Specv118's '98 Legacy Outback Wagon

[Specv118]

So about a month ago now I picked up a 1998 Legacy Outback wagon 5-speed with all weather package (winter package). Honestly my favorite car despite some rust which I've never been about before until now, a leaky gas tank I discovered driving it home (lol), and some maintenance that needs to be addressed to make parts serviceable again. With that said I plan on keeping this as stock looking as possible as I'm a huge advocate of the OEM+ look. Thankfully with this car having a JDM market getting some slick OEM parts that never made it to the US market will be somewhat painless. :)

Anyways, on to the only picture I have right now.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/20141127_182633-1.jpg (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/specv118/media/20141127_182633.jpg.html)

My short, but growing to-do list.

- Replace gas tank (ordered):
- Replace exhaust (oem catback ordered)
- Replace header (borla rep to be ordered)
- Replace cat section of pipe (custom made resonated delete pipe)
- Replace diff fluid
- Replace brake fluid
- Replace rear diff bushings (tba)
- Retrofit headlights
- Replace parking brake cable
- Address rust / body work eventually
- Replace rear wiper motor
- Honda Odessey rear wiper arm and blade (thank you DIY section!)
- Shifter bushings
- Go through chassis grounds and see what I can make better

Things I want but don't need (lol):

- Power folding mirrors (with heat)
- OEM keyless entry
- Replace more bushings
- Replace sway bar end-links
- Legacy GT wheels
- Some kind of lower OEM suspension
- OEM sliding trunk cover
- JDM side marker lights

Thanks for looking and if you happen to have anything I'm in need of for sale PLEASE don't hesitate to PM me! :)

[Specv118]

Things are slowly moving along, with the purchase of the gas tank, stock catback exhaust which are both waiting shipment, OEM gas tank parts from Subaru that are on order and some fluids.

This is my first "build thread", or restoration build thread for that matter in many years and normally I have huge updates to post... before I had kids, haha. So bare with me as things will be rather slow as I have little to no free time.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/ee72feb1b8f34fd099c202e1794df917-2.jpg (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/specv118/media/ee72feb1-b8f3-4fd0-99c2-02e1794df917.jpg.html)
New rear diff fluid, brake fluid and a pump to make my life easier when filling the diff back up.

My imperfect Legacy, which will have all the body work addressed I hope by summer of next year. This also will be another first for me as I've never had any extensive body work done, or have had a car repainted before.. Kinda of indifferent about it.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/20141210_081925-2.jpg (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/specv118/media/20141210_081925.jpg.html)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/20141210_081955-2.jpg (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/specv118/media/20141210_081955.jpg.html)

[98legwag]

For the suspension, you should look into 02-07 wrx struts and springs. They bolt on and are a tad bit stiffer and should lower your Outback down to about Legacy height if you use stock wrx springs. Obviously lower if you use lowering springs. I have stock wrx set up on my Legacy wagon and I love it. For end links I used Hard Race and they are good. They are metal with hardened rubber bushings. My buddy, Hinyo on here, is using them as well.

http://www.buyhardrace.com/product/hard ... gd_83.html (http://www.buyhardrace.com/product/hardrace-front-sway-bar-end-links-steel-impreza-gc-gd_83.html)
http://www.buyhardrace.com/product/hard ... gd_75.html (http://www.buyhardrace.com/product/hardrace-rear-sway-bar-end-links-steel-impreza-gc-gd_75.html)

Also, where are you located? Next time I got the junkyard I can look for a cargo cover for you.

[bijon440]

If you're doing the bodywork yourself it can be a trying project, especially if you're impatient. That's me. I had all mine done by a young Guy just getting his business going and got a killer deal and a beautiful job out of him. Then found an old semi retired Guy that sprayed the car for 300 if I bought all the product. My point is, if you search around and talk to as many people as you can about the work at hand, the deals are out there. I actually need to get the whole front end resprayed again after my accident. I'll be going back to the old Guy without a doubt. Don't be too worried, its just paint.

