2015 Subaru Outback: The Anti-Wrangler
- Thread starter haven
- Start date
Hodaka
Adventurer
As Chazz stated, some of the auto transmission Subarus can have a mod wired in that will lock the center diff. Also, certain models came with a rear limited slip (yes, even front on some-but not ones you would normally use off pavement).
Subaru has made many different versions of it's transmissions, including a model with full time AWD with a lockable center diff. Because many of these transmissions share common cases and other parts, combos like full time AWD, lockable center, and selectable high/low range can (and have been) pieced together. Not to mention, there are transfer cases that can bolted in behind the factory transmission, allowing combos with dual transfer case, 4.44 final drive, etc. *some fab work required.
That being said, a Subaru Brat with a mild lift (4"), slightly bigger tires (27" SSR's, IIRC), and a slightly built stock engine did a lot of the Rubicon a number of years ago. I think they ran out of time, and were unable to complete the trail, but they did way more than any of the Jeepers thought was possible.
My own experience with Subarus is similar, as I often get into places that I should not be able to. No damage, no thrashing, just proper driving. I have owned a JKU, and I think the only place I went with it that my Soobs might have had trouble with was a mud hole. And the Jeep almost got stuck there, anyways. The Jeep has more room, gets worse mileage, and makes a better platform for building something more hardcore. Give and take. The Outback is miles ahead for highway and softroading, has a little less room, and can only be upgraded so far without a lot of work. For most people, that's just fine.
Subaru has made many different versions of it's transmissions, including a model with full time AWD with a lockable center diff. Because many of these transmissions share common cases and other parts, combos like full time AWD, lockable center, and selectable high/low range can (and have been) pieced together. Not to mention, there are transfer cases that can bolted in behind the factory transmission, allowing combos with dual transfer case, 4.44 final drive, etc. *some fab work required.
That being said, a Subaru Brat with a mild lift (4"), slightly bigger tires (27" SSR's, IIRC), and a slightly built stock engine did a lot of the Rubicon a number of years ago. I think they ran out of time, and were unable to complete the trail, but they did way more than any of the Jeepers thought was possible.
My own experience with Subarus is similar, as I often get into places that I should not be able to. No damage, no thrashing, just proper driving. I have owned a JKU, and I think the only place I went with it that my Soobs might have had trouble with was a mud hole. And the Jeep almost got stuck there, anyways. The Jeep has more room, gets worse mileage, and makes a better platform for building something more hardcore. Give and take. The Outback is miles ahead for highway and softroading, has a little less room, and can only be upgraded so far without a lot of work. For most people, that's just fine.
Dake21
Adventurer
I think I should re-emphaze that I like Subarus vehicule and do not hate them. I just want to put the record straight. I go wheeling with a guy who owns a forester, great guy and I like his vehicule. he made it trough some mud with highway tires and I wouldn't expect him to succeed.
A Lancer, SX4 and jeep patriot all fall within the price range, but curiously you will never see them in these tests.
Locking isnt really for rock crawling ONLY. When I lock my center diff (acts like a classic 4wd.) I gain a LOT more stability on dirt roads, grass etc. The dirt road I use to go to the gun range during fall becomes like a wet sponge and locking the CD helps a lot. SUV used to have lockers too, but they were replaced by electronics.
I know in Europe you can have a forester with dual range (high and low gear) but for some reason it's not available in North america.
A Lancer, SX4 and jeep patriot all fall within the price range, but curiously you will never see them in these tests.
Locking isnt really for rock crawling ONLY. When I lock my center diff (acts like a classic 4wd.) I gain a LOT more stability on dirt roads, grass etc. The dirt road I use to go to the gun range during fall becomes like a wet sponge and locking the CD helps a lot. SUV used to have lockers too, but they were replaced by electronics.
I know in Europe you can have a forester with dual range (high and low gear) but for some reason it's not available in North america.
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digitaldelay
Explorer
WagoneerSX4
Adventurer
I'm pretty sure it's only Japan. Same tranny was available in the Baja too which we never got over here.
The ********** jeep driver don't know how to drive. that's a joke right there. He just ********** foots it in. Wrong thing to do in the snow. The roo driver knows how to drive. Jeep owner is a poser.
We had the Baja available in Newfoundland, sure you got your models correct? one of my buddies had one. freaky little rig.
WagoneerSX4
Adventurer
I know we got the baja, in my teens I worked in a factory that made parts for it over here. I was talking about specifically the dual range transfer case option.
libarata
Expedition Leader
If only the forester driver knew how to drive in powder...
Chazz Layne
Administrator
If we weren't such a litigious society here in the states I might consider marketing a kit.
Yep, the Foz mod is pretty much the same. I could wire up a knob, but it's automatic decision making skills have been good enough so far that I only really want to override for the 50/50. The "reasearch" thread on this mod was intriguing... they played with different voltages until it was dialed in just right.
It seems weird coming from Jeeps and Land Rovers where the 50/50 split is caused by a physical lockup via lever, to find what's basically a dimmer switch in the Subi's that's technically capable of anything from a 90/10 to 10/90 split.
