Off Road Subarus

chriso · Post by **chriso** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 7:17 pm

Hi guys,

I own a Nissan Patrol (trying to sell it anyone interested?) and I've done the big trip around Oz in it. Its a lumbering heavy beast so now I'm looking for something smaller and lighter. So I'm likin the idea of an old subie wagon with big lift and tyres. Whats the best model to go for? I've owned a lot of dattos so I'm a bit partial to the old stuff... Whats the main diff between the MY and L series? Which is better? Bang for buck and a nice personality on road as well off road are the factors here..
I really like the look of big wheeled L series.

cheers
chriso

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 7:47 pm

The age-old L v MY debate has many facets, and each camp have their pros and cons.

MY series are generally more reliable (just let me put my asbestos suit on first guys), yet the L-series are certainly more refined: neither of them are speed demons out-of-the-box though. You've been warned.

3 and 4 inch lift kits are available for both models, but you'll have less trouble fitting larger tires on the MY. Alternatively, as L-series came with the option of the mighty 90-odd KW EA82 Turbo, the swap is straight forward and gives good results.

Sane modifications that you'll be happy with on either model are a 3" lift, 14" wheels with some 27x850x14 All-Terrain tires and a Weber carby.

After that comes stuff like gearbox swaps, EJ-series engine swaps, 4 and 5 inch lifts, 15 inch wheels . . . then we're talking of spending like 10 grand on a 3 grand car though.

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:31 pm

horses for courses i guess.

but if you want a more complete package, i'd go for the L series, as it already has the coveted 5 speed gearbox with the lowest low range gearing available. (3.7:1 is acceptable, but the rare 3.9:1 is the pick of the bunch).

It does away with the troublesome torsionbar rear end, with a nice and reliable coilover rear end.

mod cons could be had much easier in the L's, with aircon and power steer being rather common.

the motors in the EA82, although the topic of great debate, Is actually a very reasonable motor. With appropriate mods, Im actually very happy with my EA82 for the moment!. If you want more up'n'go, an EA82T is a conversion that could be had without major dramas... i personally would sway towards something NA as it doesnt suffer the lag vs boost issues whilst offroad. But each person here will tell a different story as they have different experiences.

as i said originally - horses for courses!

alex

midnight · Post by **midnight** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:32 pm

MUDRAT wrote: After that comes stuff like gearbox swaps, EJ-series engine swaps, 4 and 5 inch lifts, 15 inch wheels . . . then we're talking of spending like 10 grand on a 3 grand car though.

And you would have experience in this field would you not Mudrat?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:37 pm

Yeah but I gave up counting after I hit 10.

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:02 pm

LOL, I gave up at 16. That was 2 years ago.

stinky · Post by **stinky** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:14 pm

where abouts are you chriso? Check out my for sale thread... you won't find a better set up 4x4 MY without spending big bucks on conversions.

Suba · Post by **Suba** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:59 pm

Yeah you could allways buy mine for $4500.

Mike

chriso · Post by **chriso** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:46 am

Thanks guys.
For $4500 I'd get a Liberty. Not as capable as yours though I'm sure, but probably a nicer car to drive.
I like the idea of a sub 1000 or 2000 dollar car that I can really drive hard and not care.

I'm in the ACT.
Stinky I saw your car on ebay, it looks like a good buy but I don't think I'd buy an off roader without driving it first.

I reckon the basic 'sane' mods will do for me (for starters..) ie L series with tyres, lift, a weber and 2 in exhaust.

How hard is it to fit an AWD box from a liberty or impreza to an L series?
cheers

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:45 am

I reckon you'd end up using an AWD box from an L-series, it's a bolt in fit. Available in single or dual range 4WD, and some come with a centre diff lock. You can also swap out the low range ratios for the low L-series ones.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:58 am

If you wanna check out some lifted Subarus up close, be at the carpark on London Circuit across from Moosehead Pub and ZenYai at 1100am this Saturday.

Damn I hope there's going to be enough parking spaces...

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:50 pm

awd in an L? what for?? higher low ratios?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:00 pm

No, to harness the raw power of course!

chriso · Post by **chriso** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:58 pm

What can y'all tell me about 1975 wagons? They look cool.

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 4:34 pm

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Once you own an AWD car (especially a turbo) you will NEVER go back!!

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 5:58 pm

i'll only go AWD once I get some 1.5:1 low range

Fang · Post by **Fang** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:46 pm

Thats exactly what I am doing Smoov - I am only putting in my AWD box when it gets changed to 1.592 low. I could not handle that crap low!

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:59 pm

why not go for a 4.44 final ratio while ur at it

you'd be unstopable.

Jordan.

Fang · Post by **Fang** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:08 pm

Unfortuantely with an L Series AWD box - you are limited to 3.7 in the gearbox

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:13 pm

Oh

My bad.

I just assumed you were using an EJ box.

Divorced transfer case? No wait then you lose AWD.

Jordan.