Locking Diffs
- Brumby Kid
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- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
- Location: Belair S.A.
Yep! That's why P platers in skylines and commodores weld them.
Easier to drift.
Easier to drift.
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
- Brumby Kid
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- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
- Location: Belair S.A.
Hello fun.
Goodbye tyres.
Goodbye tyres.

When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
- Brumby Kid
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- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
- Location: Belair S.A.
So what is the best Subaru I could do?
An LSD, front and rear? What vehicle could I get it off?
Cheers Cam
An LSD, front and rear? What vehicle could I get it off?
Cheers Cam
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
- El_Freddo
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- Location: Bridgewater Vic
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Mechanical LSD in an L series 5 speed. Try out this oneBrumby Kid wrote:So I can do something with the rear (keep talking and discussing what we can do plz)
But what can I do for the front?
The only issue I know of is that the bolt heads that hold the LSD together need to be shaved to avoid the L series low range gears. It's been done in Venom's gearbox and it'll be done in mine. This unit only comes in a 1 way setup. Apparently, according to the seller, the mechanical LSD only comes in a 1 way where as the clutch and viscious LSDs come in the 1.5 and 2 way setups as well.
Yep. After the EJ conversion I was planning to head up to the snow, when up there you want to use your 4wd to avoid putting on chains (basically that's the reason, IF you know how to drive in those conditions!). A welded diff would have made the 4wd system useless without a rear shaft and if the rear shaft was installed it would have made the journey pretty much suicidal.taza wrote:May I ask why you don't have a welded rear diff then still?
I've just never "got around" to putting it back in, I've done well with picking lines plus I didn't have a lift back then which is what did all the damage in the first place - "point and shoot"!
Cam, I don't mean to put you down and it's great to see that you understand the welded diff vs open diff, but I think we're all aware of thisBrumby Kid wrote:Inside wheel travels les than the outside, so the inside turns slower than the outside. The diff let's them turn at own speeds, or if one is spinning free the other stops.
Which is what you don't want as a 4wder. When locked they spin at the same speed together always.

Front diff see above link, gearbox needs to be split no matter what you do - go the L series 5 speed.Brumby Kid wrote:So what is the best Subaru I could do?
An LSD, front and rear? What vehicle could I get it off?
Rear, anything that's an R160 diff with diff output stubs...
Cheers
Bennie
- Brumby Kid
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- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
- Location: Belair S.A.
Awesome thanks Bennie.
The link you gave, wouldn't it just be easier to use the L series gearbox?
R160 with diff output stubs, would I have this? If not where could I get one?
Cheers Cam
The link you gave, wouldn't it just be easier to use the L series gearbox?
R160 with diff output stubs, would I have this? If not where could I get one?
Cheers Cam
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
- El_Freddo
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- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:00 am
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Yeah, this will fit in an L series gearbox. I've got an L series diff and internals in an EJ casing. I believe one's going into an L series casing soon, I'll have to get back to you on that one, it's going to Beigewagon on ORS.Brumby Kid wrote:The link you gave, wouldn't it just be easier to use the L series gearbox?
Your rear diff is the R160 with output stubs. It's the output stubs you need otherwise it's time for custom rear shafts that can be a PITA that does your head in!Brumby Kid wrote:R160 with diff output stubs, would I have this? If not where could I get one?
Cheers
Bennie
- Brumby Kid
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- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
- Location: Belair S.A.
Cool I have something that will work.
So for the rear the best I can do is...?
Now that link, will that fit in an ea box?
And does it come in an l series box?
I'm very confused sorry
So for the rear the best I can do is...?
Now that link, will that fit in an ea box?
And does it come in an l series box?
I'm very confused sorry
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
i was very happy with the performance of my clutch pack LSD that i had in my l-series. 3.7LSD coupled to a d/r l-series box coupled to a EJ20G or EJ22 and 29inch tyres. Most capable subaru ive driven/seen and the best thing about it was that it was soooo easy and i didnt have to muck around matching up bits from gearboxes.
If driven nicely a l-series box stands up well behind a EJ22.
alex
If driven nicely a l-series box stands up well behind a EJ22.
alex
my07 Outback
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
- El_Freddo
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It's all good. Gearboxes and diffs etc can be very overwhelming at times!Brumby Kid wrote:I'm very confused sorry
Weld is cheap and easy. Otherwise keep an eye out for an early LSD. Also read below for another idea...Brumby Kid wrote:So for the rear the best I can do is...?
The item in that link is just what you see - the front diff centre. There's no gearbox with it, you'll have to have it fitted once it's landed at your joint.Brumby Kid wrote:Now that link, will that fit in an ea box?
And does it come in an l series box?
As to wether it fits an L series gearbox I'm 99% sure it will, but as I said, I'll find out if one is going into this other gearbox that's being built, or ask the fella who's doing mine if it will fit (my box is once again an EJ casing, but I'm also 99% sure that the front diffs are the same size between EA and EJ).
So the other thing you can do with some custom work is fit a hilux diff in the rear. It's been done and it runs an A.R.B. air locker. To make it fit the guy used a solid axle, cut the diff pumpkin as narrow as he could to fit it, made up some new bearing carriers and diff seals so that it was effectively an independent suspension setup. He then had to shorten one drive shaft (had a couple of spares made up), make up a front diff mount and get a new tail shaft made as the diff is shorter in length than the original.
My idea on his effort is to use an IFS diff to do the same thing. But I've not got a diff to play with yet - and I'm starting to itch on the rear locker. The important thing is to get the correct diff ratio in the rear diff to match the front ratio.
Got you thinking now?
Cheers
Bennie
- Brumby Kid
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- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
- Location: Belair S.A.
There are some r160 LSD s on eBay for an outback. Would they fit?
I think I'm going to have to sit and watch what you do Bennie and see what is possible.
I think I'm going to have to sit and watch what you do Bennie and see what is possible.
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
- El_Freddo
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They'll bolt in BUT your drive shafts won't fit and it's probably not the 3.7 ratio that you need.Brumby Kid wrote:There are some r160 LSD s on eBay for an outback. Would they fit?
You could be waiting a while! I found out about this two years ago! Then when Taza started on his project I decided to stop dreaming about my setup and support his one when it came out. Now I'm starting to itch again.Brumby Kid wrote:I think I'm going to have to sit and watch what you do Bennie and see what is possible.
IF I ever get around to doing this I'll be sure to do a write up about it

