Hey everybody, just got my 88 GL 5speed with dual range. runs great and everything works awesome. I am a little overwhelmed with what all seems to go into a lift on these things... is there any way to go the spacer route? im new to this kind of stuff and would love some help... dumb it down for me. ive been through the FAQs and not really finding what i want. if anyone has pics... i maybe want 2" of lift wit some 28-30" bfgs. can i fit those with 2"? i just want some decent clearance to get my rig up the mountain trails we got here in idaho. help me out and let me know what i need to do to get my rig on the trail.

Thanks!

You can get some lift using strut spacers, but the higher you go, the more strain you put on the axles, which is especially risky if you are going places tow trucks do not. I wouldn't go more than an inch without some sort of body lift.

 

The jist of it is, putting blocks between your subframes and unibody in addition to raising the suspension hieght (usually with spacers.) It's not rocket science, but there's plenty involved. Keep reading, read some more. take a break, read more. Eventually you'll be more comfortable with it. You also need to lengthen the joint on your steering to accomodate the lift. This is a fairly simple weld job either by yourself or at a local shop.

 

You can clear rather decent tires without a lot of lift. (Or any really) if you are willing to trim your fenders. The more bashing and trimming, the bigger the tire you can fit. My old 84 wagon had 25 inch tires with no lift and very minor trimming. I took that car places that few jeeps would go. cut a little more and you can fit more. If you haven't read it yet, there's a sticky in here for biggest tires without a lift. It might surprise you.

hey thanks yeah ive been reading up on tires that fit with no lift. i wonder cause the tires on it are bout dead and a would like to just go up to the size i want. 215/75/15 s some bfg ATs i would love to throw a set of those on her. but im thinkin i would need 3" on lift. (judging by what ive seen on here) is all the lifting something that could all be down on a saturday with just your standard jacks?

and about how much does a 3" lift cost?

hey thanks yeah ive been reading up on tires that fit with no lift. i wonder cause the tires on it are bout dead and a would like to just go up to the size i want. 215/75/15 s some bfg ATs i would love to throw a set of those on her. but im thinkin i would need 3" on lift. (judging by what ive seen on here) is all the lifting something that could all be down on a saturday with just your standard jacks?

and about how much does a 3" lift cost?

 

http://www.sjrlift.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=8&Itemid=100053

 

3 inch lift should help you clear 215s without much worry about trimming. I'm about to put a set of LT 215 75 15s under my impreza. The EA82 series (like your 88) seems the most forgiving when it comes to the necessity for trimming.

 

If you buy a kit and have done plenty of reading, and especially if you have a buddy helping, you can do it with pretty basic tools. The oddball is always lengthening your steering shaft. But some steel pipe and a welder make it simple. Some have used the longer shaft from Outbacks but I'm not 100% on whether it's transferable to your 88.

 

It's more involved if you make the kit yourself but cheaper and with more options. I've heard great things about the kits SJR has, so if you're willing to spnd the money, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. If you're doing it yourself, those pictures show pretty well what's involved. Angled strut top spacers, blocks between unibody and subframe, lowering your rear differential etc.

 

It's been done many many times, so once you get going keep asking questions on here. This site is fantastic for any and all advice Subaru.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=119285

 

I stole this from one eye. Use this guide and you will have a super simple 2 inch lift, it is the same thing i have on mine.

 

As for the rear, we just welded a 2 inch pipe extension to mine by cutting off the eye and then rewelding it all back together. You can also make some straps/blocks that drop the rear strut down.

 

Edited January 31, 201214 yr by Vegablade

thanks guys! and so for steering, is there anywhere i can buy the stuff i need to lengthen my steering? or are there any plans or pictures of a job someone did lenthening theirs?

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=110885&highlight=steering+shaft

 

All the info you need should be there. That's the first visual I found. I'm sure there are other/better ones. Looks like you can put two together to do it without welding, or just cut, extend and weld for one piece.

thanks guys! and so for steering, is there anywhere i can buy the stuff i need to lengthen my steering? or are there any plans or pictures of a job someone did lenthening theirs?

 

Also if you do a 2" lift you don't need to extend the steering shaft at all.

oh yeah??? well i might just do that... cause from what ive seen on here it looks like i can fit some 27-28ish tires on a 2" lift... with some trimming... so i might just do that... what is a good tire for just your average muddy/snowy trails?

 

 

Sure do appreciate all the help!

A good mud tire would be super swamper boggers I used those on my last rig and in the mud I was near unstoppable. I've only experimented with hancook snow tires on my Outback and those word wonders