June 27, 200619 yr Hi, I've been driving Suzuki Sidekick 4X4s since 93 (93 & 97). Both were totaled. Wanted something with better gas milage and bought a 2003 Outback Wagon. I assume I can take it off the road for some more then mild but not quite wild adventure. Just how far can I go with a stock setup? Water depth, curb hopping, deep sand and shallow mud.
June 27, 200619 yr Author The plastic is already scratched up and looks like it has been scraped a few times so that isn't a real big thing to loose sleep over.
June 27, 200619 yr Awesome, then your car can become pretty capable. There's a guy by the name Soobyclimbs on here who has a very well equiped outback wagon. There are a couple ways to increase your ground clearance, and even a guy whos running swampers on his outback. Take a look around, feel free to use the search or just browse a few pages of this forum. There is alot to be learned. -Brian
June 27, 200619 yr Author Yes a lot to learn, like having to put a fuse in a hole to switch to rear wheel drive only when using a doughnut. Glad an owners manual came with it. I've seen a lot of interesting stuff here so far. Lifting looks easier then the Suzuki. With it I just use a taller fatter tire. http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp showed me just how big I could go. And how much it would raise it.
June 27, 200619 yr I'm the goofball thats put swampers on mine. With the independent suspension the first thing thats gonna drag is either going to be the rear differential or the oil pan. So do something about that first. And yeah, I've cracked/banged/torn a lot of my plastic up. I made a huge crack just yesterday jacking the car up and not putting it in a designated jack point. So be careful or be ready to lose it.
June 30, 200619 yr and even a guy whos running swampers on his outback. that's BruceyWV...good guy... yeah, if you want stock clearance, i don't think that the 00-04 outbacks were the way to go. 96-99 or 05-06 have the mad clearance. but yeah, you should be able to up the tire size which will give you more adventurous tire option, and maybe get some king springs to give you that extra 1.5" that everyone needs. edit: oh, i see brucey already claimed the swampers.
June 30, 200619 yr Yes a lot to learn, like having to put a fuse in a hole to switch to rear wheel drive only when using a doughnut. Glad an owners manual came with it. I've seen a lot of interesting stuff here so far. Lifting looks easier the the Suzuki. With it I just use a taller fatter tire. http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp showed me just how big I could go. And how much it would raise it. THATS A GREAT SITE quick, somebody sticky the link!!
July 1, 200619 yr Author that's BruceyWV...good guy...yeah, if you want stock clearance, i don't think that the 00-04 outbacks were the way to go. 96-99 or 05-06 have the mad clearance. Doesn't the 00-04 OBW have 7.3 inch clearance?
July 1, 200619 yr the 99 and before Outbacks had 7.3 inches of ground clearence 00-04 Had 7.3 05+ Has 8.4, and 8.7 for the turbo models.
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