[Specv118]

If you're doing the bodywork yourself it can be a trying project, especially if you're impatient. That's me. I had all mine done by a young Guy just getting his business going and got a killer deal and a beautiful job out of him. Then found an old semi retired Guy that sprayed the car for 300 if I bought all the product. My point is, if you search around and talk to as many people as you can about the work at hand, the deals are out there. I actually need to get the whole front end resprayed again after my accident. I'll be going back to the old Guy without a doubt. Don't be too worried, its just paint.
Oh no, I dont do body work. I have a friend who does it for a living that will be doing it for me. Haha, I don't have patience for that at all!

[Specv118]

For the suspension, you should look into 02-07 wrx struts and springs. They bolt on and are a tad bit stiffer and should lower your Outback down to about Legacy height if you use stock wrx springs. Obviously lower if you use lowering springs. I have stock wrx set up on my Legacy wagon and I love it. For end links I used Hard Race and they are good. They are metal with hardened rubber bushings. My buddy, Hinyo on here, is using them as well.

http://www.buyhardrace.com/product/hard ... gd_83.html (http://www.buyhardrace.com/product/hardrace-front-sway-bar-end-links-steel-impreza-gc-gd_83.html)
http://www.buyhardrace.com/product/hard ... gd_75.html (http://www.buyhardrace.com/product/hardrace-rear-sway-bar-end-links-steel-impreza-gc-gd_75.html)

Also, where are you located? Next time I got the junkyard I can look for a cargo cover for you.
Thank you, that's exactly what I'm looking for. I'm located in Wisconsin, and that would be awesome of you!

This is by far the best forum I've been on users wise before, thanks for making the noob transition easy, haha.

[Specv118]

Well more parts to knock off the list. My OEM sending unit gaskets came in. Better to be safe than sorry with the amount of work needed just to drop the tank.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/954f70eca8bfa146051129ea206d3bb5-2.jpg

[dynonacht]

Where in wisc are you?

[Specv118]

Where in wisc are you?
Watertown just 30 minutes out of Madison, Wi.

[Specv118]

So I am disliking all this rust stuff. Here is the underside of my hatch. Looks factory fresh, and then you close the hatch and the rear wiper arm is stuck on by rust. Yay, lol.

All this to try and remove the wiper motor to see why it don't turn as it sounded as the motor was getting power and clicking.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/c3b5461b58fe5103d42a5387121d55d4-2.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/5aea227a0c58e6b143e23da522be08a5-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/3df2a0faf8515b3335cd7bd85668aa85-2.jpg


Also is anyone has these two things let me know!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/cce93495e877dd803c0499c32c5e8a7f-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/dc156fab34b8664b249e10d9f28906b0-1.jpg

Cheers!

[Specv118]

Finally got around getting our fresh cut christmas tree and out the subaru to proper use. also discovered while doing this that the cars pre-wired for trailer lights and has an adapter box making the car tow ready... not that I'd actually tow with it, but I was excited none the less.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/56962451fe7619308c1efcffa0d2b2c2-2.jpg

[chrish8r]

I had the same hatch handle rust issue with my 99 outback. It was actually not letting me open the hatch reliably. I went to a local u pull-it yard and picked up a somewhat decent looking set(handle, metal plate and plastic plate light assemblies). I ground it to bare metal and painted it with rust control paint. I have some pictures of it in my linked thread in my signature.

[Specv118]

Yeah, about those heat shields...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/06344ff8a8e53f3a7ccb53e8e95e149e-2.jpg

[Specv118]

Well I finally got a pallet of fun in the mail.

My new to me gas tank from Cali (yay for no rust) and new to me stock catback exhaust (cali parts again). Also stoked that I got the fuel pump/ lines and sending unit with the tank even after telling them I didn't need them. Yippie!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/20141219_130831-2.jpg (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/specv118/media/20141219_130831.jpg.html)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/20141219_130838-2.jpg (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/specv118/media/20141219_130838.jpg.html)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/20141219_130846-1.jpg (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/specv118/media/20141219_130846.jpg.html)

[Muse]

I like how they used the seatbelt to strap it down.

[Specv118]

I like how they used the seatbelt to strap it down.
Safety first I guess, lol. Least it all came in one piece and nothing was broken. :)

[Specv118]

Time for a short update!

