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Hi all, thought I'd start a thread for my Forester as it progresses. Its a 2005 2.5L NA M5 XS Forester. Since owning it I've added the ECB nudge bar, spotties, work lights, UHF and stereo.

Installing the nudge bar, was done easily enough. ECB sticker came off as the noddy stuck it on with his eyes closed.

Picked up a new combo (spot/spread) pair of Narva Taurus bull lights. Went as big as I could just for a laugh. I had to flog out the holes in the mounting tabs as these lights use an M16 bolt.



I did have a look around for some OEM foglight switches to use, but 1/16th the price I just chucked a Narva LED rocker switch into one of the blanks instead. All wired up properly through a relay so they only come on when my high beams are on, and then I can toggle whether I want them on or not.



The new spotties are really good, throw heaps of light. Don't rattle, shake or vibrate, which I was surprised about due to the length of the stalks. Haven't used them on corrugated roads yet though. If I had my chance again, I'd probably go for 2x spots rather than the spot/spread combo.

I picked up a couple of pairs of cheap LED Running Lights the other week. Mounted one pair inside the cargo area, with the idea being I can flick them on when we get to a camping spot and light up a decent area behind the car so I can see what I'm doing. The lights also pivot on the brackets, so I can shoot one into the back of the car too if I need to. And they both work off the little rocker switch I mounted there in the trim panel. Came up alright I reckon for a $14 outlay.





Note: they're not as blue as they appear in the photos, and when the boot is shut they aren't visible from outside...

I installed my UHF radio from my old car into the Forester. GME TX3200 radio and a RFI CD900 6.5db antenna, which is currently mounted on the front guard with a Z bracket, but eventually I want to get a tab welded onto my nudge bar and mount it down there.

Hi Dingo, nice looking Forester there. Im guessing your setting it up as an offroad vehicle?

I like what you have done with the lights. I need to do something like that in my Forester.


Taza

Hi Taza, we like to go camping as much as we can, so more of a touring rig I guess, but it doesn't hurt to be able to get that little bit further than a regular car. Thanks for the comments.

Where in W.A are you located? Perth area?

My Forry is somewhere in the middle of being an offroader/touring vehicle. They seem to do a pretty good job at that. They go well offroad too with just under 2.5tonne total weight as I found out over the weekend. haha

Taza

Yeah, we're in Perth. I've been really happy with the car since I've owned it (about 1.5yrs) The only things I wouldnt mind getting is some roofracks and a basket, and an Engel...

^ I bought some roofracks for mine and love them. Rhino Racks seem to look and fit well. 40% of the time im in the car there is something on the roof whether it be my kayak, bog planks, shovels, swags, fishing rods, camping chairs, etc... Its a good spot for swags as they take up so much room.
I am looking at an Engel or Waceo fridge but I have a decient esky for now so thats on hold. Trying to save for my Perth trip so I can get my new raised HD springs and body lift installed.

You should come along on with the Subaru 4WD Club of W.A's trip to Walga Rock on the 4th-6th of June if your not busy. Its the long weekend anyway. Will be a good chance to meet some new Subaru enthusiasts. Im going along but leaving from Gero.

My avatar is actually a pic of me with my Forester about 30km from Mt Magnet when i was last out that way

Regards
Taza

I'm thinking about making my own custom roof basket, as I have an OzTent, which packs up to about 2m long, so at the moment it ends up going from the back of the car, to inbetween the front seats. Just a normal rectangular basket, but with an extended section so I can sit the OzTent in it securely. I suppose something that looks like a fat 'L' shape. I'm a draftee by trade so designing something shit hot should be easy enough.