QualityAutoPB Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Did you keep the sway bars or ditch them? Kept the sway bars.. it's a daily driver on the interstate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QualityAutoPB Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 How do you attach pictures so they're not the tiny thumbnail? Is it because I'm doing this on my phone. I'm getting whooped and I'm usually pretty text savvy. Attached is a better view of my stance 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benawhati Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 That looks awesome! Can't wait to get mine done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagonfun Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 How do you attach pictures so they're not the tiny thumbnail? Is it because I'm doing this on my phone. I'm getting whooped and I'm usually pretty text savvy. Attached is a better view of my stance To get pictures to post so they're not a thumbnail I've had to put my pictures in a photobucket account and post them from there. All my pictures were coming up thumbnail before this, I have not figured out an easier way yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithkife52 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 If I get 04 Forester XT shocks, is that all the hardware I need to lift up my 07 WRX? I know I will need an alignment, but is there any other parts I would need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 If I get 04 Forester XT shocks, is that all the hardware I need to lift up my 07 WRX? I know I will need an alignment, but is there any other parts I would need? Just read the thread, man. Come on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pease Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 They rubbed a lot on the plastic under fenders, especially on full lock and bumps. It needed some cutting + zip ties and still wasn't "rubfree", but it was drivable. I have this one pic from when i put them on: Now the car is lifted with 2" spacers (stock Impreza struts) and there is no rubbing at all. Hi I'm looking at doing something similar with my 99 Impreza Outback; could you post a picture of your car after the 2" spacer lift? Do you think you could run chains with those tires - maybe with some plastic trimming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyTDi Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Hi people, So, i recently bought a 1997 impreza wagon, 2L non turbo but low range gearbox fitted. I lifted it by fitting forester EJ20 non turbo struts front and rear. In the rear i redrilled the 3 holes instead of the 1 that was recomended to approach standard location in the strut tower as to not disturb suspension geometry too much. Problem is the rear, its very saggy and for some reason or the other, the spring compresses 5.10 inches when i lower the car off a jack from full droop down to ride height . The result is a very limited suspension travel. I dont want to use any kind of spacer for the struts as this wont solve the problem of the shock / strut botoming out. I also plan on steel bumpers and spare wheel carrier in the back so this would amplify my problem. I want to solve my problem by using the forester +2" springs from King in 'Straya but use the standard struts. Reason being the springs are stiffer and higher so this should have to translate in not compressing that much and thus raising the rear of the car and gaining suspension travel. I have been in contact with King and they asured me there springs will fit standard struts as long as they are not equiped with the SLS found on some forester struts. Has anyone here went this way or has anyone got some tips for me ? A pic of my wagon. Fitted with a bashplate and 27" BFG mud knockoffs on forester wheels ! I've got a set of 26" maxxis tires for a 14" rim, anyone knows if a 14" rim will fit in front (caliper clearance) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 A pic of my wagon. Fitted with a bashplate and 27" BFG mud knockoffs on forester wheels ! I've got a set of 26" maxxis tires for a 14" rim, anyone knows if a 14" rim will fit in front (caliper clearance) ? When we bought my brother's 98 Impreza it had 14 inch wheels. They should fit with no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyTDi Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Nobody has gone the +2" spring on impreza route here ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierramtnsubaru Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I'm looking to attempt this lift idea. I have a 2005 Impreza RS PRO that currently sits on a lowered strut/suspension system with 17" wheels and lowpros that rides great, but can't handle the weight of a full car/trunk without getting too friendly with the pavement. I'd like to go the other way, and get plenty of clearance plus larger tires to be able to get off road. (I live in sand/snow). I have a friend that is swapping out his Forester for full coilovers and has offered me his strut/springs ('04 XT) and I'd like to make the swap. The best I can tell, the '04 Forester to '05 Impreza strut install should be bolt-in simple. I understand that the trailing arm brackets need to be found from an '97-'99 Outback in order to correct the angle created by the lift to make the CV angle correct, but I'm not sure about what is required beyond that. There is talk about sway bar adjustments, camber bolts and then a lot of spacers and bolts for adjusting for larger lifts. If I'm looking to do the straight swap on the Forester struts - is all of that likely to be required? The way I can tell, it's about a 1.5"-2" difference between the two. Does that require all the additional spacers? Or is that in the case of a larger lift? Looking at Jonty's post - looks like he straight-swapped the struts and didn't even use the camber bolts. Does that theory hold water? Any experience? Thanks for the tips. I'm excited to give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Struts, springs and trailing arm brackets and drive. It's not really more complicated than that. Rear swaybar will still fit. Front can remain detached if you are not an aggressive driver. Front has stock camber bolts - can buy rears if desired. nothing else is necessary - it's all straight bolt on other than drilling one hole for the rear struts. Wheel spacers are only useful to go even bigger in tire size (over 28 inches) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Rear trailing arm bracket isn't even absolutely necessary on 02-07 Imprezas.But yes, 98-08 Forester struts are a direct bolt in for 02-07 Imprezas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simmaster666 Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 I'm curious, if swapping a fair amount of things is required for a proper lift, could you not just swap the whole underside from a forester to impreza? they share the same chassis if im not mistaken... