Can KYB GEN 2 suspension fit on a '99 Forester

[Gazoola]

Hi all

Been lurking here for ages, and have got enthused about all the mods that people are doing...so I'll kick off some of my own.

Had my subi since 2002. Never knew cars were so reliable, but that is comparing to an old FIAT - Gasp!!

At the moment the rear is sagged, with measurements from centre of wheel to wheel arch
Rear 395mm
Front 420mm

I'm planning on getting King raised springs per their catalogue at
https://www.kingsprings.com.au/catalogue/kings_master_catalogue.pdf
plus the recommended KYB (KYB 334191/2) struts on the rear, which are described as

SUBARU FORESTER
(GEN:1) (SF / F5) 2.0L 4WD, S/Wagon, Excl. Self leveling Susp. Note: Rear Self Levelling units can be identified by their Lime Green Colour.​

Note the "GEN 1" above...But after reading the forum, one '01 Forrester (Taza's) was using the GEN 2 struts, which are meant for 2002+ Foresters. ??

Has anyone else put KYB GEN 2 on their '99 Forester, even though the KYB catalogue says GEN 1?

Also with my stock front measurements above, do the frontstruts look OK?
What is the acid test for worn front shocks? If I give the fender a bounce, the car seems to level almost immediately. Just wondering if while changing the four springs I should just the front shocks as well rather than deal with it in the near future, given that these shocks have done 157k km's.

Gaz

 

[taza]

Hi Gaz, my 1st gen foz is the same as yours. It will take KYB Gen II struts. If your foz is a Limited or GT model it will have self leveling ones. Thus need replacing if want to change your springs or do a strut lift. I especially had tp with mine as they had collapsed thus sagging somewhere around 40+mm compared to stock height.

You can get the same KYB struts I have in your foz. I will post the model numbers too and let you know where I got mine done as I highly recommend the place.

So if you ate looking at raised springs and your foz has sls you will have to change them. I did how ever keep my front stock struts as they were fine. I will let someone else comment oh how to test your struts ad I can't keep typing like this on a phone. Haha

Bps. Nice to see another WA member

Taza

 

[Gazoola]

Hi Taza, yeah mine is a LTD with SLS, so they will have to come out.
But I'm still very curious that I have a choice between GEN 1 and GEN 2 KYB struts, and four GEN 2 types listed at that.
There must be some difference. What swayed you to the GEN 2?
The perception that version 2 of anything is hopefully better? Or is there real technical merit in doing so?

Those online KYB part numbers are a bit ambiguous too. For instance it says

(GEN:1) (SF / F5) 2.0L 4WD, S/Wagon, Excl. Self leveling Susp. Note: Rear Self Levelling units can be identified by their Lime Green Colour.

Does "Excl. Self leveling Susp.", mean this replacement part doesn't include SLS? Or does it mean that vehicles that did have SLS can't use this part??

I think I'll give KYB in Perth a call to find out what is going on, because I don't want to stuff up my order. I am thinking of doing this myself, even if I have to fork out for the spring compressors.

I want to get this sorted ASAP in readiness for a blast to the south west over the Xmas - New Year break.

Gaz

 

[Gazoola]

Thanks for the email feedback Taza,
I'm glad that's sorted, I was thinking that all this talk of Gen 2 was to do with the Forrester versions, and that people were using the suspension from the newer model, which I believe is possible but needs new top hats etc and increases the rear lift.
Well, I can't be stuffed going the hard way, especially if I DIY, as no time to pick up any needed extras. So standard KYB struts for a GEN 1 (SF5) Forester it is.