Got some free time to hit up the dealership to gather all the oem gaskets and hardware for the exhaust. Also scored some brand new oem manifold gaskets from as member here plus a oem cargo net! Just need to gather one piece hardware wise to install the cargo net.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/d70f9d0439456015b79bd1d80945d938-1.jpg

Then I did the old "while I'm in there" routine and ordered shifter bushings (which I didn't realize were that huge in person), along with whiteline rear diff bushings and outrigger bushings as the original ones are beat after nearly 270k miles of use.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/0c9a7ffaf0abfdd3f01da25b963177f9-2.jpg

Just waiting on one more box full of goodies from r3v_v3ng3 and I'll be set to start the install process. Huge props to him for going above and beyond to get me all the misc interior pieces I was missing as well!

[Specv118]

Since owning this car I've become way more involved and educated than I ever thought I would. Which happens to work out well due to it saving me lots of money getting this thing fixed *phew*.

During my trip to Subaru I noticed my brakes making a huge amount of noise. Last weekend I finally had time to put the noisy corner up in the air, to also find out how bad the rust really was which is another story, and to realize the lower guide pin was froze and destroying the brake pads (successfully I might add). My ocd for cleaning kicked in and I ended up taking everything apart that was possible with heat or soaking it over night. I ended up pulling the right side apart as well to discover the same issue only worse condition pads... sweet.

Since then the ghetto exhaust fix finally failed thanks to the previous owner and the cars sat since due to me not wanting to put my two girls in a car like that. Should have that fixed with a special box of goodies this weekend I hope.

Anyways, I got ahold of some good condition front/rear calipers and front rotors and pads in great shape locally for a steal. Had to soak the rears in diesel over night to crack the bleeder open and get the piston out to rebuild them just to be safe. This is a work in progress buy should turn out nice after some high temp black paint and a bunch of cleaning :).

Also need to investigate the rear brake lines when the tanks out to see if they need to be replaced... might as well.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/a7d27e4b65526e1b3a443b353b813f36-2.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/932dd8669fa7aae4b4c0fdddba0a4395-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/3877b5b9fc5ffcc9077d002b60ca4c3e-2.jpg

Also came across my lost stash of gear lube... go me!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/c9d0dc7023cdf8956dd89beaca0f7f30-2.jpg

[Thomistopheles]

I almost didn't notice the rotted brake line on mine when I was swapping tanks... felt something drip on my neck while balancing the new tank above my head, the line was weeping fluid.

I see your list includes OEM keyless. There's one sitting on a shelf here if you're still looking for one, just need to pull the rest of the bits out of my BD... program button, shock sensor, siren. Check out viewtopic.php?f=39&t=25316 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=25316) if you want to see what's involved.

[Specv118]

I almost didn't notice the rotted brake line on mine when I was swapping tanks... felt something drip on my neck while balancing the new tank above my head, the line was weeping fluid.

I see your list includes OEM keyless. There's one sitting on a shelf here if you're still looking for one, just need to pull the rest of the bits out of my BD... program button, shock sensor, siren. Check out viewtopic.php?f=39&t=25316 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=25316) if you want to see what's involved.
Thanks Thom! Looks like I'll just replace it just to replace it then. No need in creating a headache down the road. Also, yes please and I think I read that thread a couple times already, haha.

This car had one, but it failed with the previous owner so they pulled the whole system minus the horn and security light.

Also, front and rear ocd brake rebuild in full affect. The rears are completely apart and soaking and the fronts are next. I swear I can't help myself sometimes. Everything has to be perfect even when I don't mean to.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/b3a3a51232fba1057eecbfe034d8c064-2.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/9d82bee151d374798617adbda2ce694a-1.jpg

[Specv118]

Fresh cut rotors and one of the rear calipers cleaned internally. many more hours of work to go.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/6e75c1385208850b59a01f9b5ee9fa64-2.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/2b676a1af7663b34f673d16e067312ff-2.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/e9f9cf6155c217ec66500ef58e9e4f5d-1.jpg

[dynonacht]

You going to use a rust reformer on those calipers?

[Specv118]

Yeah, I plan on cleaning them up best I can without ruining the cylinder walls and then paint them all black

[Specv118]

On a side note, i just Googled that rust reformer and will picking that up now, thank you :)

[Specv118]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/0b4d0974115357c5d99d97e99ead5171-1.jpg

Fronts done and ready for cleaning and paint. :)

[Muse]

What color you going with?

