any suggestions to a new guy about this?

[zayneg]

So with my incoming tax refund, I've got about 1k USD to spare.
I need to get my struts and such replaced anyways, would it be possible to just replace the springs and struts and get a 2"+ lift without changing much else? I really have no idea about what it's going to take, I just want to stay away from spacers if I can, any suggestions to a new guy about this?

 

[Robbks]

In my opinion you'd need to source much longer stroke shocks and add the lift springs to them.
the issue with using stock length struts and longer springs is that you lose the natural droop/ articulation of the suspension. this leaves you with one or two wheels up n the air a lot more when going through washouts or over decent rocks.
Subies don't have much droop to begin with.

I'm exploring new spring and strut options for my SH, but so far all i'm considering is new stiffer struts and stiffer standard height springs.
I'll use lift blocks for extra clearance.

 

[zayneg]

Right, so are you saying if I bought new shocks as well it would be alright?

 

[NachaLuva]

Zayneg, Subies have struts so you only have 2 options. Custom coilovers with a longer stroke (lots of $$$) or standard length struts. I would avoid KYB as they just arent strong enough. Other choices are Gabriel, Sachs, Ultima.

There are 4 ways to lift a Subie:
1. spring lift with Kings or Dobinsons. I wouldnt touch Dobinsons, poor history of breakage. ~1.5" lift
2. coilover lift with custom coilovers with a longer body. Very expensive
3. strut lift with strut top spacers. 1" blocks, 2" spacers with caster/camber offset.
4. body lift. Spacers placed under all the crossmembers & suspension plus steering, etc. Very complicated & bit more expensive but necessary if you want to higher than 2.5"

You can also have combinations of the above. EG, I have a custom body lift with 1" body spacers and 2" strut top spacers ( total 1" lift under engine) and raised springs. That gives me 2.5" total lift. CV angles are good & I have great approach & departure angles & decent clearance

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday Zayneg

A warm to the ORS forum and its motley crew, mate.

Which vehicle do you own?

Probably some decent springs and struts with a little lift would do the job for you.

While they are being replaced, get some 1" Gorilla PE strut top lift blocks fitted, to the rear at least. Later when you need new tyres, fit slightly higher profile tyres that don't rub for a little more lift.

In order to really provide proper advice and information, people need to know:

1) the model and year of your vehicle;

2) what your intentions are (general off-road touring; hard core off-road; daily driver with occasional soft off-road; etc);

3) whether you will mostly have the vehicle loaded up or empty; and

4) whether you intend to tow anything with it - and if so, what?

You should also consider sump protection (sump guard, bash plate) at the very least.
If going hard core off-road, then extend the diff and gearbox breathers, close off the rear flow through ventilation vents (behind the rear bumper on most Subies) and possibly add a snorkel.

 

[zayneg]

I've got an 01 Forester that I drive on the daily.
Usually loaded up with just me, on weekends a couple friends and dog.
Mainly just crossing smaller creeks or flooded areas, and driving on trails that aren't exactly easy to drive on, but nothing like rock climbing or anything. Just some decent trail riding abilities and it to be ready for more than I take it to do, just in case.

I've also considered a snorkel and it's on the list of things to do, as well as replacing the splash guard with a skid plate, seen those somewhere but I forgot where. And a bull bar/brush guard.

*Somewhat off topic but - just made a PVC roof-rack for the forester and will upload pics soon, if anyone's interested.

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday ZN

Depending on the depth of water you go through, I would definitely recommend researching extended diff and gearbox breathers. Kevin, Nachaluva and Dedman (among others) have all written up doing these in their journals, IIRC.

Snorkels are only really necessary if you routinely attack water that's deeper than the top of your wheels. Fan switches ditto. A simple tarp attached over the front of your car helps keep the water out of the engine bay. This can be attached with Octopus straps.

A sump guard (bash plate, in the USA) to replace the ABS plastic splash guard is essential for any kind of bad road use. Primitive Racing make them for Subies in the US.

 

[NachaLuva]

Agree with the sump guard, should be your first mod. Primitive Racing Skidplates

Snorkels give great peace of mind. Depending on how fast the water is flowing, it can easily reach the top of the lights (intake height) even if the water is only axle height. They also give a mild performanc boost and an awesome induction noise under WOT

Sounds like lifted springs would suit you best for those tracks