Need clarification,Forester struts/springs on a 1995 L sedan

[fire_chimp]

OK so I have a 1995 L AWD and is going to need new struts, it has 165K and I think the are the original ones, or at least look like it. Anyways, from what Ive been reading, if I go with Forester struts and springs, I will gain ground clearance. I live up in VT and I'm planning on trying some rally-X's this summer and I'm thinking that a little extra ground clearance would be good.
So here are my questions:

1. What year Forester do I have to use?

2. Do I have to use the forester springs or can I use the stock springs?

3. It has to be sedan to sedan correct?

4. is there anything else I will have to use or it a direct swap?

Any info on this set up would be great, thanks!!!

[Huffer]

I'm pretty sure if you use any 90s Forester (SF chassis code) then the full assembly will bolt into your vehicle. You may need to flip the rear struts L->R but the Forester IS an Impreza chassis with a raised suspension and different panels (basically).

You will gain ground clearance because the struts are longer. The Forester never came as a sedan, it's a hatchback/wagon.

[fire_chimp]

What about shims? Ive read that you might need them to keep the angles correct for the drive shafts? will i need those?

[Huffer]

Well, naturally your suspension geometry is going to change when you go to a much longer strut - how much it's going to change I don't know. You may find that you lose all your static negative camber (bad).

[patrickscycleshop]

contact boxer4racing they have exp with raising foresters, and extremely knowledgeable.

[alexdsmtsi]

I want more info on that suspension swap please

thanks
alex

[Frico]

Hi,

i am lifting my legacy wagon fwd 1995 only with KYB GR-2 forester sf struts.

use forester sf from 98 to 2000. Front struts are 3 cm longer, rear struts are 2 cm longer
forester and legacy tophats are the same. You can use your legacy springs. but forester springs can be used, forester and legacy have almost the same weight.

but if you have access to the complete strut asembly is a direct swap.

good luck and enjoy,

see this link: http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=15305
frico

[kinkypuppy]

Hmmm... have been looking for a way to raise the height of my '95 Legacy L sedan. Snow here in South Dakota can get to be a bit deep, and I'm tired of getting high-centered. Also need new struts, so this kills two birds with one stone. GREAT job on finding this out!

Anyone tried any other methods for lifting these cars? Mine's pretty beat-up and rusting apart (typical for the Subaru's I've owned), but I'm still curious about making it more useful (height, horsepower, etc.). Thanks!