Subaru Update: Modifications to the Subaru L Series

[@herbnalis3723]

With tacho needle bouncing around, look up 'fluctuating tachometer ' on KZbin. Autometer has fix involving a 1/2 watt 10,000 ohm resistor wired to coil - negative.

[@RobertsAdventure]

I love how much effort you put into making the Subie do what you wanted, they're such great vehicles in spite of their limits. Miss mine even 30 years later. I've blagged on about it earlier so won't repeat that. Our cooling solution was just run the heater with the fan off... Yes the seats were shocking. I'm 6'2". I still love that car.

[@firetofork]

Moar power!! I still reckon we get an eBay churbo (Chinese turbo for those not familiar) and stick a bunch of boost and fuel up its nostrils till it blows up. We also need to do an Armadale locker

[@EDXR61993]

go a Webber Carby conversion it will help and a good 2 inch exhaust

[@samuelhawley9898]

Go the EJ22 conversion, bolts straight up to the standard gearbox with an adaptor plate. Best thing I did for my L series, it's got a shit load of torque now!

[@447poo]

I bought a 1981 wagon 2 wd back in 1995. I had real joy with it for a while. Just $170 dollars american. Lots of rust holes, and finally the cv's went south, but I'll never regret it. Reminded me of my 1970 VW Bug. Faster , and better over all. Sounded nearly the same.

[@1450rowland]

Glad to see you getting out there! Doesn't matter what you drive, as long as you drive!! Good luck. Thanks for all the videos.

[@glynnbaker5448]

Mods are coming along nicely there Alex, looking forward to the snorkel install. Have a great Christmas and new year.

[@jonathanhoy7381]

Those orange wheels, so distinctive. I should have stopped and said hello when I saw the car last weekend!

[@Tom-lf8hx]

This brings back sooooo many memories of my 93 L series, i had a MONSTER 3inch taco (extra 10hp) as it came stock as a rock, grabbed soms white roh wheels, it has the same ally bar as yours, dual range box tho, chucked in some 5x 1/4 inch splits, 12inch sub and 6x9s soooo many trips to the pines or wilbinga 🤣🤣🤣 sold it for a GQ with crunchy 2nd n 5th....oh and i loved popping the bonnet at some car cruise stops as you gotta love the spare wheel placement

[@PrimalOutdoors]

it's coming along nicely. I look forward to some more trip videos with it. Jason

[@chadalcock7275]

Gotta love the custom stereo install. I had an '86 with the deck held in with zip ties.

[@Adrianrampaul868]

Keep the vids coming bro, look forward to them!, all the way from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean!

[@Alex.G]

Cheers dude! Awesome to know the vids are reaching all around the globe!

[@lochie.hamers9396]

Fuckin love the old subies

[@bluemorpho4941]

I love how you said "angle grinder massage" you guys say massage in the best way.

[@jay3130]

Just found your videos and I love your Subie! I'm currently working on my own 1991 Leone (with air-con!). Just today I installed the same tacho you've got in that yours, which was easy since there was already an aftermarket one installed which was broken. Planning on getting it registered in the near future, and continuing upgrading it. I need a front bar of some kind to mount a LED bar and 2-way radio and 4G antannas and I'm planning an aux battery system with solar panel on top too. I've even got an EJ22 engine to be swapped in after I get all the parts for the conversion. Really looking forward to road tripping in this machine! I already drive an 85 Leone Sedan everyday so it's nice working on a car that's already familiar to me.

[@Alex.G]

Sounds like a good project mate! Yeah I don't blame the tacho for the obvious inaccuracy I get, I blame just not being able to figure out this car's wiring lol. I'm thinking the old spot where the spare wheel went would be a perfect spot to mount extra batteries!

[@jay3130]

Registered the car today, and my tacho is also way off at higher RPMs and bouncing around. I just tapped into the existing rpm signal wire that was used for the previous one so I'm wondering if I might need some sort of filter or check if it goes directly to the distributor or if it does something wierd. I've also had the idea of putting an aux battery in the spare wheel compartment (provided I get a rear bar spare wheel holder or roof basket to store the spare wheel) which would be close to where I'm fitting the solar charge controller; where the broken dash clock is.

[@provenoverlandmagazine2471]

Yes haha stoked for the snorkel, you should paint the bull bar black too

[@stevenmontero3315]

Nice video!!! I have a Subaru Wagon 87 and I would like to modify it some day. Greetings from Costa Rica!!!

[@EDXR61993]

Leone and L series are the same thing as is GL but GL tends to be the touring wagon model which has the raised roof, tacho, power windows, power steering, velour seats and often MPFI EA82 sometimes turbo's

[@Alex.G]

Ah the comfort that AC and power steering would provide!

[@EDXR61993]

yeah well they did come with AC but finding a working compressor and a R134A conversion for one. there is a place in milton that would rebuild an aircon compressor for you with about 4 days turn around plus freighting to you the rebuild is about 500 bucks or so plus freight though.

