Lib engine Xmember & Ctrl arms to L series

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:56 am

Anybody done this before?
From what I've seen/discussed/thought about so far this looks very do-able. I pulled the motor and gearbox out of my wagon last night to mess around with a few dummy fits too.

The main difference between the two engine crossmembers is that the Liberty one is in total 20mm wider than the L series one. The actual mounting holes are identical, just 10mm further towards the edge of the car on both sides.

Advantages;
- Can run the big Liberty sway bar as standard
- Can run the Liberty power steering rack and tierod ends as standard
- Can run all the Liberty front hubs, brakes, balljoints etc as standard
- Can run Liberty front driveshafts as standard
- Will be running Liberty control arms, which means no more weak L series radius rods!
- Will be running the correct angle for EJ engine mounts, and no need for washers as spacers etc
- Will be running EJ struts and springs (which will bolt up into the L series strut tops okay).

Hurdles to overcome;
- Adapt either side of crossmember lift blocks to be offset by 10mm
- Adapt rear control arm mounts to bolt to L series body (or lift blocks)

Offsetting the engine crossmember lift blocks should be very easy as its only a slight difference, a minor brace can be added to ensure there is no structural disadvantage.

The rear mount for the control arms might be slightly harder to make but after a dummy fit they basically line up exactly underneath where the three radius rod body mount points are so a plate at the bottom of the lift blocks could be made. Infact it looks like the L series radius rod plate could be modified to suit - two of the holes in that look like they will come very close to lining up with the two bolt holes in the Lib control arm mounts.
90Brumby - I'm interested to see some photos of how you did this control arm mount on your Brumby.

but yeah, just wondering if anybody has actually done it to an L series?

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:46 pm

Anybody? Not even Brett?

I've fitted the crossmember now, it just needed the holes slotted inwards slightly on both sides.
Now comes the fun bit, making mounts for the rear control arm mouting points!

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:18 am

i got dibs copying you

90brumby · Post by **90brumby** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:37 pm

EDITED TO MAKE SENSE

u have to remember that andrew has a 6inch lift so things will b abit different in the way the his crossmeber is bolted up as the 6inch lift doesnt use long bolts it uses short bolts at the top and bottom

to bolt the lib lower control arms up, at the back i have got a custom made (well modified) radious rod plate which has been boxed up n has 2 holes to bolt up the lower control arm i will post up some pics l8r

andrew in the back of the wagon wat suspension do u have

if that makes any more sence

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:33 pm

that made no sence at all!

90brumby · Post by **90brumby** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:04 pm

edited previous post

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:12 pm

4" also uses short bolts at the top and bottom for the front crossmember lift blocks..... anyway hurry up and try it so i can copy it

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:40 pm

Didnt 'subarursliberty' do something along the lines of that?

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:43 pm

would be a bloody good upgrade thats for sure!

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:58 pm

Actually it doesn't matter if u use short bolts or long...I slotted the holes in the crossmember to suit the car. You could bolt it to a non-lifted car.

The rear suspension in my car is standard L series. Just upgraded to Kings springs and KYB's.

90brumby · Post by **90brumby** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:19 pm

ahhh ok heres a few pics of how mine is bloted up

[ATTACH]545[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]546[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]547[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]548[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]549[/ATTACH]

if u want any more i can or ill bring the car up n show ya

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:28 pm

Bloody beaudiful thanks heaps for that. Obviously will be different for the L but still a great help.
I'll come see the car soon too most likely.

cheers.

90brumby · Post by **90brumby** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:30 pm

ye i was lookin at puttin the lib crossmember in the brumby when i started doin the most but it was too wide to put it in the brumby bout 30-40mm bigger so i kept the MY crossmember also with that custom bracket it only has 6 lift blocks in the whole car

if ur comin down this way u think u can bring my sub :P