December 23, 200520 yr I recently installed a lift on the LOBW about two weeks ago, and a few of you were asking about the process, so I thought I would post it here. The lift involved installation of KYB GR2s and a set of Scorpion (King) lift springs. Here is a picture before the install. About 10 inches from the sill. Not bad... The total "time" was about 4.5 hours. The total "install" took about 2.5 hours. I won't mention that I managed to crossthread one of the tops, and lose a nut, and... yeah, it was not one of my better install days. After we installed everything and lowered the car off the jackstands the wagon gained about 3 inches in clearance. Now that the springs have settled, I gained about 2 inches, which is what the springs are supposed to give. Overall, the ride is much improved! I really like it. The car gives much better feedback both on and off the road and there is certainly less body roll when compared to the old springs. This last picture is on that my girlfriend took while we were out for a morning cruise. We stopped the local shop to see if a friend was working. He wasn't ther but we did find a stock OBW, so we just took a comparison picture instead.
December 23, 200520 yr Author Looks sweet. Can I add a link to this in the FAQ? Glad I could contribute
December 23, 200520 yr Cost? Are the KYB struts the same one's normally spec'ed for the Outback? Part numbers might be cool if you still have them handy. Looks good and thanks for posting it!
December 23, 200520 yr Author Cost?Are the KYB struts the same one's normally spec'ed for the Outback? Part numbers might be cool if you still have them handy. Looks good and thanks for posting it! Ah! Good question. Yes, the KYB struts are the same normally spec'ed for the Outback, outside of being the GR2 model, which is supposed to be about 20-30% stiffer than their standard OEM strut. Total cost for the lift and all of the shipping cost was about $800 even. $20 of that was for new rubber boot thingies to protect the struts. Here is a list of the part numbers: KYB GR2 Legacy OUTBACK strut. -Right Front: 235632 -Right Rear: 335020 -Left Front: 235833 -Left Rear: 335021 You can find the King lift springs (Under the Scorpion name) at Renick Motorsports I had the part numbers at one time. I will try to find King Spring's web site, and see if the part numbers are listed there.
December 23, 200520 yr Here's the King Springs Site: http://www.kingsprings.com/ Here's their coil spring catalogue: http://www.kingsprings.com/kings_master_catalogue.pdf The subaru stuff starts on page 10.
December 23, 200520 yr Wow, great info I'm glad to see someone try the Scorpion springs. Now i'm really curious about a body lift and taller tires in conjunction with that setup...
December 23, 200520 yr i think subieclimbs is useing them (King Springs = Scorpion Spring) on his outback. I wanted to get a set for my impreza when i lifted it, but my funds were lacking for the springs very hott. i can't wait to get my taller springs, and 28" all terrains
December 25, 200520 yr I'm sitting here thinking about suspensions, and I have a couple of questions. I'd like to lift my legacy, but not stiffen up the suspension (already stiff to my likening with gr-2's). 1. What percentage of travel is extension slowing rather than compression of the strut in everyday bumps on the road? 2. How far down from fully extended is the suspension at, when a Legacy is just sitting there (stock parts). If the answer to 2 is 75% up, and the answer to 1 is low, couldn't I get away with lifting my legacy by just putting spacers in somewhere (or multiple places), thus not stiffening the ride? Or am I off base here?
December 26, 200520 yr nice lift! I used kingsprings for mine. Custom ground front calipers to fit 15" rims over and some 215/75R15 Yokohama Geolander AT+ II's just fit without rubbing!!!I need a body lift now! I believe Subaxtreme is making strut lifts so you can use stock springs.
December 27, 200520 yr Author While the King Springs have a higher spring rate, I don't really notice any harshness in the ride. They just help to eleminate the "lazy boy" feel of the car
January 18, 200620 yr i know that if i use OB struts and springs on my 94 legacy,i need to use OB strut tops which will require me to drill new holes. my question is-when drilling new holes to fit the OB tops.would i have to drill three new ones or just one or two?didn't know if like 1 or 2 of the previous holes would line right up.i was looking to use OB struts along with the Scorpion lift springs.so i'll assume that i need OB tops. i was hoping that they made lift springs for legacys but only for imprezas and OBs. any pointers for drilling new holes would be appreciated thanks
January 18, 200620 yr take out the current strut, take your new OB top, place it on the holes from the TOP SIDE (engine compartment) and mark where you need to drill the holes, the orientation of the cap doesn't really matter... i think.. (i hope )
January 18, 200620 yr take out the current strut, take your new OB top, place it on the holes from the TOP SIDE (engine compartment) and mark where you need to drill the holes, the orientation of the cap doesn't really matter... i think.. (i hope ) thanks andy i'll give it a try.
May 10, 200718 yr i'm pretty sure this is a super old thread, but none-the-less, how are those Tripple Treads running? my old boss still won't keep them in stock because he thinks they're a gimmick.
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