Nobody Told Me I'd End Up with Bunch of Subarus!

[DonDavis]

Got my first Subaru last July.
Son bought a '99 Outback wagon in Dec.

My '96 has a LOT of Transfer Driven Gear noise. Local shop confirmed that's the source. I began shopping for a replacement transmission, saw prices $350-$800 for just a transmission.
Then I stumbled on a CL ad for a Salvage tilted, rear end damaged '98 Outback wagon that sorely needs a clutch. Mine for $600. Nursed it home with slipping clutch.
Otherwise decent condition. Thinking I might part it out.

According to my VIN plate, the '96 trans is TY752VABCA. I also see the same number on the transmission itself.
The '98 has TY752V2DCA. Looks like the '98 5th gear is at .871 and the '96 5th is .780 so I reckon I'll have higher RPMs in 5th.

Will this trans swap in WITHOUT rear diff change? The 5th gear was the only discrepancy. All other gears are identical including Transfer Ratio and Final Drive.

[widebody911]

Did you get some flannel shirts, hiking boots, and Indigo Girls CD's too?

[john70t]

My Michigan 95 Legacy is turning into a serious racetrack candidate..
The open exhaust from the headers (also helps driver kung fu breath training), the free flowing injectors and modified fuel trim, the lightened frame (in fact every body panel has been customized and crafted), the racing slicks, the now extremely-limited-slip AWD system, the high tech acoustic feedback warning systems placed throughout all parts on the car.
Watch out. There is a new champion on the road.

[SCadaddle]

I've come to the conclusion that since I am paying about $600 a year on only liability and uninsured motorist coverage on these 2 outback wagons that I no longer drive, they gotta go, and they are going to go for not a whole lot more than what you paid for a salvage one.
I'm second owner to the green 97 with a 5 speed manual, bought it in about 2000 when it had 38k on the clock out of PA. It's been here in MS since and now has about 194k miles. Full timing belt kit, head gaskets and clutch job done in 2006 at 92k miles. Month old NEW rear window from Safelite at a cost of $375 due to suspected neighbor kicking up a rock with his mower. Ouch.








The blue 98 is an automatic sporting about 243k miles. I bought it in 2011 when it had 180k miles. Full timing belt kit done at 206k miles. New OEM Subaru fuel pump assembly ($430 to my door) installed about 3k miles ago.

[Arizona_928]

If they're identical physically I don't see an issue.
As for the gear ratio that's normal in respect to engine configuration.
More then likely same trans, different final gear ratio.

Buy something American btw LOL

[john70t]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Outback
Outback (1994–present)
"With the exception of small differences in trim, the Outback shared almost all of its components with the Legacy donor model."

Looks like in1999/2000 the model changed slightly but legacy part may fit yours also.
Do a search: free auto parts interchange database or on the forums.

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Did you get some flannel shirts, hiking boots, and Indigo Girls CD's too?

The first Subaru came with 2 cassettes. One Quiet Riot and one Best of Bluegrass.
Soooo, there's that.

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

... and they are going to go for not a whole lot more than what you paid for a salvage one.

Those look great! That's the thing...these cars are plenty cool and tweakable. Add there's a LOT of them out there. I'm going this route because it's working for me at this point. But I could see landing another gently used item and hanging onto it for a while.
Good stuff.

( having issues uploading a pic, sez it's too large, but I've uploaded much larger/detailed pics just fine, weird )

This salvage one runs really great. Shifts fine, great tires. I could go on, but I need to turn over my Indigo Girls cassette.

[Nickshu]

When I had my Outbacks I was surprised about how little is really available for those cars on the aftermarket (aside from the WRX/STI). Given how many of them are out there I mean.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

When I had my Outbacks I was surprised about how little is really available for those cars on the aftermarket (aside from the WRX/STI). Given how many of them are out there I mean.

With the exception of the WRX Subaru does not build much excitement into their cars/suv's unlike Porsche or Miata. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

[SCadaddle]

I've got 3 marketing strategies for these old Subaru Outbacks in my driveway:

1) Buy it as cheap transportation. They are ready to drive around town or across the country. A LOT of utility left in these vehicles.

