subaru 4x4 sportswagon

Neville,
Can do lift kit and larger rims/tyres. Problems I had with my '83, (which eventually led to its sale)
1/ Oil pump problems around 135,000
2/ CV joints at around 105,000 and 120,000 (different)
3/ Numerous rubber boots around CV joint - can be improved by fitting rubber mud flaps to reduce stone damage
4/ Bent front McPherson strut, not worth repairing - sold - at 145,000
5/ Rust on sill panels if used on / near beach
Rolande

I had an early eighties sportswagon 10 odd years ago. Had problem with both CV joints. The carburator kept sticking on high revs, not nice in city traffic. Other than those problems it was OK.

I have had five of these little beauties......well the first one was a 1600.... We crossed the Tanimi in a 1982 model towing an offroad trailer loaded down with two teenagers, spare wheels, 4 bikes, and a canoe. The road was rough... we found the grader working on the track when we had to turn up the Buchanan Hwy cos the rest of the Tanimi track was flooded. They're great tough little fellas. You need to drive them skillfully so as not to fall into big wheel ruts left by others.... so a lift would be handy. CV joints are chewed out regularly. Keep checking the boots. As soon as they crack replace them or do some sort of bush job to keep out the grit. That's what wrecks them. Anyway it's not too big a cost or job to replace them [handyman level].

Oh yeah! I forgot about the rust........... I'll bet you'll have the window surrounds and pillars badly effected by now unless it has been garaged and cleaned regularly.

As mentioned here - CV rubbers are a constant worry. The motors are very strong, should go at least 400 000 km if looked after. There were lift kits made but it may be difficult to get a kit now (contact Scorpion in Qld who make Subaru stuff).

If you live anywhere near Canberra I have a set of 14" Pugeot wheels and tyres that will fit.

Good luck

If you type subaXtreme in a search engine you will find bits for your vehicle
Rolande