bobby's 97 outback

Hey all: finally joined! been lurking for quite awhile. Started a thread for my 97 OB wagon to keep track of what I do to this car. Bought in July 2015 with approx 137k for $1200. Pretty clean with little rust. Coolant overflow smells of combustion gas, so will be doing the head gaskets and timing belt etc before winter. Had massive torque bind due to the previous owner installing 1 new tire with the other 3 about bald.

Anyway on to the fun stuff: ordered a roof basket and installed it using 2 extra factory cross bars bought off of craigslist(not pictured with extra bars yet): also my old front light bar/Hella 1000's/antenna mount from my old Legacy GT:

You can see the General Grabber AT2's in the pic-215/75/15, and I ordered 2" lift blocks and roof rack lights. Will have pics soon!

 

[Kevin]

Reminds me of my '97 OB (RIP 2002). Looking forward to the mods!

 

[Ratbag]

Looks like a nice clean car, Bobby :biggrin:. Congrats.

 

[bobby]

Got the lights all wired up/aimed and tires on. 3 switches control 2 front Hella FF1000's with 100w "ion coated" or whatever ebay bulbs, 4 roof rack mounted Hella FF700's and the 2 rear roof rack 36w ebay spot led's. Super bright!
Still don't have the lift on but I needed to get tires on to remedy the torque bind. Some poser shots too.

-bobby

 

[bobby]

A little fun on the way home:

Side note: torque bind came back today. LF brake caliper started dragging so not sure if that could cause it possibly. Replacing that today along with RF axle, diff fluids, rear struts and installing the lift finally!

 

[NachaLuva]

Very nice, I like the lights installation, very neat :biggrin:

 

[Liberty Valance]

Nice ride !

I'd bet your torque bind is from a failed duty c solenoid in the MPT Clutch housing. Very common on 4EAT automatic transmissions and very easy to fix. Let google be your friend.

 

[bobby]

Thanks NachaLuva! I have probably a good 12+ hours in the light install. I can have the roof rack and front bar off in probably 10 minutes total. Roof rack I used 2 6pin trailer connector sets and front lights have connectors.
Liberty Valance: That was the first thing I researched after test driving the car. Saw the one larger tire on it and figured that was it, which it was, for a week LOL... Trans makes a ratcheting noise into reverse and 3rd so a replacement is on the short list anyway... But if it's still there after everything is done I will def. be replacing the solenoid to buy some time to have 4wd for now! Sucks having the FWD fuse in..

 

[bobby]

 

[bobby]

Got the strut top blocks on! Also added 2 side facing 18w led's.

 

[NachaLuva]

Looks much better with the lift in. So many lights lol :biggrin:

 

[bobby]

Just got the heads back from machine shop. Waiting on parts. And time to finish it lol. Removed rear swaybar too. Cant wait to finally drive it again!

 

[bobby]

Motor is in! Should be running tomorrow!

 

[Ratbag]

Good to hear, Bobby :biggrin:.

 

[bobby]

All better now! Also put 1" spacers on to fit in the ruts better lol.

 

[NachaLuva]

Building a real beast!

 

[bobby]

Took a short trip over Memorial weekend. Finally checked out the Gandy Dancer Trail in MN. I couldn't find any info on the difficulty of the trail so just packed up the family and went for it. Overall it was very easy being basically a bumpy dirt road. Still was fun taking the scoob on it's first "offroad" trip.

Beginning:

Black Lake Bog SNA: started raining.. boo.

End of the trail, only atv's and moto past this point:

Also just picked up an LSD rear from a buddy. Need to verify gear ratio's but if they match it will be installed soon.

-bobby

 

[bobby]

Got the diff in, can't wait to use it now!

-bobby

 

[bobby]

Mechanically this vehicle is where I want it for now so been focusing on a few creature comforts. Added a weather band double din oem stereo from an anniversary edition, replaced both front rusted fenders, painted the wheels to match the rocker color, new speakers and 20% tint for rear windows.
-bobby

 

[NachaLuva]

Very nice!