Forester Forester SH Struts, Springs and Lift Story

[belatrix123]

Hello everyone first post here. Its a pleasure to have joined and thanks for adding me. Well i need all the help and knowledge i can find.

I have a 2009 Forester 2.0N/A full stock in terms of suspension, there is only one rear sway 20mm.

I have a project car in my mind but i feel frustrated.
- Bilstein B6 F+R
- Standard Height king Springs F+R
- 0.5-1.0 inch blocks on struts top mount F+R
- A/T tires 225/60/17.

Also, in my trunk i will have a constant weight of 80Kg (LPG tank). Do you suggest any other spring such as Dobinson-Ironman etc.) I want to avoid excessive troubles such as multi points, changing control arms etc. My primary concern is if all these can fit properly in the car and have clearance for the wheels and also to maintain the car in even state Front and Rear. Staying within 3cm of total lift at all costs.

Sorry for posting a full curtain text.

 

[Ratbag]

to the forum.

Get a proper sump guard, first up and most important.

Keep the tyre/rims stock.
Keep your suspension stock.

Both are more than adequate for the task, and both are potentially very expensive to modify

Our 2009 SH already has a greater ramp over angle than our (stock) SG. There are very few places I hesitate to take my SG.

You might be surprised at what an absolutely stock Forester can do ...

@NachaLuva makes excellent lift kits, and ships internationally.

 

[Dave Hansford]

Also, in my trunk i will have a constant weight of 80Kg (LPG tank).

Given the LPG tank, you might want to consider King raised springs… I’ve fitted them to our Outback and it’s much happier fully loaded now. Empty, it sits about 30 mm higher, and yes; it gets bouncy at times.

 

[Ratbag]

Dave, that's why I put the Pedders variable rate heavy duty struts/springs in the back of my SG when it developed saggy butt syndrome in the SLS.

I asked both Lucas and our normal mechanic, Ross, about their heavy duty springs (not variable rate), and they both said the same - you will love them when towing your trailer, and hate them the rest of the time.

They were right. The variable rate springs are great for handling and stability (and towing), with no bounciness when unloaded and not towing. Not very cheap, as complete strut assembly replaced, but I have been extremely happy with them. Of course, the mandatory full wheel alignment after fitting - also not cheap.

 

[Dave Hansford]

Yeah... I'd already recently forked out the price of two kidneys for a set of Bilsteins, which I absolutely love, so I wasn't about to buy whole new struts again. It's just a shame the Bilstein springs were so soft. To be honest, the ride of the King springs only bothers me on rough roads (which in the South Island of New Zealand, can mean tarmac!), and only if I'm in a hurry. And of course, I'm glad of the extra few mm of ground clearance. I've made my bed: now I've got to drive it! For what it's worth, Kings insist their raised springs ARE progressive rate. From those occasions when I've had the Outback loaded right up, I suspect they're telling the truth.

 

[ateday]

Have Kings on my rear and they are great. Better ride over traffic calming devices than my mates VW Golf which bounces. Certainly keeps rear level loaded or otherwise.

 

[ateday]

Have Kings on my rear and they are great. Better ride over traffic calming devices than my mates VW Golf which bounces. Certainly keeps rear level loaded or otherwise.

Forgot to add that wheel base difference applies here too. Longer wheel base, better ride.

 

[belatrix123]

to the forum.

Get a proper sump guard, first up and most important.

Keep the tyre/rims stock.
Keep your suspension stock.

Both are more than adequate for the task, and both are potentially very expensive to modify

Our 2009 SH already has a greater ramp over angle than our (stock) SG. There are very few places I hesitate to take my SG.

You might be surprised at what an absolutely stock Forester can do ...

@NachaLuva makes excellent lift kits, and ships internationally.

Thanks for the reply, the thing is that i hate SLS and also in my country OEM struts are about 1300 usd plus working hours where as B6 are 600usd plus working hours, i have in my possesion already some 17's rims. Also i want to give some character to the car, reducing the offset on the rims and also lifting it a bit gaining more clearance. Regarding sump guard i am looking for oem metallic

 

[belatrix123]

Given the LPG tank, you might want to consider King raised springs… I’ve fitted them to our Outback and it’s much happier fully loaded now. Empty, it sits about 30 mm higher, and yes; it gets bouncy at times.

Well there is a problem with that, King does not produce raised springs for SH due to "the limited travel of the suspension". Do you have any suggestion or compatibility from other models?

 

[belatrix123]

Yeah... I'd already recently forked out the price of two kidneys for a set of Bilsteins, which I absolutely love, so I wasn't about to buy whole new struts again. It's just a shame the Bilstein springs were so soft. To be honest, the ride of the King springs only bothers me on rough roads (which in the South Island of New Zealand, can mean tarmac!), and only if I'm in a hurry. And of course, I'm glad of the extra few mm of ground clearance. I've made my bed: now I've got to drive it! For what it's worth, Kings insist their raised springs ARE progressive rate. From those occasions when I've had the Outback loaded right up, I suspect they're telling the truth.

Just for reference if there isn't any prob, how much did you pay for the Bils?

 

[belatrix123]

Well everything seems to get in order, i think i will fit tires and rims with stock height and then i will fit struts/springs or vice versar and then i will check again for any additional lift if any! Because Lift gains from Standard Height King springs is not fully clear.... Some say 0,5 cm some say 1 inch, i suppose i will have to test the combination on my own. God Bless my mechanic

 

[Dave Hansford]

Well everything seems to get in order, i think i will fit tires and rims with stock height and then i will fit struts/springs or vice versar and then i will check again for any additional lift if any! Because Lift gains from Standard Height King springs is not fully clear.... Some say 0,5 cm some say 1 inch, i suppose i will have to test the combination on my own. God Bless my mechanic

It might be worth mentioning here that the Kings I fitted were a slightly wider section than the Bilsteins, which meant I lost some clearance at the rear between the coils and the inner tyre sidewall. I only mention it because clearance is tight back there (on the Outback at least) to begin with. I can barely fit a 4mm drill bit between them. It might pay to have a look and a measure under there before you commit to Kings.

 

[Dave Hansford]

Just for reference if there isn't any prob, how much did you pay for the Bils?

I think they were about 2k NZ. I don’t know what Forester struts would cost - or even if they make them. The Outback kit is now discontinued…