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1996 Subaru Legacy L Wagon AWD 4" Lift


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http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/newusb2.jpg

 

 

thats the exact set up i used when i added a charge port to my harley. only difference was i used a blue indicator rocker switch so it would match the USB lighting.

 

 

way cool trip!

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After the trip my Subaru needed a little TLC, It got new NGK 2300 plugs, new Mann fuel filter, recharge the K&N air filter, Oil change with Amsoil 10w40 and Amsoil filter, new front ceramic brake pads, new front LEDs and additional backup light, new 5,300 LBS. test synthetic fiber winch cable. The old cable was looking a bit frayed and crusty. I found the replacement cable on Amazon.com (of course) for $23.00.

 

My new favorite spark plugs: The last set of plugs had about 20,000 miles on them before I left. The car ran perfectly, with plenty of power and it got great gas mileage on the trip. Now they have over 27,000 miles on them, think it's time for a fresh set.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GNMEI0M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/plugs.jpg

 

One of my front lower LED lights failed. So i moved the working one to the back for a 3rd backup light and replaced the front LEDs with lower profile lights (single row), less likely to get knocked off the car.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Newfrontleds.jpg

 

New backup light:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Newbackupled1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Newbackupled2.jpg

 

 

PS: thanks derp, Pikes Peak was awesome. and Thanks twisty, I didn't have a switch with a blue LED. maybe i'll look for one on Amazon.

Edited by swcolegacyl
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  • 4 weeks later...

We have a big wildfire raging in the western end of the county, near the Utah border. So yesterday (Sunday) I did a little off-roading to see how close I could get. Most of the forest-service roads in the area have been closed off because of the fire.

 

Bull Draw Fire:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6059/

 

Google.com maps of the area. County Road P12 to County Road 19 1/2

I was on the road that heads to the north and then to the west.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.5511984,-108.7630134,3587m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

 

I took this pic from about 2 miles south of the fire. The fire had just reached the ridge and was moving fast with the wind gusts.

You can see my car in the bottom right corner of the picture.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BullDrawFire.jpg

 

And while hiking to get a view of the fire, I found my first ever perfect arrowhead. Most likely from Ute Indians that lived out here many thousands of years ago. It's truly amazing craftsmanship that went into making this arrowhead. The fire is now at 28,390 Acres and with so much damage to the environment and other possible lost treasures like this one. hopefully they get this fire contained soon.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/arrowhead.jpg

Edited by swcolegacyl
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  • 1 month later...

Few weeks ago we had our annual Cars and Colors fest. Lots of beautiful cars here this year. Of course I had to show off my Subaru Outback among the Farriers. Funny thing is my car got almost attention. Lots of great conversations about the car. It was one of very few piratical mountain cars in the festival and no other Subaru's.

 

https://carsandcolors.com/

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20181.jpg

 

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20182.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20183.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20184.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20185.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20186.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20187.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20188.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20189.jpg

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  • 9 months later...

Hey folks, this past winter was particularly brutal here in Telluride. Most of the forest service roads opened up very late this summer. And I've been very busy with other projects and work, so haven't had too much time to spend on the Subaru.

 

One of our winter storms brought down this on my car. Lucky not too much damage.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Winter1819_2.jpg

 

 

This was it. $75.00 a piece to replace from the junk yard.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Winter1819_3.jpg

 

Most of the winter my car sat like this:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Winter1819_4.jpg

 

Alta Lakes road opened this year at the end of July. Very late.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Winter1819_1.jpg

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The car has had some TLC this summer. My car has 241,000 miles on it and the steering rack was leaking badly. About every 2-3 hundred miles I had to add power steering fluid. So, I had a new rack (remanufactured) put in, new tie-rod ends and passenger side ball joint. The boot was ripped on the ball joint and all the grease was gone. Also the car got new tires General Grabber's and of course and alignment. This car drives like it's brand new.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/NewRack.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/NewTires19.jpg

 

 

...Almost forgot, I also bought some new rubber floor mats. They're meant for 2000-2007 Impreza WRX, but they fit fine.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Floormats1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Floormats2.jpg

 

Hey derp, thanks for checking in. I usually just go off-roading with my dogs. :)

Edited by swcolegacyl
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  • 2 weeks later...

