Biggest possible A/T on 2007 outback

Slammed 164

Forum Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2019
Messages
7
Location
Perth, Australia
Car Year
2008
Car Model
Outback
Transmission
Manual 5spd
Hi I'm new here,
I'm about to pick up a 2007 outback (here in Australia if there's any difference in models).
I'm wanting to fit the biggest possible A/T probably a geolanders or similar, don't want to go down the path of lift (at least just yet), going to spend that available money on skid plate armour first.
I've heard about a 225/70/16 would be the limit?
Definitely going to run a 16x7" Steelie which I'll be buying as well, any recommendations there and what offset to get to avoid rubbing issues? Any help much appreciated.
Cheers
 
It seems reasonable that 225/75/16 are the biggest tires you should be able to fit on your Outback without further modifications, but I'm no Outback specialist, sorry !
 
I can't confirm size either but if, as per your intro post, you want to use for mainly sand you're better off with the least aggressive AT; normal road tyres are fine on sand.
 
I've also been looking for 16X7 steel rims but haven't been able to find any that fit. New aftermarket rims don't come in suitable offset for Subaru. You can get aftermarket mags with 40mm offset for about $250 each. Some VW wheels have the right PCD but not sure about the offset. If you find a set of steelies, please let me know. I'm looking at an offset between 35 and 40mm but I have a Forester.
 
Kevin said:
I can't confirm size either but if, as per your intro post, you want to use for mainly sand you're better off with the least aggressive AT; normal road tyres are fine on sand.
Click to expand...
I forgot to mention that I will also do some mud /gravel hills sort of thing, my idea behind big tyres is that I'll get more contact patch for grip and also a little bit extra clearance, is that somewhat right?

Definitely not interested in something like BFG KO2 because the car needs to be comfortable and fuel efficient on road, are geolanders what most people run? Are there some alternatives at that price point?
Cheers
 
Personally, I recommend installing in the order of:
1. Underbody protection. Cheapest thing to add and coveres the most expensive bit to break.
2. Lift for clearance (if going mostly sand with some gravel, mud)
3. Tyres for offroad grip if you're slipping too much
Alternative to 3: improved driveline locking/limited slip diffs etc. Out of the price range of most, but best improvement for off road. then 4. tyres.

:welcome: to ORS from up the top of down under!
 
Thanks for the recommendation, the only reason I haven't looked into lift much yet is I thought the stock clearance was ok enough? And doesn't it cause pretty major problems to suspension and handling?

Where can I look to buy some underbody protection? Was considering getting a friend's shop to custom make but would probably still be cheaper to buy off the shelf.
 
Slammed 164 said:
Thanks for the recommendation, the only reason I haven't looked into lift much yet is I thought the stock clearance was ok enough? And doesn't it cause pretty major problems to suspension and handling?
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SubiliftOz will help you out, not sure how high you can go with your outback but is about the same as a new set of tyres.
His kits don't seem to cause any problems at all with suspension or handling i'm running a 2" (that's what I tell people anyway, what's another half an inch or so..) on my MY05 forester and it handles fine.

Where can I look to buy some underbody protection? Was considering getting a friend's shop to custom make but would probably still be cheaper to buy off the shelf.
Click to expand...

Just about everything is custom made when it comes to offroading a subaru. I got mine from a feller in Victoria "are we there yet" is the brand. was $450 or thereabouts. very nice. Suba Extreme is another Aussie company making them I believe.
If you know a metal worker, get them to knock one up for you, especially if they'll do it for a carton, would be a fair bit cheaper assuming beauty isn't important. I've seen some made out of street signs that seem just as effective as a bought one.
 
Ok lift sounds like the go then, i'll hit up subi lift oz and for underbody sounds like a custom job would be cheaper then as I really don't care how it looks.
I'll probably keep the stock 17" alloys and see how the stock tyres go.
 
Start with the bash plate, you might not find a lift is needed unless you're bashing the bash plate all the time.

Main reason for me getting a lift was to give me more confidence on the tracks up here. lots of ruts & a reasonable amount of water.
 
For your BP Outback, 215/70/16 or 215/75/15 is a good size tyre and fits with no rubbing. It’s by far the most popular size & has a big range of tyre choices. You can go bigger depending on how much you're willing to cut/hammer. They will rub when turning on ruts without a lift

225/70/16 or 225/75/15 will need 5mm wheel spacers or lower offset rims (+40 offset or less) plus some trimming/hammering esp on the pinch weld behind the front tyres. These will still rub a little on ruts even with a 2" lift

235/70/16 or 235/75/15 (29”) will need 1" wheel spacers or low offset rims (+15 offset or less) plus more trimming/hammering


You'll need either 16” OEM wheels (alloys are stronger & lighter than OEM steelies. SG XT, SF GT or Toyota 86 16” alloys are my favourites) or 15” aftermarket rally style wheels.

Popular 15” alloy wheels are KMC Bully KM708, Motegi MR139, Konig Control, OX Wheels OX817, Black Rhino Boxer, Method MR502 or 501, Sparco Terra, Team Dynamics Pro Rally, etc. The rule of thumb is the more sidewall the better, so go for the smallest wheel size you can, eg 15" is better than 16", 16" is better than 17"

https://www.kmcwheels.com/wheel/44023/km708-bully

https://www.motegiracing.com/wheel/44086/mr139

https://konigwheels.com/wheels/main-line-wheels/control/

https://www.blackrhinowheels.com/truck-wheels-truck-rims-boxer.php

https://www.methodracewheels.com/collections/race-wheels/products/mr502-rally-vt-spec

https://www.ozracing.com/wheels/sparco/terra?color=white

https://www.team-dynamics.com/content/pro-rally

https://www.oxwheel.com.au/car-wheels/index.php/product/details/wheelSize/15/itemId/415/model/OX817


For steelies try Dynamic D Holes (15") or Sunraysias (16"):

https://www.dynamicwheelco.com.au/wheel/view/2844/SunraysiaBlack

https://www.dynamicwheelco.com.au/wheel/view/2616/DynamicDBlack
 
The best mods comes down to the offroading you do. If there is a high chance of bottoming out, then stick a sump guard on and hit the tracks CAREFULLY to see where the weak points are. If you are just scraping and no shortage of traction get a lift. If you are low on traction across all 4 wheels upgrade tyres. If your only spinning 2 wheels upgrade diffs.



I noticed more of a decrease in handling from going a larger tyre then I did from lift spacers. Probably because the extra sidewall softens the overall ride as well as increases the height, where lift spacers just increase the height. In saying that, a lifted Subaru with large tyres is still a good handling car by most peoples standards.


If going to the expense of buying rims, I highly recommend 15" wheels over 16" wheels, if you can. If you are not afraid to shave down the brake callipers you can get some cheaper options for 15" rims. Also going too low an offset will actually increase rubbing on full lock.
 
Slammed 164 said:
Hi I'm new here,
I'm about to pick up a 2007 outback (here in Australia if there's any difference in models).
I'm wanting to fit the biggest possible A/T ... I've heard about a 225/70/16 would be the limit?
Click to expand...
I reckon the biggest tyre I could reasonably fit on my 2003 OB (earlier model) was 215/65 or maybe 235/60. Any bigger will rub in rear wheel arch or will rub the lower wishbone (I think that's what it's called) and/or the hat on top of the rear spring.

Have a poke around under the the car, measure the clearances here and there, do some sums and see what you get.

The tyre manufactures eg Bridgestone have charts of tyre dimensions for various tyres and sizes such as outside diameter, width etc, so you can work out how much bigger than the standard tyre you can go.
 
Less wheel and more tire = greater comfort off pavement (and on). So that's quite helpful. Didn't notice someone mention that.

A III gen OB probably is all sagging if on original suspension so may not be able to do comfortably even easy tracks without a lift, especially with those bumpers.

If lifting and going to carry loads in the back, consider lift springs, but do your research because if they are 20-30% stiffer vs 10-20% stiffer, they will give you a beating when empty.

If I were you, I would do wheels and tires first along with a bash plate. Then see how it goes. A X-65-Z tire should be comfy offroad, X-70-Z tires should be great but may have a bit too much sidewall for on road, depending on your driving style. X-60-Z is about the minimum acceptable off pavement.
 
hmmm i have pic of previous gen outback with 225/75R16 wheels with just slight mods it can drive and turn ok . if i would knew that before i bought my tires i would go for that and instead of 27" wheels i could be on 29.3"
 
MiddleAgeSubie said:
Less wheel and more tire = greater comfort off pavement (and on). So that's quite helpful. Didn't notice someone mention that.
Click to expand...

Totally agree (PS I did lol :raspberry: )

scalman said:
hmmm i have pic of previous gen outback with 225/75R16 wheels with just slight mods it can drive and turn ok
Click to expand...

225/75/16 is pretty big. It takes more than slight mods to fit that size, I have a customer doing it right now. Takes a lot of cutting/hammering & you will lose some of your full lock steering

225/70/16 is a better size. Still needs some trimming but not so bad
 
well guy said not much trimming he did, just bending some things . but i bend those too in full lock to clear path.
 
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