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1972VWbus · 06-01-2023, 03:47 PM

Getting conflicting info on this. Have a 1990 Subaru Sambar with AWD (5 speed manual) EFI Supercharged and the from what I can see and tell from the manual don't see why it cannot be flat towed. Anyone care to have a look at manual and offer an answer.

Manual:

http://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru...vice%20Manual/

Tim-n-Gina · 06-01-2023, 05:33 PM

I have no knowledge of your vehicle, so this is just a general thought.
Does it have a second gearshift (transfer case) to select between 2wd/4wd/neutral?
If so, neutral should allow flat towing, At least from a drivetrain perspective.
But don't take my word for it...
Trust but verify.

Good luck

1972VWbus · 06-01-2023, 06:11 PM

No transfer case.

HighDesert · 06-01-2023, 08:21 PM

Older Subarus, such as yours with a manual transmission can be flat towed.

theroc · 06-04-2023, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighDesert

Older Subarus, such as yours with a manual transmission can be flat towed.

I'm not completely sure if one can give a blanket "all older Subarus with manual transmissions" can be recreationally towed. Remember, this is a Japanese Kei vehicle (ultra-mini vehicles which are kind of go-cartish-like).

I haven't done research recently so can't back up what I'm about to recollect so I wouldn't consider it completely factual.

First, Subaru didn't start to approve "recreational towing" until 1998 and this was only when they started to use their viscous center differential AWD system on manual transmission models.

From what I remember, those Sambar trucks and vans were rear-engined (of only about 50 to 60 HP?) and used an entirely different layout that was referred to as "4WD" instead of or opposed to their full-time AWD systems that were used on their more modern cars and SUVs that were introduced in the late 1990s? (one was for manual transmissions and another for automatics).

I believe it was the Legacy and Foresters that first started using that viscous center differential AWD system in the late 1990s. This was the first time they approved any of their vehicles for flat-towing.

My guess is that the Sambar would probably not be towable but a mechanic or mechanical engineer hopefully will look at what the OP has linked and be able to give a much better opinion that I can.

1972VWbus · 06-24-2023, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theroc

I'm not completely sure if one can give a blanket "all older Subarus with manual transmissions" can be recreationally towed. Remember, this is a Japanese Kei vehicle (ultra-mini vehicles which are kind of go-cartish-like).

I haven't done research recently so can't back up what I'm about to recollect so I wouldn't consider it completely factual.

First, Subaru didn't start to approve "recreational towing" until 1998 and this was only when they started to use their viscous center differential AWD system on manual transmission models.

From what I remember, those Sambar trucks and vans were rear-engined (of only about 50 to 60 HP?) and used an entirely different layout that was referred to as "4WD" instead of or opposed to their full-time AWD systems that were used on their more modern cars and SUVs that were introduced in the late 1990s? (one was for manual transmissions and another for automatics).

I believe it was the Legacy and Foresters that first started using that viscous center differential AWD system in the late 1990s. This was the first time they approved any of their vehicles for flat-towing.

My guess is that the Sambar would probably not be towable but a mechanic or mechanical engineer hopefully will look at what the OP has linked and be able to give a much better opinion that I can.

The only answer I've had thus far is no to flat towing with the AWD but selective 4WD is ok. But that is not been with an explanation as to specifically why. The Sambars were both in selective 4WD and AWD. Told the reason is the viscous coupling but no details.

I still do not see why the VC would play a role as to not flat towing.

PanJH · 08-14-2024, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972VWbus

The only answer I've had thus far is no to flat towing with the AWD but selective 4WD is ok. But that is not been with an explanation as to specifically why. The Sambars were both in selective 4WD and AWD. Told the reason is the viscous coupling but no details.

I still do not see why the VC would play a role as to not flat towing.

Any updates on if it's flat towable ? I'm thinking of getting a KEI .