dklein90 Posted April 17, 2005 Share Posted April 17, 2005 Im looking in to buying a forester for a daily driver, some dirt road use and some off roading. Is this a capable vehicle for off roading and if I wanted to lift it where should I look to find a kit. About how much does it cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
operose Posted April 17, 2005 Share Posted April 17, 2005 you're in the right forum... all you need to do is look around I've seen quite a bit of information on this topic lately. a search would probably turn up what you're looking for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felipe01forester Posted April 17, 2005 Share Posted April 17, 2005 Talk to mudrat79. He'll hook you up with some good lift kits. He'll ship you the parts, but he's in Oregon so you might want to find someone local to install the kit. I'm just saving up some money so I can get a lift on mine, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester_Ranger Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 yep mudrat can make lifts for a Foresters. I have a 2" mudrat suspension lift on my Forester. He can also put in a dual-range tranny as well. He's working on a new lift for impreza/Forester/Outbacks that I think is 2" suspension and 4" body. He can fill you in on the details. there's also Scorpion lifts that offer 2" suspension and 2" Body lifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dklein90 Posted April 19, 2005 Author Share Posted April 19, 2005 Ive looked into several lifts and it seems that I can only find body lift kits, what is needed for a suspension lift? Is it just taller springs and struts? Ive looked at Scorpion and BYB but cant find the suspension lift kits. Are there any advantages and disadvantages to a suspension? Iv read about going through CV joints. Finally how does a few inches of lift and larger tires impact gas mileage? Thanks -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Do you really need more than a body lift and bigger tires? Advantages: More suspension travel to flex over obsticles. Disadvantages: More stress on CVs and DOJs as you reach maximum up and down travel. More travel means you're going to have to cut those fenders to make room for big tires to stuff up into the fender wells. Gas milage will be negativly impacted. Bigger you go the more gas you use to move those meats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 If you apply Mudrat79's D/R tranny, you may actually have a Forester worth lifting. What's the point of a lift with out gears to match the tires and lift? When my Forester gets a bit older, that is the route I'm going. Gear it! Glenn 82 SubaruHummer-- ready to rock 01 Forester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudrat79 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 The Main/Major Disfunction of a Body Lift in the newer Rides is It does Not allow For Larger Diameter tires..... I can build you a 2" suspension Lift, Or if you are patient, I am working right now On a 4" Suspension Lift, and Combo 2" Body Lift that will keep Axle geometry stock....So no blowing axles on a regular basis..... This Kit will hopefully be available in 6-8 weeks....We had to OutSource some things, and are waiting on those parts to Come in.....We Will be Test Fitting it to Rallitek's Baja .... I'll post something as soon as We know it's operable..... Later, John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinister Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 hi there's a 47mm bodylift kit here in israel, if you are interested. Im looking in to buying a forester for a daily driver, some dirt road use and some off roading. Is this a capable vehicle for off roading and if I wanted to lift it where should I look to find a kit. About how much does it cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archemitis Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 If you apply Mudrat79's D/R tranny, you may actually have a Forester worth lifting. What's the point of a lift with out gears to match the tires and lift? When my Forester gets a bit older, that is the route I'm going. Gear it! Glenn 82 SubaruHummer-- ready to rock 01 Forester pssst. they got about twice your hp... dual range is not a must. but would be crazy fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinister Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 if you put larger wheels, you need more power. on the other hand, if you buy a manual transmissioned forester, you can use the "low" range for more power. on the other hand, larger wheels will hurt your possibility to use that "low" for slow driving off-road... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Been there done that...it don't work! Horsepower is great but the gearing still sucks! My Forester can't come close to competing with my 82 (in a stock configuration). Even with twice the Horsepower, it does not come close to comparing with any 80's D/R. Gearing is the issue with off-roading a Forester. Clearance is way down the line of needs for wheeling a Forester. Glenn, 82 SubaruHummer--off-road car 01 Forester--snow car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester_Ranger Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 I think gearing is an issue with the Forester. I've owned my Forester since new and Have found hills that I would bog down on because I didn't have low enough gearing to make it to the top. And this is with stock tire size. I also have to burn the clutch allot to crawl through rough terrain. Those problems are solved by swapping in a ea82 5-speed Dual-range tranny with a 1.5:1 low-range. you then have the best of both worlds. The gearing of an old Subaru with the power of a new Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dklein90 Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 I like the idea of the low range forester, why they