Gorilla or Subtle lift kits

havachat

Forum Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
931
Location
near Healesville Victoria Australia
Car Year
2002
Car Model
Forester SG
Transmission
1.447 low range 4.44 diffs
I am currently running raised King springs and KYB struts and are seriously considering a 1 inch (25mm) strut top lift kit as on occassions I need more lift.

I have been looking at both Subtle and Gorilla kits. Subtle is machined aluminium and Gorilla is High-density polyethylene (HDPE). There is a significant cost difference. Subtle $us225 and Gorilla $us115.

I note Toys-N-Joys has fitted Gorilla. Has anyone got any feed back as to fit, quality and performance?

Comments greatly appreciated.
 
The problem with combining spring lift with a strut top spacer is the lace of camber correction. Factor in a set of aftermarket camber bolts front and rear.
 
A couple of people have done that lift combo blocks+springs, and only needed camber correction pins in the rear. My 2" blocks with 8mm offset still ended up 1.5degree out with the factory bolt on the front, so it helps to check. It'd be a little stuffing around but you can print the template i put on the lift thread, cut it out of 25mm of wood, jack up a wheel (disconnect swaybar) and put in to eyeball the adjustment you've left before doing any real work.

As for the hdpe, it's more than strong enough in this application.
 
I've got a King spring lift with KYB struts, together with the Subtle 1" strut tops & can't fault it.
The place that installed them said they (1" blocks) were very well made & fit like a glove.
Also as they were only 1" no camber adjustment bolts were needed.

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
I am aware of the possible camber issue. I will also be looking at replacing the sway bar links with longer ones and are currently investigating Nolaphane which are owned by the same group that own Whiteline.
Originally I had almost committed myself to Subtle as a couple of friends in the Subaru 4wd club here have done this mod. Then I came across Gorilla. I guess I am trying to work out if the short term saving will be sustained! With shipping costs in US dollars $150 versus $300. Tempting !!
 
I've got the same as Mr Turbo and didn't require camber bolts front or rear...

The Subtle blocks are pretty good, but I agree they are a bit pricey. If I had my time again, I would serially consider the Gorilla ones as the HDPE material would be very suitable for the work!
 
Havachat, I think it depends whether its going in your SF or SG. I think the SG has better camber than the SF.

With just raised springs only, I had slight +ve camber front & only achieved -ve camber on the rear with camber bolts. Raised springs plus blocks would have made it way +ve front.

Pezimm, Mr.Turbo & others have both on their SGs no prob
 
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