2004 Outback H6 LL Bean Wagon - "TANK"

[Huffer]

Guys!
I'm back. And in a wagon, an H6 wagon, of all things.

I'm so stoked to have something that I can haul stuff in and bomb around in. I haven't had a Subaru wagon in nearly 6 years - my 2nd son wasn't born yet when the old 98 GT got rear ended (me in it) and written off. It still lives on in a few cars around North America (I hope!) but it was high time to get some AWD love back in my life.

So here it is, a one owner, no crash, 04 H6 LL Bean wagon with 197,000 miles on it.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/09/SufHbz1-1.jpg

(this pic was after the rust repair on the rear quarter)

Plans? I guess the basics, get the exterior and suspension to where I'm happy - this beast has a 7.9" stock ground clearance - the LL Bean is higher by a smidge than the comparable standard Outback. Probably the LL Bean springs. www.cars101.com

Engine-wise, there's not too much you can do - from what I read the intake is already pretty good, and the car responds well to 91 gas and just a good air filter. There's not much bolt-on wise, except for a light weight crank pulley (and the usual intake type mods that I probably won't do lol).

:stop:

Future mod/maintenance list:
Whiteline 20mm Adjustable Rear sway bar $180 - purchased not installed
Polish headlights - $0
Fluid film underbody protection $100
Wrap side doors for corrosion protection - $0
STi muffler - $40 purchased 8/20/17 to be installed
Jdm rear taillights $100
Fog light replacement, passenger side $30
Clay bar and wax - $0
DRL delete -$0
Fog light tint $18 lamin-x
Winter tires - $300
Wrap hood $0
New battery tie down - $15
Summer suspension - shocks and strut tops.
Rear strut brace $80
Door visors $50
Summer wheels & tires? $600
Brake lines, pads and rotors
Cabin filter?
Roof rack or box $75
Projector retrofit - $250
Fender side markers - $50


Completed Mod/Maintenance List:
Replace front brake rotors $40
Rust repair $300 - Edge to Edge Auto - 8/20/17
Honda rear wiper - $20 Amazon - installed 8/17/17
Replace front brake pads $50 - Edge to Edge Auto - 8/20/17
Paint & install rear JDM spoiler - $100 eBay - $150 Edge to Edge Auto - 8/20/17
Front wiper blades $12
Valve cover oil leak - General Automotive $350, oil and filter change
Transmission fluid, filter and Lubegard ATF Protectant - $100
Reset ECU - $0
Change pcv, air filter - $50
Tint windows $180 - Finest Detail

[Huffer]

Guys!

What's the best online website for pic hosting? Or is it not worth it anymore?

Rog

[iampetro]

I use imgur
You can have as many pics as u want (as far as I can tell)
Each pic you upload has a bunch of direct links to choose from for hosting on different places

I can't wait to see pics of this H6

[Huffer]

Trying to display some pics:

Interior looks pretty great for 197k!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/10/f4Jwdr9-1.jpg

Passenger side
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/10/jPJRN3A-1.jpg

First mod after buying - replace the metal rear wiper with a newer style plastic arm - thanks Amazon!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/10/La4ZUl5jpg1-1.jpg

Painting the spoiler - thanks Edge to Edge Autobody
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/10/tvfi1sP-1.jpg

Welding the quarter
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/10/cddtxF1-1.jpg

Painting the rear quarter
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/10/8x6x3vb-1.jpg

[Somac]

Nice wagon! It looks pretty dang clean. I'm so jealous of the later BHs that were color matched exterior rather than the two-tone.

[Huffer]

Just a quick pic from the driveway - the wagon has been freshly tinted by my regular guy, 50% fronts and rear windshield, 35% rear passenger windows and rear side hatch glass.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/10/LIWHI8gpng-1.jpg

[badbasser98]

Looks like a great find! I am also thinking about getting back into a BE. I have a project in mind and think that would be a decent fit since they pretty much don’t exist around here anymore.

[Huffer]

Quick update, replaced the PCV with a new one, old one was horribly gunked up. Gained back some smoothness in the power delivery and car feels a little bit more torquey. Probably all in my mind, but knowing it's breathing better is always nice.

I have a couple of quirks going on - weird hunting idle all of a sudden (air temp dropping?) and the rear right strut/spring seems to be squeaking a lot.

What's that you say? Suspension needs replacing? Oh, no...
.
.
:D

[Huffer]

I found a local selling some stock parts from a Toyota FRS, so I nabbed the stock manual shift knob to use instead of my stock shifter... it sits much lower and is more comfortable to hold. I may still cut another half inch off the shifter bolt to sit it even lower. I'm trying to decide what to do with the lower white part of the shifter. I know I need to color code it or hide it.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2017/11/tnVfKCN-1.jpg

[Sub-Goon]

Looks good!

