G'day from Aus

[Phizinza]

Hi, my name is Thomas. I'm from South Australia. New to the Outback world, but not to Subaru's. I've had a couple over the past 5 years. I own and run Offroading Subaru's - Brats, Brumby's, Wagons, Leone's, EA81, EA82 .

My first Subaru was an 89 Brumby (BRAT). It came lifted so I just stuck some 27" MTs on it, bullbar, rollbar, etc. Finally got bored with not much go so I stuck an EJ22 in it with a modified EA82 5sp FT4WD (centre lockable diff) using an EJ D/R casing so I could use the EJ clutch and no adapter. Had my Fun with that car and sold it.
Then I bought an 83 Leone 2WD sedan, converted it to 4WD with an EA82 3.9 D/R box. Put 27" MTs on it without lift. Few more things etc.

Now I've gone and bought a Late 99 Outback from the hail damaged auctions. I'm patching up the damage and fixing a couple of tiny other problems. Soon to have it registered and on the road!

[OutdoorOBW]

Welcome. Sounds like you know your way around the Subies. How is the weather right now in Australia? One day I will make it there.

[morganluke]

Welcome mate. Im in NSW - good to see another Aussie!
Look forward to hearing more about your Outback

[Phizinza]

Weather isn't to bad. Had a couple of sunny days now. Its been about 14 to 16 degrees during the day, 7 to 8 at night (that's 57 to 60 and 44 to 46 for you fahrenheit'ers).

I've got a post about exhausts in the other section. Interested in swapping the rear muffler for something less restrictive but not too much louder.

[Phizinza]

Well its been awhile! I've finally got the car registered! Drives very nicely and I was told the engine isn't the original and apparently is newer. The engine looks like its almost new by how shiny and clean it is, and compared to a friends 01 2.5 Outback it has a few more horses.

Here are some photos. First up finishing off the painting.

Then some shots of the cut and polished paint.

Found my exhaust leak, a crack in the manifold. Welded and replaced with 5 layer stainless steel OEM styled gaskets (hate the cheap aftermarket ones we get here).

I also stripped her insides out and cleaned everything (it was a smokers car, do anything to get the smell out hahaha).

It also needed the under hood insulation which I got from a wreck, this will stop premature failure of the paint caused by heat.

And finally, the badge work back on it!

I'm working on a storage system and bed for the back of the car now. Will post up some pictures when it is completed.

[barkeater]

welcome Phizinza. Enjoy your new ride.

[Knopey]

Lookin' neat, nice one

While we're at it, stop sending all that @#$% rain over here!

[SovereignAxe]

Looks almost exactly like my ride now!

[Phizinza]

Cheers peeps. Well along with getting older, turning 24, I have some updates on the Outback! I've finished my storage system. I decided not to go with drawers because they are heavier and take up more space which I am quite short on anyhow! I can reach in as far as I need to so it works very well and maximises space.

I'd post up pictures and stuff here but it is easier to just lead you to the page on my site about it.


http://offroadingsubarus.com/store_sleep.html

[Phizinza]

A few more things have happened since I posted last.

I'll start with the camping mods. I've made up a shade and fly screen for the side window so I can open a window while camping. This is just fly net with magnet strip sewn into it. Only good for while I am stopped. But works well on the hot nights.

The other part is a rear fly net so I can leave the rear door up. Being from Australia, our summer nights can get quite warm.

I've put two strips of LED lights, 222 LEDs all up, in the rear door. Works a treat for lighting the camp site. I also have LEDs under the bed so I can see in my plastic "drawers".

And finally, more mechanical based, I've converted my 4.11 EJ D/R gearbox from the 1.19:1 low range to a EA82 1.59:1 low range. So I have excellent gearing now (until I put over sized tyres on obviously). And while doing that mod I replaced the factory DM flywheel and badly worn slipping clutch with a kit I got from the US which had a F1 Racing branded flywheel and Exedy clutch.
http://offroadingsubarus.com/outbacklowrange_part1.html