Lifted Forester

[Fozziebear]

Hi,

As anyone done a DIY lift on their SF forester using hdpe blocks or a supplied kit? I looking at lifting mine, only 2 in max, and I'm just after opinions on when you have done it

Cheers

[300bhp/ton]

Seems like there is some info out there:

clicky

[Fozziebear]

Quiet a bit, just wondering if anyone on here has done it?

[TheHeretic]

Just remember that your CV joints will be at a higher angle. Is it possible to do a front and rear diff drop to minimise the effects?

[Fozziebear]

Been advised that 2 in is max before cv joints get unhappy I think that's as high as I really want to go. I can get subtle lift kit for good price, was thinking of making my own nylon ones

[300bhp/ton]

While I'm all for modding cars and off roading in general. I sort of can't see the point in lifting a Forrester. It'll never be all that great off road and lifting it will only compromise it's on road abilities. Buying an old Series Landy or Vitara would make more sense if you really need to off road.

[Fozziebear]

300bhp/ton said:

While I'm all for modding cars and off roading in general. I sort of can't see the point in lifting a Forrester. It'll never be all that great off road and lifting it will only compromise it's on road abilities. Buying an old Series Landy or Vitara would make more sense if you really need to off road.

Very true, unfortunately the price of most landies seems to be stupid high and a vitara isn't my thing I just like the ability to off road if needed.

[TheHeretic]

Fozziebear said:

Very true, unfortunately the price of most landies seems to be stupid high and a vitara isn't my thing I just like the ability to off road if needed.

So all show, no go. Gotcha.

I can see how a vitara that actually has offroad ability might be too much for someone as manly as yourself to handle.

[Fozziebear]

TheHeretic said:

Fozziebear said:

Very true, unfortunately the price of most landies seems to be stupid high and a vitara isn't my thing I just like the ability to off road if needed.

So all show, no go. Gotcha.

I can see how a vitara that actually has offroad ability might be too much for someone as manly as yourself to handle.

Well I have lost both balls in 2 threads today, so I guess I'm more suited to an mx5? all joking aside, the yanks seem to be able to take their foresters offroad without any issues, I'm planning some green lanes next summer, so any guidance would be helpfull

[TheHeretic]

Fozziebear said:

Well I have lost both balls in 2 threads today, so I guess I'm more suited to an mx5? all joking aside, the yanks seem to be able to take their foresters offroad without any issues, I'm planning some green lanes next summer, so any guidance would be helpfull

Well, if you are just using spaces for the springs and shocks, you will increase the height by whatever size the shocks are. You will not increase any wheel travel, but for most stuff that isn't required anyway. Most of the clearance you are trying to improve is the height between the front, and rear axles. If it was me, I would do the diff drop anyway. I would also invest in some sort of underbody protection, but it depends what you are going to be travelling over.

I'm not really sure what guidance you are looking for? Will you need any caster bolts to keep the wheel alignment in check?

[Fozziebear]

TheHeretic said:

Well, if you are just using spaces for the springs and shocks, you will increase the height by whatever size the shocks are. You will not increase any wheel travel, but for most stuff that isn't required anyway. Most of the clearance you are trying to improve is the height between the front, and rear axles. If it was me, I would do the diff drop anyway. I would also invest in some sort of underbody protection, but it depends what you are going to be travelling over.

I'm not really sure what guidance you are looking for? Will you need any caster bolts to keep the wheel alignment in check?

Cheers. Yeah just clearance from any potential damage, I'm measuring up next week to make the underbody protection, rear axle guard etc. I'm more curious to see what's been done in the UK to one, the yanks seem to lift them a lot and have no issues offroad. I'd like the wheels inline, looked at adjustable casters. My mind just wonders off into what if mode, then I have to ask if its possible, I'm just a tinkerer

[TheHeretic]

I made my own out of a bit of spare checker plate I had lying about. I can jack it up on the plate, and it's already taken quite a bashing. I also had Rockwatt make up a new transfer case bracket that meant I could plate directly across the chassis protecting the transfer case, and gearbox, so the underside is pretty much covered. Makes for a great deal of confidence offroad as you k ow you will probably be able to bouncy off a lot of stuff. You may also want to have a look at the exhaust, to see if it will need raising at all to keep it out of harms way. Mine was sagging a bit from old rubber mounts, etc, so got a mechanic chap to lift it all up out of the way as much as possible.



Transfer case bracket.

[Fozziebear]

Nice work mate, that's plenty of info for me to work on, cheers

[300bhp/ton]

Fozziebear said:

I'm planning some green lanes next summer, so any guidance would be helpfull

Do you know what sort of lanes? I'm sure the Forrester can be made off road worthy, but it will always be limited by it's basic design.

Mild green lanes will most likely be fine, but you'll end up being far more brutal to cover terrain a Discovery wouldn't even notice was a challenge. This isn't to take away from the Forrester, it's a good vehicle (I'm a Subaru owner too). But you could end up spending a small fortune on off road bits, only to have it remain only half as capable as a standard Jimny.

[TheHeretic]

300bhp/ton said:

Do you know what sort of lanes? I'm sure the Forrester can be made off road worthy, but it will always be limited by it's basic design.

Mild green lanes will most likely be fine, but you'll end up being far more brutal to cover terrain a Discovery wouldn't even notice was a challenge. This isn't to take away from the Forrester, it's a good vehicle (I'm a Subaru owner too). But you could end up spending a small fortune on off road bits, only to have it remain only half as capable as a standard Jimny.

This is true.

[Fozziebear]

TheHeretic said:

300bhp/ton said:

Do you know what sort of lanes? I'm sure the Forrester can be made off road worthy, but it will always be limited by it's basic design.

Mild green lanes will most likely be fine, but you'll end up being far more brutal to cover terrain a Discovery wouldn't even notice was a challenge. This isn't to take away from the Forrester, it's a good vehicle (I'm a Subaru owner too). But you could end up spending a small fortune on off road bits, only to have it remain only half as capable as a standard Jimny.

This is true.

I may need to consider these options, wouldn't want to get stuck!

[TheHeretic]

On a related note, Motortrend take a Forrester on a safari. Granted, no difficult terrain there, but as a Forrester owner you may enjoy it.

http://youtu.be/WQyhcWni-4M

[Fozziebear]

TheHeretic said:

On a related note, Motortrend take a Forrester on a safari. Granted, no difficult terrain there, but as a Forrester owner you may enjoy it.

http://youtu.be/WQyhcWni-4M

Cheers mate

[Dan-P]

Have a look on http://offroadsubarus.com/
Plenty of information there to look through. There's also an off road section on http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/

Like you I have also noticed through the forums that few Forester owners in the UK seem to venture off road, although many of the Australian and American owners do so there is lots of information out there.