Im looking for a list of all the Subaru struts and what models interchange with what car, say I have a 2002 Legacy, what struts from other subarus will fit or will make it taller or lower that kind of a exchange chart if there is such a thing, thanks guys

I'm sure the information is out there, but I doubt it has been consolidated into one chart.  Best bet would be a google search, then a LOT of reading.

 

I know Impreza/OBS/forester is pretty much a direct year-for-year swap, with some forward and backward compatability.  Obviously OBs and legacies are interchangeable.

on the early EJ cars what years had the smaller rear bolt pattern on the strut tops?

NASIOC has such a list, but it may be highly Impreza-weighted.

All 00-04 legacy/outback/baja rear struts are interchangeable, with varying height differences and wheel clearance variations at the front spring perch.

Edited July 13, 20205 yr by idosubaru

'00-'09 Legacy/Outback multi-link is very different from '08+ Impreza/forester and '10+ Legacy/Outback. I know the 2 bolts in the top hat are spaced further apart in the newer ones. But the shock/spring are simple enough that they may work.

 

 

 

'00-'09 Outback is the only thing I know of that would be a bolt-on strut lift for the rear of an '02 Legacy. More options for the front, but probably simplest to get the same.

 

Baja rear springs yield a small lift on an Outback. H6 front springs yield a small lift on a 4-cyl Outback.

still trying to get a good list on the strut bolt patterns

still trying to get a good list on the strut bolt patterns

 

on the early EJ cars what years had the smaller rear bolt pattern on the strut tops? 

 

'90-'94 Legacy and '92-'01 Impreza were the same on the REAR only. The fronts have been the same since '90-ish. You don't have to swap top hats on the rear. Just enlarge/drill another hole for fitment of the newer style.

 

As noted above. The '00 Legacy/GT/OB went to the multi-link rear w/shocks - not struts. As did the 2009+ Forester. 2005+ STi changed to a different front strut*, so 2004 STi and the 2002-2007 WRX are compatible - struts front and rear, 

 

*top hat bolt patter is same but due to the 5x114.3 bolt pattern and not sure what else, the bottom strut mount won't work.

Edited February 17, 20179 yr by wtdash

Impreza/forester chassis changed in '08

 

 

I have compared an '04 Outback rear shock mount to a '13 Forester one, and the newer one was different (larger, IIRC). I assume this will be true of all the '08+ Imp/Forester and '10+ Leg/OBK.

do we know when the 90 rear strut size changed?

do we know when the 90 rear strut size changed?

Edit: do you mean the STRUT PERCH? That was lower in '90-'91. '92-'94 were higher allowing bigger tires, I believe. 

 

There was also a difference in the spring's shape  - tapered - and top hat size.  I don't recall which, but '90-'91 were the same as were '92-'94.

 

LegacyCentral will also have this in a STICKY under their Suspension category.

Edited February 17, 20179 yr by wtdash

Impreza/forester chassis changed in '08

 

 

I have compared an '04 Outback rear shock mount to a '13 Forester one, and the newer one was different (larger, IIRC). I assume this will be true of all the '08+ Imp/Forester and '10+ Leg/OBK.

Impreza changed in 2008, Forester changed in 2009.

I'm talkin top hat 3 bolt pattern

Edited February 18, 20179 yr by Scott in Bellingham

Top hat pattern changed in 95 for Legacy, 02 for Impreza. 90 to 94 Legacy is small pattern, 93 to 01 Impreza is small pattern also.

 

But the rear top hats have an integrated spring perch so 90 to 92 are cone shaped springs, and 93.5 or so are cylinder shaped. If you want to use some of the early STi springs on an early Impreza you need the pre-facelift rear top hats, etc. For example.

 

There's a lot of nuance to it.

 

GD

Edited February 18, 20179 yr by GeneralDisorder

Top hat pattern changed in 95 for Legacy, 02 for Impreza. 90 to 94 Legacy is small pattern, 93 to 01 Impreza is small pattern also.

But the rear top hats have an integrated spring perch so 90 to 92 are cone shaped springs, and 93.5 or so are cylinder shaped. If you want to use some of the early STi springs on an early Impreza you need the pre-facelift rear top hats, etc. For example.

There's a lot of nuance to it.

GD

your takin about the rear ones correct ?

Hey I'm new to the forums, looking to get some advice on this suspension question i got. 

I'm interested in buying these coilovers; https://www.maxpeedingrods.com/For-Subaru-Impreza-WRX-GC8-Coilovers-Absorber-Coils-Struts-Ajd-Height-Camber.html?sort=p.price&order=ASC&limit=100 

They say they fit Impreza WRX GC8 93-01. If the 93-01 Impreza near shocks fit the 91 legacy series, then these coil-overs should fit too; right?

Yes,

But,

Do Not Buy.

 

Those are cheap for a reason...they're cheap. 

And the 5 5-star reviews all read like some ONE (person) used Google translate for us gullible  Americans.

 

You'd be better served to buy a set of WRX '02-'07 struts and 'ghetto' the rear mount holes to fit them (you'll need to enlarge 2 about 1/4-1/2").

 

Or look into hitbits coil overs. The fellas at Offroadsubarus have had good success with them in their lifted rides  From what I can gather you can custom build your coil overs for your application.

Cheers 

Bennie

Thanks for the fast feedback!

Edited November 10, 20187 yr by rk_