kiwifoz
Forum Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2014
- Messages
- 287
- Location
- Dunedin, NZ
- Car Year
- 1989
- Car Model
- L series
- Transmission
- 5 speed dual-range PT4WD
In New Zealand, we have fairly restrictive legislation as to what you can do to your vehicle to modify it for offroad usage.
Because the Forester (and Outback) are car-based vehicles, there are very limited options available without requiring a certification.
This thread shall be written for the SG5 Forester, as that's what I own and have researched.
Tyres:
In NZ, tyres must "have an outer circumference that is no more than 5% greater than OE" - which rules out 215/70r16s or 215/75r15s.
There is nothing that stops the fitment of AT or MT type tyres however, but if snow/ice tyres are used the minimum legal tread depth is 4mm not 1.5mm and they must be fitted to all wheels in contact with the road.
Source: https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt...s,-wheels-and-hubs/tyres-and-wheels#table1011
Suspension:
In NZ, only a spring lift of less than 5cm (2") is legal. No body lift whatsoever is legal without certification, which also precludes the fitment of 'strut spacers' which fall under the body lift rules.
ANY form of aftermarket "coilover" adjustable type suspension requires certification.
If a body lift is undertaken, the steering shaft cannot be extended by welding unless undertaken by an appropriately qualified person. Crush tubes and boxing, as well as tying some blocks together, will almost certainly be necessary for a certificate to be issued.
Source:https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt...nd-suspension/steering-and-suspension-systems
https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt...sion/steering-and-suspension-systems#table911
Bullbars:
In NZ, the Forester SG is classified as a class MC vehicle (although this is probably debateable), placing it in the 'Offroad vehicle' category and making the fitment of bullbars legal. "As with Class MA vehicles, bullbars are only allowed if the vehicle has been crash tested and has met the requirements of the relevant frontal impact standard with the specific bullbar already fitted. You'll need to get this confirmed by the vehicle manufacturer."
SO basically it's going to bloody hard to satisfy that requirement, even with something like a Subaxtreme bar.
Unfortunately for an SF owner, the lower ground clearance/reduced angles class it as an MA or 'road' vehicle, making the fitment of bullbars difficult - unless you get a base-model version with no airbags (but even then this is questionable as the relevant legislation also states "you can't fit a bullbar to a vehicle if the bullbar would adversely affect the performance of any frontal impact protection features (eg airbags or crumple zones)." and the crumple zone would most likely be deemed as 'affected').
Sources:https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/22/bullbars.html
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/frontal-impact-2001-index.html
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/classes-standards/class.html
Hope this helps, or at least makes for an interesting read.
Because the Forester (and Outback) are car-based vehicles, there are very limited options available without requiring a certification.
This thread shall be written for the SG5 Forester, as that's what I own and have researched.
Tyres:
In NZ, tyres must "have an outer circumference that is no more than 5% greater than OE" - which rules out 215/70r16s or 215/75r15s.
There is nothing that stops the fitment of AT or MT type tyres however, but if snow/ice tyres are used the minimum legal tread depth is 4mm not 1.5mm and they must be fitted to all wheels in contact with the road.
Source: https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt...s,-wheels-and-hubs/tyres-and-wheels#table1011
Suspension:
In NZ, only a spring lift of less than 5cm (2") is legal. No body lift whatsoever is legal without certification, which also precludes the fitment of 'strut spacers' which fall under the body lift rules.
ANY form of aftermarket "coilover" adjustable type suspension requires certification.
If a body lift is undertaken, the steering shaft cannot be extended by welding unless undertaken by an appropriately qualified person. Crush tubes and boxing, as well as tying some blocks together, will almost certainly be necessary for a certificate to be issued.
Source:https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt...nd-suspension/steering-and-suspension-systems
https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt...sion/steering-and-suspension-systems#table911
Bullbars:
In NZ, the Forester SG is classified as a class MC vehicle (although this is probably debateable), placing it in the 'Offroad vehicle' category and making the fitment of bullbars legal. "As with Class MA vehicles, bullbars are only allowed if the vehicle has been crash tested and has met the requirements of the relevant frontal impact standard with the specific bullbar already fitted. You'll need to get this confirmed by the vehicle manufacturer."
SO basically it's going to bloody hard to satisfy that requirement, even with something like a Subaxtreme bar.
Unfortunately for an SF owner, the lower ground clearance/reduced angles class it as an MA or 'road' vehicle, making the fitment of bullbars difficult - unless you get a base-model version with no airbags (but even then this is questionable as the relevant legislation also states "you can't fit a bullbar to a vehicle if the bullbar would adversely affect the performance of any frontal impact protection features (eg airbags or crumple zones)." and the crumple zone would most likely be deemed as 'affected').
Sources:https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/22/bullbars.html
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/frontal-impact-2001-index.html
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/classes-standards/class.html
Hope this helps, or at least makes for an interesting read.
