1996 Subaru Legacy L Wagon AWD 4" Lift

[swcolegacyl]

http://carsandcolors.com/

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Telluride.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc4.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc6.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc9.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc10.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc11.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc12.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc13.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc14.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc15.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc26.jpg

 

3 million dollar car:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc18.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc16.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc19.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc21.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc22.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/tcandc23.jpg

Edited October 2, 2016 by swcolegacyl
More Cars

[swcolegacyl]

The USB cigarette lighter adapter has always bothered me. Its in the way and looks sloppy. So i found on eBay.com an adapter that i could wire in.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower1.jpg

 

That's better!

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower6.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower2.jpg

 

$6.50 on eBay.com

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower4.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower5.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower7.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower8.jpg

Edited October 9, 2016 by swcolegacyl

[thedeadhp]

Post a link to that adapter??? Gonna get one myself!

[derp]

God, I miss the mountains.

[swcolegacyl]

Hi thedeadhp, here is the link to the eBay.com auction that i bought from:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252409458554?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

In case anyone was wondering why i ditched the front cigarette lighter socket: I just don't need it. The '99 Outback comes with a rear accessory outlet the '96 Legacy didn't. And although i do have a few cigarette lighter powered devices like a 120vac inverter. i don't need them while i'm driving. The GPS is hard-wired to keyed power.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Rearoutlet.jpg

Edited October 9, 2016 by swcolegacyl

[swcolegacyl]

So, I just bought another 1999 Outback 30th Anniversary Limited Addition! It is NOT in perfect condition. But, i need some parts for my car. The transmission in my Outback has been acting up a bit. Mainly while down-shifting. I've been thinking about rebuilding it or buying a replacement. I got this car for less then the price of a used transmission. I also need a drivers side front fender and rear bumper. and a few other trim pieces. interior sunroof plastic molding. The engine in the (new) car is trashed it does run, but with blown head gaskets. But, everything I need for my car is nearly perfect on this one:

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PartsCar1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PartsCar2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PartsCar3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PartsCar4.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PartsCar5.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PartsCar6.jpg

 

The Twins: Kinda, the parts car is about 10 months newer then my good car. Both cars are '99 but mine was built the end of '98.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Twins1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Twins2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Twins3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Twins4.jpg

Edited November 18, 2016 by swcolegacyl

[swcolegacyl]

Today front fender and drivers-door mirror.

 

The front fender was dented when i bought the car. I had hammered it out, but the paint chipped in the process. And i couldn't get the fender smooth. It's nice having a parts car that's the exact same color.

 

Old fender:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/OldFender.jpg

 

Old mirror:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/OldMirror.jpg

 

Fender Off:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/FenderOff.jpg

 

Nice!

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/NewFenderMirror.jpg

[thedeadhp]

It doesn't even look like that parts car has rust!!! Much want!

[swcolegacyl]

Hey thedeadhp, thanks for checking in. Nope, no rust on the parts car. Really the only thing wrong with it, is the blown engine. It could use new struts and maybe brakes. But with a new motor it would be a pretty good car. The dude was selling the car so cheap that i couldn't pass it up. Specially because the transmission shifts perfectly.

[derp]

I still love this thread. I'm jelly.

[swcolegacyl]

Hey derp, and everyone that visits this thread, Thank you.

 

My Subaru Outback is more of a ongoing project/hobby car for me than a daily driver. Here in Telluride, I walk pretty much everywhere. Not much need for a car. So the Outback is mainly for trips, going off-road and camping.

 

I worked as a German car mechanic long-long ago, so I do have some experience working on cars and do as much of the work on my car as I can. Some work I still have to have a local shop do, like the upcoming transmission swap. I like being able to share what I’m learning about Subaru’s along the way, on this site. And I really the appreciate feedback and the number of hits this thread gets. Over 70,000 views so far, amazing! And Thank You legacygt.com for hosting this forum!

Edited November 23, 2016 by swcolegacyl

[swcolegacyl]

The shifter bulb was dead, not a big deal. but i happen to have an exact match in the parts car.

 

This needs to be cleaned!

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ShifterBulb1.jpg

 

New bulb

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ShifterBulb2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ShifterBulb3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ShifterBulb4.jpg

Edited November 23, 2016 by swcolegacyl

[swcolegacyl]

Parts are adding up: Just swapped the rear hatch struts and inside panel, that were both in better condition on the parts car. I've also grabbed the front floor mats and heater controls.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/RearHatch2.jpg

 

One on the right is from the parts car:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/RearHatch1.jpg

 

Helpful interior tools:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Tools.jpg

Edited November 25, 2016 by swcolegacyl

[swcolegacyl]

Love having all these parts available. My car had been owned by a very large man and the seat and the seat back were a bit crushed in. The parts car had a drivers seat in very nice condition. I also swapped the seat heater switch. My switch had a blown out indicator bulb.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/DriversSeat.jpg

Edited November 26, 2016 by swcolegacyl

[swcolegacyl]

The (i think it's the high pressure) AC line a break at the crimp and all the refrigerant leaked out. So in the parts car, it looks like Subaru had changed that crimp connection on the hose. Witch is now in my car with a re-charged AC system, the air is nice cold.

