Restoring a L Series Touring Wagon

Booie · Post by **Booie** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:46 pm

I need some opinions. I have a 1989 L series Touring Wagon with about 160,00 Km and auto transmission. Interior and body work are good The engine is strong and doesn't burn oil. It would not pass a roadworthy at the moment because of a few oil leaks and other issues. What I need is a vehicle that can handle a bit of beach driving and sand tracks for fishing trips. I am moving close to Rainbow Beach in Queensland Being auto of course no low range! What I am looking at doing is
(1) Correcting the road worthy issues
(2) 2 inch lift kit (can't wind the suspension up on an 89 L Series)
(3) Set of Sunnys with AT tyres
(4) Solid bull bar with small winch

I like the Subaru for it's comfort and road manners. Anybody got any experience of this particularly the single range auto in sand

Cheers Darryl

phil nelis · Post by **phil nelis** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 8:16 pm

Mate call my mate Pat in Blackbutt on 0402 559483. Plenty of parts available and a suby specialist. he will be only to willing to help.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 1:30 pm

Get a trans oil cooler if you're off roading this box. Dunno how long the 4wd coupling lasts in these as they're a wear item AFAIK.

This box should be fine without a low range, not many replacements around if something does go wrong with it thought...

Cheers

Bennie

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 12:06 pm

Pretty sure the 1989 L.Series Touring Wagon should be the EFI model, so this is the best to play with. Don't stress about not having Low Range, as the auto is very capable of going offroad without issues. The auto I find is much better on the beach than driving manuals, of course this comes down to driver skills and tyre pressures.

As for road worthy stuff, just give the car/engine a good wash down and see where leaks are coming from, then fix as required. Most likely the leaks will be from the front crank and camshaft seals and both rocker cover gaskets. All of these can be brought off Andy (FROG) at a really good price. I'd also look at fitting a new timing belt kit and oil pump seals whilst you are there.

On the wheels side of it, I personally I would go the 2" lift kit and keep the 13" wheels and just fit 80 profile tyres. These tyres ballon out nicely on the beach and give you a large footprint to help keep you on top of the sand.

No real need for the bull bar and winch but this is your choice. I would just buy good some max-trax or similar.