L series low range to Lib era gearbox

[AndrewT]

I have a 1999 Outback AWD gearbox with low range (see specs of car in Members Rides). As with most of these gearboxes the low range isn't really that low!
I know some of these guys in Queensland have actually put the low range gear from an L series gearbox in....how hard is it? What do you actually have to do to achieve this?

I've got 4 L series gearboxes just sitting here!

Any info greatly appreciated

[legacytt]

The low range gears and counter gears from the L series box are a straight swap, I swapped the input shaft aswell. However the shifter fork from the L needs to be put onto the shaft from the Lib and modified while the detent in the Lib case needs to be shortened. You need access to a mig to build up the fork to allow the two detent recesses to be drilled. You also need a small build up for the Low range light switch. Similarly where the detent spring sits in the case a few mm need to be ground off and one coil taken off the detent spring. You may want to check that the setup of your '99 box is the same as the early Lib box. I swapped into a '91 Lib box which are identical inside to and L one. The swap is well worth it, even with 28's the low range is very good.

Hopefully this will make sense, if it doesn't now it will when you get a box apart and see the bits involved.

[PeeJay]

I remember someone saying that the post '98(ish) 8 bolt boxes have a different setup and the swap won't work.

[AndrewT]

Thanks that's good food for thought.
nb - yes mine is an 8bolt box :/

[El_Freddo]

The low range gears and counter gears from the L series box are a straight swap, I swapped the input shaft aswell. However the shifter fork from the L needs to be put onto the shaft from the Lib and modified while the detent in the Lib case needs to be shortened. You need access to a mig to build up the fork to allow the two detent recesses to be drilled. You also need a small build up for the Low range light switch. Similarly where the detent spring sits in the case a few mm need to be ground off and one coil taken off the detent spring. You may want to check that the setup of your '99 box is the same as the early Lib box. I swapped into a '91 Lib box which are identical inside to and L one. The swap is well worth it, even with 28's the low range is very good.

Hopefully this will make sense, if it doesn't now it will when you get a box apart and see the bits involved.

Sorry if i'm hijacking this thread... LegacyTT, is it possible to swap the gears and selectors from an L gearbox into an EJ Gearbox and retain the AWD? And is it possible to change the front diff with the L one? And is there much difference in the gear ratios? Just curious as i may beable to get an EJ AWD dr box that's missing a gear or two...

Cheers

[El_Freddo]

Anybody???

[legacytt]

You can put the L series gearset into the Lib case, however, if you want to keep the AWD you will need to get all the gears on the L pinion shaft pressed off and transferred to the Lib pinion shaft. You will have to retain the Lib front diff as it matches the pinion you need to use. You can swap the L input shaft complete as is.