Just about every time I go off-roading, I seem to do more damage to the rear bumper. It's now been glued, trimmed, and sheet rock screwed back together many times. And it looks like shit. So, I've been wondering how this:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/EAG_Bumper2.jpg

 

...would look on this?

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper.jpg

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Time to get rid of the bumper cover.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper1.jpg

 

That's not to pretty.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper4.jpg

 

Looks better without the bumper.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper5.jpg

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http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper10.jpg

 

Jeep tubular bumper with tire carrier from Amazon:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper8.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper9.jpg

 

Welding plates to the cut off factory bumper mounts:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper11.jpg

 

Welding the plates and mounts to the new bumper:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper12.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper13.jpg

 

getting there

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper14.jpg

 

painted the rear lower quarters:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper15.jpg

 

Removed and patched the useless vent:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper16.jpg

 

Installing the tire carrier: The Jeep rear hatch is about 40"s, but I needed about 52"s for the Subaru. So we kinda hacked the tire carrier to make it work using the hinge, the latch and about half the 'A' for the tire mount and a piece of 2"x3" steel stock.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper17.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper18.jpg

 

I had to move the back-up cam, but the Outback bumper top fit perfectly, just by chance.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper19.jpg

 

The tail pipe had to be moved also.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Bumper20.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...

Beautiful weather and cars for the 5th Annual Telluride Festival of Cars & Colors.

 

https://carsandcolors.com/

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20191.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20192.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20194.jpg

 

The one and only Subaru represented in the festival and one of very few Japanese cars.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20195.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20199.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20196.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20197.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20198.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/CarsColors20193.jpg

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  • 1 month later...

I picked up a set of MB Wheels from Craigslist for $95.00. Seemed like a good deal. All 4 rims are in great shape, just a couple scuffs. I painted the rims with self-etching primer and a couple coats of flat black Krylon spray paint. I have 2 sets of tires for the Subaru, my studs are now on the steel wheels and the new rims are for summer.

 

From the CL ad:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/NewRims1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/NewRims2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/NewRims3.jpg

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  • 3 months later...

Awhile back I mentioned that I might install a VLSD. Plans changed, after doing a few months of research. I decided that the Torqmasters Auto-Locker was a better choice. Just got it installed today. And on my first short drive the car felt great. I'll be testing the locker much more this summer.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tmbox.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tmmodel.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/locker1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/locker3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/locker4.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/locker2.jpg

 

And a box of spare parts:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/spidergears.jpg

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The rest of parts for this 4x4 project showed up today from Amazon. Now I have to wire Duty Solenoid C through the relay to the TCU on the Normally Closed side. The lighted switch gets wired to 12v and activates the relay, cutting off power the Duty Solenoid C. And the Normally Open side of the relay will then connect the TCU through the 100W 50ohm resistor to ground. This should effectively create a 50/50 power split between front and rear wheels. I did this mod on the green Legacy earlier in this thread.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/switch.jpg

 

(EDIT)

Just finished the wiring harness for the Duty Solenoid C control switch:

The black spool gets spliced into the wire going from the TCU to Duty Solenoid C, the red wires go to 12V and dash lighting and the black bundle to ground.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/wiringharness.jpg

Edited by swcolegacyl
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  • 4 weeks later...

I'm not much for writing reviews, but here goes:

 

The TorqMasters Locker has dramatically changed the way the Subaru drives. Paved roads, wet or dry, the grip is amazing and off-road (on dirt) it's absolutely crazy. Feeling the rear wheels lockup and push the car around corners is odd at first, but easy to get use to. Braking had also changed: The car stops much quicker and smoother, without the antilock engaging. Acceleration and gas milage don't seem to be effected by the locker. The clicking from the locker takes a bit of getting use to, especially in parking lots. So far, this is truly the best upgrade I've ever put on a car, it's made this car safer and incredibly fun to drive.

