But I guess what I was asking is, how much work is involved in each of those steps? How should I prioritize them, and how long would each take? The 87 is gonna get turned into the rig--it's got the dual-range trans already, and by far the better body. If stiffer springs are in order, what are the good donor vehicles? I assume that the lift kits out there are all roughly similar in quality, but which one gives me longer CV life? And is there anything I should do to set the car up specifically for mud and dirt (I live in Florida), not big rocks and crawlin'? Basically, what would YOU do to set up YOUR dream GL? Links to previous tech articles/threads? I remember reading a lot of them like a year ago, but I can not find them now to save my soul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 www.ozified.com thats a good place to start;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 where abouts in wisconsin are you at? im in milwaukee with 2 garage fulls of subarus:headbang: is the non turbo mpfi? hollar hollar milesfox@yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 Read this page: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24980 I too am wondering where you're at...I'm in Duluth with an Ozified lifted rig, and I've got an AA lifted rig (not running now) at my parent's place in the twin cities. I'd be more than happy to meet up with you and hash it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eponodyne Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Guys, nothing would make me happier than to get together at Pizza Luce in D'loot for a few Summits. Sadly (ha!) I live in Florida and can't make the drive home after a night like that. But I'm curious to know what you have to say about the various lift kits available, like what I can expect for CV life expectancy/ease of maintenance/accvessability/buildability et cetera. just thumbnail comparos if ya wanna post 'em, or if toes are gonna get stepped on, PMs work just fine. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, and have all the tools I need except a welder (but I have friends who do have 'em), therefore this is a doable, quick-build proposition. For what its worth, I was just out measuring the 8-lug wheels on my van, and they are 7X15, with the bolt holes looking pretty damn close to matching up; every other hole is damn near 140mm. 15" truck steelies can be got cheap as dirt, but waddabout the offset? I am going to get to the bottom of this with teh qu1ckn3ss!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 Well, I've only had this BYB rig for a week or so, and haven't had a chance to wheel it...yet, but in person, the rear suspension blocks make me nervous. but the three companies are pretty much identical. if you want to go 6", get an SJR kit. if 4" is enough (and it probably is). Then it pretty much comes down to price, and availability. CV life isn't effected almost at all by any kit offered. as long as you don't go nuts with the adjustable suspension. which you shouldn't, it just limits your travel. lots of good info in that FAQ...then hang around the offroad forum, and you'll pick up plenty. why does your profile say you're from wisconsin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eponodyne Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 why does your profile say you're from wisconsin?Because I haven't fixed it yet. Waiiiiit... Okay, look now. It's different. Does Raven show up here often anymore? I did the GM 100a conversion, it was like the best thing I ever did to that poor car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 oh, I take it you moved... yea, raven's around, lots of people are doing the gm alt conversion these days. then again, many people are just putting an EJ motor in there, so the alt is stronger that way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eponodyne Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Yeah, I'm gonna hold off on the EJ swap for now. I feel much less panicky now; I just spent a couple hours looking through some archived material, this is gonna be a piece of cake. And, of course, no one wants to see me fail at saving a nice old wagon from the crusher and turning it into a trail-stomper!! You guys rule! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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