Do liberty's have a FWD / AWB Gearbox option ?

Checkers · Post by **Checkers** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:39 pm

Can anyone tell me if say a 96 Libert came with a front wheel drive box which then allowed you to select 4WD ?

As far as I was aware they had dual range but where AWD, but I have a mechanic telling me the car is front wheel drive with selectable 4WD ?

BBoypebs · Post by **BBoypebs** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:26 pm

As far as I know, subaru went away from the selectable 4wd when the first liberty's were built.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:36 pm

Yeah, selectable 4x4 finished with L series. Maybe some very obscure models of Liberty/Legacy had it but I've never heard of it.
Liberty some are FWD (ONLY), and some are AWD (ONLY). The only selectable part available was selectable low range. Some AWD automatic models can have a "centre diff lock" custom wired in.
And then of course you have STI 5spd and 6spd DCCD boxes where you can change the percentage of drive distribution between front and rear.

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:47 pm

AWD Automatics have an electronic override to put them into FWD for towing purposes. There is a fuse in the fuse box which you put in to activate FWD. This can be wired in to a switch to make it selectable.

Checkers · Post by **Checkers** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:44 pm

Cheers for that, pretty much what I thought and have no idea WTF the mechanic was on about.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:27 pm

Thats automatics....
You can remove the fuse then it'll become FWD, a few people have a switch in dash area for FWD/AWD mode.

In Manual AWD EJ boxes aren't selectable to FWD it only has Hi and Lo AWD as its an constant 4WD box.. But these EA boxes were able to select FWD/4WD hi & 4WD Lo.

Cheers
AP

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:29 pm

AlpineRaven wrote:Thats automatics....
You can remove the fuse then it'll become FWD, a few people have a switch in dash area for FWD/AWD mode.

I'm pretty sure you put the fuse IN to make it FWD. not that it's important in this thread ..............

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:33 am

There was actually a gearbox with front wheel drive/four wheel drive like ADM L's have but it was never sold in the Australian market .
The gearbox itself is the same length as any other 1st gen one to make them interchangeable on the assembly line . From memory it has a selectable dog clutch on the rear output shaft which is same deal as most L's have but in the longer EJ type extension housing .

I have a downloaded Legacy WSM that shows details of a poverty pack Legacy with I think an 1800 EJ engine and the basic 2/4WD transmission . I think it also had four stud hubs , smaller than our first gen basic spec brakes and even 13 inch wheels .

If that fella at USMB from NZ has AWD DR EJ boxes with a lockable center diff then they would be the ones to chase if you want the best dual purpose option .

A .