Dulagarl: the Lifted H6 Forester

Well, I bought it, and I have to say that what SKT has done is truly inspired.

It’s a freaking rocket on the bitumen, and it has an enormous amount of grunt offroad.

Engine transplant thread is here:

https://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16564

Here’s a little log of bring it home, and it’s first offroad trip once home.

Jan 29th I flew to Coolangatta. Scott picked me up at the airport and we went for a drive. It didn’t take long for me to be convinced that I should buy this. Sure, it had a couple of issues, for example some worn out bushes in the front end, and a cooling issue, but I could tell that this was a VERY serious vehicle.

Brought it home via Lismore and Casino and then to Tamworth for the night. Next day was Tamworth to Narrandera. Narrandera to Melbourne on the Minday was relatively easy after all of that.

Saw some amazing country in the process. Didn’t have time for many snaps, but here are a few…

Some of the country just into NSW after casino…

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Took a detour via the outer solar system…

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Actually, that virtual solar system drive from siding spring observatory is a good idea. That pic was taken in Gilgandra.

While on the space bent, couldn’t resist a couple of pics with the Parkes Radio Telescope…

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It was 38 degrees Celsius when those shots were taken, and it didn’t get cooler for hours. Unsurprisingly, the vehicle got a bit hot just south of Forbes.

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A bit further south past West Wyalong, and there was still water around from December. Ridiculously flat country with paddocks turned to lakes…

005southofforbes.jpg


So, when I got home, I went straight to the mechanic and got an aircon service. I also consulted about improving airflow to the radiator. I looked at pics of offroad bars on Outbacks on the Subaxtreme site, and also the bar on the latest Forester. Armed with that info I decided to cut some holes in the bulbar, and this is the result…

001grille.jpg


002front.jpg


Gotta love the grille mesh from supacheap auto!

So, I then set up the GPS on the dash with some adhesive Velcro…

003gps.jpg


and connected the ECU to the laptop to monitor engine performance and temperatures.

004ecudata.jpg


(BTW: I think I might have resolved the “cooling issues”!)

... part two to follow
 
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Not gonna do the flutes / louvres. Too much hassle to remove the reinforcement from the bonnet and re-fit it.

Not gonna re-do the existing vents either: I was never really happy with having to cut through the reinforcement becuase it can cause the bonnet to get floppy.

Instead, I'm going for the V8 touring car solution: I'm gonna make up some spacer plates and use longer bolts to secure the bonnet to the hinges. I can fit the spacer plates when I have a desert trip coming up, and remove them as I please. Often the simple solution is the best.

So, I have sourced all the parts I need for the repair job:

  • Brand new bonnet: primed and freighted from Caboolture: $238 incl freight.
  • Right hand rear door from subabits: $100
  • Right hand front door from Subaroo Burwood: $150 (great condition)
  • Right hand tail light on ebay: $50 plus $30 freight from Brisbane.

all of that for less than the list price for a new bonnet. Repairs start from Wednesday.
 
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Very happy to hear all this is coming together for you.:ebiggrin:

Looking forward to seeing the repaired Dulagarl!!!:cool:
 
Good idea, I usually just put my bonnet up on the first latch to let more air through and I've bought a new 10" fan to place under the scoop so it blows cool air through the top mount and out past the gear box but I need a different shaped strut brace before I can fit it.
 
So are you getting the right hand side resprayed or a full respray? I remember someone working out how to get the right hand side of the foz resprayed!

I guess you should be really careful about what you wish for! But I'm glad to hear that the work is progressing forward.

Cheers

Bennie
 
So are you getting the right hand side resprayed or a full respray? I remember someone working out how to get the right hand side of the foz resprayed!

I guess you should be really careful about what you wish for! But I'm glad to hear that the work is progressing forward.

Cheers

Bennie

Right hand side gets resprayed, so does roof and tailgate. Bonnet also because it is a replacement part.

:raspberry:

they way things are going I think I'll have change for a decent limited slip diff, and perhaps a better centre diff. Saw a nice R180 come up, and that has got me thinking.
 
OK. All the parts required for repair are now at the panel beater. I was supposed to drop the Dulagarl off today, but it will be Monday instead. Very pleased to get all those parts together.

While it's off the road, will be preparing a list of the mods required to FINISH the build. Some ideas I have are:

  • Rear LSD, if possible an R 180,
  • 12kg centre diff
  • modified bash plate
  • rear diff bash plate
  • better brakes: the best I can get while keeping 15 inch rims
  • new interior carpet or vinyl
  • increased fuel capacity (can I fit a 68 litre outback tank?)
  • heavier duty rear struts, something like what Kevin has.


there will probably be other items I think of.

Soon after the body work, I'll be getting a major service. I also think the springs are getting a little old.
 
Check your PM's on ausubi ;) I send you an idea you might like...

Cheers

Bennie
 
OK. All the parts required for repair are now at the panel beater. I was supposed to drop the Dulagarl off today, but it will be Monday instead. Very pleased to get all those parts together.

While it's off the road, will be preparing a list of the mods required to FINISH the build. Some ideas I have are:

  • Rear LSD, if possible an R 180,
  • 12kg centre diff
  • modified bash plate
  • rear diff bash plate
  • better brakes: the best I can get while keeping 15 inch rims
  • new interior carpet or vinyl
  • increased fuel capacity (can I fit a 68 litre outback tank?)
  • heavier duty rear struts, something like what Kevin has.


there will probably be other items I think of.

