New poster - apologies if this has been covered a million times. Feel free to just point me to another answered post.

 

I drive a 1998 Legacy Wagon L, (2.2) and I'm curious about lifting it, to cope better with forest service roads and winter snow up here in the Pacific North West.

 

I've been investigating a few options, but I'm curious - is there any particular kit, component or combination of components that USMB users would recommend? I'm planning on sticking with stock 15in wheels (at least for now) and since most of my miles will still be road miles, I'm not looking for a crazy lift that compromises road handing too much.

 

Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

bb 

Put outback struts and trailing arms on it.

Thanks! Assume that I'm completely clueless though. Is this a scrapyard deal, or are there OEM components / kits available?

You're asking a good question.

I have a 98 I'm ripping apart and reassembling on a project and I have similar questions.

 

Any way to answer your question; I would run to the salvage yard for the trailing arms and I'd buy the struts new.

 

OEM parts new from the dealer might be worth more than the car. (I remember the dealer wanted 400 a peice for BRAT axles. )

 

Due to the ease of this paticular mod I don't know of any kits until you start climbing a bit higher for lift.

Edited May 6, 201510 yr by dec0y13

New poster - apologies if this has been covered a million times. Feel free to just point me to another answered post.

 

I drive a 1998 Legacy Wagon L, (2.2) and I'm curious about lifting it, to cope better with forest service roads and winter snow up here in the Pacific North West.

 

I've been investigating a few options, but I'm curious - is there any particular kit, component or combination of components that USMB users would recommend? I'm planning on sticking with stock 15in wheels (at least for now) and since most of my miles will still be road miles, I'm not looking for a crazy lift that compromises road handing too much.

 

Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

bb 

Search the 90s to present section in the new gen forum for "lift" (back one level from this thread).  There are numerous threads about this (as you guessed, not the first time this question has been asked).  

98-08 forester strut assemblies, or 96-99 outback struts. Trailing arm is the same between both. It's the trailing arm bracket that's different, and isn't absolutely necessary when lifting a Legacy.

Subaru Struts, from what I've gathered, will last over 200k.  If you can find a good set of struts around 100k or less you should be able to swap the complete assemblies.  

 

If you buy new struts,  your going to have to swap your springs, top plates, and either purchase or re-use your strut months.  Strut mounts average $50 each (4 of them).  A full set of struts and strut mounts your looking at $400+.  Your strut mounts may be good, but it varies.  Struts alone your looking at $200 to $250 new.

 

That being said check craigslist.  Local to me (Boise, ID) there is a set of Forester XT Struts and in Pocatello there is a set of Forester XT STruts.  Both of these are complete sets for under $200 (springs, top hats, strut mounts, etc...)

 

Now, checking seattle I came across a set of Forester struts from an '01 for $100.  

 

I'm just throwing options.  Now if you want the outback version you can watch for someone parting out an outback.  We get them here occasionally so I would expect you get them up there as well.  This route you can get all the struts and anything else you need.

if you want more lift add the struts plus a lift kit I sell them here www.sjrlift.com , I can also just sell parts if you want to build your own

Thanks everyone - since my struts were in good shape (no imminent need to replace them) I decided against Outback struts and ended up getting 1.4in raised King Springs and 0.5in/0.75in spacers from Primitive Racing in Oregon. Getting them installed on Monday - fingers crossed!