pezimm's Mighty XT

[pezimm]

Hey all,

Ok, so far my Forester XT has been pretty standard, with nothing more than regular maintenance being carried out. The furthest I got to modifying it was to remove 2 little plastic air flaps just in front of the front wheels (lucky I did, otherwise they would be ripped off by now).

Anyways, after 2 and a half years of ownership I decided it was time to start spending some money to make the car look like what I want it to. Next question was ‘what to do? what to do??’ Comes in the MYSTERY BOX!!


The MYSTERY BOX as picked up this morning from the Post Office

Just got home about half an hour ago and started opening up the box. Just a note: very nicely packed!! As you can see below:



But enough mystery already! The first mod for the Forester is:


A beautiful looking 1IN STRUT LIFT KIT!!

Will do my best to get it in this weekend and of course take the before and after shots!!

Should be a good start!

Cheers,
Pedro.

[El_Freddo]

I'll be interested to see the results. Personally if it were my choice I'd go the 2 inch struts! But it is a start... we'll see where you end up from here - one inch body lift, 3 inch strut lift?! Sounds like a plan to me!

Cheers

Bennie

[brumbyrunner]

What brand are those spacers? They look very well made.
Are they machined from billet or a casting?

[FROG]

from here i think
http://www.subtle-solutions.com/

[T'subaru]

or here
http://www.subtle-solutions.com/

[ScubyRoo]

Nice work Pedro. As I said via PM, if you need help with the install let me know

Have you decided what you're going to be regarding rims and tires?

Looks like a nice purchase!

[RSR 555]

Nice.. Before and after pics a must

[AlpineRaven]

Awesome. Ive heard of them from America, but no interest because they're overseas...
Just pretty curious what the price range was.

Show us pics of before and after. once you have the lift installed you would wish you had 2" or 3"!
Cheers
AP

[spike]

subtles seem big but i just dont like the idea of bringing them in from America. I'm the type of guy who likes to keep the economy going. pretty sure ill get around to making a set for the new foz.

[brumbyrunner]

Yet here you are on a Forum for an imported Japanese car.

[Venom]

Nice work Pedro!

No more giving you a hard time about the lack of lift The XT will look tough sitting up that bit higher. What's the plan for rims/tyres?

Cheers,
Rhys

[pezimm]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the comments. I'm certainly getting more of a sense of belonging now that the Foz will be modded...

Few replies:

Personally if it were my choice I'd go the 2 inch struts! But it is a start...

I know, I know... But my ultimate plan is to get King Springs later and a 1in lift means it can all be within the 50mm trouble-free zone.

What brand are those spacers? They look very well made.
Are they machined from billet or a casting?

They are indeed from Subtle Solutions. Look very well made, no welds or anything. Pretty sure they are machined from a Aluminium billet.

Have you decided what you're going to be regarding rims and tires?

What's the plan for rims/tyres?

I've got that next on the list of things to do!! Still pondering going 215/60R17 on the Geo AT-S (+22mm) and using them as daily drive or getting a set of steelies and the good old 215/65R16 on the same AT-S and using them for off-road only.

Nice.. Before and after pics a must

Yes! Will surely take heaps of shots!!

AP, on pricing, Subtle has/had them on sale for US$225. Adding delivery to that, I paid $320 Aussie. Received the package in 7 days! Pretty happy with their service.

Hopefully next time I post I'll be driving a higher car!!!

Cheers,
Pedro.

[ScubyRoo]

Hi guys,
I've got that next on the list of things to do!! Still pondering going 215/60R17 on the Geo AT-S (+22mm) and using them as daily drive or getting a set of steelies and the good old 215/65R16 on the same AT-S and using them for off-road only.

If you are going to get a set of 16s don't get a AT-S or AT-R type tire - go more aggressive like a bf goodrich AT or Mud Terrain Who cares if they're a bit noisey if they're only for occasional use, you'll get more benifit from them offroad and then you keep nice quiet high performance road tires

If you're going to keep your original rims then an AT-S would probably be the best comprimise if you want them as a daily driver...

[pezimm]

Hi there,

I know it took me a while to post these, but here they are:

THE BEFORE:



I decided to measure from the ground to the guard so I can set a base-line and recheck after the lift, then later on after I get bigger tyres, then again after the king springs, you get the idea.


74.5mm front and back

And THE AFTER!!







77.5mm on the rear and 77mm on the front!!


I can now easily access anything underneath the car!!

I've driven it for about 20 clicks now and the difference is noticeable, in a good way. Handling is pretty much the same and I am enjoying the higher driving position. Can't wait to take it off the road and have a play.

Happy days ahead!!

[RSR 555]

I'm sure you'll have plenty of happy days ahead enjoy.. it looks great.

I would hope that some higher profile tyres are on the next to buy list

[pezimm]

Just another 5 cents of information: the lift was actually installed by Lucas Automotive down in Moorabbin. I wasn't game to do it myself just yet...

Service was great, even got a courtesy car for the day and Lucas was helpful enough to take the car around for a wheel alignment before I picked it up at the end of the day. I will certainly be coming back in the future.

Ahh, before I forget:

Rear Diff clearance is now 275mm!!

Cheers,
Pedro.

[pezimm]

Anyone knows what the following sensors are?

RHS - Front:

Mounted the lower suspension arm, just above the Sway Bar link.

RHS - Rear:

Again mounted on the lower suspension arm.

There's nothing on the LHS front or rear!

I'm guessing they provide the ECU some sort of roll & pitch angle information (??) but couldn't find anything on my Service Manuals. Should I adjust these given they are now further articulated down after the lift?

Any tips welcome!
Pedro.

[RSR 555]

Does the Forester not have self leveling head lights? I thought some did and this would be my best guess as to what these sensors are.

[pezimm]

Does the Forester not have self leveling head lights? I thought some did and this would be my best guess as to what these sensors are.

Humm, I reckon you might be on a winner... My car does have HID headlights and they are self-levelling. But I still can't find anything on my Service Manual documentation, surely I'm not looking in the right places.

Thanks for the tip!
Pedro.

[pezimm]

I would hope that some higher profile tyres are on the next to buy list

They are! I'm eyeing a couple sets of 16" wheels on ebay at the moment... Should have more on that by the end of the week!

Then it will just be a matter of choosing the tyres... I'm actually taking any recommendations on that. Short-listed are: Yoko Geolandar AT-S, General Grabber ($$ & hard to find), and Dunlop Grandtrek

Venom, any feedback on your set of Dunlops will be appreciated! Do you have them on 100% of the time?

I know ScubyRoo backs his BF Goodrich AT's, but I'm not sure how much plastic surgery I'd have to do to make them fit (if they fit at all)... Would you know, Owen?

Rgs,
Pedro.