So Who is Going to Be the First to..

[fatabbot]

Originally Posted by schaney

Then for a little more money than importing a tranny and stuff, I pick up a compact rig that gets similar mileage, true 4WD and low range for off-pavement exploring. The other "S" car, a Suzuki Sidekick.

:drools:

I had a '94 Sidekick 4dr/4WD. Best car I've ever owned and still wonder what was going through my head when I sold it.

[schaney]

I really like and enjoy both the Suzuki and Subaru. It's interesting that they get similar mileage, but the Subaru has twice the HP. In the the mountains with the Sidekick, you have to really work the gears. It makes you slow down, so you can enjoy the scenery

[fatabbot]

Originally Posted by schaney

I really like and enjoy both the Suzuki and Subaru. It's interesting that they get similar mileage, but the Subaru has twice the HP. In the the mountains with the Sidekick, you have to really work the gears. It makes you slow down, so you can enjoy the scenery

LOL, my Sidekick actually felt quick to me back in the day. Reason being is that my prior car was a 2.2l S-10. That truck couldn't beat a granny on a Rascal in race.

I did more mudding/off roading in my Sidekick than any of my Jeeps. Never once even came close to getting stuck (no lift or knobby tires, either).

[schaney]

I went the other direction, for years I had well prepped, high HP early Broncos. Now I'm more in exploring, 4WD / AWD is just a means to getting me into interesting areas.

[Suparu]

(can't help sharing this experience
Here's my short experience with a tracker:










BUT, I'm sure it did much better off road than my suby, especially on the steep stuff. gearing is certainly my limiting factor.
I must however emphasize "did" in this case.

But I digress, I think we're sliding a bit off topic

I think Zap (from USMB) got a DR EJ 5MT shipped here from an AUS liberty, he moved it on the Chux, who moved it on to someone else... I don't think that one's made it into a rig yet though. That's the only US stateside EJ DR 5MT I'm aware of...

[Paco]

Sure wish there was some way to get a low first gear for my MT. I don't care how great you drive, you need it for those steep Sierra fire roads. IF someone finds a reasonable mod solution, I am all in.,

[nipper]

Originally Posted by Paco

Sure wish there was some way to get a low first gear for my MT. I don't care how great you drive, you need it for those steep Sierra fire roads. IF someone finds a reasonable mod solution, I am all in.,

Yup thats the down side to a manual. An auto has a torque converter which actually multiplies torque.

[Scooby]

Originally Posted by nipper

It is a bolt in, but modifications have to be done for the shifters. It has been looked into. Importing one from Austrailia, the cost of shipping usually stops everyone's plans.

And in actuality an automatic with the torque converter (multiplier) does the same thingh as a dual range tranny.

I have an 03 4eat 4.44 final drive with lsd . I can tell you it's not even close to a 3.9 w/ lo range on my old gl ....! I can walk up nasty steep stuff that my outback never could...!

[subiesailor]

Interesting and highly technical places get an ATV it will cost you less in the long run. LOL
Couple of friends had the tin can Sidekicks after either rolling them or getting hit none of them would touch one again. Way to light and bendy when you need some protection.

Couple of guys in my family big time 4x4 dudes spend months up in Montana have all moved to ATV's. They all say the same thing far cheaper to fix when you break them can go places even the totally tricked out 4x4 won't touch and one of them swears that the ATV is far softer on the head when it rolls over you than the truck when it rolls over you. LOL

The oldest of the 4x4 guys tows his ATV with a mid 90's SLII Saturn Wagon given to him by a neighbor ha ha! He's on his 7th trip from CA to Montana with it no issues though he did say if he lets it get down below 2800 rpm on climbs its a slow trip. He is eyeing subaru legacy or outback as his next road trip/ tow car.

[Suparu]

Originally Posted by '05 Outback 2.5i

So who is going to be the first to import a dual range manual transmission from a[n Australian Suby] ... and fit it to a USDM [Soob]? Hmmm....

getting closer