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99 Legacy Outback: removing factory body lift


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It looks like I should be able to fit the tires I want without much lift, mostly just trimming and making sure I get spacing right. I might have 1/2-3/4" lift at most. 

 

I'd be interested in removing the blocks that go between the crossmembers and chassis so that I can get a bit more ground clearance. I understand that it isn't a ton, but if I want to drive over a certain size rock I'll have a lower center of gravity without the body lift than with. My impression from other forums is that there are spacers for the engine crossmember, for the tranny crossmember, and for the rear subframe. There's also a mount for the driveshaft that might need to be played with. 

 

Is this right? Has anyone here removed it? How long did it take you? I live in California so no real rust. 

 

Thanks for any help.

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Not worth messing with.  You are dropping the top of the struts 3/4", that does not mean you will get a full 3/4" lift at the bottom of the engine and rear diff, the lowest points on the car.

- The Steering U-joint is longer and you may need the shorter one.

- There is no spacer for the rear Trans mount, it's a different cross member

- Drive shaft center mounts do vary, but I doubt the small change would make a difference

 

Again, not enough difference to even mess with IMHO

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Doable, but unless you're lowering the car there's not much point. Get some skid plates to protect the engine and trans from those rocks. It'll slide right over them.

 

You'll be increasing COG since the engine, trans, and drivetrain will sit higher up in the body.

Also puts more stress on the axle joints if you already have strut top spacers.

 

That 1/2" difference in the driveshaft mount makes a TON of difference. It throws off the u-joint angles and causes serious driveline shudder.

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Things you would need to change other than just removing spacers.

 

Front A-arm pivots.....need ones from Leg/Imp

 

Rear trans crossmember.

 

Front driveline section w/carrier.

 

Remove spacers for exhaust heatsheild in center tunnel.

 

Steering link

 

Dogbone mount.

 

Rear trailing arm brackets...need one from Leg/Imp.

 

Possibly shifter modification if yours is manual.

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