Dual range

jg09

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Jun 11, 2009
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118
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NW WA
Ok, so a lot of European Outbacks/Libertys (Australian, too?) came with dual range systems that gave them 4 hi and 4 lo, right? If so, how hard do you guys think it would be to get a hold of one and put in in my U.S. spec Outback?
 
If you are talking auto tranny's (4 speed) then I do not know of a dual range set up. If you are talking manual gearboxes, they would have 5 high and 5 low gears.

jg09 said:
Ok, so a lot of European Outbacks/Libertys (Australian, too?) came with dual range systems that gave them 4 hi and 4 lo, right? If so, how hard do you guys think it would be to get a hold of one and put in in my U.S. spec Outback?
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Rally said:
If you are talking auto tranny's (4 speed) then I do not know of a dual range set up. If you are talking manual gearboxes, they would have 5 high and 5 low gears.
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spot on Rally. and if your mad keen an Aussie company make a even lower gear set as a replacement. 33% from memory instead of the 20%. i've heard very good things about them but the $$$ is insane:furious::shake::huh::eek::confused: (in that order)
 
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Rally,

I think he meant 4wd Hi and 4wd Lo, not 4 gears hi and lo.

jg09

Assuming yours is manual, it should be possible. Autos never had hi/lo range in Australia, only manuals

Beigewagon.
 
Autos generally dont need a 4Lo range as that is what the torque converter is for.

There was someone who converteed a Forester to 4Hi-lo. It was a nice clean install.


nipper
 
Hmmm, yeah, mine's an auto so I guess it wouldn't work. I was thinking about doing the EA trans swap and getting actual 4WD, but I'm split on that one. If the gears are lower (which I assume they would be since it comes out of a vehicle with quite a bit less power), than that would work well since I'd have bigger tires after the lift and I wouldn't have to go into the transmission and regear it.
 
If you have an auto, I would say just do the center diff lock switch.:) Auto should supply you with plenty of lo range.
 
There are 3 different EJ Dual range boxes made in the 90's (I'm not up to date with 2000 and onwards). They would all be pretty much bolt in jobs apart from the low range lever.

gen 1 Liberty's came with 3.9 ratio diff and a 1.19 to 1 low range ratio.
gen 2 Liberty's came with 3.7 and 1.19 also.
98-? (?) Forester came with 4.11 diffs and 1.44 to 1 low range. Which works out the same final "crawl" ratio as a 3.9 EA82 box with the 1.59 to 1 low range.

I've installed a 1.59 EA82 low range into a gen 1 Liberty gearbox, its pretty easy. The $$$$ Scorpion low range is a direct fit but for the dollars I'd prefer to mod in the EA82 one.

I often see a gen 1 lib with a D/R box in it at the local U-pull-it. I already have a few US guys wanting one, but atm I can't afford to buy one and they obviously don't want to send money on a when I find one basis. Can't blame them, I wouldn't feel comfortable sending that much money overseas to someone I've never met.
 
This is the direction I'm headed in as well.

Not having a low range is my #1 limiter on the trail.

I am going to hold off on spending any money on the Forester (except maintainence) to see if I can make this happen.

I'm sorry for the retarded questions... I'm still learning.

So, my '03 Forester has an EJ engine and transmission? So, I'll need this adapter: https://alliedarmament.homestead.com/EAEJ.html

What else would I need? I know we'd probably have to modify the interior to accept the dual range handle. What else?

Now, how do I find a transmission? Looking for the dual range. What cars carried it? Anyone know of some good suppliers that have warranties? I wouldn't be doing the install, but I have a good mechanic that I could probably get to do it.
 
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Ah well this probably won't be feasible.

Good guy over on Ultimate Subaru posted up that I'd probably be looking at over a grand (mostly in fabrication and labor costs) to make this happen. Good lord.

Unless someone else chimes in with better ideas, I'll stick to the original plan: got 113k on Dash now, want to get 200k. Hopefully by that time I'll be in a position to invest in a "true" 4x4.
 
Smash,

I would think you would probably get off cheaper and might even work better for you if you swapped in an auto trans.

Should be lots of wreaked Subie's in the bone yards out there in Col.
 
I'd thought about doing that too.

Any clue what that would take? Man I wish I wasn't such a newb when it comes to mechanical stuff.
 
Smash81 said:
I'd thought about doing that too.

Any clue what that would take? Man I wish I wasn't such a newb when it comes to mechanical stuff.
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In lots of ways I agree with what frogstar is saying about the AT, but I did research it quite a bit back in the day when I wanted to do it, so your getting my .02 if you like it or not.:raspberry:

Besides the adapter plate you will need a tranny, they didn't change too much over the years but I'd try to find one with the lowest reduction. I believe the last year with dual range in the US was '89. Check out cars101 and I believe you will find the answer. Probably finding one locally would be the best bet, but also contact Ben at Hodges, service@hodgessubaru.com ,a while back he said they had some old tranny's kickin' around last I talked to him, and I'll bet he would love to contribute to this project if at all possible.

I don't think you'll need a redrilled flywheel putting an EA tranny mated to an EJ engine, but e-mail Allied to check for sure. The other question there is which clutch to use???

Do it and you will be an uber-hero!!!:biggrin: Don't forget, for DD purposes you will only be FWD. Another question would be matching up diff ratios, but again, I don't think that would be too much of a problem since they haven't changed that much over the years.

AT or DR swap and your probably going to spend at least a grand, on the other hand if you get a "true" 4X4 that grand will come and go just as quick on other things. Build what you've got or buy and build some more.:shrug:
 
Yeah, according to Pleaid over on SF.org even a swap to AT is hugely expensive (over 1k is expensive for me), so I'm holding off.

We'll see what the next few years bring.
 
Interesting thread guys!

Just wondering if you got the early impreza over there with dual range AWD? Over here those boxes are highly sought after as they have the lowest EJ low range that's the closest thing to the L series low range - If you can find one of them over there I reckon you'd be laughing. The only thing different I'd imagine would be the Dual Range selector cable and the console panelling around it, other than that it should be a bolt in application. Finding one is the trick.

If you've got a dual range AWD box (I've heard they're not common over there) you can shove the L series low range of 1.59:1 in it. There are some mods needed to be done to the L series low range lever in the gearbox. If you've got a post '98 box you'll need another bearing to fit the L series input shaft in the post '98 bearing housing as they're different between the two. Pre '98 its a direct swap :D

DIY is always going to be the cheapest way to go if you know what you're doing, or if you've got a good mate rock around to his place with a slab and talk it over til he says yes to the work....

If you want to do an auto conversion I would strongly recommend buying a factory fitted auto vehicle as there are control computers that 'talk' between the ECU and the gearbox that you'll need to source and add (note: add correctly), along with changes that may have occured with the tail shaft/gearbox cross members etc.

By the way I'm not meaning to put you off, it just reads like this :(

Cheers

Bennie
 
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