I'm looking to start upgrading the forester. My wife wants to be able to wheel it and so do i since my legacy is getting a drop. its a 98 forester S awd. stock struts thus far. I may do a 1-2" strut lift not much more, but I need to find out what tires I can fit on 15" factory steelies or 16" impreza steelies. The deal is that if I get her some MT's or AT's, I get her stock 16" "s" 5 spokes for my legacy. also it has factory struts

Strut clearance will be your biggest issue, because of that wheel offset is important, I don't know if it varies between years and models, but that is something you need to be aware of.

 

I tried with the 27 inch SSR's and they rubbed, I think any tire that is less aggressive but similarly sized will work, as long as its 27" or smaller.

 

 

BFG all-terrains are a good compromise, Geolander makes a good setup as well that should clear your struts.

28 inch alterrains fit perfect no issues with a 2 inch just found out with outback struts can clear another inch going that route next.

 

I wouldnt wheel with the 2.5 though but thats my preference get a little mud in the timing belt area and kiss that motor goodbye

 

i swapped a 2.2 in my friends after he blew his rebuilt one it jumped a few teeth motor rebuilt by subaru lol also took awhile to find tire but we did and it does great cant even tell the power difference by much

Edited May 26, 201114 yr by michael appel

it won't be extreme wheeling and I am already looking for a 2.2 to replace that motor. I think she wants the tires to look cool against all the tahoes and stuff out where we live. I wanna be able to hit up some trails (nothing hella extreme) in it. I want her stock fat fives on my lego