[Specv118]

What color you going with?
Gloss black

[r3v_v3ng3]

Its coming along nicely! Is that the spray can caliper paint or brush on?

[Specv118]

Its coming along nicely! Is that the spray can caliper paint or brush on?
Thank you! It's brush on paint

[Specv118]

Time to assemble the rears and pray the rotors and pads are usable still (haven't taken the rear wheels off at all since owning the car.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/62b0b04779cd6e8712b0421fc1ca3b61-1.jpg

Then next up is all the fun work... which has me worried due to all the rocker panel rust and clasping the pinch welds... another day

Cheers!

[Specv118]

This is the caliper paint I'm using, if anyone was interested.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/1b7b768c6a76d705a8be9b2a428b9729-1.jpg

[Specv118]

Got some time to finish rebuilding the rears. Not 100% certain on the guide pin dust boots, so if anyone could let me know if they look fine in the pictures that would be great. I forgot to take a before picture of the boots. Just need to run a tap through the screw holes to clean everything up, and apply paint to everything to wrap things up... Phew!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/16a1963633a9a2a262fe45d562b99201-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/4b719c2e5b455be1f7aa36200b9b4f1e-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/c8c2304b13da067292bdad18550fea91-1.jpg

Cheers!

[Specv118]

Time for an update, with pictures to come later..

A week ago I got ambitions over the weekend and started swapping the exhaust to save time when I actually got to my friends shop later that following week to take care of the big stuff.. Well long story short this exhaust put up one hell of a fight, 8 hours later and a broken bolt stuck in the head, an oil leak from over drilling (don't ask) which was a first for me and something I'm not to happy about I finally got the exhausts swapped over. I then finally got the car to my friends shop later that following week with zero issues, stopping to put oil in the car once just for good measure. A few hours later and the old broken bolt is out, tapped and plugged once again (thank the lord). While under the car I noticed how bad the rust is and realized that this chassis is now a "run it to the ground" car. The amount of body work needed to fix all the rust would just cost way to much when I could find a new rustles shell to swap everything over. I did install the front calipers, rotors and pads and gave the system a bleed, and plan on doing the rears in spring. I also had my friend look the rest of the car over while I was there.

Things still left to do.. if I do them to this car now are:

- gas tank
- diff bushings
- outrigger bushings
- shifter bushings
- rad hoses (current ones are super soft)
- new coolant
- change the plugs and possibly the wires (have plugs)
- change the rear diff and trans fluid

I am thinking about finding a clean 2.5gt wagon shell and swapping the all weather package stuff over/ pulling the motor and trans, etc and just scraping the shell. I'd hate to sell this to someone with the amount of rust there is on it.

Anyways, pictures coming soon.

Cheers!

[Specv118]

Well got super lucky and scored a mint set of gc8 6spokes wrapped in winter tires, plus am set of all seasons for next to nothing. (Will be repainted silver come spring)

Next on the list is to source some bugeye stock suspension, finish the rear brakes, and everything else on my previous list.

Also going to start offering caliper rebuild services, plus core trade in to reduce turn around time. Also starting on slowly accruing my 4/2 pot wrx bbk swap. :)

Cheers!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/cd871773a0c9c70af09df64796b5d6f4-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/01/920b42fe7344d5f1fc010f325c4e2aae-1.jpg

[Specv118]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/2fc741caa854e96dd6f2fd6c81e9ca02-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/695e49964660aedf4fd00b414be0178a-1.jpg

[meepers]

really starting to look good!

[Specv118]

really starting to look good!
Thank you! I'm trying my best :)

[Specv118]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/d65f049833c85cc78368da82bdbf4006-1.jpg

[meepers]

Someone was playing in the snow!

[Specv118]

Someone was playing in the snow!
Haha, you could say that.

