August 2, 200817 yr Hi everyone: I just joined this wonderful forum and purchased a '86 GL wagon. Some of your cars are really mean off-road vehicles, but I'd like to do something in-between. This is already my primary work vehicle, but I'd like to mod it for decent off-road use also. This will be a slow, ongoing project, as funds are limited, but I'll post pics whenever I do something worthwhile. Any and all comments and ideas are welcome! K...now for the first probs. I've done a lot of searching already, but could still use some help. Car usually takes two starts to run when cold, Hesitates and will not gain in RPM's unless I upshift, Does this for about 5 miles until the ECS light comes on, then runs great, codes when running are: 23 O2 sensor, and 24 Coolant temp. sensor. I already tried unplugging the O2 sensor, to no avail. A webber 32/36 is in the future, but need quik-fix. Thanx.
August 2, 200817 yr Need more info on the car to help diagnose. Is it a 5spd with dual range? Has it had a tune up recently? Fuel filter new?
August 2, 200817 yr Author It is a 5 speed, though I'm not familiar with dual-range. I have not had the chance to tune up yet...I was thinking fuel filter too. I've not even had the car a week yet! It has also been dieseling a little when I shut down the engine. That must be timing.
August 2, 200817 yr Author Yeah, it is dual range then. I actually got it stuck in 4Hi, test driving it. Only later, when I was reading the manual at home, did I realize that you can only shift between 2&4wd with the wheel straight. When I got it stuck, I was making a sharp turn in a parking lot!
August 2, 200817 yr Yeah, it is dual range then. I actually got it stuck in 4Hi, test driving it. Only later, when I was reading the manual at home, did I realize that you can only shift between 2&4wd with the wheel straight. When I got it stuck, I was making a sharp turn in a parking lot! AND NEVER ON PAVEMENT!!!! Probably another reason it got stuck in 4WD. Only use 4WD on dirt, gravel, mud, snow. Never pavement.
August 3, 200817 yr Author Nice looking wagon. Welcome to the forums. Thanks! I think it's in pretty good shape, considering it's age. Had the pics been better, you'd see the clear coat failing and multi-dings...but it's all good. If it was too pretty, I'd hate to off-road it! I'm not sure yet about the lifting/wheel/tire size. I love "primitive" camping, and need access to the good areas. At the same time, this is my work rig and that is what I'll be using it for 90% of the time. Damn, 90%...that is really, really sad!!!
August 3, 200817 yr Author AND NEVER ON PAVEMENT!!!! Probably another reason it got stuck in 4WD. Only use 4WD on dirt, gravel, mud, snow. Never pavement. Huh. I'd never heard that before. What about the full-time 4wd's?! It was just a quick test to make sure that it worked. When it got stuck, I was trying to shift back to FWD while turning sharp into a parking spot. It went right in when I took off again in 1st.
August 3, 200817 yr Huh. I'd never heard that before. What about the full-time 4wd's?! It was just a quick test to make sure that it worked. When it got stuck, I was trying to shift back to FWD while turning sharp into a parking spot. It went right in when I took off again in 1st. Welcome guy, on the tranny its not like a full time 4wheel drive its more like a Jeep. nice car
August 3, 200817 yr Author Welcome guy,on the tranny its not like a full time 4wheel drive its more like a Jeep. nice car That's cool, I just hadn't realized that using it on dry pavement could be damaging...not that I'd have any reason to anyway. Name's Eric, by the way, just sos you don't have to call me guy. You're apparently Scott...in Bellingham. We're neighbors, I'm up in Blaine. Guess I should start with the cheap and obvious: tune up. Think I could fit 14" wheels in without trimming or bashing?
August 3, 200817 yr Welcome I am just down the street a little ways as well. Good luck on the project you will have to join us on our next subie adventure. -Rob
August 3, 200817 yr Author Welcome I am just down the street a little ways as well. Good luck on the project you will have to join us on our next subie adventure. -Rob Sounds fun. I'd love to get my stocker stuck up on Baker somewhere!
August 3, 200817 yr Think I could fit 14" wheels in without trimming or bashing?Not the wheels that are the problem, its what tyre you pick.Read some of the other posts about the same question on here http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24980 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=90064&highlight=%2Ano%2A+lift+tires http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=84862&highlight=%2Ano%2A+lift+tires http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=86308&highlight=%2Ano%2A+lift+tires http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=82579&highlight=%2Ano%2A+lift+wheels http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=62289&highlight=%2Ano%2A+lift+wheels http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73437&highlight=%2Ano%2A+lift+wheels http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61553&highlight=%2Ano%2A+lift+wheels
August 3, 200817 yr Author Thanks for the links. I've read the sticky and searched quite a bit, but I found some good, new info there. Looks like the best option for me is to stay under 25". I read that any serious offroading should have 27's or better, but I guess that I won't be "serious" than. I'll just crank up the suspension for outings, and drop again for the work routine. :-\
August 3, 200817 yr Welcome Eric, My name is Jeff, I live about 42 min. down the I to the 5 in Mount Vernon. I don't know if you know it or not but you are located in the heart of Subaru Country. There is also a very good 4 wheeling community with us northern fellas so if you need to have any help or parts or just want to go wheeling, you have come to the right place!! Welcome aboard. Jeff
August 3, 200817 yr Author Welcome Eric, My name is Jeff, I live about 42 min. down the I to the 5 in Mount Vernon. I don't know if you know it or not but you are located in the heart of Subaru Country. There is also a very good 4 wheeling community with us northern fellas so if you need to have any help or parts or just want to go wheeling, you have come to the right place!! Welcome aboard. Jeff Thanks, Jeff. That makes 3 now, that I know of, in this area! I just replaced the rear fuel filter today, and lubed up carb's linkage and choke. It seemed to help a good deal, but with the ECS coming on, I know that carb needs to go!!! I'll finish the tune up, then we'll see how she does. Once warmed up, she cruises just fine at 70 on the freeway. Don't think I could push her past 75, though!
August 3, 200817 yr That's cool, I just hadn't realized that using it on dry pavement could be damaging...not that I'd have any reason to anyway. Name's Eric, by the way, just sos you don't have to call me guy. You're apparently Scott...in Bellingham. We're neighbors, I'm up in Blaine. Guess I should start with the cheap and obvious: tune up. Think I could fit 14" wheels in without trimming or bashing? Eric 14s will fit, its the tire size that will cause clearance issues ,if you hang around here you will have tire issues which will cause zzz
August 3, 200817 yr Author Scott...you're right! I'll cut and bash eventually, I'm just impatient. My car is just sooooooo stock. At least my priorities are straight: mechanical first. I'd like to do some of those improvements on the EA performance page too. Turbo muffler, electric fan, etc. BTW for you locals, I work at Hardware Sales. 'Nuff said!
August 4, 200817 yr Its not how your Subaru is built, its how you drive it that makes it a surious offroader or not. Its just hard to find a decent offroad tread in something smaller then 27". With no lift you can fit 27" OD tires, it just requires some trimming and hammering. I wouldn't go over that size though, because you'll loose what gearing you have.
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