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Any opinions on how the rare AWD ea82 boxes perform offroad compared with the standard L dual range box and compared to the newer AWD boxes.

My understanding is that the Dual range L box would be best... followed by the Ea82 AWD box then the newer AWD boxes... any opinions? Am i way off bass here?

Dave

Dave my AWD box is dual range and the same ratio and stuff as my Dual range only i have AWD on road not 2WD. The only difference is that i have to engage the centre diff lock to get the 4WD.

Therefore, in terms of 4WDing the 3.7 (or 3.9) make no difference to the off raod ability only on road

Does anybody know if when you turn the "centre diff lock on" - does that actually "lock" the centre diff?

Or does it just tighten the centre LSD up alot, and not truely lock it.

I have been wrong before however its my understanding that it locks it up.

If it does indeed lock... wouldn't this make the diff lock un-usable on the road cos it would bind up the box. Just like engaging 4wd on a L box on the road.

Im guessing... but it would need some slip to truely work like an AWD on the road right?.

Dave

I am very satisfied with my ea awd box, once fitted with the 1.592 low range (normaly 1.192), gearing is the same as a 3.7 part time box.

Much more positive on road feel, not as good as a lib box though.
Love being able to use low range and turn on tarmac as well, backing trailers and the such.

The centre diff is only an open diff not a vlsd, and the centre diff lock is a lock, dog engagement style. (mine is anyway).

I woud say that a modded ea awd would be the best, vast improvement on road, no loss offroad. Normally the downside is cost.

Have also been very impressd by Fatz's EJ VTD auto W/cdiff lock, it will be even better once coupled with some good tyres.

A modded manual ej box could give much better reduction though, I think some FWD gears are slightly lower than the AWD ones, coupled with 4.44's, L low and an sti centre vlsd, would make for a respectable low range 1st.
Dont know if that would all fit together, but there is a high chance it would.

MY_STI wrote:I am very satisfied with my ea awd box, once fitted with the 1.592 low range (normaly 1.192), gearing is the same as a 3.7 part time box

Ditto this - My box is the same setup and does not disappoint me.

Ah so they come with a "not-so-low" low range from factory.
Thats the hidden drawback!

I guess its easy to change out for one from a part time box.

LOL nothing hidden about it. All L Series RX boxes - standard 4WD or "AWD" come with 1.192 low.

hmmm im glad the RX box i once had was shagged then.

What about the MPFI ea82 boxes... any difference in ratio going on there compared with the carb ea82 boxes?

Dave

Nope either 3.9 or 3.7.

im talking about the Low range.

Dave

I think Subarino is referring to the low range ratio

Only difference in the MPFI and carbie dual range boxes is the number of splines on the diff stub axles... other than that they're both the same.

I'd love to get my hands on one of these EA AWD dual range boxes... My point of view is that a lockable centre diff is 10 times better than a centre LSD of any sort.

The other option i've discussed in another thread last year was to take the internals of an EJ Dual Range AWD box and put it all into an EA box to avoid making an adapter plate. There were some points that needed to be addressed for this though. Here's the thread: showthread.php?t=4311

Dave, from memory your running an EJ22, so i guess that from your point of view, this thread would not be of any value (unless you enjoy a read...)

I'll leave it there.

Cheers

El_Freddo wrote: I'd love to get my hands on one of these EA AWD dual range boxes...
Cheers

Theres one forsale on the board right now...

AndrewT wrote:Theres one forsale on the board right now...

Been there and left a reply... oddly i quoted you in that one too... and agree with what you said