Well, i've had a shift in thought...

[Wiscon_Mark]

Since Winter came, I realized something.

I don't want to go for a lowered, street racing look, or a super fast car...

I just want my car to be capable in every situation.

I idolize OutbackwBeer :D

I want my car to be even more practical, with a hint of off roadishness.

So I'm going to be looking at Hella driving lights, skid plates, a differential protector, and a roof rack deal that holds a spare tire, and a full outback suspension.

Sure handling won't be as good, if I put a full out outback suspension (mine's not, its a 95), but Its already got good ground clearance, so I'm not going to put a lift kit on it. I think it'll be an all around better car, and kick more ass in the snow :twisted:

Not that I've abandoned power mods entirely, but I don't think its a priority to be fast, because I really don't need to be fast...

Thoughts on my idea?

[Plays_with_Toys]

You'll be wanting more power soon enough. Also, roof mounted tires are a huge no-no. If ever you were to roll the car, not likely, but could happen, that tire puts a tremendous load in a concentrated area and will crush the roof real quick. Also, it raises your CG by quite a bit, and is like an oversized air brake. Mount it in your trunk. Maybe it can fit in your spare tire well.

After I put the mudflaps on my car I realized lower isn't going to be where I want to go either. But, I don't intend to make mine "off road" looking.

But, if you want a very groovy mod, search for yellow 9003 or yellow h4 bulbs for your headlights. I installed mine friday (video coming next weekend) and they light up pretty darn well. Its nice knowing where your light is. I haven't gotten the chance to try them in the wet/snow yet though.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Also, roof mounted tires are a huge no-no. If ever you were to roll the car, not likely, but could happen, that tire puts a tremendous load in a concentrated area and will crush the roof real quick. Also, it raises your CG by quite a bit, and is like an oversized air brake. Mount it in your trunk.
Yeah, that's what I was afraid of :? I still want a cargo rack up there.


Maybe it can fit in your spare tire well.

Nope, I've tried. That spare is such a small POS though, I don't want to use it...

[GT Wagon]

You'll really benefit from adding the Hella lights. I rigged up a set on my '91 a while back and its such a HUGE improvement. I went with a set of Hella 500's, they're not expensive and provide a ton of light. I fabbricated my own mount which is nice and solid. It isn't the fanciest but it cost me a total of $12 in parts and it has never come loose.



http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3273/covered5fd.jpg

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1189/completerackrear0on.jpg

Quite a few of the WRX guys have had skid plate custom made locally for the TSD rallyes. The guy who makes them is quite reasonable , I've thought about getting one made for my 97. I imagine it would probably work on yours as well.

[shazapple]

I can fit a full sized tire in my tire well, although its a bit hight. Doubt a outback tire would fit though

[Wiscon_Mark]

I can fit a full sized tire in my tire well, although its a bit hight. Doubt a outback tire would fit though

heh, remember, this isn't a fully blown outback, they started those in 96.

Do you mean a 16"? Maybe I can try it agian...

[shazapple]

Yeah, I put one of my WRX rims in face up (cause theres a bump in the middle) The cover wouldnt go down all the way, but I assumed it was because of the foam blocks

[GT Wagon]

Yeah, I put one of my WRX rims in face up (cause theres a bump in the middle) The cover wouldnt go down all the way, but I assumed it was because of the foam blocks

That 'bump' can be taken out, its just riveted in. I took mine off in the '91 when I built a sub box using the wheel well.

[Wiscon_Mark]

good to know, thanks guys :D

[Plays_with_Toys]

Mark, just jack your car up, take a wheel off and throw it in there. Unless you're planning to buy 5 new wheels/tires.

[Wiscon_Mark]

actually, I have posession of my 2nd set of wheels right now ;)

[ooberdoob]

my car came with a full spare and real rim... with about an inch to spare on either side.

[Huffer]

Mark - airbags.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Mark - airbags.

as in suspension bags? wonder how that would affect handling...

[Huffer]

Firestone Praxis suspension...

[RABID_SUB]

I agree with the bags. they handle great when there deflated, so you wont lose your handling when you need it. :P

[Reason]

heh, remember, this isn't a fully blown outback, they started those in 96....

Yea, I came across this today

Outback history

1995: First Outback introduced was a modified Legacy L.
1996: First 'real' Outback. New 2.5L engine.
1997: First Limited Outback.
2000: 5 year major re-design.
2001: 6 cylinder available.
2002: 6 cylinder available in the Outback Sedan. Minor changes include different tires, keyless remote, colors, cupholders, dome, door, ignition switch lights, in-glass antenna, re-designed rear center headrest (wgn), sedans have an inside trunk release, and door panel woodtrim now standard. Destination/delivery increased $30.

[Wiscon_Mark]

yeah, the first outback was a trim package more than anything.

It included:
ABS
Cruise
Power everything
roof rack
AWD (not standard in that year)

IMO, the best compromise. We walked out the door with ours new in September of 1994 for 18,000 dollars, and it handles a lot better than an outback (post 96)...however the suspension has sagged since then, and I want more height for winter....

btw, I did more donuts today, it snowed again :lol:

[scottzg]

How about good handling with no compromise to ride height or quality? It's stock suspension! hooray! A little more rear swaybar and some nice m+s tires and you have a fun go-anywhere car!

[Wiscon_Mark]

well, stock suspension height right now isn't really cutting it...its too low for snow (maybe spring sag more than anything).

Which is why I want a little more hieght, and outback suspension isn't too bad for handling.

Does anyone know if the GT height is higher than the 95 Legacy L height?

[scottzg]

why not a set of chunky winter tires on a spare set of rims? You can pick up some 14"s and run 75 series tires for cheap.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Well I already have winter tires, and it did heighten the ride a little bit (slightly different dimensions 185/65/15 instead of 195/60/15).

[shazapple]

IMO tires make way more difference in snow than ride height. My car can plow through some deep stuff. Of course I literally mean plow!

[Wiscon_Mark]

Of course I literally mean plow!

Yeah, that's what I want to avoid...

[shazapple]

I dunno, with all those protectors on the bottom your car is going to become a sled! :lol:

There was a brand new audi at one of our winter Auto-x. it had all the fancy fanjangles when it came to drivetrain and tires, but it kept on getting high centered.

[BAC5.2]

I agree with the bags. they handle great when there deflated, so you wont lose your handling when you need it. :P

How is that possible?

As you deflate the bags, you effectively decrease spring rate. How can that increase handling prowess?

The theory behind air-bags is exactly opposite of what NEEDS to be. Spring rate increases as the bag is inflated, but that raises your CG and increases your roll moment (both of which increase body roll). Decreasing the bags, decreases spring rate, but lowers CG and RM (decreasing body roll geometrically, but this doesn't mean jack without ample spring rate). Spring rate is key though.

Want ample handling, without sacrificing ride height? Use stock springs, with KYB GR2 struts, and step the rear sway bar up a bit. I would also recommend using a Group N strut top with this setup. It'll add some NVH, but it will also take a bit of slop out of the system, and make the suspension feel better. It won't be a Cone-Killin AutoX machine, but it'll do better in the corners than stock, and help maintain ride quality without sacrificing ground clearance or "off-road-ability"