Which lift method for me?

[isuc]

Hey Guys,

Thinking of a lift for my 2004 MY05 Forester X Manual but undecided on which approach, springs or strut blocks is the best approach for me. My goal is mainly camping and light to medium offroading but nothing hardcore (I can't afford a new car if I break it :iconwink:..).

I guess I'd like to retain most of my foresters current road handling so removing swaybars etc is probably too far for me. That said when I did my QLD road trip a year ago I was a bit annoyed how low the car sat once loaded up especially since the camping gear was still at home in the shed!

I'm currently considering either the raised Kings (+30mm) or the AuSubaru strut blocks (+50mm). Can't really see myself doing both.

Has anyone experience with either of these products by themselves?
Are the strut blocks an easy DIY install (besides the wheel alignment) or are they a hastle and require a lot of changes to get in I.e. brake line extensions, clearance issues, swaybar mounts, camber bolts etc.

At the moment I am leaning towards the blocks mainly due to the increased height, and the possibility of DIY to save some $$$ but I'm concerned the state transport department and my insurance company might prefer the springs instead

Thanks

 

[Kevin]

The strut blocks are a straight forward install. Take out the strut, bolt the blocks on and reinstall the strut. Don't forget to mark the postion of your front camber bolts before you loosen them.

However, this won't fix rear sag if that's the problem.
You could combine the blocks with a set of standard height heavy duty springs for the rear.

If you want to maintain the ride then go with the blocks.

Most have discovered that handling actually improves with the heavier springs, but the ride is of course firmer.

When I had my old MY'97 Outback I just used raised springs and was very happy with the result (that model had very soft springs and I don't think blocks were available back then)

So, if you want to maintain ride = blocks
To improve load carrying capabilities = heavier springs

 

[Crinale]

plus, if the extra 20mm is a serious consideration for you.. you can always do the 30mm springs now, then do a 20mm spacer later

 

[mr turbo]

G'day & isuc to ORS.

I put in a set of 30mm raised Kings Springs for my lift & am very happy with them. I now have less body roll since putting them in due to the extra stiffness. The ride is firmer, but not too hard as to make it an uncomfortable ride.
I have noticed though, that over time, the rear has sagged a little.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[isuc]

The strut blocks are a straight forward install. Take out the strut, bolt the blocks on and reinstall the strut. Don't forget to mark the postion of your front camber bolts before you loosen them.

However, this won't fix rear sag if that's the problem.
You could combine the blocks with a set of standard height heavy duty springs for the rear.

If you want to maintain the ride then go with the blocks.

Most have discovered that handling actually improves with the heavier springs, but the ride is of course firmer.

When I had my old MY'97 Outback I just used raised springs and was very happy with the result (that model had very soft springs and I don't think blocks were available back then)

So, if you want to maintain ride = blocks
To improve load carrying capabilities = heavier springs

Thanks Kevin.

My rear doesn't seem to have sagged yet so it sounds like the blocks could be the best approach. I need to check with my insurance company before I make my final decision though...

Did you install the lift on your car before the springs? If so did it create excess body roll with the softer factory springs?

Cheers

 

[isuc]

G'day & isuc to ORS.

I put in a set of 30mm raised Kings Springs for my lift & am very happy with them. I now have less body roll since putting them in due to the extra stiffness. The ride is firmer, but not too hard as to make it an uncomfortable ride.
I have noticed though, that over time, the rear has sagged a little.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Mr Turbo

Thanks Mr Turbo.

I was a member of the old ORS site but was more of a lurker at the time because the Forester was my wifes daily driver so I wasn't allowed to muck around with it...

She now has her own run around so I have permission to play with it

I think the lift blocks are sounding like a good option for me now but how do you find the Kings on corrugated roads etc?

Cheers.

 

[mr turbo]

Thanks Mr Turbo.

I think the lift blocks are sounding like a good option for me now but how do you find the Kings on corrugated roads etc?

I'd say that they are about the same as the stock ones.
Very little difference, if any.

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[just_bj]

I went with the springs because I've got a camper trailer that is a bit heavy on the drawbar. The ride is firmer but I'm happy with the results.

 

[Kevin]

Did you install the lift on your car before the springs? If so did it create excess body roll with the softer factory springs?

Cheers

Yes and No.

 

[peterh]

This was my first major operation to the car. Springs looked simpler and also the back end sagged heaps with camping gear in. after much indecision went with heavy Pedder springs, some people said that they might slightly longer as well. I found that the front and rear are the same length out of the strut. once they were back on the car I had about 35 mm more at the front and 50mm at the rear measured off the body close to each wheel. I like the lift and the same camping gear only takes about 15mm off the rear.

My only problem was that after couple of kilometres of light corrugation the spring seat sagged and started rubbing on the tire. at the time I had 230/60/16s so there was only a few mm between the tire and the strut and spring seat. I have swapped back to std 205/70/15 and now have about 20 mm clearance until my confidence returns.