carljwnc

My 'old' wagon, sold, but far from forgotten. My 'new' and 'old' wagons, just before separation. The wife's wagon. My 'new', '05 XT wagon...

I could be in on this one:cool:, When??? Tellico OHV area is close by for some off-road action.

Dang folks.......Didn't mean to start a war here. I was just curious if an RX would be a logical choice for an off-roader. Personally, with the helpful information provided, if I found an RX for the right price (free to incredibly cheap) I might consider it. More likely I will just find myself an old school GL with minimal rust and a dual-range tranny to serve my purposes. P.S. I do see the very occasional (once a year or so) RX here in the great state of Western North Carolina.

Yeah, probably right. I just got all excited when I saw the diff lock. I've been off roading the Forester, but I really want something with a dual-range that I can build into an off-road specific car that I don't have to rely on as a daily driver. Now at least I don't feel the need to hunt down an RX. Thanks for the input. P.S. The RX's were my favorite cars out there, hope y'all did alright and more importantly, Had Fun.

This is the only other pic I took(of the RX's)... I had my two kids with me, daughter riding around in a 'Jeep' stroller. rebadged with 'Subaru' badges from an '83 GL, and my 5 year old boy, I kept looking out for y'all to ask about the diff. switch. I was in my crystal grey Forester XT parked a short ways away. Of all the super-sweet cars there, your (and WJM's) RX's held the most of my attention. Wish I'd gotten there sooner to see you run, but kids ya know...

Thought I'd share some pics from the meet. It was a great time for all, and we'll do it again soon. Next time, everyone goes up trail #4. Four Foresters meet up at Micky D's, sorry, best cross roads meeting spot. We left Jason's black STi converted/lowered Forester XT behind in the trail head lot, and he rode with me and my boy, Hayden. Nice tire, some where in there is a 15" rim. Heading up trail #4. RubasuGirl knows no obstacles. Coming back down. Rock Garden \ Note: Not a Subie, do believe he owns the wheel in the previous pic.

I've been thinking about aquiring an off-road project Scooby (not that I can afford it ), and I came across these at the Subaru Challenge in Maggie Valley NC. What caught my eye was the; full time AWD, dual range 5sp. and the diff. lock switch. Has anyone built one up for off-road use??? Does the center diff. lock make it worth it for such a project??? Are the suspension mounts applicable to available lift kits??? Help me in my quest for the perfect, old school, off-road Subaru.:cool:

One last bumpity, bump before the meet. Meeting at MickyD's at the intersection of Hwy. 64 and Hiawassee St. in Murphy between 11:30-12:00. We have four confirmed cars, and two pending. Love to meet some of y'all!!!

Holy Sheep $#i+ Forester_Ranger, your car just keeps getting taller and cooler, great to see it, now lets see it in action (in the dirt, of course :cool: ).

No modding needed for the Tellico meet, your '83 will be more capeable than what will be mostly Foresters attending. My previous car was an '83 GL wagon and I certainly ran it through it's paces off-road with no mods, except rear drum to disc brake conversion, and adjusting the suspension for maximum ground clearence. Please come and join us if you can, love to have at least one old skooler there. :cool: Where abouts are you'uns in NC??? P.S. Move conversation to http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum...ead.php?t=40524 thread.

Check the date, this thread was from last years meet, however, your not out of luck read this thread; http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40524 I also host a meet the first weekend of May every year, this will be back in Pisgah National Forest.:cool:

Is there enough that can be done in a stock Subie (Forester) to make it a worth while trip from Asheville???

I've bought some stuff (rear disc brake conversion for my 'ol GL) from Hal, spoke to him on the phone a couple of times, nice guy and very knowledgable. Don't forget, we also are home to http://www.boxer4racing.com/ where a bit of my money goes.:cool:

I will also be going to spectate at the Subaru Challenge in Maggie Valley on Oct. 1st. http://www.subaruchallenge.com/upcoming.htm

I'd love to have a go out there in a Jeep:cool:, if your WRX isn't lowered it would probably be OK but there might be some scraping. Haven't been to Uwaharrie.........Yet!!! It is on my list.

Meeting Sept. 18 '05 between 11:30-12:00 at MickyD's on Highway 64 at the intersection of Hiawasse St. in Murphy NC. User fee is now only $5. About 2 1/2 hours from Asheville NC and Atlanta GA.

Meet??? Just posted this thread http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?p=320292#post320292 :cool:

Meeting in Murphy, NC and driving to the Tellico OHV area on September 18, 2005. Most liklely meeting place (will let you know, after Aug., 6) Macca's, AKA McDonalds, on Hwy. 64 at 11:30-noon. This is the first official organized US trip for www.offroadsubarus.com a bunch of Aussies (come on over and join the small amount of US'ers) we've got to show 'em we can do it too. As the sign says, Please, no lowered vehicles. Stock GL/DLs, Foresters, Outbacks should be fine, we will be driving 'trails' 1 and a small part of 5, see: http://www.tellico4x4.com/catalog/tellico_trails.php for trail info and directions. There is a $10 per vehicle user fee for entering the park. Little to no off-road driving experience is required, and for those with more experience/modded vehicles, show us what you've got, and feel free to peel off from the main pack. This is a family oriented trip, no rules or regulations will be broken, the pace will be easy and lots of stops and some hiking are to be expected. We'll have a 'tail-gate' dinner (BYO) at a water crossing on trail 5. Some more pics of Tellico on this thread; http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=36616 Hope y'all can make it, cheers,

Let me know where and when, I might be able to hook up with you.:cool:

Heck Creek Rd., I got about a mile into it, it goes on for prolly about another mile. I was running out of time and had to turn back. Hurricane Creek, I got about two miles and ended up at a creek crossing that I didn't want to attempt by myself. I got onto this trail right off of I-40 west bound, there is a way in from the other side which I haven't explored yet. There is also Tellico and Brown Mountain OHV areas, Tellico is way west near Murphy NC and also has an entrance from the TN side, http://www.tellico4x4.com/catalog/tellico_trails.php Brown Mountain is about an hour and a half east of me. There are pics of both places in this thread http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=36616 I was talking to a guy driving a baja bug the other day and he told me about this place http://www.coalcreekohv.com/ Have you been there???

How about western NC??? I live near Asheville and have been focusing my exploring attention in the Madison county area, just east of the TN border, Hurricane Creek and most recently Heck Creek Rd. off of Hwy. 213. Problem is... what is pvt. property??? and what is public domain??? (without getting shot at)??? Some pics from Heck Creek Rd:

Western North Carolina:clap:, with our combination of mountain driving, gravel and dirt roads, and un-predictable weather, you can't (pardon the expression) 'swing a dead cat' without hitting a Subaru. Folks have known this for a generation or so and Subies are everywhere, I have even lived in Boulder CO, and there are way more Subes here than there. Problem is, not enough enthusiast owners, but (something being said here) folks who know what 'works' in any and all conditions.

Just put some BF Goodrich Traction T/A's on my Forester XT, after about 400mi., so far so good. Tested thus far on dry and wet tarmac, and gravel roads, excellent all around tires. Much better than the Yokohama Geolanders G900's that the car came with stock, off-road testing (hopefully) to come soon. Price was right at $86ea., mounted and balanced.

I have 12k mi. on my '05 Forester XT, no problems except the out-of-control auto climate control, no temp. regulation with the heater, even in 'manual' mode. My wife drives an '03 Forester X and it's only problem in 40k mi. has been squeaky rear drum brakes.

I have a KartBoy short-throw shifter and front bushings in my Forester XT. Love it! Install was very easy and shifting is much more precise, cost was $120 which I think is alot less than the Subaru kit.