What L series came with 3.9 ratio?

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Sat May 03, 2008 6:09 pm

Looking for a 5sp D/R with a 3.9 ratio. Just wondering how to find them, what models did they come in.
What I do know
Dad's 85 touring wagon has 3.9
87 sports wagon wreck has 3.7
Mates 88 touring wagon had 3.7

Do all 85's have 3.9, or only the tourers, or is it just my dad's?
What other models and years have them?

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Sat May 03, 2008 6:41 pm

Phizinza I think carby L DR 5MT's were 3.9 and the close ratio gear set . Gee has said in the past that the Turbo RX and I think later MPFI L's have the turbo gear set and 3.7 final drive . I think his way to tell by looking at a box on the ground is the number of splines on the diff's half shaft's . RX Turbo and late MPFI are 25 spline where the carby 5MT DR should be 23 .

Hope this helps cheers A .

BTW the L lower low range gears don't clear unmodified 4.11 or 4.44 crown wheels so that's probably why L's didn't get those combinations ex factory .

Post by **Alex** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:32 pm

most sprtswagons are 3.7 and i believe most touring wagons are 3.9.

i dont think any sports wagon ever came out in 3.9.

alex

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:56 pm

As above but some 85-86 Sport wagons had a 3.9's

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:00 pm

Explain my mates old 88 Touring wagon with stock 3.7 ratio then?

Your saying 85 - 86 is the best bet for a 3.9?

K2m · Post by **K2m** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:36 am

My 89 Touring Waggon MPFI had 3.7 I think that the sports wagons with carbs ran 3.9 at the time. I think Alex meant the visa versa..... Maybee:mrgreen:

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:06 pm

I'm sure the single range 4wd wagons ran the 3.9. When i started out looking for parts and working on the subi I saw quite a few of these around, wish i knew what I know now, there's a few parts i'd like to get off them...

Not all touring wagons are 3.9. I haven't seen one at the wreckers with 3.9 in ages - i'll be looking at the year of the car and what it has from now on

Bennie

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:48 pm

Freddo.. You just reminded me.. I have a brand new (was a crash test cars) SR 4wd 5sp which is 3.9 ratio... Maybe I can build a D/R box using a crapped out 3.7 5sp I have too... I was thinking of using its syncros anyhow as they are beautiful.
Might not need to buy another gearbox, yay.

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sun May 04, 2008 8:31 pm

Around that 87-88 year there was alot of different combos that came about Early pre 87 will be your best bet for a 3.9 however if you find an EFI car it will be 3.7 sports wagons started with 3.9 and went to 3.7 around 87 touring wagons had the 3.9 in them for what i can gather most of thier run bar the EFI models. But in saying all that most 87 and 88 models of the L series i have seen have had a 3.7 final drive.

So basically in short if your looking for an L series 3.9 box your best bet is an early one.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:29 pm

Phizinza wrote:I have a brand new (was a crash test cars) SR 4wd 5sp which is 3.9 ratio... Maybe I can build a D/R box using a crapped out 3.7 5sp I have too... I was thinking of using its syncros anyhow as they are beautiful.

Lucky bugger, how'd you get onto that? I'm sure you could build it into a DR with the casings, then you could use low range while still in front wheel drive if you ever found the need for it...

discopotato03 wrote:... I think carby L DR 5MT's were 3.9 and the close ratio gear set .

Closer than a NA DR 4wd gearbox?

discopotato03 wrote:BTW the L lower low range gears don't clear unmodified 4.11 or 4.44 crown wheels so that's probably why L's didn't get those combinations ex factory .

And what needs to be done to the crown wheel for it to clear the L low range?

You've got me thinking... We'll see what happens.

Cheers

Bennie

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Sun May 04, 2008 10:33 pm

El_Freddo wrote:Lucky bugger, how'd you get onto that?

Was when I was buying the FT4wd box. Got it from WA, thought it was a XT6 FT4WD S/R box. But it was just a standard S/R L box. Still, its useful for me now so I'm happy.