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I'm curious, if swapping a fair amount of things is required for a proper lift, could you not just swap the whole underside from a forester to impreza? they share the same chassis if im not mistaken... You could, but a lot of the parts are identical. Most of the posts in this thread discuss swapping the parts that you need to swap and not messing with the ones that you don't need to mess with. Why do more work for no gain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbidrabbit Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 Is the transmission cross member the same for auto and manual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icyhotpatch Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 (edited) I just skimmed through here and didn't see it. anyone know the part number to the 97-99 outback trailing arm bracket? Is it 20520AA040 and 20520AA030? Just checking because the local dealer needs to order them and I don't want to order the wrong stuff. Those are the part numbers listed on the Subaru OEM parts website but if i look up a 2.5 wagon its a different set of numbers. Those are 20520AC030 and 20520AC040 Edited April 27, 2016 by Icyhotpatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1996BlackBauer Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 So since I've been doing everything on my car on the cheap. Has anybody successfully swapped the top hats from the Impreza to the forester struts? Also has anybody simply used stock STI rear sway bar links instead of Kartboy ones? The factory ones are WAY cheaper, I suppose I could try and swap the top hates, but I just want to be sure before I do, any input would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnchili Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 This is my fist post here. I have a 96 2.2L sedan, and it needs a whole new rear crossmember and gas tank due to rust, this summer before I go to college, so I wanted to do a lift. I want to use Forester shocks and springs, and get the most height possible. Since I'm not very experienced I was wondering if anybody could help with putting together a list of all I need for parts? That would be much appreciated. While the rear end is apart, and since the carriage bolts for the rear crossmember are gone, I'm going to have the new one welded in with a 1.5 inch spacer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 Well that was a heck of a read and I still have a few questions of my own but first I'll explain where I'm at with my 97 impreza obs... I bought new kyb 04'forester struts with my existing front Springs and replaced my rear Springs with new impreza oem to solve the saggy bottom the 20yr old car displayed. Now, I had new ones on hand but actually ended up using the original tophats because the bearings in the front ones were still good and the back ones seemed solid as well. Got about 1-3/4" lift from just the struts and the new rear Springs did level it out, I even got the sway bars front and back bolted up without any issue. As for the rear trailing arms, basically just shimmed it with 5/8" plate drilled to match the original bracket and that got the rear tire close enuf to center in the wheelwell for now, I'll fabricate better ones during phase two. Removed front mud flaps and squeezed (27")205/75r15's onto stock rims, the only rubbing I get is a little bit on the plastic inner fender if I brake hard or hit a bump while turning. Overall I'm really happy with the ride, no body roll, rides like new but with close to 3" of extra clearance, great for the logging roads I run when fishing or hunting remote locations. However, I want to get some 235/75r15(smallest made) wrangler duratracs under the old girl and there 29.1"... looks like I can put 1/2" spacers in without messing with tophat bolts(more then 1/2" if it won't bugger my cv angles too much) and I don't mind opening up the fenders, making better swaybar and trailing arm brackets or getting camber bolt kits but I have a few questions still... can I even fit that size tire under the 04'forester spring perch or do I need wheel shims to offset the rims and widen the stance? Cv angles seem fine now but will that 1/2" or more spacer lift change that? Any advice is appreciated, even if it's just "be happy with what you got", lol... thank you;) Tried uploading a pic of the car but it says it's forbidden, sorry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 (edited) There it is... looks kinda low in the back but on even ground it's bang on level... probly make the rear tophat spacer 1/4" thicker just to be on the safe side though...For now, that's as far as I can take it, once I know if/how much offset I need to make the 29.1"s work with the 04'forester spring perches I'll start gathering and fabricating everything else I will need to complete phase two... I am eagerly awaiting all your expert/experienced advice, hopefully this thread still gets a little action:) PS. This is a daily driver Edited June 26, 2016 by Canuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/117456-stellaaaaaaaanew-pics/?hl=stella Monstaru put 235/75/15s on one. He used 07 forester struts and can't remember whether it was 1/2 inc or 1 inch spacers. But it can be done. If you get a spare rim/tire with the 235 you can test fit with plywood spacers before you make or buy the real stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Looks like he opened up the fenders considerably and trimmed the bumpers way back... looked pretty good though and glad to know it can be done with minimal effort from where I'm at now, exhaust and intake will come first now after driving it like this on a few road trips... on a side note, I was quite surprised to get a 5mpg increase on the highway with the 27" tires I threw on... and thank you very much for the link Adventure;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaccoonDad Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Would raising my 2016 Impreza about 2 inches ruin my warranty?? What would be the best way to do it?? Would strut spacers work?? If so, then where can I find a set?? Just want to make it easier on my back for getting in and out of car. Probably should have bought the Crosstrek instead, but didn't notice so much with Impreza test drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Would raising my 2016 Impreza about 2 inches ruin my warranty?? What would be the best way to do it?? Would strut spacers work?? If so, then where can I find a set?? Just want to make it easier on my back for getting in and out of car. Probably should have bought the Crosstrek instead, but didn't notice so much with Impreza test drive. No idea about your warranty, or if spacers are the "best" way, but you can find them here, among other places: http://www.subtle-solutions.com/index.php?cPath=21_23_168&osCsid=0b6496966bc30936e161aa107364f332 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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