Low range goodness

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Fri May 16, 2014 3:51 pm

So i finally found a 98 series forester gearbox, ( 1.44) low range.

Got a 4.11 rear diff for $120 ( mabye a viscous diff )

Will be putting into my 98 outback which currently has a ej20t + 2 inch spacers + forester 03 struts + ~27 inch tyres

Im pretty happy, will prob swap it over on the weekend.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri May 16, 2014 5:15 pm

I just got one of these gearboxes too - a 2001 model (still in a 2001 forester). Drove the forester around my firebreak tracks a few times in low range, honestly it doesn't feel *that much different* to the low range in an L series. Doubt I will even bother looking at swapping the 1.5 low range gear from an L series box.

Good luck with the swap, let us know how it goes!

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri May 16, 2014 7:05 pm

Yeah AndyT - you're right about that with the foz/L low range comparison. For what you guys have over there the L series conversion isn't worth it.

Over here on our last trip to Walhalla, Nachaluva reckons he'll look into the foz to L series low range conversion - he's got the 1.447:1 low now, but reckons the 1.59:1 low range would give his foz that little bit more drivability/climbability with his vehicle. My L series was cruising up the hills - most of the time I could decide how little throttle to use

You've just got to weigh up what you really need and work towards that

Cheers

Bennie

taza · Post by **taza** » Fri May 16, 2014 8:10 pm

Nice!
I have the same box behind the ej251 in my forester. Works exceptionally well. Only on a few occassions that it is barely adequate.

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Sat May 17, 2014 10:23 pm

Done and done

Diff was a Viscous lsd

so thats awesome
Gearbox and diff in, low range is wayyyyy better...

1st gear 4000 rpm at 20kph !!!
Crappy liberty low range is
1st gear 1500-2000 rpm at 20kph

legacytt · Post by **legacytt** » Sun May 18, 2014 6:54 pm

I have fitted an early Foz box to my Legacy GT and find the Low Range very similar to the 3.9 Lib box I had previously with the L low in it. I think the 4.11 diff helps to compensate. I have teamed it up with a DCCD centre diff so makes a great combo off road with the LSD rear.

taza · Post by **taza** » Sun May 18, 2014 11:04 pm

Anyone done any towing offroad, particularly in sand? I'm questioning if 1.447.1 would be adequate to tow offroad or if 1.59 would make much difference.....

Maybe 4.44 could be a good option combine with 1.447.1

Subaman · Post by **Subaman** » Tue May 20, 2014 6:00 am

I towed this halfway around Oz,on the plenty highway across the desert to Ayers rock, then up to the gulf, also used to take it up the beach and through the inland tracks etc, it weighed just over a ton when packed, I was running a dual range impreza box that I fitted 4.11 diffs to,before that box I had the lib dual range box with the 3.9 diff and L Series low range, the car had 28 inch tyres and never had a problem with gearing, I did like the impreza box setup over the lib box though. I towed it through the freshwater inland track up at Double Island point once with a siezed turbo on the car and still never needed to use 1st low.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue May 20, 2014 10:27 pm

Sick looking ride mate!

And cool vids on facebook

Cheers

Bennie

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Fri May 23, 2014 12:55 am

I think we have different needs over here. When I do my offroad box I'll be going with a 1.59 LR, DCCD centre, LSD front & prob 4.44 diffs with a matching 5th gear. That will give me excellent grip & ability to walk up steep rocky climbs without going as fast as I currently have to.

Jayrod, glad you're enjoying your new setup

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Fri May 23, 2014 9:38 pm

Im just glad i actually found one for a "decent" price...
Been looking for ages.
Dream would be what you want, but i would be searching for ages to get that :P

Already tested it at the powerlines, wayy better.
I still prefer the beach though :P Way more fun than driving 1kmh on rocks.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sat May 24, 2014 10:19 am

NachaLuva wrote:I think we have different needs over here. When I do my offroad box I'll be going with a 1.59 LR, DCCD centre, LSD front & prob 4.44 diffs with a matching 5th gear. That will give me excellent grip & ability to walk up steep rocky climbs without going as fast as I currently have to.

I'd like to change my box to 4.44s with a matching 5th after the last walhalla outing. It's a bit trickier to do with a locking centre diff compared to the EJ boxes where it's a direct fit...

It's now all down to $$$ and vehicle down time

jayrod wrote:Already tested it at the powerlines, wayy better.
I still prefer the beach though :P Way more fun than driving 1kmh on rocks.

You need to come over here and check out what we've got, then re-assess the above

Cheers

Bennie