I've been turning my SH Forester into an off road machine a little at a time for about 2 years so I thought it was time I started to journal what I have been doing. The timeline might get a bit mixed up as I recall the things I have done in that time.
I'll start by explaining that I've had my Forester since new in January 2011. I had a job where I was required to travel all over south Queensland and a car allowance that gave me the choice, within limits, of what I could drive. I wanted something comfortable, reliable, versatile and well-built. My spending limit led me to a Forester X. Due to a run-out special on 2010 models I was able to get the luxury pack included which gave me alloy wheels, fog lamps and heated leather seats (really useful in Queensland:rotfl.
When I retired 2 1/2 years ago I was able to take the Foz with me and that's when I started to get interested in off roading. Not going on long trips, camping and exploring the outback but just going fishing up the beach and testing my skills on bush tracks around Brisbane.
My mods came in this order:
1. a SubaXtreme sump guard
2. Steel wheels and Toyo Open Country AT2 215/70/16 tyres
3. a set of recovery gear (snatch strap, equaliser strap, shackles, folding shovel, first aid kit, tool kit and compressor)
4. 50mm Subiliftoz lift kit
5. breather extensions for rear diff and auto transmission
6. Dune recovery boards
7. a new stereo head unit with GPS that will run off-road software
8. a 5w hand held UHF radio
9. Adjustable end links for the front sway bar.
That's where I'm up to now. I have some photos I'd like to include but can't figure out how to do that without having them on the internet first (I haven't). If someone has any tips on how to put photos in the journal, please let me know.
You can see pics of my mods in my photo album.
I'll start by explaining that I've had my Forester since new in January 2011. I had a job where I was required to travel all over south Queensland and a car allowance that gave me the choice, within limits, of what I could drive. I wanted something comfortable, reliable, versatile and well-built. My spending limit led me to a Forester X. Due to a run-out special on 2010 models I was able to get the luxury pack included which gave me alloy wheels, fog lamps and heated leather seats (really useful in Queensland:rotfl.
When I retired 2 1/2 years ago I was able to take the Foz with me and that's when I started to get interested in off roading. Not going on long trips, camping and exploring the outback but just going fishing up the beach and testing my skills on bush tracks around Brisbane.
My mods came in this order:
1. a SubaXtreme sump guard
2. Steel wheels and Toyo Open Country AT2 215/70/16 tyres
3. a set of recovery gear (snatch strap, equaliser strap, shackles, folding shovel, first aid kit, tool kit and compressor)
4. 50mm Subiliftoz lift kit
5. breather extensions for rear diff and auto transmission
6. Dune recovery boards
7. a new stereo head unit with GPS that will run off-road software
8. a 5w hand held UHF radio
9. Adjustable end links for the front sway bar.
That's where I'm up to now. I have some photos I'd like to include but can't figure out how to do that without having them on the internet first (I haven't). If someone has any tips on how to put photos in the journal, please let me know.
You can see pics of my mods in my photo album.
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