[Specv118]

Finally got sick of the stock radio and all its old tech and broke down and listened to the wife. Going to be installing her old pioneer deck with ipod connect! :)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/b16559ecbd267971cac9ecd0b3271d87-1.jpg

[meepers]

Oh, as far as your rusted rear gate outside handle and the guides, just take them off, clean them up with a wire brush and scotch bright and clean them. I have 5 wagons now, most are native AZ cars, and all but one has the rust on the outside handle. Might want to pick up a sand blaster to knock it down to bare metal and hit it with some rustoleum or POR 15

[Specv118]

Oh, as far as your rusted rear gate outside handle and the guides, just take them off, clean them up with a wire brush and scotch bright and clean them. I have 5 wagons now, most are native AZ cars, and all but one has the rust on the outside handle. Might want to pick up a sand blaster to knock it down to bare metal and hit it with some rustoleum or POR 15
I've got a clean CA piece for it now,just needs some surface rust removed from sitting in a WI garage and some good old prime and paint! But and sand blaster would be really nice to have laying around... :)

I have lots of rust that I need to have looked at to figure out what's going on with this shell and if i need to just go on the hunt for its replacement :/

[Specv118]

After getting time to work on the car and further look things over I've come to the conclusion that the core support is not original and has been in some kind of accident. I assume this based on a number of things that I found suspicious. Like the red paint on the core support covered by green paint.. the busted fog light mounts and housing to find out the bulbs are held in by who knows what. The wiring that's been screwed with, the butt connectors. The patch job from a decent sized hole or crack in the driver head light. I could go on but I wont. It looks like it's time for a new shell in the future, but for now it will be fix and repair all the hacked crap to make the car last as long as possible while getting enjoyment out of it.

Any who.. enjoy.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/f16c8faae40f868575bb7bff886e968a-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/89d8ee95d59428b174d07ed9ba3f9757-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/a06e247f980542323063c1710aaa258e-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/7482e7fd6b05fbe6c80ac2fcade4176a-1.jpg

All bullshit aside, I love this chassis and car to death given all its problems.

[Specv118]

Well got a little more time to go through the engine bay and further asses my previous assumptions. Took the intake off the car to dig up the inspection cover boot that gives you clearance to the flywheel area and noticed that rubber piece is worn out, so if anyone has one for sale or to donate contact me (I'll snap a pic later ).

While I was in there I filled the Trans back up as it was low, as there is a leak at the drain bolt I believe, and also finally figured out what all this packed grease was from.. a previous torn cv boot. My ocd kicked in and I started scrubbing the cross member and anything else I could before my hands and feet froze over, haha. Anyways who ever worked on this car prior to me was a complete hack and will take make me many house to correct all the half asses cleaning, repairs and misc connectors that are hanging about and not tied down anymore. Least it's nothing major, just tedious work.

Gotta have a reliable car regardless it's body issues.

Cheers.

[Specv118]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/02/5b3f5a40c0e6cabe9c79204b4bdc9e19-1.jpg

[r3v_v3ng3]

Its probably best to get that from the dealership. They get old and become brittle and loose its grip.

[Specv118]

So I've been busy. Located a clean white rust free outback shell that I'll be picking up soon. Got a whole bunch of used head lights to fix my adjustment knob issue, picked up new fenders, a gt front bumper and did this as well...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/c41b12650af9da3c7528a9e845d1ce16-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/b29abbc43c40d2faa1c142acaa57cfeb-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/0c46e5e25a9d980a1377e3c2e9432ba3-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/9bb3024347b3ae04f55bbf266aa48130-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/f1c8c8cedb46f1d8cb7dff2c8b5ba26c-1.jpg

Cheers!

[Thomistopheles]

GT bumper eh? Any plans for the old OB bumper? I have an outback bumper for my BD but it's pretty hammered, shoot me a message if yours is in decent shape and you're willing to let it go.

[Specv118]

I'll have two shortly and will do thom!

[SelfishBlue]

Wow! Those headlights look incredible!

[Specv118]

Wow! Those headlights look incredible!
Thank you very much :)

[SelfishBlue]

Did you install halo/angel eyes when you did them? It kind of looks like it but I can't tell...

[Specv118]

Did you install halo/angel eyes when you did them? It kind of looks like it but I can't tell...
I did not

[LeggyxPower]

LOVE the headlights very clean and simple

[meepers]

lookin darn good!

[Specv118]

LOVE the headlights very clean and simple


lookin darn good!

Thanks everyone :)

[Specv118]

Finally and so excited about something so simple.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/e9a4e5c373a984c981a7594f99df35c2-1.jpg