How many Folks Actually go Off Road?

Ah yes, but the Outback wouldn't have stalled. Don't underestimate how well the Forester and Outback are offroad. I have heard of plenty of stories where Outbacks and Foresters have left the so called proper

Sounds like fun stuff!

So, Steve - I gotta ask. Do you have one of those Colorado bumper stickers that says "How's your Aspen?"? (one of my favorites)

Bill Putney (to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with "x")

It is actually the inexpensive AT AWD version in Subarus that drives the front wheels permanently, with the back driven indirectly through a clutch pack. The MT transmission Subarus have a center differential, as do the more expensive AT models (VTD/VCD). As such, they drive both axles at all times. Older models differ (e.g., my '77 has a manually locking center diff).

I believe in most cases clearance is the limit, as well as the rather poor approach and departure angles in Subarus. After that, the lack of a low range in the North American market affects their off-road ability. I would list the ability to lock center or front/back axles manually as the least reason that restricts Subarus.

Right, now I see the drive shaft is actually two co-centric shafts. The outer one, connected to the drive gears, drives the center differential and the inner shaft is driven by the center differential, through the outer shaft to the front open differential.

-- Dominic Richens | snipped-for-privacy@alumni.uottawa.ca "If you're not *outraged*, you're not paying attention!"

Yes, I did just that with my 90 Legacy. Years ago I drove it, together with some friends and another FWD car, into mountains in South Island, New Zealand. While crossing a shallow river my friends refused to stay with me inside my car. I had to left them on the river bank and drove the car into the water alone. The water was above sills and the tailpipes was definitely under the water. The car stalled in the middle of the river because I was so nervous and didn't push gas paddle hard enough. However I didn't have any problem to restart the engine and managed to drive across the river. My friends wouldn't follow me in the other FWD car and I had to drive back across the river again. They all said I was a bit crazy, and I had agree with them after that little adventure.

Geoff