First post up here, figured I could share some pics of my Subie. She's a 1993 legacy L, picked up for $1200 originally. Mods at this point are KYB struts for the 1998 outback to give a slight lift, Hella 500 foglights, and 25% window tint. I'm currently working on a black mesh grille too.

 

 

Out camping

 

 

 

 

First post up here, figured I could share some pics of my Subie. She's a 1993 legacy L, picked up for $1200 originally. Mods at this point are KYB struts for the 1998 outback to give a slight lift,

Nice! That's the same year Legacy I have. Hoping to turn it into an adventure wagon as well.

Do you mind if I ask what the KYB struts set you back? What tires are you running? I'm looking at a set of General Altimax RT43 tires.

Hey! All in all the struts ended up coming to the 300 dollar ballpark with shipping and tax, in the pictures the stock 185 70r14's are still on, but I recently picked up some new wheels coupled up with 215 60r16 Yokohama geolandar at-s tires, they rub a bit at full lock but nothing serious.

Hey! All in all the struts ended up coming to the 300 dollar ballpark with shipping and tax, in the pictures the stock 185 70r14's are still on, but I recently picked up some new wheels coupled up with 215 60r16 Yokohama geolandar at-s tires, they rub a bit at full lock but nothing serious.

Make sure to post photos with the new struts and wheels. Are you going to re-calibrate the speedometer for the taller tires?

Hey sorry for the late reply, but here are some pics with the new struts, wheels, and tires

 

 

 

 

as for the speedometer, it has always read around 5 mph fast, so the bigger tires more or less corrected that problem because now it is nearly spot on

as for the speedometer, it has always read around 5 mph fast, so the bigger tires more or less corrected that problem because now it is nearly spot on

COOL!

Looks like what I went with the same tires, wheel, and strut combination. I've been Happy with mine so far. She not super fast off the line, but I keep up with traffic.  :-)

Edited September 16, 20169 yr by Wagonfun

Yeah, I noticed the same slight loss of off the line power, but other than that she cruises like a champ! Also the lift and bigger tires make camping trips up forest roads a piece of cake

I finished up the mesh grille and also got her off the pavement. The new Yokohamas definitely beat the old all seasons when it comes to off road traction!

 

I finished up the mesh grille and also got her off the pavement. The new Yokohamas definitely beat the old all seasons when it comes to off road traction!

Looking GOOD Man! Details on the tires please?

Yeah of course! They're 215/60 r16 Yokohama Geolandar AT-S tires, mounted on WRX rims

Got out and played in the snow a little...

 

much fun was had

 

 

I have the same car stock.I have beat it driving all over the Olympic mountains.I dream about doing what you have done exactly but have not because she does it all stock anyway.The only reason I can come up to swap struts and tire size is to get through water holes safer.I almost got stranded on the Hoh because the hot engine did not like going under water.Blew up the knock sensor and pissed off the old cats.Got me home though.A good skid plate would help this also.I gutted the back seat and made for more storage and I sleep in the back on my steelhead fishing trips.I call it the RiverRat.Anyways cool wagon!

I have the same car stock.I have beat it driving all over the Olympic mountains.

Mine is all stock at the moment with the exception of the General Tire M&S tires I had installed. It's been totally the Boss in blizzard like conditions, and managed to get through some really tough icy, snowy roads. I would like to have the taller tires and suspension installed, but these things will have to wait until I can afford them.

Meanwhile, I'm really liking what Andrewlc93 has done to his Subie, and am enjoying this thread.

Were the struts a straight bolt up? Any other parts needed? Did the swap require an alignment afterwards?

The struts in the front bolt right up, I swapped the stock springs and top hats over. Same with the rear however I needed to use a split ring washer as a shim between the strut and the bottom of the top hat, as the threads for the nut up top bottom out before you get it tight, leaving the top hat loose. I don't have a picture of this, but check Wagonfun's thread out I think he's got a pic.

 

For parts, I don't remember needing anything other than the struts. I have read that some people swap some outback bits over to correct the increased CV axle angle so they don't wear out as fast, but I have nearly 10K on this setup with none of that and have yet to experience CV clunk (knock on wood). I did read on a couple threads that most people are fine without, just any more than the lift from the struts and you have to start worrying about the CV's. I did get an alignment afterwards though because my camber was way off.

 

Good luck!

You have made a wonderful car.

I have a legacy wagon awd ej18spi 1992 and i want to lift it with struts. Here in this forum i learned that i must put struts from an outback 1998 mod . Here in Greece i can't find those struts. Can i use forester parts and from which model to increase clearence?

Thank you .

I'm not 100% certain, but I think people have also used struts from the earlier foresters for around the same amount of lift