Hey guys.
I’m not so new to Subaru but new to the forum. I’m at the point of my journey where I have realized how much of a lego box subarus are (Maybe why we like them so much, eh? 🤔😂) To reiterate from my introductory post; I’m getting ready to swap my xt with a 6mt/R180 3.9FD from a JDM MY07 Spec.B (trans code; TY856WBDAD). I’ve gathered a lot of my info about the trans from the rallispec 6mt pdf.
I have read the 6mt master swap thread at the sister forum of here too and I’m still as confused as ever. So, I’m here for assistance 😂
I have the transmission, shifter, diff, act sb10-xtss clutch/flywheel and axles. I know I can use a spec.b 6mt driveshaft (I think, I’m not sure about the wheelbase difference if any?) and I know 100% the 4eat driveshaft is a direct fit, length and spline wise. Am I correct in understanding that the 4eat outback driveshaft will need to have an r180 flange put on - or does the diff flange the one that needs swapped (but I already have the r180)? I’m confused with the conflicting info from usdm to jdm so I apologize if this is asked elsewhere as well.
the USDM part # for the prop shaft for the same year spec b is 27111AG05A - is that the same? It cross references to Dorman at 63.125” but driveshaftshop is telling me that there’s is 1/4” longer (so, 63.375”)? I read on page (...?) 95 of the 6mt swap that it’s only 58.5(?) roughly? I don’t know haha. I have read so much about this that I think everything is just twisted at this point
Also here’s some pics. If you see something that isn’t there that I will need, please let me know - by no means will I be offended. Any recommendations or information is greatly appreciated.
You'll also need to use half the auto mount and half the manual mount (crossmember), and weld in a plate between them to connect the two. I didn't end up doing this swap, but its not some awful task, there are some pictures of the DIY hybrid crossmember trans mounts online.
Ahhhh! I didn’t even consider that. Haha. I do have the Perrin trans Mount but I know that it’s sandwiched between the trans and crossmember. If I end up getting a used shaft, I’ll just pick up a trans Mount too. Thank you!
Welcome to the forum! I saw that tranny package disappear and wondered where it went... Are you starting from 5MT or 5AT? If you're doing 5AT I might want to share helpful information. I'm swapping a 3.0R 5EAT to 6MT in a few weeks.
I believe the JDM LGT Spec B R180 rear diff is a standard R180 diff with an R160 yolk on it for the spec b drive shaft. You'd have to verify that...
Hi Peter! GlobalJDMautoparts? Hahaha. I’m sorry if I snagged it from you! Fortunately, I’m starting with a 5mt as the car sits currently. I will see if I can’t cross reference the part numbers for the yoke to see about that. I appreciate you!
My '08 has this swap in it but I bought it that way so can't really offer up any technical knowledge. I can take pictures of anything you want if that will help though.
Ooooo! You rock, thank you! That will def help. The only pic I could think of that would help is a measurement of your driveshaft but that’s more work than I’m comfortable asking about haha. A reg pic of the driveshaft might work though. I don’t want ya to have to put it in the air or anything extravagant like that. I’m just thinking there might be a p# on it but the chances of that might be too slim.
You'll also need to use half the auto mount and half the manual mount (crossmember), and weld in a plate between them to connect the two. I didn't end up doing this swap, but its not some awful task, there are some pictures of the DIY hybrid crossmember trans mounts online.
Welcome to the forum! I saw that tranny package disappear and wondered where it went... Are you starting from 5MT or 5AT? If you're doing 5AT I might want to share helpful information. I'm swapping a 3.0R 5EAT to 6MT in a few weeks.
I believe the JDM LGT Spec B R180 rear diff is a standard R180 diff with an R160 yolk on it for the spec b drive shaft. You'd have to verify that...
My '08 has this swap in it but I bought it that way so can't really offer up any technical knowledge. I can take pictures of anything you want if that will help though.
Check out post #69 here. This is what others have used for an AT to MT fabrication. If your mounts are the same between 5MT and 6MT the mount should work, otherwise this is the common solution since the hull has different weldment locations.
So, that was a really short phone call to the driveshaft store. The gentleman I spoke to pretty much refused to listen to how I came about my measurements regarding the length of the driveshaft as stated in my original post here. Which, I understand, the easiest thing for them is to have me install the transmission and diff and get them "A, B and C" measurements. However, he didn't want to hear that I can't do that because we're not doing my swap at my home for my car to wait for a driveshaft. He wouldn't even give me their measurements to compare them myself - nor listen to what I even had to say. I politely told him if he wasn't going to listen to my explanation and was going to keep interrupting me that I was going to end the phone call - which he agreed to 🙄😒 I wonder if it's because I'm a WoMaN or I couldn't have possibly done hours upon hours of research on this myself. 😒
If anyone can please take a look at their part number 26162 and let me know if that is the correct one? I'm fully prepared to just figure this out on my own at this point as that's how I've been treated at not one, but two driveshaft places.
