Dulagarl: the Lifted H6 Forester

Well, I bought it, and I have to say that what SKT has done is truly inspired.

It’s a freaking rocket on the bitumen, and it has an enormous amount of grunt offroad.

Engine transplant thread is here:

https://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16564

Here’s a little log of bring it home, and it’s first offroad trip once home.

Jan 29th I flew to Coolangatta. Scott picked me up at the airport and we went for a drive. It didn’t take long for me to be convinced that I should buy this. Sure, it had a couple of issues, for example some worn out bushes in the front end, and a cooling issue, but I could tell that this was a VERY serious vehicle.

Brought it home via Lismore and Casino and then to Tamworth for the night. Next day was Tamworth to Narrandera. Narrandera to Melbourne on the Minday was relatively easy after all of that.

Saw some amazing country in the process. Didn’t have time for many snaps, but here are a few…

Some of the country just into NSW after casino…

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Took a detour via the outer solar system…

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Actually, that virtual solar system drive from siding spring observatory is a good idea. That pic was taken in Gilgandra.

While on the space bent, couldn’t resist a couple of pics with the Parkes Radio Telescope…

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It was 38 degrees Celsius when those shots were taken, and it didn’t get cooler for hours. Unsurprisingly, the vehicle got a bit hot just south of Forbes.

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A bit further south past West Wyalong, and there was still water around from December. Ridiculously flat country with paddocks turned to lakes…

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So, when I got home, I went straight to the mechanic and got an aircon service. I also consulted about improving airflow to the radiator. I looked at pics of offroad bars on Outbacks on the Subaxtreme site, and also the bar on the latest Forester. Armed with that info I decided to cut some holes in the bulbar, and this is the result…

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Gotta love the grille mesh from supacheap auto!

So, I then set up the GPS on the dash with some adhesive Velcro…

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and connected the ECU to the laptop to monitor engine performance and temperatures.

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(BTW: I think I might have resolved the “cooling issues”!)

... part two to follow
 
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The rear brakes locked on while you were driving? That would have been interesting!
Nice paint job on the 4 pots
 
NachaLuva said:
The rear brakes locked on while you were driving? That would have been interesting!
Nice paint job on the 4 pots
Click to expand...
They didnt lock on while driving thanklfully: They locked on while the car sat for too long between trips in my garage. Drove the car and smelt brake dust, felt the wheel and it was hot. The old calipers would have required a rebuild, and I know the pistons were suss. Easy decision to do the upgrade.

The paint job was done with the overhaul by https://www.actbrakes.com.au/contact-us . They did a great job and were really helpful.
 
Just bought a stack of interior parts and trim from an immaculate MY97 Foz with less than 200,000 kms on the clock. Most of the stuff I bought is like new:

  • Door cards (lol $70 for 4: you'd expect to pay more than that for 1)
  • all door rubber seals including tailgate seal (side door openings over $120 a side, side doors $74 a door, Tailgate over $70 partsouq)
  • sun visors
  • exterior weather strips for doors (over $60 each new from partsouq if you can get them. these are like new)
  • sunglass holder / clock / map light assembly (I've seen these go for over $140)
  • Washer bottle and motors ($40 complete: these go for over $150 complete)
  • heaps of screws, grommets, scrivet clips, etc
  • grey pinchweld for inside door openings
  • plastic sill liners (for doors)
  • 2 side mirrors in fantastic condition
  • the gussets for the front of the windows on the front doors
All up $500. I've been trying to source some of this stuff new from partsouq and you simply can't get these parts. I'll progressively swap all this new stuff over. The door cards are a much nicer looking unit than the faded velour multicoloured SF Facelift trim. The outer weather seals alone are over $40 each plus freight if you can get them, and these are like new.
 
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So I've had a bit of time to do some jobs on the vehicle.

Job 1: Storage space.
Its great to be able to store stuff in the spare wheel well, under the floor, but not so great having to remove fridge, second batter etc to get at all that stuff.

I replaced the factory "floor" with a reinforced plywood lid, that allows the fridge and battery to stay in there while you access stuff like spare parts, oil, filters etc.

FYI: a Waeco CF 40 fits perfectly into the left side of the boot, and you can fit 2x Oates brand storage drawers next to it, and battery pack.

Battery is held by a ratechet tie down which is anchored to a new tie down point using the seat belt anchors in the rear passenger area.

The result looks like this:

cargo 1.jpg

The rubber mat is cut to fold back to reveal the new floor. I used some automotive liner that you can but from Clark Rubber: its cheap and glues on for a nice finish:

cargo 2.jpg

Under that is strorage space:

cargo 3.jpg

Once reassembled, there's room for drawers and another handy storage shelf above, that allows access to wiring and other parts behind the fridge and battery.

cargo 4.jpg

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This also allows further storage to the left of fridge, and to the right of the drawers. You can also see the DC DC charger for the lithium battery.

Job 2 follows
 
Job 2: Consolidate second storage area

I run two cargo barriers as I dont need a back seat. The base of the back seat is removed, and there is a heap of space to be used there.

The trim at the sill required a little bit of modification to allow a Dometic 11 litre water bottle to slid in and out, and maximises available space for other things... These bottles use a USB chargeable tap: check them our theyre great.

Heres the view through the drivers side passenger door.

rear store 1.jpg

From top to bottom, you can see a mesh attic for soft items such as a shower tent. its also great for dryinbg out wet gear when on the road. Next down are some drawers to electrical / battery gear and medicines etc accessed in camp. These are secured to front barrier. there's also a kitchen sink, collapsible bucker, 120w solar panel, bow saw, compressor, sand mat, long handled broom and shovel (very useful), axe. in the large area available theres room for a huge telescope case and tripod bag, day packs, raincoats and other geat. we waste no space.

At the bottom there is the Dometic bottle and if you look closely, some Coopers XPA. But how much?

rear store 2.jpg

Under the seat back which is anchored down, there is the 11 litre bottle, and insulated wine box for 6 bottles, a 10 litre willo water bottle, another six box for wine, and some space bside that. behind all that gear you can fir a stack of stuff (for example fold up kayak paddles, lifejackets etc). On this occadsion, behind what you can see is 22 cans of beer, and a spare tent (Mont Moondance 2EX). Much better than putting other things like kids in the back!

Job 3 follows, but not today
 
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