[@gpgstudios9813]

Very nice, love the build...and merry Christmas to you to mate!

[@fordrac1ng81]

Wow you have changed a ton. You even look totally different

[@4wdsome444]

Im waiting for this channel to blow up and go viral

[@ev.collinsokinyi5769]

i like your car man. Here in Kenya,you need a miracle to modify especially a leone. My ride is 1.6l but every thing is original. One thing with leone is rims,to get a set is crazy. I need help on how i can change the rear drums into disc.

[@anmcclo9731]

slightly added orange on it for me love it peace

[@stevewrigglesworth5227]

I had a 85 subaru and my mate had a 86 and under the back seat there was a big bolt turn that and it would raise the car.

[@JeremyPetho]

That's on the older models and Brumbys that have torsion bar rear suspension. It gives good clearance with the diff but also affects camber and brings the rear wheels forward.

[@TheMuraguri]

Wow I love it... Exactly like mine... Im gonna do a video of mine next week...

[@MyRetroRaptor]

So when are we gonna see this beast in action?

[@stevewrigglesworth5227]

precise suspension in wangara the guys name is Dave use to do alot to these body lifts kits and other parts many moons ago worth a try if you need any info

[@bundymut]

have you ever thought of running the wrx motor should give you a lot more power and torque look on the damaged car auctions

[@Digbite]

cool overview 👍

[@Jestr86]

Nicely Done !

[@basslandpdx]

Was hoping for some content on the bumper and install. Bummer..

[@LithgowOZ]

great vid mate :) i have a 1993 one and dam they love getting hot lol

[@aarynj]

you might be able to fit a forester XT turbo engine it or at least the 2.5 na.

[@T74V1N]

What a fukin rig mate! Kudos for doing something different.... you need to keep an eye out for a wrx half cut that'll help your hp problem!

[@steveannett8994]

Love the Subi man...

[@jamieroberts6345]

I find it hard to trust guys with shorts above knees. otherwise a good vid and cool car. Love these beasts

[@Alex.G]

I was going to argue the case of steve irwin, but bad example. Then Russell Coight, but you'd never trust that bloke! Les Hiddens perhaps? Lol, maybe you're onto something

[@CARAMELH0H0B0Y]

Intents Offroad Lemmy Kilmester rocked some daisy dukes and I'd have trusted him.

[@Bigj_kenya]

How can I add more power on my Leone ea71? Kindly keep interested with your off-road tires.

[@Alex.G]

A big, fat, greasy turbo will do the job bro! Or do an engine swap from the 1.8 carby motor to the later Subaru Forester 2.2 litre fuel injected motor 😁

[@anmcclo9731]

looks, mean like a race car good keep up's

[@keithwebster5045]

Looking for a bull rack like yours, know any websites I can find one? Seems slim pickings

[@Alex.G]

Second hand would be your best bet these days. So hard to find parts for these old things now!

[@bunnyz811]

Mate where are you located? I'm in Queanbeyan and am doing an engine conversion, could really do with some tips!!!

[@joeking22]

What's with all the American Imperial measurements Alex???? Thought we went Metric 50 years ago ;p

[@JeremyPetho]

Nice setup, good to see people still building up 4WD Subarus. I had the same tyres on mine, the wheels I got new from Dynamic but I am not sure if they still make them. Welding the diff is the best mod I did, you can see in some of my videos what difference it makes. A locker would be much more practical though, if another one ends up getting made it would make me want a Subaru again. Lack of torque is an issue with these and there isn't anything you can do about the gearing without major mods. A bigger engine is the best way but I liked the EA81 too much to do that. Also, are you on ausubaru.com?

[@ethan928]

Torq locker has made a lunchbox locker now. Hit up subarino for more details

[@Khorsathedark]

Are you going to be able to do anything about the open diffs? And Merry Christmas to you as well.

[@EDXR61993]

yup Proloc are making a locker for Subaru Diffs its in testing phase i think

[@Alex.G]

What Pally says there is an interesting prospect! I had thought initially that I would weld the rear diff straight away, but after the last trip video I decided that my lack of torque with the bigger tyres is limiting forward progress more than the open diffs are.

[@brodiepeters7003]

Where did you get the 2inch lifted rear springs from and how much did they cost. Thanks mate. I own a 1991 leone pritty much the exact same as your car.

[@Alex.G]

You have to get em second hand nobody makes them anymore. That's how I got my hands on them and I can't recall what I paid

[@kiwizookoffroad2040]

EJ swap time! Are you familiar with El Freddo's build?

[@becdavie2375]

Heya Alex! Just found this thread. Had a 91 l series that I bought in tassie and drove cross country, sold it when I got back to WA and have regretted that decision big time! On the hunt for another. I had trouble finding anyone that still sells lift kits for these subis hey. How much do you reckon you’ve spent on ya car to get it to this point. My subi also ran hot 🥵 After watching this knowin you have the same issue it’s probably my biggest deterrent of getting another one. Would love to chat some more if you have time :) Bec

[@Alex.G]

Yeah I looked far and wide for lift kits, your only option is second hand now unfortunately 😕 the standard suspension components can still be had new, but if you want longer/heavier duty shocks or taller springs you'll have to try and do a mix and match from other vehicles. As for overheating, just slapping in a new radiator didn't fix it. Putting twin thermo fans on could bring it down quick but I had trouble with the negative switching and had to put them on a manual switch which I only had to flick when I was off road and it got hot. Never used to heat up around town

[@becdavie2375]

@@Alex.G So sic you got the skills to work all that out yaself, impressive!

