I replaced the rear struts on my 06 Forester with a set of KYB's I had from a 98-04 Forester.  The top hats and springs were different but the 00 KBY struts I had bolted right in, springs, and top hats.  Brake line support brackets had to be modified a bit for the lines to go in but they worked great.

 

I kept the 06 Springs and top hats if I ever need them.

Larry,

Please explain What was different about the '06 top hats?

 

The '03-'08 should all be the same - other than the XT (turbo) having different ground clearance- which could just be different springs??

 

I did see this that '06 had more ground clearance: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2006.html#specs

 

thanks

The 06 had a D shaped top hat and a tapered spring.  The mounting studs were the same spacing.

 

Seems too work great.

 

Larry