I bought my Subaru Forester last year in May 2010 as my first car. It is a 2001 Limited that had 119,000km on the clock, was a 5 speed mnaul with dual range transmission and was completely stock.
I wanted a car I could go down the beach and do light offroading in but didn't want a big, expensive 4x4. Since then my unknown passion for cars, mechanics, Subaru's and offroading has all come out.
After one week of having it I tried it out on the sand dunes and was very impressed, even with the car being stock with highway tyres.
(insert picture here)
Modifications done to my Forester since I have had it.
Firstly I removed all the plastics, like the nudge bar, headlamp protectors, fog lamp protectors, bonnet protectors, etc...
Added some seat covers, new stereo head unit and speakers. I was given a sub and 2 amplifers from a work collegue that didn't use them due to the lack of room in his Jeep Wranger.
Rhino roof racks were also added along with some kayak carriers, a roof basket and 2 spotties mounted to the grille.
Next came my DIY steet sign, aluminum bash plate.
(insert picture here)
My highway tyres very soon because bald to to all the on and offroad use and abuse. After much research I went with a larger size in some Geolander AT-S.
Stock: 205/70R15
Now: 215/70R15
(insert picture here)
Now with stock suspension and back springs that were sagging so bad you couldn't even get your hand between the tyre and wheel arch I though it was time for some new ones. Also due to my stock, sagged setup I had damaged a few things offroad.
This included damaging my front and rear bumpers, nearly ripping off the rear bumper, damaging the trailer lights plug, cracking and bending my sump guard, denting very badly the engine sump, damaging a tyre, dents in the muffler, etc...
Now here in Western Australia 50mm lift from stock is legal, so I went with a set of Dobinson Raised heavy Duty Springs (25mm at the front and 30mm at the rear). I combined these with 25mm (1") strut lift blocks from Subtle Solutions.
As of yet, having my lift kit combination in the foz for a few months I am yet to need any more clearance. Approach and departure angle was also improved dramatically but is still sometimes a small issue on the odd occasion:biggrin:
Before lift
After lift
Now while on this trip to Perth and down South to get my lift kit installed and offroad at the famous Mundaring Powerline track my forester with only 148,000km had the clutch go while on the beach
Turned out to be an expensive little holiday :lol:
You can read about it here (there is a few videos and some good pictures):
https://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=2800
Adventures...
As above that was one of my major adventure in the Forester, it was a good trip that will never be forgotten :biggrin:
Bogged for 6hours in the sand.... Not using a distritution strap when having a Holden Rodeo snatch you out as hard a s they can causes some damage!
Heres the story (pictures included):
https://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=2533
Me repairing the damage!
(insert picture here)
A burning smell....
https://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=2585
My Minor Accident on Christams Day 2010
https://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=2230
My Forester Specifications:
I had gotten sick of paying $300+ or $500+ each time I went for a service or repair at a mechanic. And at $100 an hour labour it was just killing my pocket so with no help except from Google, the internet and Subaru forums I started to do the general maintenance myself :biggrin:
This inculdes oil changes, diff oil changes, filters, O2 sensors, spark plugs and leads, adjusting the hand brake, brake pads and rotors, CV's, CV boots, globes, wiring and installing eletrics, etc... Pretty easy stuff and if I can do it (now a Computer Technician) then anyone can :lol:
Getting my front driver CV out to replace a boot. My first time doing it.
My current projects:.
My Future projects/mods:
Guide:
This is my Forester today!
(insert pictures here)
Her name is Lisa, she has 149,913km and at the present time sitting on the front lawn awaiting some new sprak plug leads.
Even when she is damaged she has always gotten me home and is very reliable. I love my little Subaru wagon, always have heaps of fun times with her. Sometimes good and sometimes bad :lol:
Wouldn't trade her for anything else except maybe another Subaru
I wanted a car I could go down the beach and do light offroading in but didn't want a big, expensive 4x4. Since then my unknown passion for cars, mechanics, Subaru's and offroading has all come out.
After one week of having it I tried it out on the sand dunes and was very impressed, even with the car being stock with highway tyres.
