So i have been searching the pics lately getting some ideas for my loyale and i noticed a couple loyales with large swamper tires on them. I had put the idea down to lift mine because i don't have the dual range tranny and would not be able to off road like i would want to after investing in tires and the lift. So im curious how those loyale drivers are turning those tires off road? I know there is always the option of installing the hi low tranny but i was told it was a huge job? I was planning onjust buying an older carb'd model with that tranny but if i can just upgrade my current set up why not? any help would be great!

just change out the transaxle with a 5 speed dual range ,

Depends on what you call a huge job. If the idea of installing a lift doesnt scare you, then swapping a tranny shouldnt either. Pull your engine, pull the trans, swap in the d/r, and re-install engine.

Depends on what you call a huge job. If the idea of installing a lift doesnt scare you, then swapping a tranny shouldnt either. Pull your engine, pull the trans, swap in the d/r, and re-install engine.

 

meh, I'd prefer leaving the motor in.....

 

 

 

 

also, don't need a carb to get low range.

huh i have had people tell me that it wont bolt right up for some reason. If i were to do the swap is there anything important to know? Or is it a bolt and play scenario? Would the gearing match my rear gear ratio? (might be a 3.7 i would have to check.) Also does would i get to take off all the vacuum parts needed for my current set up? I have removed my tranny from my jeep before multiple times :-\ and i don't think a Subaru one would be too different. Let me know thanks for your time and advice!

whoever told you it wouldn't bolt up must have been thinking of a legacy.

 

the D/R trannies use a 3.9 rear diff....you'll have to check yours, but I think all N/A 5MTs use a 3.9.

 

you can leave the vacuum stuff if you'd like, but it won't be used. it's not hard to remove, so I'd just do that....

 

only things you'll need is the tranny itself, and the linkage (assuming your car already has a 3.9 rear diff....otherwise you'll need it too).

cool thanks for your help on this. One more question will i need shorter/longer drive shafts? Or just keep my originals? And will the stick shifter fit in the same place as my current stick shifter?Or will i need to trim up some metal? Thanks

Unless youre doing a lift at the same time as swaping in the d/r trans, your shifter will sit the same. You MIGHT want to grab the trim parts out of the donor car though, as you will have the extra D/R lever that you didnt before.

 

Keep your axles, they will be the same.

"me, I'd prefer leaving the motor in....."

 

i think the engine is easyer to pull than the trans, i do alot of clutches that way, than reseal the engine while its out

"meh, I'd prefer leaving the motor in....."

 

i think the engine is easyer to pull than the trans, i do alot of clutches that way, than reseal it while its out

 

if you're just doing a clutch, I definitely would do it by pulling the motor. but I'd leave the trans where it is. just to pull the trans, I'd jack the front end up, drop the trans out the bottom, and leave the engine where it is. but whatever you like.

 

 

 

the driveshaft and axles are the same. no need to change either of those.

The dual range is a must, it's no harder than changing out a normal transmission. I can do it in a day if I'm working solid. If I had a hydraulic lift, instead of a pit I could have it done in 4-5 hours max.

 

In answer to how you turn big tires in a loyale: engine swap. You will get fed up of bogging out on hillclimbs and will wish for more torque. That's where the EJ-series engine swaps come in. That's a lot more work than swapping a dual range though.

When hitting the trail let air out of your tires!!

When i go wheeling I typicaly run about 8-10 psi

That will improve your gear ratio and give you bether grip.

When hitting the trail let air out of your tires!!

When i go wheeling I typicaly run about 8-10 psi

That will improve your gear ratio and give you bether grip.

 

and also it will reduce ground clearance...

Ok guys new question about the DR tranny, are there some with the 3.9 and or 3.7 gearing? And how can i tell? Thanks for any help!

AFAIK, the only 3.7 final drive D/R in north America is the RX trans. pretty easy to spot that one, as it's got the vacuum center diff lock thing AND a dual range lever.

so wait are you saying i have to get that DR out of the RX? or is that just a suggestion for a better set up? i thought any wagon pretty much with a DR would work? Sorry for lack of knowledge on the subject :-\

Your Loyale should have a 3.9 setup. All you need is the tranny, linkage, and trim. Just bolt it in. That's all. Your single range will do just fine on the road with big tires. If you want to go off road, you WILL need dual range. Even then it's weak. Just make sure you get a 3.9 d/r. If you want to check to see if your car has 3.9, it's written clearly on your rear diff, and it's easy access. Just get on your knees and look under there.

so wait are you saying i have to get that DR out of the RX? or is that just a suggestion for a better set up?

 

neither. just saying that the rest would be 3.9. but now that I think about it, the '85 and '86 RXs had a PT4WD DR trans that would be a 3.7. but both have crappy gearing. almost worse than a single range non-turbo one.

 

 

short version. get it from a non-turbo car.

Just make sure the D/R is from a N/A. One is 23 spline on the stubs while the other is 25, but unfortunately I've had a little to drink and cannot tell ya which is which. D/R is definitely the way to go with larger tires and while your at it doing the tranny swap you might as well do the "twin stick" swap (as I call it) making the Hi/ Low shift separately from the 4wd, so you can use the low while running around town while still in 2wd. Use the search for more info on the twin stick mod if interested.