The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi All

First off I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this forum as there is a wealth of knowledge inside.

First off my name is Chris and I fell in love with the Subaru L Series when my dad lent me his EJ20 L series for a few months. While back then i didn't really appreciated the weapon like features of the car i grew to miss it and decided to get one for myself.

Recently purchased a EJ22 L Series with a 2" body lift and have since fixed a few things up and added some mods.

I am not that mechanically switched on but I have a good mechanic who does cheap reliable work. I would really love to know how to do minor things as I think I would only have to be shown once and I should be able to go from there. Anyways I took my car to the mechanics once purchased. He replaced all the wheel bearings, fixed an oil leak, clutch was slipping bad so that got replaced, put all new suspensions bushes in, changed the brakes pads and freshened up the rear drums.

I have since purchased 15" peugeot rims which I powder coated black and got a near new set of Cooper 205/70/15 All Terrains.

Took it out for my first 4wd experience and put a monster dent in the sump. Didnt leek any oil or anything but I'm the type of person that just can't stand the thought of it being there. My dads mate is a avid fan of the L Series and made my dad's bash plate for him so I'm hoping he will sort me out also.

I have done some reading in regards to suspension lifts and I remember my dads subaru had a scorpion lift fitted. I am not sure if this was just a body lift but I'm certain the drive train was raised leading me to believe it also had a suspension lift.

A few threads on this site mention suspension lifts for the L Series is a bad idea but the drivetrain seems so low at present. I love 4wding and showing my mates what a little beasty wagon can do so hopefully there is something else you's can suggest.

Sorry for the length of my post and there is still a lot of questions I have.

Also whats the Subaru scene like in Queensland if anyone knows? It appears WA is where its at.

Welcome to the forum Kelossus!

Kelossus wrote:whats the Subaru scene like in Queensland if anyone knows? It appears WA is where its at.

Don't let those WA boys fool you, there's just a lot more talk (and sometimes pics) than everyone else, after all, they've got to make up for their lack of variety in 4wd'n

Check out the QLD Subaru club section of the forum, plenty of info in there and they get out quite a bit from what I understand. I've just got back from a couple of days in the vic high country with a group of them

As for your questions:

Definitely get a bash plate! But do it after the lift kit as you'll have to modify it otherwise.

Lift kit. Go the full body kit, this lowers the engine and gearbox down in the engine bay with the rest of the suspension - this keeps the drive train at the same level in relation to the hubs so the CVs are on the same angles. Doing just a suspension lift will result in many, many dead CV joints.

Once the lift kit is in you'll be able to run 26 or 27 inch tyres. A 3 inch kit will do it just nicely, I think a 2 inch does it as well but needs extra guard trimming with 27's. I've got a 3 inch kit and 27 inch tyres. But you say you've already got a 2 inch lift - why the questions about lift kits?

One thing I think you would want to do is grab a set of front springs from an early 90's honda - prelude, civic, it doesn't really matter. These fit in the rear end and add some lift quite nicely. They're also cheaper than new king springs.

Cheers

Bennie

El_Freddo wrote:But you say you've already got a 2 inch lift - why the questions about lift kits?

Questioning the lift kit as I was wandering if there is a reliable way to lift the drive train.

I have 27" Cooper AT/R which are getting fitted this weekend along with a wheel alignment. Also one of the recovery hooks at the front of the car has been ripped out and the opposite one isn't looking to healthy. What options do I have to fix this?

Kelossus wrote:Questioning the lift kit as I was wandering if there is a reliable way to lift the drive train.

What you want to do is work out how to put bigger tyres on, this is where you get your best lift from. Lift kits on the subaru only lifts the body up to give more clearance in the guards for the larger tyres and for better "roll over clearance" under the middle of the car.

Kelossus wrote:I have 27" Cooper AT/R which are getting fitted this weekend along with a wheel alignment. Also one of the recovery hooks at the front of the car has been ripped out and the opposite one isn't looking to healthy. What options do I have to fix this?

Got a mate that's good at welding? Or create a set of plates to sandwich the damaged area with a set of bolts. On one of these plates you'd have a new recovery point built into it. This really depends on how creative you can get

Cheers

Bennie

Thanks mate.

Anyone have experience with the raised springs that Industrial Springs make? Sorry to be a pest about the suspension lift question. Will be good to see what sort of clearance the 27's give me. It just looks like the sump hangs down so low!

Thanks for the advice on the recovery point situation.I am really useless when it comes to things like this unless I have been shown first hand. I'll post some pics of my car on the weekend after I have the wheels fitted. Its certainly stands out as the previous owner painted it bright orange but nonetheless it gets the job done.

The 27's will be good, see my sig, the difference is that mine's a 3 inch lift. That should give you some idea

Front springs, I remember one of the members on here trying out a set of EA falcon front springs in the front end, I don't know what the result was though.

Cheers

Bennie