01 BE Outback Limited Sedan to BE suspension

[rsk135]

I've tried searching but can't seem to put my finger on the answer.

What is the difference between the legacy and outback suspension besides the obvious different shocks and springs?

If lowered to the stock legacy height would there be any issues? I know tire size might cause a rubbing issue. My outback has 225/60R-16 where as the GT has 205/55R 16.

Are there different bumpstops or other parts?

Thanks

Randy

[dodik]

you cant put legacy struts in there because tire will rub on spring perch, now if you went and got a specific 00-04 outback lowering springs and keep your struts or if need bought new gr-2s you should be fine, i've been recearching this for a while. outback struts are a little longer than legacies. although if you find rims with really low offset and do a LOT of math you can figure out how to put wheels in there with legacy suspension without rubbing. Baja suspension parts carry over to outback because its the same platform. i dont know but im assuming that legacy lowering springs should also work the only doubt i have if they are tall enough, so that i dont know. Hope this helps.

[_RM_]

So no chance of getting those B4 suspension bits to work on an H6 sedan unless I change to the snowflakes + 205/55R16s?

[dodik]

You can buy coilovers as they have tiny spring perches and then run whatever, i wouldnt put 205/55R16 on because you car will eat a lot of gas it will be fast on take off but low top speed your speedo will be wrong and 205/55 look tiny in comparison to 225/60. my plans for my ride is to find some gr-2s outback specific and eibach or whiteline springs. then to get 17x8 with like 35 offset and run 245/50R17, also want to get 25mm beca FSB and 18mm baja RSB. i think it will handle pretty damn good.

[rsk135]

You guys are both right. The legacy shocks are shorter to the perch which is why you would need to run a 205/55 16 or very similar diameter tire.

I'm wondering about the upper part of the strut. You mention outback specific lowering springs. Do they exist?

Can we perhaps just swap in stock legacy springs for a slight drop? I know the forester guys have been doing this with impreza springs.

I'm thinking outback gr-2s with stock legacy springs might give a good 1 to 1.5 inch drop while maintaning stock tire size.

[dodik]

i dont know if legacy springs will work or not diam, is the same, perches probably are too and so are the tophats but outback tend to weight a little more and i dont know if the obk strut is longer only from perch down or if it is also longer from the perch up. if you think proportionaly if valve body is longer the strut rod will be longer too, which brings to the issue if legacy springs are long enough to be compressed when strut is fully extended??? and yes eibach had a outback specific spring for the outback but they are discontinued and hard to find. im personally looking for a set of shock from legacy spec B. as far as i could tell from pics they look very similar except for top hats bolt pattern. oh and for the front struts you can fit any 93-01 impreza or 95-99 legacy struts tophats are the same its just the length that is different.

[htioki]

I have a 01 OBW and it is lowered with Legacy stock shocks and H&R springs for Legacy. The shocks are actually from Legacy sedan. This setup pretty much slams the car. Slight rubbing only occurs when I go over bumps. I'm still running stock tires 225/60/16 and thinking of going to 225/55/16, which should reduce the rubbing a little bit. I think you should be fine with using stock Legacy shocks and springs.

Here's a pic:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/410000-410999/410803_43_full.jpg

[dodik]

can you take a pic of your strut tower i wanna see where its rubbing if possible

[htioki]

Because the space is so tight between the fender and the wheels, I couldn't take a pic of the strut.

But I turned the wheels all the way one way and stuck my hand in and I can feel the tires touching the portions of the bottom spring seat, but only at full turn.

The rubbing over bumps are tires hitting the inner fender lining. But if I go slow, I don't hear the rubbing.

[Reason]

I think the only problem would be running a larger rim tire combo. If you switch to Legacy struts and springs you need close to the stock legacy diameter.

[Illnastyimpreza]

I have a 01 OBW and it is lowered with Legacy stock shocks and H&R springs for Legacy. The shocks are actually from Legacy sedan. This setup pretty much slams the car. Slight rubbing only occurs when I go over bumps. I'm still running stock tires 225/60/16 and thinking of going to 225/55/16, which should reduce the rubbing a little bit. I think you should be fine with using stock Legacy shocks and springs.

Here's a pic:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

so you're using BOTH sedan shocks and springs ??

[htioki]

only the shocks were from LGT sedan. H&R only make springs for the wagons, even though you can use them on the sedans.

[bobbyjimmy]

I've got the JDM Bilsteins in my 2002 Outback, with Whiteline Legacy lowering springs.
I've also got 18" rims and 225/45/R18 tyres, they used to rub the rear gaurds going over a bump, got them rolled and no more rubbing.

Theres plenty of room between the wheel/tyre and spring perch.

[dodik]

what offset do you have on those 18's