Cyril Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Hi friends, I would like to create a slight rake in the appearance of my 93 L wagon. I do not want a "Lift" just a bit more height back there. For looks mainly... From what I've read 3/8th inch strut spacers are my best bet, causing minimal suspension change and ease of installation. I have some questions as I've heard conflicting info... First will I need longer bolts for this size spacer or will the stock ones work, or can I create a counter sink for the nuts? Is this an easy project for the DIY? Also I can find no info here on the old Coil spacer option, yes the cheap, used to be called knuckle spacers I inserted in my Impala springs when I was a kid to jack the back up a bit. Anyone ever do that to a Subaru? I realize its a very cheap and possibly sketchy option but I'm really not looking to change much back there... Thanks Cy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 I can sell you a set just for the rear comes with longer bolts http://www.sjrlift.com/index.php/catalog/lift-kits/0-1-1-2-lift-kit-ej-fits-90-99-182016-06-29-16-44-05-622016-06-29-18-01-31-detail 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 for 3/8 spacers you don't need longer bolts. Just did it to my 98 L wagon. easy as pie. Just get a 3/8 cutting board from walmart etc. cut it to size and put it between. Drill and a jig saw takes about 10 minutes each. For 1/2 inch and up, yes. There wont be enough thread on the stock bolts to hold it well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 I can sell you a set just for the rear comes with longer bolts http://www.sjrlift.com/index.php/catalog/lift-kits/0-1-1-2-lift-kit-ej-fits-90-99-182016-06-29-16-44-05-622016-06-29-18-01-31-detail Thank you Scott, Looks like a great product but Way more than I want to spend on a simple thing like this. I lived in Bham for 12 years through the 80's and early 90's on the south side in Fairhaven. Still got lots a friends there and hope to visit again soon. Thanks for the offer! Cy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 for 3/8 spacers you don't need longer bolts. Just did it to my 98 L wagon. easy as pie. Just get a 3/8 cutting board from walmart etc. cut it to size and put it between. Drill and a jig saw takes about 10 minutes each. For 1/2 inch and up, yes. There wont be enough thread on the stock bolts to hold it well. Thank you AdventureSubaru, that's what I thought... Even saw a YouTube vid on the making of these cutting board spacers, but never heard if they actually were installed or worked with the original length bolts. Glad to hear it can happen. Was the 3/8th height difference enough to see, and worth it in your opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Thank you Scott, Looks like a great product but Way more than I want to spend on a simple thing like this. I lived in Bham for 12 years through the 80's and early 90's on the south side in Fairhaven. Still got lots a friends there and hope to visit again soon. Thanks for the offer! Cy What would you pay for just the rear 1/2" lift shipped with bolts ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share Posted October 1, 2016 What would you pay for just the rear 1/2" lift shipped with bolts ? I've got more research to do Scott, Not looking to buy anything now. I literally have no idea what I would pay for them. I do know they are easy to make for free... And I am Hoping not to change the stock bolts at all at this point. If things change with my needs i will let you know. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Thank you AdventureSubaru, that's what I thought... Even saw a YouTube vid on the making of these cutting board spacers, but never heard if they actually were installed or worked with the original length bolts. Glad to hear it can happen. Was the 3/8th height difference enough to see, and worth it in your opinion? Worth it for me as I've done it twice. Both were to squeeze just a little more lift out of a forester strut/spring swap. One was for a 97 Impreza. The other was a couple weeks ago for my new daily driver 98 Legacy. 3/8 is not a lot and wont be a night and day difference, but it's also a quick and easy job. Low cost. Low time. Not a lot of work. With longer bolts you could go up to at least an inch. If you want a little more, a set of struts and springs from a 96-99 outback or 98-08 Forester give 1 1/2 inches of lift. If you use junkyard parts it's pretty cheap too. Having done it twice, I far prefer it. Sits up a little higher and provides me much better ground clearance for mountain roads and snow storms. If you do the 3/8 spacer and it's not enough, you'll only be out $10 and a couple hours of time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 Worth it for me as I've done it twice. Both were to squeeze just a little more lift out of a forester strut/spring swap. One was for a 97 Impreza. The other was a couple weeks ago for my new daily driver 98 Legacy. 3/8 is not a lot and wont be a night and day difference, but it's also a quick and easy job. Low cost. Low time. Not a lot of work. With longer bolts you could go up to at least an inch. If you want a little more, a set of struts and springs from a 96-99 outback or 98-08 Forester give 1 1/2 inches of lift. If you use junkyard parts it's pretty cheap too. Having done it twice, I far prefer it. Sits up a little higher and provides me much better ground clearance for mountain roads and snow storms. If you do the 3/8 spacer and it's not enough, you'll only be out $10 and a couple hours of time. Thank you AdventureSubaru, I hesitate to go much higher than stock cause I don't want to start messing around with the other suspension components and angles and performance etc... I like the way the rig drives now, just want that maybe up to an inch at most in the back for carrying a bit of a load and mainly for looks. I already have a jacked up Dodge truck with about 8 inches on it so I am good on that front. And I know from experience that once you start lifting, number one it's addictive, and number two, usually many other parts start taking a beating and need to, or should be replaced, also of course performance suffers due to the more of a roll from a higher COG. K well I will start looking into Youtube vids on this, you make it sound pretty easy, will I need a floor jack, or stands, or can I do it all from inside at the top of the strut? Sorry maybe a dumb question and I'm sure I'll find out here soon with my research... Thanks again for your input. Cy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 I just went around with a scissor jack and did one at a time. You'll want to disconnect the swaybar and probably remove the whole strut assembly. I don't think it would give enough room to just unbolt the top to slide it in there. Breaker bar and 19mm socket gets them loose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 I just went around with a scissor jack and did one at a time. You'll want to disconnect the swaybar and probably remove the whole strut assembly. I don't think it would give enough room to just unbolt the top to slide it in there. Breaker bar and 19mm socket gets them loose. Excellent, Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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