 

In the picture below is an obstacle near one of my favorite came sites. To the right it's loose rubble and you'll have turn to the left quickly, to the left is a pretty big step for my car to navigate and in the middle is about a 18" step with rocks on either side. I've tried maybe 10 or more times to get up this step and only once have I made it up. This road continues for about 3 miles to an abandon copper mine. The one time I got up these rocks, I was able to drive for about another 1/4 mile before getting stopped by another obstacle and had to turn around. Yesterday I tried again: I drove right up the middle of this these rocks effortlessly and made it out to the mine. In my opinion the TorqMasters Locker is a 'must have' if you take your Subaru off-road.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ParadoxRocks.jpg

Edited by swcolegacyl
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Thanks derp, always nice to get some comments.

 

Finally a nice day in Telluride, sunny and 50's, warm enough to get some wiring done on the car.

 

I've done some testing with the FWD fuse, and found the 'locker' is silent when the fuse is installed. No torque on the rear diff, no clicking. So I installed a FWD switch inside the car. FWD will be much easier on the drive train with U-turns, reverse and in parking lots.

 

I made a wiring harness for the FWD switch. The fuse pulls the circuit to ground. So like the 4x4 circuit I used a lighted switch and a relay to connect the fuse socket to ground:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/2x4wiringharness.jpg

 

Installed switch:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/2x4Switch.jpg

 

It works, when the switch is on, the dash light 'FWD' comes on and the clicking stops.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/FDWon.jpg

 

And i finally got the 4x4 switch installed. The switch is installed and powered, but not cut into the Duty Solenoid C wire yet. Maybe tomorrow i'll get that done.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/4x4Switch.jpg

Edited by swcolegacyl
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  • 2 weeks later...

Lots of time to get car projects done these days.

 

2 things on the car have never worked since i bought it. The cruise-control and the AC. The AC has been recharged a few times and keeps leaking. I don't need the AC and I'm not spending the money again to fix it. So, today it got deleted. I did save all the parts in case i decide to reinstall and fix the system.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/B4RemoveAC.jpg

 

Much cleaner now and probably dropped 30+ pounds after removing the compressor, condenser, tubing and a couple other parts

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/RemoveAC.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...

I've been trying to figure out how to describe the locker in the fewest number of word possible:

 

Before the locker, I had to pick a line with both clearance and traction. Now I can pick a line that the most fun.

 

The mountains in the background are the La Sal's just over the Utah border, about 25 miles away.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/isolation3.jpg

 

Pretty remote camp site that before the locker was very difficult to get to. It's a breeze now.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/isolation1.jpg

 

Dogs are happy.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/isolation2.jpg

Edited by swcolegacyl
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  • 2 weeks later...

great updates, glad to see youre still kicking around out in the dirt up there...

 

would love to see your harness diagrams for both the FWD and the 50/50 split, i want to do the same to one of my subies.

 

ive been messing around with my impreza OBS with the lift out in the dirt lately, finally got it all running and registered. its currently running about a 5" lift, 30" tires, ej22 from my old 95 wagon (smokey) and the drive train from my old 96 GT sedan (lefty). the gearing went from 3.90 to 4.111 so the bigger tires arent such a drag anymore. id love to do the locker thing, but the money part keeps me from it so far.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Out in Paradox again this weekend, think this makes 7 out of the last 8 weekends that i've been camping in the Subaru. The weather has been beautiful out here, perfect for camping.

 

The picture below is of the Bedrock Store in Paradox valley featured in the 1991 movie Thelma & Louise. At about 1:40 minutes in, they stop at the store to make a phone call. Still no cell service out there. :)

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3140571,-108.8904627,45m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BedrockStore.jpg

 

twisty, your car sounds cool. I highly recommend the locker if you can pull it off. Absolutely the best upgrade i've put on this car, but it did wind up costing about $900.00. Having more clearance is not even a factor anymore. Now i can pic harder lines with less clearance. I don't currently have schematics for the 2 harnesses. Usually i'll design a circuit in my head and just build it. But maybe i can come up with something. Funny thing is that the 4x4 switch is still not spliced in, I haven't needed it. The FWD switch gets used every time i drive.

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