Forester susupension for the BD.

[harrymaneuvers]

So I wanted to start a new thread specifically about what I should be looking for in terms of Forester suspension for the legacy.


I have kept my eyes open for a whole set of low mileage Forester struts/springs but just havent found the right used set at the right price.

As I am looking for that, I am also looking for great deals on NEW parts that I could get together.

I am wondering what struts I should be looking at if I ended up getting new struts... say KYB GR-2 or something along those lines.

Would using new GR-2 struts from an 04-08 forester still achieve what I am looking to do in terms of lifting the BD yet still giving me a practical ride feeling when I am not driving on gravel roads?

If so, what springs (used OEM or new aftermarket) should I be looking for?


Would I need matching forester top hats?

[LxJLthr]

One of my prior set up on my '98 BG was stock Forester strut/shock combo (I am sorry I don't remember the year at this point, but probably pre '04). They bolted up without any issue on top and bottom and gave me a 1-1.5' lift. One thing to note, intalling these will be a b***h because Forester strut is a lot longer than Legacy unit. I had to use clamps to compress the hell out of the spring to manuver the assembly into position.

There wasn't much surprise to the ride character change...mine was a lot more comfortable due to the additional suspension travel wiht added ground clearance. However, it also gavce it a higher center, so it rolled and understeered noticiably more and was not really "sporty" handling (especially compared to my current WRX parts). My only other suspension parts at the time were RallyTech rear sway and endlinks.

I will dig through my pictures and try to find anything useful. I know this doesn't answer all your quesiton, but I hope it helps.

[harrymaneuvers]

Its a start!

Not worried about space because the car is almost completely disassembled.

[elislider]

youd want to get the whole assembly instead of trying to source new parts, because the struts are springs are both going to be taller. tophats might swap over but why bother with any of that hassle when you could just find some used Forester struts for cheap? im sure you could get some from a forum person or even a junkyard for $100 or so for the whole set (or less, who knows)

but lets say you had already acquired the full suspension setup from a forester, bolted it on, and were satisfied, but one strut needed to be replaced (or more). in that case, yes get some GR2s

[Garrison]

I am currently riding on forester suspension with a Whiteline rear sway, set at 18mm stiff, and I love how the car handles, but even with good tires, it's pretty out of its element past about 8/10s pace in the twisties.
Sti suspension (2000-2004 only due to the 5x100 to 5x114 bolt pattern change in 2005) would be of a similar ride height, but with a greatly increased spring rate. An anti-roll kit and forester XT suspension (again stiffer spring rate, but slightly less than the sti) would be the ideal best-of-both-worlds setup for DD, lifted use.



For what its worth, I bought my set of forester suspension off ebay with 60k, for $300 shipped.

[Dead91silvia]

You might also want to get the spacers from a BG Outback to help with geometry. Just for the rear... Front shouldnt be a problem.

[Wiscon_Mark]

For reference, 03 Forester stuff will work too. the only difference is the springs/tophats (03s didn't have the tapered springs like the 04-08s). Same year Forester stuff is completely bolt on to the same year Impreza stuff.

03 Forester = 02-03 Impreza = 95-99 Legacy/Outback
04-08 Forester = 04-07 Impreza = compatible with 95-99 Legacy/Outback in a full set with tophats/springs matched.

The only difference is the length of the struts/springs.

[harrymaneuvers]

Yea I posted a WTB thread over at subaruforester.org for a full suspension.

Only had one guy respond with his 2006 FXT suspension with 80k miles for $220.

Honestly, considering I have a 2006 FXT with 104k miles sitting in my parking space, I would be more inclined to put that $220 towards a new suspension for the FXT and using the FXT's OEM suspension on the legacy.