FWD to RWD?

taza

taza

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Joined
Oct 30, 2010
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Location
Perth, Western Australia
Well as we all know the old Subaru' s are FWD until you put them in locked 4wd.
I have been moving fairly heavy loads in my Brumby (the joys of a Ute:raspberry:) lately and the biggest issue I have is it being FWD.
With loads of upto 500kg in the back the back end sags a fair way even with the torsion bsr wound up at its max. It seems to unbalance the vehicle giving little grip to the front wheels. Enough for steering but not for driving aswell.
The car seems to bounce as you take off or spins a front wheel when trying to take off.
AWD would be ideal but a huge amount of work. I'd rather keep it fairly stock thus being reliable.
So I was thinking I could take the front CV shafts out, install inner CV cups so the fluid doesn't come out and just lrock iron in 4WD.
It'd make moving loads much better, general driving nicer and allow more control through the steering wheel as there'd be less torque steer. An added bonus would be the use of low range onroad to assist in moving these heavy loss when I'm on hills and the likes.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Running the vehicle permanently like this might damage the transfer case/4WD part of the gearbox. Extra stress?

Rally?? Ratbag? Elfreddo? ?
 
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... Just knowing how long I waited and tried for spares to rectify my swifty... For what it's worth ... If it ain't broke... Don't mess with it. Give the old girl some slack & drive a lil gentler ;-)

Best regards
 
I don't know about the Brumby, but with later Subarus if you don't run front driveshafts the wheel bearings collapse. On later Subarus, there is a kit available that converts AWD to RWD. Apparently they are working on a bench front seat and 4 wheel drums as well..... But FWD to RWD makes more sense than AWD to RWD. I know bugger all about the early Subarus. How much longer will you be carting heavy loads? Is there a way of removing drive to the front diff? That way lock it in 4WD, but without drive to the front diff you get what you want. Gearbox out job though.
 
Stilson I do like to rally about on gravel but not in the Brumby when I'm moving bricks, trees and crap.

Rally, I've only recently been carting heavy loads as I've been doing maintenance at home while I've been on holidays over Christmas and new year's. It's not a full time task moving loads. I have read of people doing what I am suggesting but running it 100% of the time I donth know if it'd have any great effect or damage to the drivetrain.

Scooby that's the whole reason for the Ute is to be used as a workhorse and as my daily driver.

Although I got a whole spare L series drive train I would use if it broke I'd rather not change it if it ain't broken. I did the clutch in it less than a week ago along with a carby rebuild and service.
 
Gidday Taza.

Happy New Year, mate.

There is an easy answer to your question.

Carry somewhat lighter loads; put the heaviest items up against the rear of the cab (puts the weight between the wheels, not behind the back wheels ... ); make a trip extra ... or two.

The Brumby has a tare weight of 975 kgs. Carrying 500 kgs is too much, both for the car, and for safety. Cut it down to around 350-400 kgs, and all your problems will magically disappear. Specially if you make sure you put the heavy stuff just behind the cab ... :iconwink: :poke: :).
 
Thanks Ratbag. I always push the limits of everything. Like towing 2.3tonne with my Forester.. lol
Even with only a light load in the back the front doesn't feel the best. I have just acquired a powersteering setup for the Brumby today so I'll fir that and see how she goes. I will say however it's a fabulous little ute. So cheap to run. Easily $30+ cheaper on fuel a week than my Forester. .
 
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