[@Alex.G]

All it takes is a lot of screwing things up to figure how they work. Or a mechanical/electrical qualification but ain't nobody got time for dat! 😂

[@becdavie2375]

@@Alex.G Haha yeh I'm 33 and have thoughts about becoming a mechanic just to soak up some knowledge hey! Make lovin older cars so much easier haha

[@janemiles5905]

fuck yeah would have been with ya 10 yrs ago had one just like this but got a hilux now lmao

[@theboballmighty3606]

haha the boot part was a laugh

[@חד-כתער]

Hi Alex, Where can I get tires for this learning 155/80 / r13

[@Alex.G]

I just got them from the tyre shop. I don't think you'll find anything mud terrain for a 13 inch wheel though. These were my only option for a 14 inch rim

[@חד-כתער]

@@Alex.G Thanks for the answer. Can these tires be served from somewhere in the world?

[@Alex.G]

@@חד-כתער look up Kumho online and on their website should tell you all of the dealers worldwide

[@חד-כתער]

@@Alex.G Okay. I'il try to look for In the meantime, I haven't found If you have an update on this topic it will help me. 😃

[@joewhiteman9462]

switch on the back of ur tac,switch it to 4 cylinder.

[@Alex.G]

That is what I thought initially but nope, set firmly on 4 cyl :(

[@zoezoe610]

So how does it go off road now ?

[@Alex.G]

Pretty damn incredible for what it is!

[@zoezoe610]

I was in a fishing club in the 80s and two members had Brumbys and they went everywhere with them and fun to drive. Thanks

[@Lloydy225]

How long till ya found out she'd blown a head gasket bud aha

[@roadtrain5910]

lol leone a 2 wheel drive???

[@adamdooch6250]

Where did you get the rims and tires? Are they 15"?

[@ethan928]

14 inch

[@ethanmiller1050]

hahahaha losing it at the pedals

[@tejonmoulton1951]

where did you buy your wheels?

[@Alex.G]

You can't buy them new any more. Got them second hand of an L series lover.

[@jackwhittingham3991]

hey m8 what springs/struts are you using?

[@Alex.G]

Standard in the front, and Pedders 2 inch springs and struts in the rear which are ridiculously hard in this vehicle with no weight on it

[@AndrewTinWA]

what happened to this car? I've seen the orange wheels getting around on someone else's car recently.

[@Alex.G]

Yeah it got parted out I reckon. It went through two owners after me and then the wheels started showing up in other places 😄

[@thomasbrown8296]

Nice

[@aaronhunt5001]

i think i have 2 or 4 of them rims

[@Alex.G]

Let me know if you're keen to part with one! And if you're kinda local to Perth too haha

[@neilfleahman8219]

@@Alex.G you can use Chevy 6 bolt wheels and just drill two new bolt holes. Works great ran that way for years.

[@ethanmiller1050]

grouse mate!

[@sandychoda9544]

Find a written off legacy turbo or impreza and do an engine swap!!

[@buckrogers5599]

You know mate. End of the day it doesn't matter what you do - you're ever going to get the ugly out of it.

[@Alex.G]

Don't you mean retro stylin!?

[@zooltpool8204]

fk you could've told me before you started cutting the guards ill was eating diiner at the time JESUS...

[@Alex.G]

haha! Bit loud?

[@THECRAZYNARWHAL34]

fucking legit

[@leoperez9351]

snorkelssssss nowwwww

[@danmiller3849]

you could've driven the dang thing for jesus h christ. bummer ending.

[@Alex.G]

If you wanna see the driving stuff I've got other videos on this channel where plenty of that happens 👌

[@ajdahun]

wtf is Neg. switch? Is that like positive grd. aka Lucas, lord of darkness. some of y'alls Limey stuff gets lost in translation

[@Alex.G]

+ajdahun yeah I reckon by what you're describing it's the same thing! Instead of having a constant earth and switch in the positive feed, it's got constant positive and switch in the negative. So that's why everyone hates Lucas systems!

[@mikesmith3663]

Hi mate, check out Subaru-adventures KZbin for some inspiration(kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3mwk6dsnqiojck). These guys are nuts. I must admit I miss my old subi even tho it cost an arm and a leg at that time to keep on the road. Really enjoy your Chanel. Cheers Mike

[@Alex.G]

Love that channel!

[@Helloverlord]

Great video as for resolution, details and stuff but talk is complete rubbish...you didnt say anything that matter, really!

[@outbacknomad9939]

Subaru generic lol.