2) Buy them to leave on your farm or deer camp. The AWD will take you just about anywhere. Check on the crops, shoot a deer and throw him in the back. You'll have a vehicle that gets you out of the weather with heat and A/C that you can tell the insurance guy to take a hike. And finally,

3) Perfectly good vehicles that fit both items above, until you are ready to harvest the engines/drivetrain/electricals and use them as organ donors for your Subaru to VW swap in a VW bus or bug. No need to try and cobble it all together. Take what you need, scrap the rest.

[petrolhead611]

Not Subaru: but suddenly I have two Smart ForFours, one a 1300cc automated manual transmission only done 39000 miles had about 3 years, and the other just acquired Smart ForFour Brabus, comes as standard with 177bhp turocharged 1.45 litre Mitsubishi motor in a 1090 Kg car but this one has 209bhp, so on power to weight it is certainly a good relacement for my old Clio Cup 172bhp and 1030Kg. .

[supdaf]

I have been watching this thread but stayed away till now. seems time for a bit of my subie story.

chapter 1. bought a 95 legacy wagon in about 2000 with 20k on the clock. it turned 20 while I test drove it. good miles for a 5 year old car. basically trouble free till 170K when the wife wadded it up on her way to work. not her fault but that leads me to chapter 2.

chapter 2. used the insurance money from chapter 1 to by a clean 100K 95 legacy wagon. wasn't planning on another Subaru but now I wished I had kept the first one for parts. oh well. I wadded it up at 180K. once again not my fault. so a total of 230K. kept this one for parts for chapter 3.

chapter 3. found a tolerable, wait for it...95 legacy wagon with 190K . drove it to 230K and it started pushing trans fluid in to the front diff. drove it like that for a while then put the engine/trans from chapter 2 in to it. drove that to 275K. gave it to my step-son and it is still rolling today.

chapter 4. found a 96 legacy wagon for 700 that I drove home basically for parts. probably got about half of that back in parts value. a "we buy junk cars" guy gave me 50 bucks for it. his quote " I can only give you 50 for it" I responded to with my outside voice as "OK". my inside voice said "I was going to pay the guy 50 bucks to take it" so 100 deal right there.

chapter 5. this time it is a 2006 legacy gt spec b 5 speed sedan. a bit of a departure here. bought this from my brother who bought it new. had 150K then 180K now. this is the one I like driving. pain in the backside to work under the hood however. so on to chapter 6.

chapter 6. new 2017 outback for the wife. she likes it but I find all the "drivers aides" annoying.

I would believe that the book has more to be written. craigslist gets looked at every day.

[Mike Andrew]

I really like my Foresters. Lots of snow driving to ski up north and CO then pull my 16' Lund during fishing season with no issues. Had a really loaded '08 but forgot basic law of grip vs. steering input and introduced it to a tree while avoiding Bambi in the road.

Wife's LL Bean Forester is a really nice ride and will be here for several more years.

Thinking about a new/slightly used Outback but not happy about prices. We shall see....

[john70t]

Snowing all week here. The news said driving conditions would be slippery, but I'd driven normally all day until experiencing the perfect storm on the way home.
(shame on me for even getting into that mess)

On the highway in a pack doing 35-40mph downhill and a semi goes sideways across both lanes right in front.
Sheet ice. I can't stop. Nowhere to go. Everyone is a little sideways.
I go into the median with several feet of snow instead of under the truck. Non-contact is better.
The Subaru does just fine. The thing likes it in fact.
When your traveling in hell keep going. Kept my speed a bit. Pulled right out like nothing happened.
Around the next turn there are 7 cars being pulled out of ditches. Some are missing wheels and axles.

Metrosexual wagon does it again. A beast I tells ya.

[NutmegCarrera]

I’ve been thinking about a 4Runner lately, but really cannot justify one over my ‘11 Outback. Does everything I need it to and at 25mpg on average (mostly around town). About 92k miles and only in it for tires and brakes and fluids so far. Still looks new.
Hoping to keep it for my son (4 years or so from now).
Daughter will most likely be getting grandma’s ‘08 forester in a little over a year. That one has less than 40k on the clock. Lucky kid.
I’m guessing when the boy takes mine over - you guessed it. Another outback. That will be number 5 for us. I’ve tried other brands, but the outback just works...