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I want to put a lift on my 1999 2.5L Legacy GT Wagon, I have considered a 2 inch lift from sumo parts but since I have the GT wagon that is already lower than say an Outback, I want to do a 3 inch lift. Anyone have any suggestions for a good 3 inch lift kit? So far all I can find are 2 inch and 4 inch kits. Thanks!

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Yes you can swap the lift blocks.

 

Or just get a complete kit with lift and spacers, go for 4” ?

 

It’s standard to go 2”

 

I’m unsure what happens when you start combining 2” with an additional lift caused by swapping to “taller” struts.

 

A friend put taller struts on his legacy sedan and lifted it a good deal and he was eating CV boots because of it but otherwise had no issues, never had to replace axles just boots.

 

With struts and 2” lift I would guess there would be issues.

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Okay, so I would be better off doing a 4 inch kit with body spacers than doing a 2 inch kit with body spacers and struts. That's what you're saying, correct? 

 

no - i was saying i'm uncertain and was hoping someone else would chime in. 

 

as long as you're installing spacers  either way is fine assuming there's enough spacing for your end increase.

 

i've done just strut swap lifts and lift kits, but never taller struts and lifts, so I'm unsure what happens then. 

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If I remember correctly, the GT model has 14" tires and wheels, where as the Outback in 99 ( I own one) has 15 " wheels, with OEM size 205 X 70 X 15" tires. A set of Outback alloy wheels should be fairly easy to find as an upgrade. I have gone to 215 X 70 X 15" tires. It gives me about another inch of ground clearance, and a slightly wider tire foot print to the pavement.

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Larger wheels/tires is a good suggestion!

 

GTs in stock form I think have nice 15” wheels, I was even thinking 16” but I don’t think subarus had 16” until 2000.

 

I’m surprised no one has suggestions on the effects and differeneces between 2” lifts an 2” lifts on taller strut swapped vehicles. They must not be seeing it or something.

 

Scott who replies earlier with SJR lifts is who I buy my stuff from, he can certainty get you what you need.

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My GT has 16 inch wheels. Yeah I'm surprised because that was my original plan but I am having trouble finding people who have lifted GT's, apparently its less common than I thought haha 

 

My recommendation would be this:

 

96-99 Outback struts front and rear

 

2" lift strut top blocks

 

then, grab these items from an outback and swap to your car....Steering joint, Front subframe spacers and bolts, Front A-arm pivots, Trans crossmember(s)  Rear trailing arm mounts. Possibly rear subframe spacers but may not be needed...the rear has alot of room for travel.  

 

If you don't want to deal with spacers and such, I would spend your money on a good set of 4 new Outback struts and see where that get's you.  May be enough for your tastes.

Edited by Gloyale
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My recommendation would be this:

 

96-99 Outback struts front and rear

 

2" lift strut top blocks

 

then, grab these items from an outback and swap to your car....Steering joint, Front subframe spacers and bolts, Front A-arm pivots, Trans crossmember(s)  Rear trailing arm mounts. Possibly rear subframe spacers but may not be needed...the rear has alot of room for travel.  

 

If you don't want to deal with spacers and such, I would spend your money on a good set of 4 new Outback struts and see where that get's you.  May be enough for your tastes.

I was thinking about doing a 4 inch lift, would the same still apply?

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I was thinking about doing a 4 inch lift, would the same still apply?

 

With a 4" lift, you will need to space down EVERYTHING in the subframes.  And have a custom length steering coupler made.  And a custom Dogbone/Pitch stopper.  You will have to modify shifter or at least move the cable mount on the body if it's an Automatic.  You will need to space down the carrier bearing, change the exhaust or let it hang stupid low.  You'll need  longer radiator hoses (forester hoses may work)  You may need to modify your airbox or use one from an older model to clear the dogbone.  You will need to take the brake lines out of the brackets on the struts and relocate the ABS wires to a lower mounting point.  And if you plan to drive it hard or wheel it you will want to crossbrace the rear subframe blocks so they don't deflect side to side and wiggle the captive nuts out of the unibody.  There is alot of sideload on those blocks and 4" of leverage on them makes them bend and break the body.  MUST crossbrace the rear.

 

And THEN, to clear tires larger than about 205/60/15 you will need to go to the Outback struts.  So with that combo you're gonna have almost 6" of lift over the stock height.   That's a big subaru.  Lot's of work but cool when it's done.

 

Just be aware that's a serious undertaking, and will take lots of little custom mods and money items.  

 

You can get a pretty good amount of clearance for snow/mud simply by adding the Outback struts with no other spacers or changes.

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