The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hey all, so ive just been wondering a couple of things, its mostly to do with making my L wagon a bit better offroad.

Okay so first, if i did manage to get a LSD for an L series, how good are the LSD's(Clutch Pack) in the L series, compared to say other LSD's, and if say the LSD was worn, can something in it be replaced? or do you have to get a whole new LSD?
ie. so i want to buy a LSD, but its worn, is it possible/worth getting replacing something in it to get her good again, or i need a whole new one.

Umm secondly, my main objective is getting over some rocks, theres a fishing spot i go and my mate has a Nissan Patrol, older style series with just stock height and it sorta struggled going over it, but it did get over.
With a 3 inch lift, and an LSD would the L series have a shot if a stock patrol could get over. or would i need some biggy tyres (although i know its hard for you guys to say, having not really seen the situation, but just sorta in theory if a stock patrol can do it, is it possible in a carby l series with some mods)

And thirdly, in a stock 1.8ltr carby l series, whats the biggest tyre size youd go with, WITHOUT losing too much of the lowrange and power for offroad (ie. crawling over rocks).

Im sorry for the many questions, these are just things ive been wondering for awhile and havent really found a clear answer anywhere else.
Any help, insight or info would be great! as itd help with a few decisions and choices on what path to go down. (And no an EJ is not possible at this stage, as time and money are huge factors).
Cheers thanks everyone!

The clutch LSD's are quite good if they are in good condition. If they are not as tight as they once were, there are some dish shaped washers inside which can be reversed which tightens it up considerably.
These diffs (despite being old) are still highly sought after by people in the rally scene.
Beware they are very rare these days and if you can find them they will be expensive.
My wagon has two of the suckers, and they aren't forsale

Yeah with a body lift kit and the original 5spd dual range gearbox an L series can certainly get alot of places a stock Patrol can. You will need to use a different technique in most cases but the old L's surprise many experienced offroaders.

Regarding power, yeah, with the old EA82 carby you can go 14" tyre but you will loose power. I ran 27" tyres on my old MPFI EA82 and it was acceptable, this engine had really the same power as a carby anyway, but it all depends on your driving style and how fast you want your car to be. You could consider running a separate set of wheels/tyres just for offroading but it's abit inconvinient swapping them before you head out. I'd say go 27" anyway - it's already a slow car so abit slower isn't going to hurt. Nobody's expecting a drag race from you anyway

Cheers Andrew thanks for the reply! that helped alot,
wow that Monsterwagon sure looks good.......especially the LSD on it, are you sure you dont want to part ways lol
I think thats gonna be my toughest problem finding a 3.7 LSD for the ol ' gal, if i do id be stoked, then a 3inch lift would follow and some nicer sized tyres