didnt give us one from the factory I just dont understand. How much of a modification is it to put in a DR tranny? Surely its not just a bolt in? How much money am I looking at spending if I want this done? Thanks for all the good info everyone -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinister Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 hi guys already got a dual range manual transmission in my forester (original 1.45:1 ratio). it helps, but it isn't a real "low". it drives you slower (69% of the "normal" speed) but you can never "crawl" when you really need to. i usually drive off-road with vehicles that have a real "low". a few months i couldn't climb a step that averybody else did, and, believe me, there was a cloud of white smoke coming from the clutch (and there wasn't any red indian chief around...). with such a symbolic ratio the forester will never be a real off-road vehicle. i am going, in a few months, to open the transmission, and to try to change that ratio, knowing that even 2:1, which might be impossible to achieve, and maybe risky to the transmission, still won't be like the others, but it will do to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadyirishmen Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 The dual range transmission is smaller than your current transmission and requires an adapter plate to install it. It will give you more low end, and in low range it would be hard to beat. BUT, as I said before the transmission is smaller and it is not designed to take the abuse from the larger engine and the heavier car. Although, I am sure it would last for quite a whyle (especially if you buy a brand new one) I have seen new ones go for about $1200, and used as low as $100, and dont forget that you will need a new clutch, pressure plate and maybee a flywheel. After everything (I would buy a new one) I would assume components alone would be about $1500 and thats not including Mudrats charge for an adapter plate and installation. I have had a transmission remove and replace done on a 87 wagon and cost me $300 so assume about 2000 to 2200, for everything. JM alliedarmament.com I like the idea of the low range forester, why they didnt give us one from the factory I just dont understand. How much of a modification is it to put in a DR tranny? Surely its not just a bolt in? How much money am I looking at spending if I want this done? Thanks for all the good info everyone -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudrat79 Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 In Reality ...the Hi-Lo tranny is Identical to the AWD 5 speed inside, with the acception of the AWD having the Clutch pack in the rear , and The Hi-Lo having gears... As Far as cost on making a Forester mate to the Older tranny.. E-mail me or Call me, and I'll walk you through the List of things Needed.... I just did it to Forester Rangers 98 Forester... Also, I've had the hi-Lo up against a 2.2 , the 2.5 , an XT-6 2.7 , as well as I know one thats Bolted to a buick 2.8 liter motor, and they are all holding up just fine.....and all of these Rides are running at minimum 28" Rubber , and up to 35" rubber..... So the trans is not Weak...... Later, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester_Ranger Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 hi guysalready got a dual range manual transmission in my forester (original 1.45:1 ratio). Do you really have a 1.45:1 low-range. I thought the Foreign Foresters had a 1.196:1 low-range. At least that is what it is in Australlian Foresters. If my EA82 tranny doesn't hold up I might just have to try and get one of those 1.45:1 low-ranges from Israel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezapar Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 Do you really have a 1.45:1 low-range. I thought the Foreign Foresters had a 1.196:1 low-range. At least that is what it is in Australlian Foresters. If my EA82 tranny doesn't hold up I might just have to try and get one of those 1.45:1 low-ranges from Israel. I'll take one too. SHould you get a line, count me in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinister Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 hi guys sorry for the late reply, i was in a 9 days vacation. about the duel range transmission with 1.45 "low" ratio: all manually transmissioned foresters have been imported to israel with that transmission, but only with 2000cc engines. before ordering anything make sure that foresters with other engines have the same ratio. good luck. pini Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester_Ranger Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 hi guys sorry for the late reply, i was in a 9 days vacation. about the duel range transmission with 1.45 "low" ratio: all manually transmissioned foresters have been imported to israel with that transmission, but only with 2000cc engines. before ordering anything make sure that foresters with other engines have the same ratio. good luck. pini Do you have any idea what a price for a new or used 1.45:1 Dual-range would be in your area? Or could you give us some contact info for Salvage yards or Subaru Parts sellers that may sell these transmissions in your area? Because we in the USA have a demand for dual-ranges for newer cars but just can't find anybody willing to supply us with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinister Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 hi ranger i guess i am not the "good news man" today. manually transmissioned forester are rear in israel (about 95% of all vehicals sold recently are automatic). therefore it's impossible to get used transmissions here, and if someone wants to get one (if it is possible at all) is from japan. sorry. pini Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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