 

 

Hose marked (2) High pressure return:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/acsystem.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/acline.jpg

 

 

And my (new) transmission, 10 months newer and 30 thousand fewer miles. All new seals, fresh fluids and new filter:

Ready to go in the car.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/newtrans1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/newtrans2.jpg

Edited March 14, 2017 by swcolegacyl

[swcolegacyl]

This is a project that i've been thinking about for awhile now. Remove the rear sear backs and floor panels and replace them with plywood.

 

1 4'x8'x3/4'' ACX cabinet grade plywood

2 2''x2''x8' fir

1 2''x4''x8' fir

2 2''x6''x8' fir

1.5'' and 2'' sheet rock screws

2 piano hinges

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor9.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor4.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor5.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor6.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor7.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor8.jpg

Edited March 19, 2017 by swcolegacyl

[thedeadhp]

That's rad! I would spend so many nights in there!

[derp]

y tho

[swcolegacyl]

As i've mentioned before: I mainly use my car for camping and road trips. Now I have added secure locking storage space and I have a nice flat surface to sleep on.

 

Interesting side-effect from the new floor, is that the car is stiffer. The rear end seems more stable on the highway. Maybe like adding an upper strut stabilizer.

 

I have completely enclosed the front section in plywood and added latches and a lock.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor10.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BackFloor7.jpg

[derp]

I mean if you only ever have one or two people in it then it's fine obviously.

[swcolegacyl]

Hey derp, you may have noticed, this car is not a "family station wagon." Between the green Legacy and this car in the last 5 years, i have not had any need for rear seats. Nothing i have done to the car cant be undone. I can always get parts from a junkyard to replace everything pretty cheaply.

 

...And this is what i did last Saturday:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ParadoxMar1.jpg

It's not a commuter car/daily driver.

 

With my dogs:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ParadoxMar2.jpg

Edited March 21, 2017 by swcolegacyl

[derp]

Oh I've noticed, I've been following this thread for a long time I love the car.

 

I was just curious, I didn't know if you brought friends with or a significant other or what the people scenario was.

[gregsplett]

I did something very similar to my first wagon, twenty years ago, a 84 GL.Thy did not have the rear spare.I removed the seat back and bottom and made a plywood hatch/box taking the place of the seat when it was down.Worked awsome.I took the padding off the seat back of my current first gen and removed the seat bottom.I can get everything to spend a couple nights on the river under the seats.I sleep in the back.

 

I made a custom tarp that tunneled off the back for my GL.It fastened to a roof rack and worked great camping.I wish I had pics.Loving what your doing.

[swcolegacyl]

I had gotten a few estimates to rebuild my transmission for about $3000.00+

 

or buy a used parts Subaru:

 

$600 used 1999 Subaru Outback blown motor

 

Parts I pulled for my car:

1 transmission $500.00 on eBay

1 front fender $100.00 on eBay unpainted

1 side view mirror $50.00 on eBay

1 heater controls $50.00 on eBay

1 drivers side seat and heater control $100.00+

1 rear hatch interior panel $30.00

1 rear view mirror $25.00

 

About $855.00 parts less shipping

 

Labor to replace the transmission:

$200 remove transmission from the junk car.

$500 pull and replace the transmissions in my car including seals and fluids.

 

$600-$855=$-255.00

$-255.00+$700.00 labor

 

This means is paid about $445.00 for a new transmission. Overall very worth buying the other 1999 Outback.

 

You often don’t realize how bad something is till you have something to compare it to. The transmission in my can was pretty trashed. The new transmission shits smooth with better acceleration. What a difference! Yesterday i did the first test drive on and off road. It passed!

 

I've finished off the back with a piece of rug from Walmart that i have cut to fit:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Carpeting.jpg

[swcolegacyl]

Doing a little test of Rust-Oleum leak seal rubber coating. The paint on the front edge of my hood pretty chipped. And in a couple spots where down to bare metal, no rust yet. But it needed to be fixed somehow. So I thought about buying a bra and i still might. Instead for now i'm trying the Rust-Oleum rubber coating. I put on about 6 coats of paint.

 

I should be able to remove the rubber coating if change my mind about it. I cleaned the hood first, but i did not ruff up the paint or even remove the wax. We'll see how it holds up to the Colorado sun.

 

http://www.magnetbra.com/

 

I think i looks pretty good:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/LeadingEdge1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/LeadingEdge2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/LeadingEdge3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/LeadingEdge4.jpg