Cheers
Bennie
Drive shafts arent the issue, you can always go custom. the issue is $$$ as el_ freddo has said!
especially when an arb locker can cost 1500 for just one locker. you then need a compressor, all the fittings, custom driveshafts, the diffs to suit the lockers actually installed/working.
especially when an arb locker can cost 1500 for just one locker. you then need a compressor, all the fittings, custom driveshafts, the diffs to suit the lockers actually installed/working.
Brumby 1992: EA81, 15" peugot steelies, 2" ********* body lift, tonneau cover, bullbar, GME UHF, ARB compressor, ********* rear diff protector, SOLD
-97 Landcruiser
-97 Landcruiser

- El_Freddo
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Oh but they are - If you're looking at remote 4wd'n or touring something "as simple" as a custom drive shaft can make you come stuck and potentially left in a life threatening situation - seriously this is how it goes. If it's just a weekend warrior it's not a problem.B00sting wrote:Drive shafts arent the issue, you can always go custom.
If you do go the custom route with drive shafts, shell out that extra for at least one spare unit!
Cheers
Bennie
- Brumby Kid
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As soon as it is custom. Scrap it too hard.
I just want to know what model subie I can take the gbox from to give me that little switch that locks the diffs, center locking diffs? Then later on I might thing about arb.
Cheers Cam
I just want to know what model subie I can take the gbox from to give me that little switch that locks the diffs, center locking diffs? Then later on I might thing about arb.
Cheers Cam
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
- El_Freddo
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I don't think so, if you're not willing to think out side the box you might as well get a 2wd and live to a schedule not looking at doing anything different... IMO anyway!Brumby Kid wrote:As soon as it is custom. Scrap it too hard.
The centre locking diff gearbox is from the Vortex AWD, it's single range and rare. The dual range has been imported from either NZ or Japan. Also rare.Brumby Kid wrote:I just want to know what model subie I can take the gbox from to give me that little switch that locks the diffs, center locking diffs? Then later on I might thing about arb.
Really though, unless you're running some extra power that's requiring more grip then I wouldn't bother chasing one of these gearboxes down, your current PT4wd gearbox already does the same thing at the moment, just that it's front wheel drive until you engage 4wd.
And there have been plenty of people that use the liberty AWD with the stock centre diff with LSD that do just fine, Yarney will attest to this, there are only a few occasions where I think it's let him down - a change of tactic and he's through...
Cheers
Bennie
- Brumby Kid
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- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
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So I have an LSD?El_Freddo wrote:your current PT4wd gearbox already does the same thing at the moment, just that it's front wheel drive until you engage 4wd.
Yeah any model gearbox even If it is just an LSD. I just know I've seen a photo on here of a duel range that had a nob for this.
Will I need an LSD or is standard fine?
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
- El_Freddo
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- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:00 am
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Settle down mate!Brumby Kid wrote:So I have an LSD?
Yeah any model gearbox even If it is just an LSD. I just know I've seen a photo on here of a duel range that had a nob for this.
Will I need an LSD or is standard fine?
Your gearbox doesn't have a centre diff - it all comes back to that dog clutch arrangement where your rear end free-wheels while you're in 2wd mode, when you engage 4wd mode the rear end is coupled to the front end with a solid link.
There's no centre diff, there's no LSD in the engaging of 4wd. It's a very simple arrangement.
The EJ AWD's have a centre diff with the LSD on one side of the centre diff.
The L series AWD's don't have an LSD, instead they got a dog clutch that locks the centre diff on one side.
The L series and MY 4 spd just have a coupling dog clutch arrangement, no LSD, no rear drive all the time.
I hope that clears it up for you!
Cheers
Bennie
- Brumby Kid
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- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
- Location: Belair S.A.
Ok, so the best easiest way to improve would be....?
Rear aftermarket DIY stuff?
Rear aftermarket DIY stuff?
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car
EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon
- El_Freddo
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- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Bridgewater Vic
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Rear LSD for starters or research, wait and save for a custom setup
or for the best bang for your buck - weld the rear diff and drive on the black top with one rear shaft removed. Goes VERY WELL and is a simple setup.
Then if you're really keen a front LSD is about the best that can be done with these gearboxes at the moment - it's better than nothing
Cheers
Bennie
or for the best bang for your buck - weld the rear diff and drive on the black top with one rear shaft removed. Goes VERY WELL and is a simple setup.
Then if you're really keen a front LSD is about the best that can be done with these gearboxes at the moment - it's better than nothing

Cheers
Bennie