Hey all, I have a quick question about this lift from Subtle:

http://www.subtle-solutions.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_25_89_90&products_id=107

Wil this fit my 1993 Legacy wagon (since so many things like struts/springs from the 95-99s do)? I have contacted them and even they don't know

 

Also as far as tires I want to run 27" tires, but can't seem to find the right combo that will fit the stock 14" steelies. I need decent off road tires good for rough, rocky desert roads. I'm not muddin' or rock climbing, just camping out on some very rocky rough trails. Any recommendations?

PS: No, I don't want to build my own lift blocks and want to keep my steelies, thanks :-\

Subie in question:

Thanks!

The rear tops will not fit.

 

Later Legacies and Impreza (and forresters) have a slightly wider, and not equalateral, bolt pattern.

 

You will get more lift, and clearance for tires by simply installing outback struts.

 

Front Outback struts/spring assembly will bolt right in, rears you will need to swap your OE tophats (possibly springs) onto the Outback struts. Springs will depend on whether or not your springs are the tappered top type.

Edited October 15, 201015 yr by Gloyale

Thank you for the response. I will just be installing the springs and struts from an outback then (and rear top hats apparently). Next question.

I mentioned before difficulty with finding tires in the right size. As far as I can figure out these are the sizes I am looking for, diameter and speedo off %:

 

225/70-14 26.4in 9.1%

215/75-14 26.7in 10.3%

205/80-14 26.9in 11.2%

215/80-14 27.5in 21.1%

 

I would like to have the 215/80/14s (27.5"s) but I can't find that size anywhere (unless its for "trailer use only"). I am leaning towards the 225/70/14s (only 26s) as they have been a little easier to find, but I am worried about them being to wide and rubbing the strut? Should I worry about that with the lift?

If there is a tire sizing combo that would work to give me 26-27' diameter that I haven't figured out let me know what and were! Not looking for swampers, light duty truck would be perfect. Thanks, I plan on doing a full build thread as this "gets off the ground."

Stuts only from an outback, the springs are the same regular legacy vs legacy out back.

 

You reuse your strut caps in the rear because of their specific bolt pattern where they bolt to the body. You can use the outback ones in the front if you want, they're the same as the legacy ones.

 

If you find outback strut assemblys (with springs and strutcaps allready assembled) then you can fit the front ones right in, but you will have to swap your caps on to the rear ones which requires a spring compressor.

 

Handy tip: when you remove the brake line clips from the struts, you can cut the tab on the strut and fold it open. Do the same things on the new struts, and when you install them put the brake hose back in, fold the tabs back shut and put the clip on. That will save a lot of brake bleeding.

I have been making 1'' lift spacers long before Subtle...I have a few more model options than them for the older cars, PM for more info as I am not a vendor on this site.

Tire clearance is dependant more on the strut than the height of the car. The spring seat on the stock strut is only an inch or so above the stock size tire.

You will get an extra inch of tire clearance under the strut by going to the outback struts. The lift spacers just raise body height.

Stuts only from an outback, the springs are the same regular legacy vs legacy out back.

 

You reuse your strut caps in the rear because of their specific bolt pattern where they bolt to the body. You can use the outback ones in the front if you want, they're the same as the legacy ones.

 

 

Handy tip: when you remove the brake line clips from the struts, you can cut the tab on the strut and fold it open. Do the same things on the new struts, and when you install them put the brake hose back in, fold the tabs back shut and put the clip on. That will save a lot of brake bleeding.

 

Some Legacies have a Tapered spring. So if he has those, he must use the Legacy springs in the rear. If he has the non-tappered springs, he can use the Outback springs, but still need the Legacy tophat in the rear.

 

great tip on the brake lines.

I used to run a cooper discoverer LT205x75x14's. A good tread pattern, the LT tread patter in a car tire.

Then I got the BFG All terrain TA/KO when the coopers wore out. By BFGs are 27x8.5x14. I'm not sure they still make that one though, they're kind of hard to find...

 

I agree with doing the strut swap vs. the spacer too.

 

Agree with all that's been said on getting OB struts. Get complete assembelies (strut, spring and tophat. Also called a "take-off") and the front is a straight swap. For your rear, swap out your legacy tophat (the thing that the upper part of the spring rests on, which is bolted to the strut shaft), and legacy spring (if it's slightly tapered, smaller diameter on top than bottom). Maybe just keep your spring for the rear anyway to keep it simple....

 

 

Best and you'll LOVE the increased clearance and better ability to get off the beaten path for your camping trips, etc...

 

cheers,

-mark-

Edited October 22, 201015 yr by superu

Thanks for the help. Although there is a lot of info out there about the OB strut swap, its never really "spelled out" like it has been here. If I understand correctly, this is what I will do. Swap in the full OB strut/spring assembly in the front, then just the OB strut in the back with my leggy springs and I don't have to swap "hats" in the back? Seems like the easiest way to go about it. Thanks for all the help. I haven't been able to find those BFGS in 27X8.50R14, Superu, but I found it in the General Grabber AT2s. Tire looks pretty sweet. Might go with those eventually.

Thanks for all the help. I haven't been able to find those BFGS in 27X8.50R14, Superu, but I found it in the General Grabber AT2s. Tire looks pretty sweet. Might go with those eventually.

 

I think BFG might not make the 27 in 14" rim anymore. I think they just do the 195x75 in 14. Only 25.5"

My next tire will be the grabber AT2, but the size I need is back ordered into December

But they make that in the 27 for 14", as you've found. I think they have a nearly idntical tread pattern at about 40% cheeper cost, with a higher mileage rating than the BFG. So for a car tire, heck yeah!!

 

Good work and keep folks posted! You'll love the difference for getting off the beaten path!!

 

best,

-mw-