[95 legacy needs more clearance]

thook44 I'm about to do the same as you, as I have just picked up struts and trailing arm brackets from a '99 OBW, and from what I've read, the springs are the same as the leggy. Here's what I've gathered from my research:

 

1. Leggy struts are the shortest

2. OB struts are longer, same springs

3. Forester struts are the same length as OB, but different springs

 

From just switching OB strut/spring assemblies, you can expect about 1 1/2" lift from stock leggy, but you may have an issue with geometry, specifically the wheel not being centered, which OB trailing arm brackets can fix. The actual trailing arm is the same length on legacy's and Outbacks, it's just that the bracket itself is taller on the Outback. 

 

Hope that helps

 

EDIT: I just saw that you have a 1st Gen Leggy. I know mechanically they are just about the same, so if I had to assume, it should be a direct swap still. The only thing that may be different is the bolt spread on the top of the strut. In this case, there should be 2 bolts that fit properly with one that isn't in the right spot. A quick drilling should fix that issue though, and the rest should be straightforward. 

[First Car Ever - 1997 Subaru Legacy L Wagon]

You're off to a good start, Dylan.  Some PM (Preventive Maintenance) and TLC (!) and your Subie will serve you long and well.

 

It's amazing how much information is available these days.  You can Google pretty much anything.  You can use the USMB Search function.  Best of all you can ask questions here on this forum.  It still blows me away how helpful and sharing the knowledgeable, smart folks here can be.  Be polite, be considerate and ask away!!! 

 

As far as that danged rust goes, nothing special to Subarus.  Just use general "best practices" and good luck!

I'm sorry that my first post on this forum has to come in possibly pointing out an error, but doesn't the '97 L have the 2.2 and not the 2.5? I'm kind of curious if there are exceptions, because I've got a same year Brighton Wagon.