Hello all. I'm hoping to gain a bit of knowledge. I've got a 98 Outback Wagon in desperate need of struts/springs. It's bottoming out on big bumps. I'd like to put stiffer springs in, both for towing a small trailer and to fit a bit bigger tire. I've read up on King, Baja, and Forester spring swaps. I'd like to go the Baja spring route, if they'll work. I've read the thread on Baja springs on a 2000 OBW, but can't find a cross refernce as to differences between 98 and 00 struts. Can anyone tell me if they're any different and if so what I'd need to make this work on a 98? 

 

Thanks much,

Jason

You won't be able to use Baja struts or springs on your 98, well the fronts will work but the rear is completely different. If you go the forester route, use 03-08, the 98-02 springs are softer than the outback, and the rear struts are shorter.

Thanks Bratman. What I got from this thread:

 

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/81-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension/22317-baja-springs-2000-outback-wagon-2.html

 

is that the following were used to do the swap on a 2000:

 

KYB GR2 dampers front and rear
Gas Strut 334275 FRONT RIGHT
Gas Strut 334276 FRONT LEFT
Gas Shock 341276 REARS
One set of front and rear 04-05 Baja springs
Your existing Outback tophats, spring seats, and "stuff".

 

What I'm gathering is that the 2000-2002 struts are different than the 98, but I'm not entirely clear how they differ of whether this can be made to work. The strut numbers above come up as fitting a 2000-2002 Outback.

It cannot be made to work, the only oem struts and springs that will lift your 98 are from the 03-08 forester. They retained the same suspension type through those years.

They completely changed the rear struts and springs in 2000, they're in no way compatible with each other.

A 2000 rear strut

http://www.subaruoutback.org/gallery//500/10308shockchange3.jpg

Vs a 98 rear strut

http://www.sspparts.com/e2/items/9110/IMG_8659.JPG

Thank you so much gentlemen. That was exactly the information I was hoping for and you saved me a lot of anguish. I believe the Baja springs would have lasted longer than the Forester, but I'll put a fresh set of Forester springs on and see what I get. There's always King springs if they wear too fast. May the great Subaru gods bless all you do.