Soon after the body work, I'll be getting a major service. I also think the springs are getting a little old.

Sounds good mate, wouldn't a front LSD be better though??

Then if/when my locker thingy happens that could go in the rear...

Couldn' you get a donut gas tank to fit in the spare wheel well in the boot but use it as an auxiliary fuel tank?? Or the likes?

I don't think the build will ever finish either :lildevil:
 
Check your PM's on ausubi ;) I send you an idea you might like...

Cheers

Bennie

Thanks. Saw that, very interesting...

Sounds good mate, wouldn't a front LSD be better though??

Then if/when my locker thingy happens that could go in the rear...

Couldn' you get a donut gas tank to fit in the spare wheel well in the boot but use it as an auxiliary fuel tank?? Or the likes?

I don't think the build will ever finish either :lildevil:

Dunno if I really need a front LSD. Most of the time when I lose traction it is on a climb, and in those cases the rear wheels do most of the work becuase of weight transfer. if I can make sure that traction is kept at the rear wheels with a good centre diff, and make sure that both rears have some traction with a good rear diff, most of the problem is solved I reckon.

as for donut tank, yes, but then I'd have to move my second spare. Not too keen on that.
 
as for donut tank, yes, but then I'd have to move my second spare. Not too keen on that.

Is it standard size?
If you didn't know using a odd size tyre for even 50km will f&^K your centre and prossibly front or rear diff depending where you put the spare.
Both myself and a member on AuSubaru have done this. Although mine only has a slight whine the other guys (LongyGT) his whines at over 130db!!! Its crazy loud, you can even hear it driving 50-100metres behind at 120km/hr!!! Sounds like a plane is going to crash :rolleyes:

So really a standard size spare is useless if you run larger tyres.
 
Is it standard size?
If you didn't know using a odd size tyre for even 50km will f&^K your centre and prossibly front or rear diff depending where you put the spare.
Both myself and a member on AuSubaru have done this. Although mine only has a slight whine the other guys (LongyGT) his whines at over 130db!!! Its crazy loud, you can even hear it driving 50-100metres behind at 120km/hr!!! Sounds like a plane is going to crash :rolleyes:

So really a standard size spare is useless if you run larger tyres.

No it's not standard size. It's not the same size as the others either.

Its slightly smaller than the others, and I thought I'd get round that by deflating the other tyres so that there was even height all around. It's only regarded as a short termer, and I carry a repair kit as well.
 
No it's not standard size. It's not the same size as the others either.

Its slightly smaller than the others, and I thought I'd get round that by deflating the other tyres so that there was even height all around. It's only regarded as a short termer, and I carry a repair kit as well.

Fair enough, I onyl ran a tyre that was 15mm difference in diameter and it has given me a slight whine at around 2500rpm in all gears, but with the music on its not an issue.
The tyre repair kits are very handy :ebiggrin:
 
Gidday Taz

Is it standard size?
If you didn't know using a odd size tyre for even 50km will f&^K your centre and prossibly front or rear diff depending where you put the spare.
Both myself and a member on AuSubaru have done this.

That's interesting to know, as I recall having a discussion with someone here about this very thing a week or two ago, but having regard to the difference in weight between the (standard) steel rim spare on my Fox and the alloys mounted on the car itself. The steelie is about 3.5 kgs heavier than the alloy rim, which will also put a strain on the diff/s.
So it is also very silly mixing steels and alloys, IMNSHO.

I acquired a matching pattern alloy rim for my spare from a wrecker ($180), and have had the tyre changed onto it ($20, fitted and balanced). The steelie will be the spare on my trailer sometime soon, where it is unlikely to f&$@ the diff ... :iconwink: :rotfl:.

Although mine only has a slight whine the other guys (LongyGT) his whines at over 130db!!! Its crazy loud, you can even hear it driving 50-100metres behind at 120km/hr!!! Sounds like a plane is going to crash :rolleyes:

BTW, I had a transfer case (buggered) in my '68 Landcrusier that was like that. I eventually had to wear gold standard industrial ear muffs when driving it. When I pulled it down, the main idle shaft had about 90 thou radial play (I could shove 90 thou of feeler gauges in there ... ). It was supposed to have 3 thou radial play (inches ... ).

So really a standard size spare is useless if you run larger tyres.

I agree completely. For all the reasons you have said, and from a safety aspect as well.
 
Today I explored an idea, based on the Primitive Racing Tribeca / Outback bash plate for those vehicles with EZ30R motors, (and hence crazy arsed headers)...

Theirs...

2006tribeca.jpg


prototype of mine...

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Obviously I could go wider at the front.

Can anyone tell me why I need a bash plate to cover those headers? After all, they are a steel boot, and inside them is mesh, and inside the mesh is 3 stainless steel pipes: one for each port on each side.

I've got time to think of this while Dulagarl is at the panel beaters...
 
Yeah I'd be going full width at the front. I kinda like covering the headers but its a pain to do & it gives you heat probs, which you're trying to reduce not add to.

Will you be doing it in steel or alloy?
 
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