TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1976 Bus Powered by EZ36 Subaru Motor and 6 Speed Trans

Tue Aug 25, 2020 9:20 am

Hello, Its time for another bus build. I have taken a few years off since the last one and i am ready. New work space, new town and now a very big project on my hands. So here it is. I am taking two 1976 Bus's and making an AWD Subaru powered Overland inspired off the grid super bus. I found two bus's that have been in storage since 1978. This is going to be like the other threads with lots of photos. Let the fun begin.

Tue Aug 25, 2020 10:19 am

Tue Aug 25, 2020 11:40 am

wow, can't believe how clean the Green One is.... :shock: :shock: :shock: Congrats on that ALONE.... :P :P :P

Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:05 pm

I hope this build goes well; added to my watched list :)

Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:15 pm

Definitely worth the effort. I love my awd bay camper. 👍🏼

Tue Aug 25, 2020 8:14 pm

Some of my inspiration has come from vehicle like this. Granted my intentions are not to make a hard core off road machine. I would like the ability to do some trail driving and loose gravel traversing with confidence.

Tue Aug 25, 2020 8:58 pm

Looking forward to your build 👍🏼

Tue Aug 25, 2020 10:21 pm

i am not very easily impressed but look how nice these cleaned up. The foam is in amazing shape also. Cant wait to do the seats tomorrow.

Tue Aug 25, 2020 10:22 pm

All this interior is being sold, this is very cool but not the style of this build.

scirocco_crazy wrote: i am not very easily impressed but look how nice these cleaned up. The foam is in amazing shape also. Cant wait to do the seats tomorrow.

Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:04 am

you can do this amply with a stock bus. many have for decades.
just saying. :wink:

scirocco_crazy wrote: Granted my intentions are not to make a hard core off road machine. I would like the ability to do some trail driving and loose gravel traversing with confidence.

Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:30 am

danfromsyr wrote: you can do this amply with a stock bus. many have for decades.
just saying. :wink:

scirocco_crazy wrote: Granted my intentions are not to make a hard core off road machine. I would like the ability to do some trail driving and loose gravel traversing with confidence.

Can’t argue that. Build will be fun to see though 😀

Wed Aug 26, 2020 9:58 am

I agree and have done great trips with my other builds. I guess i am a project addict. I dont mind the time and money and adventure of doing a hard project. Check out the 78 bus with the Acura motor thread. It was tough but the journey was so much fun.

danfromsyr wrote: you can do this amply with a stock bus. many have for decades.
just saying. :wink:

scirocco_crazy wrote: Granted my intentions are not to make a hard core off road machine. I would like the ability to do some trail driving and loose gravel traversing with confidence.

Wed Aug 26, 2020 9:10 pm

I like the little successes as much as the big ones. Tonight i scrubbed the seats and i have to admit, i really think they look great. Its making me second guess my interior choices. Each of the doors are getting broken down and degreased.
I also narrowed down my transmission today to the 6 speed unit from the Subaru Outback.

Thu Aug 27, 2020 3:01 pm

:popcorn:

This is gonna be good...

Fri Aug 28, 2020 9:56 am

That is a great idea!

From what you see, how do you plan to make the Subaru AWD system works?
People put a Subaru 5 or 6 speed in it with SubaruGears product.
In the Subaru I guess it goes in the rear to a transfer case, but the rear wheels stay fixed.
So how are you going to deal with the front wheels to make them turn?
Very interesting project!

Fri Aug 28, 2020 5:54 pm

These are all great questions, the subigears ring and pinion allow certain transmissions to work still in awd. The rear diff will be installed inverted up front to accommodate for the rotation difference. i will need to flip the cover so the vent is in the correct area. The carrier for the diff will need to be custom. My plan is to make the entire system modular so it can simply be bolted in with minimal fabrication. The way Subaru's are set up i will be able to use the rear CV shafts up front. I want to use as many stock items as possible. This way replacement parts are easy to come by and cheap.

fok
ker100 wrote: That is a great idea!

From what you see, how do you plan to make the Subaru AWD system works?
People put a Subaru 5 or 6 speed in it with SubaruGears product.
In the Subaru I guess it goes in the rear to a transfer case, but the rear wheels stay fixed.
So how are you going to deal with the front wheels to make them turn?
Very interesting project!

Fri Aug 28, 2020 6:01 pm

And what kind of front end are you using? Syncro?

Sun Aug 30, 2020 4:18 pm

alaskadan wrote: And what kind of front end are you using? Syncro?

And? :)

Sun Aug 30, 2020 11:20 pm

scirocco_crazy wrote: I agree and have done great trips with my other builds. I guess i am a project addict. I dont mind the time and money and adventure of doing a hard project. Check out the 78 bus with the Acura motor thread. It was tough but the journey was so much fun.

danfromsyr wrote: you can do this amply with a stock bus. many have for decades.
just saying. :wink:

scirocco_crazy wrote: Granted my intentions are not to make a hard core off road machine. I would like the ability to do some trail driving and loose gravel traversing with confidence.
I’ve always enjoyed and marveled at the ingenuity in your builds.

Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:23 am

Good morning Alaskadan, i will be using the front sub assembly from a Subaru Tribeca for the front suspension. The drive will be an inverted rear diff front the tribeca. My plan is to make a custom carrier for the diff so i can use as many stock parts as possible. The design i have has the entire unit being able to bolt in so that it could be like a kit of sort. I will working on buying the donor Tibeca at the upcoming IIAA auto auctions. Just looking for one with a rear collision to buy it cheap.

alaskadan wrote: And what kind of front end are you using? Syncro?