'05 Outback 2.5i

The weight of the jacket or blanket helps to "ground" the section of strap or cable that it is upon if it breaks. However, the other end that doesn't have this weight on it is pretty much unaffected (this is my experience). I've never used such on a tow strap, but we use them on winch cables all the time (my off road background is in trucks). Generally use two, with the hope that there will be weight on both sides of the cable break should it let go. For what it is worth, I've broken, and seen break both tow straps with and without metal hooks. Honestly, I've never seen the hook become a danger (generally it is still hanging from the vehicle's tow point after the break). What I have seen be dangerous is when the attachment point fails, and it becomes a very dangerous projectile, regardless of whether the tow strap had a hook or not. I've seen D-shackles with weak tow hooks attached punched through the tailgate of a pickup, and it sounded like someone fired of a 30-06 rifle! In my experience, the security of the tow point is far more important than the type of strap..

We ditched the OEM tires on our '05 Outback before it turned over 100 Miles. We tried out the BFG Traction T/A's (H rated pattern), and we found them acceptable in dry and wet conditions, less than impressive in snow and ice (if this is a primary importance, think Nokian). Much better than the stock tires, but they wore out quickly for us as well (about 30K miles). We've got Bridgestone G009's on there now. I like them better than the traction T/A's in both the wet and dry, but I haven't had them in snow yet (been a mild winter). Personally I'd like something even more agressive, but that must just be the four wheelin side of me...

Anyone know how compatible, and therefore easy it would be to swap the WRX brakes (the ones that have Subaru cast int othe caliper housings) to an '05 Outback w/ 16" wheels? Seems like it would be a nice upgrade, and likely bolt up pretty easily, no?

Stock tire size on our '05 Outback wagon is a 225/60-16 (26.6" tall). I don't really feel the need for a much larger tire, but slightly larger and more aggresive would be nice. I'd love to get a BFG all terrain on there, since the latest incarnation carries the snowflake severe weather rating. BFG makes a 215/70-16, but that is roughly 1.4" taller and I'm sure would cause rubbing issues, no? Bridgestone Dueler A/T's are available in 215/70-16s as well. This is the type of tread pattern I am looking for. We are currently running Bridgestone G-009's, and had Run BFG Traction T/a's in the past. Anyone out there put more aggressive/larger tires on an '05 Outback yet? Thanks in advance for thoughts

You know I’m not trying to start any kind of P***ing match here, and appreciate that everyone can maintain a friendly tone. In the end we are all enthusiasts, but we all have to realize that no matter how capable or how fast our vehicles, there are vehicles that do it better. Can you make a Geo run the Rubicon, sure. Can you still call it a Geo after all the modifications necessary, well, that is open to interpretation I guess. Know that I am not trying to disrespect anyone’s ride, I like Subaru’s, have owned a few, and currently love our ’05 Outback. But I also realize that it wasn’t built or intended as an offroad vehicle, and I don’t really think any Subaru has been (from the factory). Can it be modified to keep up with a true off road vehicle? See Geo discussion above, but sure it can, as can anything with enough time, effort or money. Can a Geo Metro be made to beat a Corvette down the Quarter mile? Sure it could… Can this car tow this camper up the hill? http://media.putfile.com/cartrailor/e It did, but apparently it wasn't the best idea... I think everyone can see where I am going with this though. I figured there are more hardcore Subaru Offroad videos out there, but I hadn’t been able to find them. But I must say, when you start talking 12” of lift, and redesigning the driveline with transfer cases from trucks, I have a hard time still calling it a Subaru, but even if you do, we have to admit that that is a heavily modified vehicle. I don’t think a 3” spring lift and 1-3” larger tires on the trucks in the videos I posted qualify for the “heavily modified” designation, even if some have thrown lockers in the axles, these are still mild modifications in comparison to 4x that lift, and reengineering the driveline with components that were not part of the original design (plus god only knows how many other modifications are required to make 12” of lift work on a car). Thanks for posting the video links. I’m not trying to be an A**, but I still didn’t see anything terribly difficult (though nothing ever looks as difficult on video as it does in person), and certainly nothing on par with what I had posted the Rover’s doing. As for the Ford thing, yes they own Land Rover now, and BMW owned Land Rover from 1996 until Ford Purchased them. People said the same thing about Rover Electronics and Quality under BWM leadership, but it didn’t turn out to be true, the bugs and quality conrtol issues continued on unabated. As for the Subaru Jump video, that’s not that serious. Here is a video of some nut launching a D-90 some five to six feet in the air. I wasn’t there, but the word is the D-90 survived with only minimal damage. http://media.putfile.com/Roverjump/e Thanks for everyone's input, and remember this is just friendly conversation between enthusiasts..

Yes, I've heard of it, and I have run it (about 12 years ago in a locked and lifted Pathfinder). It's legendary, but isn't that hard core of a trail, there are much worse out there. That being said, there are plenty of sections that I can see the possibility of it being doable for a highly modified Subaru, but several that I'd have to see to believe I guess. Not trying to ruffle any feathers, I just joined to take advantage of the vast knowledge, and add something if I can here or there. I'm sure Subaru's can be quite capable in low traction situations, but the approach & departure angles, ground clearance and tire size limitations seem pretty signifigant to me. I'd love to see some Subaru's doing this kind of stuff, but find it hard to visualize: http://media.putfile.com/tisdalecg/e http://media.putfile.com/JPhc2/e http://media.putfile.com/biodavehc/e Maybe this.. http://media.putfile.com/jimmyhc1/e But they say seeing is believeing, and until then, I'll guess it is human nature to have a hard time believing. I'll have to search around the site for some video footage of these hard core Subaru wheeling trips when I get some time. So far this is the most difficult Subaru four wheeling video I have seen, and I didn't come aaway terribly impressed, didn't seem like anything was accomplished without alot of momentum.. http://media.putfile.com/Subarus-Wheeling/e Looks like a great site and resource so far.. P.S. -- I'm sure you guys have seen this Australian site for off-road Subarus, but just in case some had missed it.. http://offroadsubarus.com/index.php?option=com_forum&Itemid=46 Oh, and Land Rover is dead, at least in this country. I wouldn't touch an LR3 or current Range Rover for serious off-road use. They are suprisingly capable thanks to the electronics, but we all know about the British and electronics...

Wow, I never realized there were so many Subaru Owners out there that thought of their vehicles as "Off-Road Capable". I joined the forum for insight with our family Outback wagon. A great car for what we own it for, and we have been very happy with it, but being an off road enthusiast for the better part of twenty years now, I can't imagine trying to "Wheel It", no many how many modifications were made. Maybe I've been in it too long, but the stuff I consider "Off roading" would be way over a Suburau's head, I'll stick to our D-90 for the wheeling... http://www.putfile.com/lrnad90/images/15437