(insert picture here)
Modifications done to my Forester since I have had it.
Firstly I removed all the plastics, like the nudge bar, headlamp protectors, fog lamp protectors, bonnet protectors, etc...
Added some seat covers, new stereo head unit and speakers. I was given a sub and 2 amplifers from a work collegue that didn't use them due to the lack of room in his Jeep Wranger.
Rhino roof racks were also added along with some kayak carriers, a roof basket and 2 spotties mounted to the grille.
Next came my DIY steet sign, aluminum bash plate.
(insert picture here)
My highway tyres very soon because bald to to all the on and offroad use and abuse. After much research I went with a larger size in some Geolander AT-S.
Stock: 205/70R15
Now: 215/70R15
(insert picture here)
Now with stock suspension and back springs that were sagging so bad you couldn't even get your hand between the tyre and wheel arch I though it was time for some new ones. Also due to my stock, sagged setup I had damaged a few things offroad.
This included damaging my front and rear bumpers, nearly ripping off the rear bumper, damaging the trailer lights plug, cracking and bending my sump guard, denting very badly the engine sump, damaging a tyre, dents in the muffler, etc...
Now here in Western Australia 50mm lift from stock is legal, so I went with a set of Dobinson Raised heavy Duty Springs (25mm at the front and 30mm at the rear). I combined these with 25mm (1") strut lift blocks from Subtle Solutions.
As of yet, having my lift kit combination in the foz for a few months I am yet to need any more clearance. Approach and departure angle was also improved dramatically but is still sometimes a small issue on the odd occasion:biggrin:
Before lift
After lift
Now while on this trip to Perth and down South to get my lift kit installed and offroad at the famous Mundaring Powerline track my forester with only 148,000km had the clutch go while on the beach
Turned out to be an expensive little holiday :lol:
You can read about it here (there is a few videos and some good pictures):
https://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=2800
Adventures...
As above that was one of my major adventure in the Forester, it was a good trip that will never be forgotten :biggrin:
Bogged for 6hours in the sand.... Not using a distritution strap when having a Holden Rodeo snatch you out as hard a s they can causes some damage!
Heres the story (pictures included):
https://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=2533
Me repairing the damage!
(insert picture here)
A burning smell....
https://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=2585
My Minor Accident on Christams Day 2010
https://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=2230
My Forester Specifications:
- 2001 MY02 Subaru Forester Limited
- EJ20 2.0l engine producing 92kW & 184Nm of torque.
- 4.11 Final drive
- 5speed Manual transmission
- 1.444 reduction low range (45% from standard high range)
- 15" stock steel rims
- K&N air filter soon to be installed
I had gotten sick of paying $300+ or $500+ each time I went for a service or repair at a mechanic. And at $100 an hour labour it was just killing my pocket so with no help except from Google, the internet and Subaru forums I started to do the general maintenance myself :biggrin:
This inculdes oil changes, diff oil changes, filters, O2 sensors, spark plugs and leads, adjusting the hand brake, brake pads and rotors, CV's, CV boots, globes, wiring and installing eletrics, etc... Pretty easy stuff and if I can do it (now a Computer Technician) then anyone can :lol:
Getting my front driver CV out to replace a boot. My first time doing it.
My current projects:.
- The R160 (Subaru Diff) rear locker project - coming along slowly when I have spare time but there is much trial and error while drawing it up on CAD programs.
My Future projects/mods:
- 3 way switch for the engine fans - Cut out, auto and always on
- Maybe a Subaxtreme bulbar
- possibly lockers
Guide:
- CV Boot & Axel replacement
- Sway bar Quick Disconnects
This is my Forester today!
(insert pictures here)
Her name is Lisa, she has 149,913km and at the present time sitting on the front lawn awaiting some new sprak plug leads.
Even when she is damaged she has always gotten me home and is very reliable. I love my little Subaru wagon, always have heaps of fun times with her. Sometimes good and sometimes bad :lol:
Wouldn't trade her for anything else except maybe another Subaru
Last edited:
150K & still going strong 
