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I have a 1999 Outback AWD box with Dual Range.
I beleive the low range of these boxes is quite unimpressive compaired to the L series boxes. (not low enough).

Well I've got 3 L series dual range gearboxes sitting here....how difficult is it to transfer the low range gears from one of these into the AWD Outback box? Is it even possible?

Thanks in advance,

a.

Not possible, 8 bolt gearboxes use a totally new input shaft and hi lo syncro arrangement. I think SubaExtreme were developing a replacement input and hi lo for the 8 bolts but don't know if it is on the market yet.

What about on the earlier 4 bolt awd gearboxes,what's involved in swapping the L low ratios?
Thanx
CC

jzk25 wrote:Not possible, 8 bolt gearboxes use a totally new input shaft and hi lo syncro arrangement. I think SubaExtreme were developing a replacement input and hi lo for the 8 bolts but don't know if it is on the market yet.

Al, is it possible to fit an earlier 4 bolt box to the 8 bolt engines? Reason I ask is I have a 8 bolt engine and want to use a forester 5 speed eventually in it with L low range...

Yep, they all bolt up without a problem. Early boxes are more durable anyway even if the syncros aren't quite as good.
You'll be looking for a 97 Foz box, they are still 4 bolt but be carefull because there are some hybrid 8 bolt input 4 bolt case boxes also.

There is no need to go to a Forester box to get the 1.5 low range.
Doing the lower low swap is not simple but doable. Subaman and I did it
to his box on the weekend. I will do some pics and a how to when I do
mine in the next few days. You end up with a constant AWD dual range
with 1.5:1 low range. The one I am building is a 4.111 dual range AWD
with 1.5:1 reduction with lower first and second gears as well. It is
also going to be electrically operated so I don't have to dick around
with linkages and levers.

Damn, that thing is going to be more or less unstoppable, what a beast

Jordan.

Sounds interesting...

How do I tell if my 1999 Outback AWD box is 4bolt or 8bolt? Where are these bolts?

Pics and breif instructions would be great if possible Brett, that electronic system has pricked my ears up abit more!

If there is more than 4 bolts holding the engine and gearbox together its an 8 bolt engine

the old boxes had two studs on the engine at the bottom, and two bolts either side at the top (one being one of the two starter motor bolts) Its easy to see a heap more bolts if its the 8 bolt one.

If your car is MY99 then it has the 8 bolt box for sure.

is there a difference in physcial size between the 4 and 8 bolt boxes, would fitting into an l be eaiser with the 4 or 8, or it's no real problem. would like to run a different box if/when i do the ej swap, most likly going to be ej25 and box from outback.
cheers

bahaha....

This has revealed a fundamental flaw in my conversion plans.
My 1999 Outback AWD gearbox is an 8bolt gearbox.
My 1993 Aussie spec EJ20turbo Liberty motor is a 4bolt motor.

I was heaps happy when I got the Outback gearbox cause it had low range and AWD (two features I really want).

Looks like I might have to find myself a 4bolt AWD gearbox now but I don't like my chances of finding another one with low range. I wonder if it's possible to change the innards and put them into the casing from a 4bolt AWD gearbox???

im sure there was early model impreza sportswagons with AWD and DR?

You can just bolt the Outback box to the motor you have with no problems at all. No need to hunt for another box.

Oh right that's good news. The engine is still up on the stand and admittedly I havn't actually lined the box up against the motor yet.

So I guess 4 out of the 8 bolt holes should line up.

Great stuff! bit of a weight off my mind. Now I just gotta make sure I don't nail the EJ20turbo too hard when i've got it in low range.

byb555 wrote: The one I am building is a 4.111 dual range AWD
with 1.5:1 reduction with lower first and second gears as well.

Interesting Brett......... All 4.111 1st & second gears are exactly the same ratio as the 3.9 AWD. None of the 4.444 boxes i have looked at, have had a different ratios to the 3.9 & 4.111 early Lib boxes....


Why no 4.444????? Its looking like the auto Crown might fit.........
Time for a dummy fit up....

Once it is all built I will post up stats. We have got 3 boxes apart now and have found differences in 1st and 2nd in one of the boxes. We are building two of them as we go. One for Subamans car and one for mine.

AndrewT wrote:Oh right that's good news. The engine is still up on the stand and admittedly I havn't actually lined the box up against the motor yet.

So I guess 4 out of the 8 bolt holes should line up.

Great stuff! bit of a weight off my mind. Now I just gotta make sure I don't nail the EJ20turbo too hard when i've got it in low range.

I have an 8 bolt motor hanging off a L series low range box, the input shaft centres are identical between motors in relation to the bottom studs since 1972