Here's the crossmember in my car. No welding anywhere. My car was originally a manual so, wondering if the hybrid crossmember is only needed if swapping from an automatic?
Couldn't find any part numbers on the DS but took pics and measurements:
Trans end:
Front of carrier bearing. From the red arrow to the center of the front U-joint is 20 1/4".
Diff end:
Rear of center bearing. Red arrow to center of rear U-joint is 30 3/8".
Thankyou Ahaze! Per your measurements, it's probably safe to assume that it's around 50-59" in total length? That could mean;
this one is a direct fit @ 58.5"?
Dorman states their OBXT manual DS (936-950) is 65.5" and the OBXT 4eat DS (936-947) is 62.875". SO strange because the driveshaftshop (not store) said their was 63.375" (SUSH17-C)
As far as legacy measurements go, dorman doesn't have a measurement for the 6sp but the 4eat/5mt (936-954) is exactly 58.5" and another with fitment for the 4eat (936-956) only is 63.125.
I'm no expert on doing this swap but from what I recall reading on the legacygt.com thread about doing this 6mt into this body you use the 4eat propeller shaft. I thought I read that some place. Again, I have not done this swap.
Hi, Max! Yes, the first one in your link list for the 09 legacy, p# 26162, I'm thinking is the proper one. My conundrum falls in posts 11, 13 and 14 as far as the proper length goes. Tbh, I'm still learning the awd system to a fault.. is the carrier bearing at the midpoint of the DS? How would the two make a difference if it's a while new trans/diff set up? I'm not familiar with seeing anyone having to swap them but I could be wrong.
Yes, the carrier bearing is that center connection. It's popular and a lot of vehicles. My 1986 Ford F150 has one.
I know the difference between the Outback and Legacy Carrier bearing. Years ago, the bearing in my 2005 Legacy GT wagon had lots of play. I went to NAPA and ordered the shaft for my car...telling them I've heard there is a difference between the Legacy and Outback. I was not very confident the item would fit.
When I installed it, I found I was right, the carrier bearing was to tall and hit the exhaust. I took it back, he made a note in there book the that part was for a Outback only.
So I'm assuming you need the Outback 4eat shaft because you have an Outback.
Ahhhh okay that makes sense, I'll keep that in mind for sure. Thank you!
and yes, I'm going back through the 6mt thread and taking better notes haha. I read through it twice but hoping if i write it down this time it'll be easier for me to decipher without getting confused.
Aw you didn’t need to do all that but thank you! I understand I need the ob 4eat shaft due to that bearing difference - it’s funny I just found the same posts earlier haha.
So, ob 4eat shaft if going used (probably will just for the price point, and the driveshaft store’s 26162 are both proper choices? I’d just have to ask them to put in an outback carrier bearing?
Dropped off my 08 H6 for it's 6MT swap today! It has the 6MT driveshaft from the spec B donor so hopefully that'll fit without issues. LBHobxt You used the outback carrier bearing with a 4EAT driveshaft right?
Actually I have yet to do my swap. I’m still waiting for my turbo to ship and I have to get motor mounts. Let me know how the spec b driveshaft works, please! I’d love to be able to get one for the spec b that has serviceable ujoints so I can just swap the carrier bearing to the outback.
I believe the issue with the carrier bearing is that the smaller legacy one changes the driveline angle so you might have some slight pinging and/or your output seal may wear from what I’ve read in the 6mt master thread. I believe the guys username was Scooby2.5 but I’d have to check. (anyone reading please feel free to correct me on anything)
Here's the reply I got back from a LegacyGT member in the PM I mentioned above. He has a 2005 Outback.
"Ideally you want a 4EAT (4 speed auto) driveshaft out of a outback.
I used a 4eat driveshaft out of a Legacy and it worked fine.
The difference is where the carrier bearing bolts to the bottom of the car the outback shaft has some spacers to compensate for the outback lift. The legacy shaft doesn't have the lift so no spacers on the carrier bearing.
With that said I used a 4eat legacy shaft and I had no trouble "
You are the 🐝's 🦵's my friend. Thank you sm! Luckily for me, the outback 4eat's are a dime a dozen in my area for around $70-$200 so I'm just going to snag one of those to get me by until I can get one from the driveshaft shop.
No standalone - I need to keep my USDM ECU to maintain emissions compliance. I'll have a TCM emulator most likely but that's it. Great fun but that's a topic for another thread.
I'm getting antsy waiting for my car...
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