Forester_Ranger

Mudrat and I are putting a older 5-speed dual range in my forester. Right now i only have a 2" lift and 27" tires. I can't run any bigger tire with my current lift or it will rub on the fender wells. You might be able to fit 29" tires with a 4" lift. I think it will be geared fine to run around with. But you won't have any low gearing to climb anything. The 5-speed dual range will probably be enough for light wheeling. If you want do more severe wheeling you will have to lift it at least 6-8" to fit the divorced transfer case. I would go with the 5-speed dual-range first. And if you find it isn't geared low enough. Add the Divorced transfer case behind it. That's what I plan on doing with my Forester.

Personally I would go with the Outback Sport. because it has a shorter wheelbase, and shorter front and rear overhangs than the outback. The Outback does have an inch more ground clearence. But that won't matter if your lifting it. Once you lift the Outback sport you will be able to go more places than even a lifted outback. You can even put in a 5-speed dual range from one of the older Loyales. Mudrat can make adapter kits to make the dual-range fit. He is working on putting a dual-range in my Forester as we speak. Mudrat is also planning on getting an Outback sport for himself and giving it a substantial lift. When your ready to lift it. Talk to Mudrat. He can Make you a Lift kit so you can lift as much as you want.

Yeah My Forester is a 98. So i guess that model year is cheaper.

Mudrat is right about them being around $25 from the dealer. I've been getting codes for my crank angle sensor and been having starting problems when cold. Replaced the crank angle sensor and camshaft sensor. Mudrat ordered them from the dealer and each sensor was around $25 each. My starting problems went away for a couple of weeks and are now coming back. We can't figure out the problem. I still get codes for the crank sensor and have starting problems. I checked the ohms on the connections to the crank sensor as well as the crank sensor and all the ohms readings fall within specs. This guy selling the 94 Legacy may be having the same problems as me and has decided to pass the problem off to someone else.

I remember seeing those pictures too when I was looking into the phantom grip. That really scared me. But I don't think we really have any other options for a front LSD for the 5 speed dual-range. My mechanic has talked me into it and I'm going to try it anyways since It's already ordered. I will be useing the stock gold springs though.

yeah I think the 5-speed dual range is 1:52. but have to switch from 4.11 diff to a 3.90. So I'm not sure how much lower it's going to be. It will be the first US spec forester with a low range.

I just ordered a phatom grip a couple days ago. we are going to put it in a dual-range and put it in my forester for off-road use. I'm mostly worried about it causing extreme wear in my diff.

did you ever get the phantom grip in. i would like to hear how it worked out for you

Mudrat has just started the process to put a dual-range in my forester. In a few weeks we should have it complete. Keep an eye out for it.

I got almost 120,000 miles. Replaced Fuel Filter at 97,000. Engine reseal at 109,000 and had a allot of things on the engine replaced at the same time.

A couple weeks ago I had trouble starting my 98 Forester when weather was cold. I got codes for camshaft and crankshaft sensors as well as one for catylist emission. We replaced the the camshaft and crankshaft sensors. Weather has warmed up a little. After replacing sensors car didn't start after sitting over the 1st weekend. Car has started and ran fine that whole week after that though. At the end of the week I got another code for Catylist emissions. We did Multi meter tests on the camshaft and crank shaft sensors connenctions and all came out fine. Car sat this past weekend and didn't start again today on first try of cranking but did start the on second try after a few seconds of cranking. Check Engine hasn't come back on yet. Anybody have any ideas what is going on?

I really like the sound without the muffler. And it's not quite as loud as some of those import tuner cars.

what is a "MIL"?

I'm at a 1/4 tank now. So I'll fill up and see what happens. I wonder if I got allot of water in my tank. A couple weeks ago I ran out of fuel right when my low fuel warning came on. My low fuel warning light is supposed to come on when I got about 2 gallons of fuel left. I wonder if the remaining 2 gallons was actually water and not a malfuctioning fuel warning light.

Monday morning I couldn't get my 98 Forester to start after sitting for 3 days. The temperature was around freezing. It then started no problem that afternoon and tuesday afternoon as well. Wedneday morning it was 25 degrees and wouldn't start again. I tried to push start it and pop the clucth. It almost started. I was then able to start it with the key. It wouldn't idle and kept stalling. I was able to drive it. It ran really rough even when the engine got to operating temperature. I Drove about 15 miles and had very little power and acted like it had lost a cylinder. This afternoon it started up fine and runs fine. It will be getting cold again tonite and fear I will have the same problem. Anybody have any ideas what is going on.

I knocked my muffler off my Forester a few months back off-roading. It runs fine without it and sounds like a import tuner now. I asked a guy who works on Subaru's if this would cause any problems. He said no, so I decided to leave it off. Now a co-worker told me that the back pressure from not having a muffler will cause a valve to blow. He said he heard it from a muffler shop when he inquired about doing it to his Honda. Do I risk blowing a valve on my Forester?

hey subiemech85 and rxturbo came up with different gear ratios. which one is correct?

Anyone know what the gear ratios are for 1-5 gears on the dual range? Also would like to know what the gear ratios are for the 98 forester awd 5-speed.

mudrat has been doing good work on my Forester for the last year now. Calling him on his cell is the best way to contact him. He doesn't have much time for the computer. He stays pretty busy working on Subaru's. He does get allot of distractions from his family and other customers. I've only heard good things from everyone that has dealt with him.

my left rear wheel bearing went bad at 56,000 miles. had dealer replace it. went bad again at 61,000 because they lubed it inproperly. It was good untill 106,000 when I got it replaced again.

98 was the last year for the phase I 2.5 in the Forester. after that there were all phase II Sohc.

I've been debating to have my head gasket fixed or replace the engine with a 2.2 or 2.5 phase II Sohc. Some say these 2 engines have better low end torque then my phase I Dohc 2.5. I would like to hear from someone that has a 2.2 in there Forester.

From what I've seen on the BF Website. the long trail doesn't come in your original size. Your Forester came with a 70 series and the closest Long Trail to your size is a 75 series. which is a taller tire than your orginal.

you should have no problem fitting the BF Goodrich Long trail 205/75r15 on your Forester. I ran 205/75r15 Coopers Discoverers for a long time with no issues. Don't go any taller than 205/75r15 or you'll probably won't have enough clearence between the top of the rear tire and strut. But that can be solved with customized strut lift.

I debated between the outback sport, outback and forester when i bought my Forester. I picked the forester because of it dimensions. I felt it was the most off-road capable of the three.