283 replies to this topic

[Adam]

Should go a full body lift

[RX25SE]

Number of likes given:

Many.

[Shiv]

Hello everyone,


Yet another update for project Outback:

This week it got a second lift. I went with a 1"inch body lift in the form of Subtle Solutions spacers. The previous lift was a spring lift only. Together, I've now got some really decent ground clearance both under the car and now also under the body as well (bumpers, side skirts etc). Much better approach & departure angles, though the Outback's nose is still a gigantic shovel.






As you can see - the front is sitting higher than the rear. I've just ordered a set of 3/8" inch Saggy Butt Spacers which should rectify that by lifting the rear end up.
What you cannot see is that the front tyres are running positive camber (wheels pointing inwards?)....which is not very positive for me with regards to tyre wear. Once the rear spacers go in this week, I'll get the wheels aligned and see how it is then. If not, any solutions?

I took it for a bit of a test to the Lidsdale State Forest (just beyond the Blue Mtns) and I'm pretty damn impressed!

The route didn't go quite to plan. I was aiming to go down some steep tracks to the famous Coxs River (4WD only). But due to extremely heavy winds, it wasn't long before I came across my first of what would have been many fallen trees across the track. So I was forced to turn around (actually had to reverse done a steep hill...GNARLY!) and make alternate plans.



Ended up crossing to the other side of the Great Western Highway to the Western side of Newnes Plateau, which is basically a massive 4WD playground.



Here is a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPcKL6M9gfY

^As always, video does no justice whatsoever to hills and inclines.

These hills were hard enough to walk up let alone drive! It took me around 2-attempts but I got up after getting a feel for things. The all-terrain tyres were f**king brilliant! Lidsdale is covered in sharp shale rocks and you can't stop half way up a hill so you gotta keep the boot into it. After my confidence grew, I realised what they were capable of so I didn't mind spinning the tyres where necessary.

I did cheat however. For once in my life, I actually used the VDC system. Its mostly a hindrance off-road. But at low speeds crawling up steep rocky hills, it came into its element. You can feel it vectoring torque from one corner to another so as to keep the car heading in the direction of the steering inputs. Very impressive, though no substitute for a proper diff locker system when the going gets tough.

Most of the day was spent at Newnes which looks to have had some track maintainence recently so it was in fairly good condition making going easy. I drove through one of the famous "Lost City" junctions. Absolutely incredible place. Rock formations ("pagodas") millions of years old. Lots of Aboriginal significance and historic importance going back to the Gold Rush era. But I won't go into a history lesson now...

I also put together a video compiling footage from before the lift kit with some sandy river crossings and some other footage as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrBO8cAOgOM


Will update this thread when I get the spacers

[Alex]

Good to see you pushing the limits Shiv.

Positive camber is one of the effects of lifting Subarus.

Adjustable camber top plates could be something for you to explore to dial in some negative camber to neutralise the front wheels?

[Adam]

Was going to suggest newnes to you the other night!

Slightly jealous

[Shiv]

Thanks Alex, I'll look into that.

I don't know enough about them but I suspect they may be hard to come by for this car.

Just thinking out loud - adjusting the toe rods doesn't really change camber does it?

[Shiv]

Was going to suggest newnes to you the other night!

Slightly jealous

You've suggested it in the past. I've been there before but without the lift. I had to admit defeat as soon as I turned off the main 2WD road

Now however, I've got a taste for it and I want more! Will be going back for sure

[Alex]

Plates are relatively easy to come by, for around the $200 mark s/h.

Same as GC8/BG5/BE5/blah blah blah.

Make sure when you do buy plates, that they're to suit normal struts, not coil overs.

Whiteline used to make them, not sure if they do now. There's several other manufacturers.

[Shiv]

Plates are relatively easy to come by, for around the $200 mark s/h.

Same as GC8/BG5/BE5/blah blah blah.

Make sure when you do buy plates, that they're to suit normal struts, not coil overs.

Whiteline used to make them, not sure if they do now. There's several other manufacturers.

Oh ok cool, so its just a generic product for whatever platform Suby. Got it

[Morgan]

Awesome stuff Shiv!

[Alex]

Earlier Subaru, Shiv. Not just any Subaru, as strut top patterns changed here and there.

If they suit BE5/BH5, you're laughing.

[RX25SE]

Nice monster truck Shiv!! Fark it's high.

I love how the direction you have taken with this is opposite to the norm.

[AussieTemplar]

evenHigherBACK

[motoboy]

nice obk its really unique and complete opposite in what im doing. but sooo sooo cool! keep up the good work it looks chunky as
dan

[Shiv]

nice obk its really unique and complete opposite in what im doing. but sooo sooo cool! keep up the good work it looks chunky as
dan

Thanks Dan, yeh its just a bit different from the norm around here! I'm loving it though, good fun

Most recently, its gotten a small lift to the rear end using a second pair of spacers. This has raised the arse a little bit, which is good as it was sagging initially.

I went for a bit of a play on the long weekend:



We got lost finding the appropriately named "Lost City" (makes sense, right!). But before doing that, we took a quick trip down this cool tunnel. Its a little bit dark in there haha. But nice place, that.

[skillionaire]

Hi,

Sweet photo, Shiv.

Cheers,
Nik

[Adam]

Wow!

[SAV84C]

Heard about that tunnel "Glow worm tunnel"

Is it a hard trip to get to the tunnel?

[Shiv]

Heard about that tunnel "Glow worm tunnel"

Is it a hard trip to get to the tunnel?

Not at all. 2WD friendly

The actual glow worm tunnel (not pictured) is about a 1km walk from the car park but its a well marked track and popular with families.

[SAV84C]

I had a quick search but no decent directions how to get there on google maps...