'Charlie' is a Gen4 'Safety' Outback, 2.5 Manual, with 'moon roof'.
Colour is 'Champagne' - hence the name. [After a 19th century music hall character and song. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_ ... 28song%29]
The two key features of the 'Safety' package are side air bags [so no body lift is possible] and 'self-levelling' rear struts.
My objective with my mods has been to maximise the ability of the car for off road use and touring, including pulling a small camper trailer, without compromising its primary role as my daily driver.
AIM
The 'concept' is a less 'full on' version of the Gen4 Outbacks of Outback Bloke showthread.php?t=12267 and Superu http://thesuperu.blogspot.com/. I have achieved the same ground clearance of both those vehicles, but my body is 2 inches lower than theirs. This is only really an issue for water crossings, and I don't intend to be too extreme in that regard.
Mods
Rear Struts
The self-levelling struts have been replaced with KYBs, to allow for replacement of the OEM springs with King Springs on all four corners. This achieved approximately 1 inch increase in suspension height. It also raised the back end relative to the front, so it now looks level rather than 'saggy @ssed'.
Subtle strut lift
The King Springs were then followed with a Subtlesolutions 1 inch strut lit.
This is essentially the identical suspension lift to that on Outback Bloke's car, but without the body lift.
Some issues in relation to rear 'toe', (see table) which I hope to correct by fitting adjustable Whiteline rear bushes.
Other mods include:
1/. A UHF CB radio with GPS in place of the 'pocket' between the central air vents.
2/. 6B&S wiring (i.e.THICK) to rear of car to connect to run 'Autofridge' and charge deep cycle battery in camper trailer.
3/. 'SC80' battery management system under the bonnet, to control charging of the auxiliary battery, etc.
4/. Luggage barrier behind rear seat (open below top of seat back, to allow for carriage of long objects.
5/. 2.5kg extinguisher bolted to rear side of luggage barrier.
To come:
* Subaru front 'sports' bar, including lower central bar to take driving lights & hang a water bag.
* Hitch mount rear bar to carry spare wheel and Jerry can.
* Thermo fan cut-out switch with BUZZER.
* Rear fog light.
Touring equipment includes:
* Sup@che@p roof basket.
* Kathmandu side awning.
* 39litre 'Autofridge'.