[98legwag]

I thought the manual FRS/BRZ had a different thread pitch from auto Subarus.

[Huffer]

I thought the manual FRS/BRZ had a different thread pitch from auto Subarus.

Guess not! I googled around and it's the same pitch/thread. This shift knob is really light compared to the stock one. So, it's helping me put this tank on a diet. :)

In other news, the battery crapped out on my when the temps went below 35F last week, so I had to replace that. I also replaced the rear diff fluid as I'm still getting some binding on tight turns. Problem is reduced now, but I see a 5EAT swap in the future with a sport shift mode. The EZ30 really needs a 5th gear anyway.

[98legwag]

That is odd. When I Google it, I get that the manual brz/frs/86 is m12x1.25 just like manual Subarus and the auto brz/frs/86 is m10x1.25 like auto Subarus. Internet FTW!

[rkrenicki]

6MT swap?

[Huffer]

6MT swap?

Nah. Old man and kids are a distraction. Wife needs to drive it now too. Sportshift will be the way ahead, along with paddles!

[Huffer]

I cannot believe I haven't done anything since November. Oh wait, I live in Ohio. Car life is HARD here.

As it is, the Tank just rolled over 200k, and the suspension has started clunking. A lot. Mainly when heading over smaller frequent bumps (hello potholes and divots). So, time to upgrade.

In the staging area now are:
KYB struts, 2004 Legacy fitment
KYB strut tops, 2007 Impreza fronts, 2004 Outback rears
H&R lowering springs, 2004 Legacy fitment

JDM outer tails
LED bulbs

[fwa2500]

KYBs with H&Rs is such a nice combo, really enjoyed them on my 3.0R. Good to see you back in a wagon!

[Huffer]

Well, I've managed to acquire a set of JDM V7 STi wheels. 17x7.5, ET53 and only 17-18lbs each. I got them for $75 each, and they all balance out perfectly. They have some wear and tear, they were definitely well used and loved, which is exactly how this car is. I will wait to grab a set of tires until the car has been lowered...

I'm waiting on the last couple of bolts and nuts from Subaru, then this weekend the car is going to drop approximately 2" from what I can determine based on my knowledge. This will put it about 1" lower than a stock 2004 Legacy GT wagon, so it should be a near perfect stance for a highway cruiser.

I threw on the JDM lights but the LED bulbs I bought don't fit right...

[Huffer]

Back to the drawing board!
I bought NEARLY all the parts I would need for the suspension drop.. however I did not buy the right spring perches and rubber isolators.
For those that need to know - the H&R springs, #29443, REQUIRE the 2005+ Impreza front spring perches (and matching rubber isolators). These are #20323FA000 and #20325FA000.
http://www.hrsprings.com/application/search/results/35/600/2004/

If you don't need those spring perches, then your suspension has already been switched from 2000-2004 to 2005+.

Also, JDM taillights don't use 1157 bulbs for turn signals, they use 7507 or PY21W bulbs for turn signals.
If you just swap over your harness to the lights, then you can use your stock bulb fittings (probably the better solution to avoid explaining to strangers why you need to buy a bulb that isn't in the owners manual)...

[Huffer]

Quick update, I've been posting most of my pics on SL-i's FB group or on the Factory 3rd FB group... and instagram. I will upload some here at some point.

So the old girl went above 207k (miles) and decided to tell me a new driveshaft is needed. So I ordered the wrong one, a manual one, and now we're in the midst of a 5spd swap!







Just kidding.
I sent it back, and am now installing the auto DS (Dorman brand, makes the U-joint serviceable).
Also installing the Whiteline KTA124 rear control arms and finally getting it aligned at the same time.

Overall I am happy enough with the lowered suspension:
2005+ upper front spring perches, 2005+ tophats (front)
2004 Legacy front and rear struts
2004 Legacy rear strut tops/reused
2000-2004 Legacy fitment H&R lowering springs
1" ADF strut spacers (initial lowering was really too low, kept scraping tires and exhaust on everything).

Keeping in mind, the H6 LL Bean has a slightly longer strut than a regular Outback (the 2.5). I don't know why, maybe because the engine is heavier?

[ryu_haneda]

Hope you are well and that your Subie mechanic skills are sharp as ever!

[Huffer]

Engine is messed up. Cylinder 6 is showing a misfire and I have coolant in the exhaust valve.

Car will be limped back home from the mechanic until I can figure out the next steps. Chassis is a bit rusty too, underneath, so looking for a clean one to swap all my bits over to is probably the next option...

[thenines']

I got rid of my '03 VDC because the right side HG was seeping and the front diff was noisy.