Does anyone know of some alternatives to get some more clearance for a 98 OBW without a lift kit? I have new 205/75s on 15" wheels. The wheel clearance is a little tight, but I wanted more ground clearance. Got about 1"...any other suggestions?

Thats about it.. larger tires are the only way to gain clearance under the diffs. Lift kits for unibody cars are, by necessity, body lifts. Their main purpose is to enable you to run larger tires.

Scorpion Automotive makes both body and suspension lifts for Subarus. I got the springs here, http://www.isrperformance.com/main.html They gave me about 1.5 to 2 inches of lift on my '97 OBW. I haven't noticed any bad side effects in handling or drivability, either on or off road. With a set of 205-75-15's I have as much clearance as I need.

JEGIII, do you have any pics of your OBW with the springs on? Also, did you install the springs yourself, or did you have to have a suspension shop do it? I have a '98 OBW that I would like another 1" or 2" clearance.

Mudrat79, (John in eugene) #541-729-8490, has is constructed a 2" suspension lift for the legacy/impreza/forester, he installed it in a 98' forester, (forester ranger), ther are pic's up on the message board's picture album, in one file or another, apperantly the axles are holding up quite well, give John a call, it'll be MUCH CHEEPER than the same thing from scorpion, BTW he also had plans for a 2" body lift not to mention all sorts of crazy options for the old school rides...

 

here are pics of 2'' suspension lift on a forester... simply bolt in modded struts, adjust camber, done!

http://usmb.net/gallery/albuo97

Very cool. I will have to contact him so I can see what costs and time would be involved. Thanks for the info Free Range!

Are these those little "Spring Helper" things I see at Advanced Auto Parts?

Originally posted by Free Range

Mudrat79, (John in eugene) #541-729-8490, has is constructed a 2" suspension lift

 

I don't think so Eric. I seem to remember reading elsewhere on the board mention of Mudrat79 custom making the lift kit.

 

BTW, I like your page Eric. Flash would look pretty good with a 2" suspension lift:brow:

Sorry, no pics yet. I had a shop do the install, mainly because of the need for spring compressors to install the springs on the struts. I went with the KYB GR2's at the same time. IMHO it was money well spent.

JEGIII, no worries.

 

:cool:

Thanks for the referral in Eugene. I'll have to check that out. We are going to try the spring helper things (very intelligent name, ha ha). It is supposed to give you a 1-1.5" lift, but it affects the handling a bit. Won't hurt to try it though! I'll let ya know. Hey those are some great pics of your forester. I really like the lift...makes it look like an actual off road vehicle!

Originally posted by NWScooby

BTW, I like your page Eric. Flash would look pretty good with a 2" suspension lift:brow:

 

Flash would look good with a lift, however flash is FWD, so I don't know if it is worth it...nor do I have much knowledge on the subject of lifting...however i am always open to ideas

LOL I don't think I noticed the 2wd part before. People still lift 2wd trucks, but not sure if it is really worth it.

The only thing that would be worth it for me is actually being able to clear more bumps and dips when I am driving through fields, or other off paved road activities.

 

I am actually quite impressed with the capability of the FWD of Flash. I have been in a few situations that I have been able to truck on through on different dirt trails, or on dirt roads that seems to throw other SUV type, or 4wd trucks all around.

 

What do people think of putting a lift on a FWD car? Is it that hard or $$$?

We tried the coil spring stabilizers...not recommended for the subie...way too short for the big springs. Any other suggestions???

like I said, just give John in Eugene (mudrat79) a call 541 729 8490, tell him you want the 2" suspension lift kit for you outback(custom modded strut, moves coil pack up, none o' that coil booster crap!) get a quote from him, notice how inexpensive it is. . . Recieve 'new' struts in mail, bolt in, adjust camber, install 27x9.5x15 SSR Super Swampers:brow: (or some meaty mud&snows) THEN:burnout:

 

it sounds simple (except the little camber thingy, which ain't too bad if'n I can remember) and it is simple;)

 

Lifting a FWD: Well it would help clear those pesky ditches and your neighbors cats... but the car is really designed for economy, and in doing a suspension lift you are messing a little with driveline angles, which will inherently result in a less gas mileage, probably not goin to notice decreased axle life on legacy axles though(much stronger than EA series CV's)

 

Side note

OUTBACK LIFT FITS A LEGACY

you need engine spacers(2?), struts(4), rear trailing arms(2), all suspension and anti-swaybar bushings

Gain:100mm? -----go check it out at your local subaru bone yard

100mm?!!

I think not! That's like 4 inches!

yeah, that was a little optimistic on my part... I shouldn't even type when I'm that tired.

 

I think the total gain was something like 1.5" on a 94 legacy gt, that is until he ran 5000 miles w mismatched tires and killed his center diff:dead: