I know after reading over many posts on lifting that this subject has been beat into the ground. But I wanted a bit of taylored advice, so here goes!

 

My family will soon be moving to a small village in "bush" Alaska. I'm considering taking our 96 Legacy LS (2.2 4EAT)... this may be stupid considering it has 200,000+ miles on it (and the car will have to be shipped out there), but I'm beginning to feel comfortable enough with the car that if stuff breaks, I wouldn't mind working on it.

 

The village (about 600 people) we're going to is flat, and does have some paved roads (10-15 miles), but it is a lot of dirt roads, and a lot of snow in the winter. One of my major concerns with bringing the stock legacy to AK, however, is that it may be too low for heavy snow.

 

I'm not planning on doing any offroading, I just don't want to be a snowplow either. Any thoughts on a simple, cost-effective way to gain an effective amount of height out of it?

 

From reading it looks like simply buying the KYB GR-2 Outback struts (same year??) may do the trick. Should I buy new or just grab some from a junk yard? Will I need anything else? Springs, etc? Or just buy the four new struts?

 

Would it be advisable to buy some bigger tires as well? Currently I'm running 195/60R15. Any thoughts on what tire size to bump up to without having to change wheels? Or could even buying some bigger tires give me the height I need?

 

Thanks for the input. Sorry to retread old ground. If you think I'm nuts to be considering even bringing a car with this many miles to western Alaska, you can mention that, too.

yep, outback struts will probably be your ticket. bigger tires won't work too well without a little added ride height.

 

they don't have to be new KYB outback struts, anything for/from an outback will do. and IIRC they didn't start until '97.

 

springs are optional, but will add a bit more ride height.

 

stock tire for an outback is 205/70r15. so with outback suspension, that would be a nice step up (2" overall height), and an easy fit.

Outback struts would be your best bet. Also proper set of 4 snow tires.

 

nipper

So simply look at the bone yard for 4 outback struts? No shock mounts or anything like that? I am correct to assume that any 96-99 legacy outback would work? any other models or years that I should check for?

Well if you can pull the front and rear struts assemblies (struts, springs, mounts, etc) from a 96 to say 98 (maybe 99) Outback, those should be 'bolt&play'.

only the '96-'99 outbacks will work. after that, the rear suspension was changed completely.

 

if you get the whole assembly (strut, spring, top-mount). it'll save you some labor, and give you the max lift. probably cost you a bit more, but if you're getting them from a junkyard, you may be glad not to have to disassemble everything in the yard

Forester Strut/spring combos will also work for lift, its what i have on my Lifted Coupe in Alaska.

 

Where are you headed?