2008 SH Forester Off Road

Syaoran

Forum Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2020
Messages
6
Location
Brisbane
Car Year
2008
Car Model
SH Forester ES
Transmission
Auto
Hey All,

I want to turn my 08 SH Forester into an off-road expedition vehicle but I'm getting confused on what I'm reading about limitation on what upgrades I can make.

First I wanted to go with subieozlift an get a 2" lift, but I'm reading that's not advised on a forester with a muti-link suspension. I know the Subieozlift kit comes with pretty much everything I need so is it safe to get a 2" lift or should I be looking for a 1"?

Secondly, the front shocks are gone, so I was going to upgrade all round and go with Kyb and kings spring. Could someone please advise on everything I need to buy to compliment the answer to the above question to avoid ending up with the old saggy but syndrown as I will be loading up the back when I head out.

Thirdly, as I plan to use this vehicle mainly for off-road is it worth trying to get 15" rims and 21575R15 tyres or will 21570R16 work better with the above setup.

Thanks all or any guidance and help provided.
 
G'day @Syaoran If your vehicle is an "SH" then it would be a 2009 ;-)
The SubiliftOz kit has been well-proven so you can't go wrong. I'm sure @NachaLuva (Matt from SubiLiftOz) will chime in here and comment on your intended setup.
KYB and Kings is a good combination; you can get the spring details from the Kings website Home
You won't get standard 15" rims on an SH as they won't fit over the front brake calipers; they would have to be specialised rally wheels. I "think" 16s will fit but will let others confirm
 
:welcome: to the forum, @Syaoran .

Our SH already has more ground clearance than our series 2 SG (about 25mm), so lift is not so critical.

A sump guard is far more important.

The base model of the SH had 215/60 16 tyres IIRC. These will be more than adequate. However, I would stick with your 225/55 17, as tyre pressures are far more important than size. Changing both rims and tyres will be an extremely expensive exercise!

Your money is far better spent on said sump guard, and a roo bar from SubaXtreme, plus a good tyre pressure gauge and high quality compressor.
 
Thanks for the replies,

My goal is to take the forester into extremely rocky conditions, hence why I'm looking into lifting options and accommodating tyres and suspension to go with it. I'm trying to get as much ground clearance as I can without putting to much stress on CV's and so forth.

I will be getting a Bull Bar from SubaXtreme to help with approach angles, plus I've learnt the hard way in the past about having a car written off due to roo's.

Sump guard is definitely on my list of must have. I've been looking at ones from SubaXtreme but I also heard about the road less traveled - under body protection ones, as they also do transmission guards as well.

I'm more trying to figure out if the which lift size is the best option for the car without putting to much stress on the suspension and what is the best tyre size and suspension to get to take full advantage of getting the lift.

Thanks again.
 
Sorry, extremely was probably a poor choice of word to use for what I'm looking to do. I'm looking to overland in this vehicle, but know that I can head off the beaten track with confidence that the Subie can handle it.
 
Ok, then there is really no necessity to go overboard with modifications, unless you just want to do it. The latter is fine, of couse. I've done quite a bit of that myself ...

I have taken my absolutely stock '93 Impreza places I would not have taken my '68 FJ45 PB Landcruiser ...

A Forester is a FAR more capable vehicle than the Impreza.

Spend your dough where it will be most effective - protection plate/s and roo bar.

I am very confident in the off road ability of my relatively stock series 2 SG. It has both sump guard and roo bar from SubaXtreme. Nice light bar and UHF radio.

This was on stock Pirelli P7 tyres.

Bunyip%20SP%2011Jan12_436_Ew.jpg
 
Have you ever wacked a rooftop tent on your car before?
What roof racks would you recommend?
 
G'day & Welcome @nani17
On the Foz I use a pair of Thule square steel bars; on the Triton I have Rhino - I reckon the Thule are stronger as they are steel whereas the Rhino are aluminium. I once stood on a Rhino bar and it bent a little! The roof top camper weighs about 60-70kg.
 
@Kevin

Thank you, very cool community here!

Yeah right, thanks for that. I do already have Thule roof racks but not 100 confident in them for a rooftop tent. I will be asking lots of questions down at the 4WD super centre here in Perth.
Cheers for that mate
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Kevin said:
If your vehicle is an "SH" then it would be a 2009 ;-)
Click to expand...
I'm another 08 SH owner. 09 model plated in 08.. its a pain at auto parts stores when they insist on running your rego.
 
@JohnA

So it's an Autohome Columbus hard shell rooftop camper and very aerodynamic. It's sitting on Thule square steel roof racks. The awning is a Fiamma. No issue with noise but anything added to the roof is going to increase fuel use of which I am not concerned and have never measured the difference - it is what it is ;)

No nerves with this setup; it did the Old Telegraph Track and the Simpson Desert.
 
Kevin said:
No nerves with this setup; it did the Old Telegraph Track and the Simpson Desert.
Click to expand...
Kevin, I am impressed that you took on the Old Teley in your Foz. Did you take the conventional lines (e.g. palm creek, gunshot etc...) or travel around most of the bigger obstacles?
 
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