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Are the L series that much more capable offroad than the liberty?
I assume the low range gearing must be better in the L series.
Otherwise everyone would just put a lift on a liberty and go, rather than put the liberty motor in the L series, seems like a lot more work.
Plus the liberty has the 5 stud pattern which seems to be a big issue.
I think a std ej22 will quicker than my ea82 turbo.

Well it all comes down to a bit more than just offroad capability, some people just prefer the L series.

I do feel the L's are a bit more capable offroad, but then again in a highly modified state its hard to predict. The L series do indeed have a lower low range and no centre diff, but this is counter-acted by the fact that they're FWD on the road.
The 5 stud issue isn't really that big to most offroaders, most people are happy running 14" wheels with 27" tyres, and there are 15" wheels out there if you look for long enough.
The EJ22 converted cars over here in WA seem to regularly get dusted by Jaffa's EA82T, there's been several instances I can remember observing the Jaffamobile tearing off into the distance leaving behind the EJ22's...

The other factor playing into this is the initial cost of the vehicle. Most people try to stick with what they've got, and L series are a lot cheaper than Lib's to begin with.

I suppose it really comes down to personal taste in the end. I think in the next 5 years you will see a huge shift to Libertys for offroading, it has already begun.

a good healthy EJ22 will easily match a stock EA82T. You can wind the boost up on the turbo though and then its a different story.

The 5 stud pattern on the liberty's is a blessing, you have an huge choice of wheels.

There are pros and cons both ways.

Liberty advantages:
WAY more refined car more solid feel
factory EJ22
5 stud wheels
AWD
much stronger front end than L (no broken radius rods or mounts ripped out of the body)

L advantages:
way better departure and approach angles
higher factory ground clearance
1.5 low range

The only area where the L body really beats the liberty is the departure and approach angles. You have to do an engine swap unless you can tolerate the EA82, and the 1.5 low range can be fitted to the liberty boxes so its not a big advantage anymore.

Personally I drive a lifted liberty, because every time i get out of my old man's L series i think "thank god i dont own one of those". The ea82 really doesnt cut it and there is no comparison in the handling between a lib and the L

The only thing ive ever needed more power for is climbing sand dunes, not to say i wouldnt want more power. The ej22 has some definite issues with water though i guess dave has sorted alot of these.

tim_81coupe wrote:The EJ22 converted cars over here in WA seem to regularly get dusted by Jaffa's EA82T, there's been several instances I can remember observing the Jaffamobile tearing off into the distance leaving behind the EJ22's...

Thanks Tim and with the exception of the exhaust she is stock.

My 2c is i think that they are as cabable as each and as Tim said when highly modified state its hard to predict. Its going to come down to that individual stuff, eg
What shape you like - both inside and out?
What $$$ do you wnat to spend - not only on purchase but in parts?
Access to aftermarket goodies and/or upgrades?
The AWD vs FWD - and again availability of parts like but specifically the hard to find stuff like dual range, lsd, break upgrades (disc vs drum).

BALR BLAR BLAR...
Let us know what you decide

My L series owes me less than $4500 and in that I have started with a stock car, lifted it, big tyres and an EJ20. I would be lucky to find a stock liberty for that money in my area.

EJ20 is the single best thing I have done to it yet and at around $1500 is absolutely worth it.

I also have a gen 111 liberty and I'll drive it over the L anyday I don't need the L to get me somewhere.

If I break the L, there is plenty more on ebay ready to replace it cheaply.

For me the L is a play toy, I don't rely on it for transport so I can do stuff to it, brake it, bend it and otherwise have a ball - I wouldn't do that to a Lib...

My current 90 Liberty owes me around the 5k ish mark it is lifted big tyred and new suspension all round

My 2c is that the less you modify the engine/ drive train in a vehicle the better reliability factor you will recieve. My money would go on the liberty.
Easily lifted and the approach / departure angles can be improved with the appropriate bar work. Only drive train mod really reqired is slipping in the lower low range to the gear box. I run a lib d/r drive train in my l series and i cant say that i ve noticed a significant disadvantage yet with the open centre diff. Reliability offroad counts highly in my book. As for water crossings, I believe a little preparation goes a long way. i know a lot of standard 4wd's that will stall if you get water over the grille, not just libs.

Something that no one's really mentioned yet is the massive weight advantage the L-series has over the Liberty, especially the sedan.

While wheel travel, power and low ratios play their part, the fact that I can drive around Patrols and Land Cruisers on a lot of trails is that I weigh about half as much. This really helps on the beach.

Consider a 1992 Liberty sedan weighs about 50% more than an L-series sedan, and you've suddenly got a whole new perspective.

"thank god i dont own one of those"

I think that says it all. I have owned a lot of each and I doubt I would ever go back to an L. The Liberty I am driving now doesn't even have low range yet I would much rather drive it offroad than any of the modified L series I have had.

The Liberty I am currently driving is extensively modded though, so you can't compare that to a standard L.

It has far more power than an EA82T has, it has bucket loads more torque where the main gain is, it has a stronger body substructure and more after market parts readily available.

A turbo L will leave a 2.2 Liberty behind. Also in theory they "should" be better offroad although I personally disagree. Last trip to Stockton beach saw a lifted Lib auto climb the biggest dune we could find where 2 RX turbos couldn't. Just one of those things.

Each has it's benefit over the other as already stated.

For 5 - 6 grand, I would say that I could build a better Liberty for offroad than an L. having said that, there is a good chance that the L would be in better condition to start with and probably have about the same amount of K's on it.

The trend is already for L series to be less available at the wreckers for parts though and tyre choice is very limited compared to what you can get for Libertys.

Thanks for all the input.
Thinking I am half way there, with my 88 L series, ea82t, 2" lift and 14" sunnies.
Issues I have are the non std offset sunnies,tyre rub, do have 195 r14 light trucks tyres though, not the best for the beach!

Probably go road tyres as only really go off road down the beach surfing.
solution buy some scorpion wheels ( not cheap) or wait until the 'Bratgeebah' conversion is available, which would solve my other problem, no rear discs, although I have sourced some discs for cheap in NZ!
Give the turbo some more herbs and away we go.
Think if I bought a liberty I would be more temped to make a road only car, they seem to look more suited to it.

dont spend the money on scorpion rims or disc brakes, wait for the conversion kit its money so much better spent. a set of 14" liberty alloys should only cost you $50 and will look excellent, plus the fact you get liberty discs as well...

It would cost $1300 for rx discs and scorpions.
The "bratgeebah" kit is going to be $1500?
does it include everything you need?
I thought ther might be extras needed?

The "bratgeebah" conversion would be the better option, larger range of wheels, plus will make engineering easier I would say.

He has also said it will be well under $1500.

Jordan.