Going the other direction - lift kit

[Kraziken]

Don't worry, this isn't about my current Subie. :grin:

So my other family ride is a 4" lifted 98 Chevy Suburban with 33" tires. I love the thing because of the function, and in deep snow it can't be beat.

Problem is, it is gas hog.

This week I was on vacation and took the Suburban off road. It wasn't intentional really. My GPS maps are out of date, and it took me a strange direction. I got a bit lost, and when I programmed it to take me back to our room, it directed me to a NFD road, which was not paved. Little did I know,that it was iced and muddy (and deep) in some spots. By the time I got half way thru and though, hmm, this road might not have been a good idea, I just kept going. Anyway, it turned out to be kinda fun.

I began thinking maybe I would like another Subie, but prepped for the rough stuff. I've seen info on scorpion lift kits. I'm just wondering if I wanted to get another Leggy, lift it, put swampers on it, how much modding would I need? Anyone know of any pics?

I've seen some old Subie GL's with nice mudders. I thought a Turbo Baja with the lift treatment, KC lights might be cool too.

[httrdd]

That would be sweet. I am sure that the Subaru lift would be like anything else lifted.

[Okin DaVanh]

If you do get an older model GL, definitely go for one that has a Dual Range tranny.

I have a Loyale and almost every site I've been to, (inc USMB) they're lifted

[1996Battlewagon]

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/sho ... hp?t=24980 (http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24980)

Lifting a Subaru is a weird child. The older EA cars (Brat, GL, Loyale, XT....) are pretty easy because there are kits available from companies like SRJ lifts, Bill Omlin Monster Lifts and HighGuys. People lift these all the time in various hights: two, four and six inches are common place.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/02/DSC02846JPG-1.jpg

What it basically boils down to are strut tower spacers (and other extensions to make everything such as steering work). These are really simple lifts but different from lifting a Jeep or your Burb which is done by leaf spring blocks.

The old cars are usually always offered with dual range gear boxes too: which means low range. Being a former Jeep kid and someone who likes wheeling their Outback, I know (and you do too) how important dual range can be.

Now, the newer cars. This is where it gets funny. Lifting a EJ car, such as an Outback or Turbo Baja, is fuzzy because not alot of people have really done it the way they lift the EA cars. When it does happen, it usually happens two ways. People take a Legacy or Impreza and add Outback/Forester struts and springs.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/02/b0e5e4e3-1.jpg
That's Strat's old car. He's on this board and has another Legacy lifted on Outback struts.

The second way is to lift a EJ the same way you'd lift an EA car: strut blocks.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/02/DSCN3811-1.jpg
This is a High Guys car. It's on Outback struts and 3" strut blocks.

You still need to compensate for the steering shaft, which needs to be made longer. This is not included in the High Guys lift kit.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/02/201259l-1.jpg
This is a 4" lift kit sold by Allied Armament, who sadlly do not sell this kit anymore.

A lot of lifted newer Subarus out there are lifted on old Outback parts or custom made. Not to many companies make lift kits for the newer cars. High Guys is one of them, but theirs are for 90-99 Legacy's on Outback struts. A few companies are in the works for newer lift kits, so keep watching USMB for that to happen.

If you want to lift a Baja, your best bet is to find some used King Springs that were offered for the BH over in OZ. I think these only went to 2", but that's a start...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/02/LIFTKITGEN3OB045Medium1-1.jpg
This is on King springs and a 2" strut kit from BYB, which is made in OZ. You might be able to check ebay or USMB and find a OZ lift kit and ship it over. And while you're at it, you could buy a EJ dual range gear box from Australia too. Yeah, they got dual range and we didn't...

Anyway, here's some inspiration for you:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/02/33dh3sh-1.jpg
It's not lifted, but with a snorkel, I bet it's still plenty capable.

[98outbackpdx]

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/1620062858.html
not selling this, but spotted on CL looks pretty bad@$$ says what they have done

[ouch1011]

Lifting with strut blocks (or leaf spring blocks on those trucks that use them) only lift the vehicle, it doesn't increase your suspension travel at all, which will be a problem on any car/truck with IFS and/or IRS. Maybe not a huge issue if you aren't rock crawling or whatever, but it will bug you especially with open differentials, because if any one wheel comes off the ground, you lose the vast majority of your power. The VLSD in the center diff isn't strong enough to deal with a wheel lifted off the ground.

[Matty2Hotty]

As much as i think it looks goofy... I like the white one for sale on CL over here in WA. It sure is different being lifted that much. +1 for guys doing the lift and using awd to the full potential.

[lord flashheart]

there is a company in Australia that makes lift kits for subarus and the best part... inexpensive.
http://www.funonwheels.net/hirisesubaru ... tylift.htm (http://www.funonwheels.net/hirisesubaru/pages/libertylift.htm)
check it out.