Bilstein BTS Outback XT kit pictures
 

I recently received this JDM sold only Bilstein BTS 5056J kit from Japan. Several forum members here and myself had encouraged Bilstein USA to import this kit or offer a similar kit to NO avail.

The kit was purchased in November 2008 and with that exchange rate puts the cost at approx $1,230.00 or so. Shipping was via UPS International 5 day service (56lbs)

very nice suspension set up! are they lower than stock? bilstein are a quality suspension..

maybe one day, when i have money to waste on my 3.0r ob sedan, ill get this.

Nice stuff !!! let us know .

Hey Bergan County aka whitetiger ~ (I grew up in the small town River Vale also in Bergen County.)

A Subaru mechanic calling a suspension enhancement to the OB XT model as "when i have money to waste" is baffling to say the least.

You need to drive the XT . . . .

oh man......... I want to see some pics after install !!!!!

I say this because my mod money goes to my LGT. my ob 3.0r sedan is my daily driver, and though i would like ti improve susp feel on it, my money is better spent on the LGT.

Eagerly awaiting results.
And whether new tophats are needed.

Nice work Mike!

I can't believe it has taken this long to get! I sent an email to Bilstein USA last week pleading for them to import these.

anxiously awaiting your review

New top hats for the rear is more than likely. The front top hats appear to fit just fine. I'll start working again in the morning, however one side of the Subi (front and rear) has been disassembled. I took a few pictures which I'll post ASAP.

The new Bilstein rear spring is tapered at the top and this is where the OE rear top hat will Not fit. The OE rear top hat is to large in diameter to mate with the new tapered coil spring. Where do I fish for the elusive JDM top Hat??? (Here's a clue,,,, try Japan first - funny!)

Huh. I was expecting front, not rear.

Update: It's confirmed that both front and rear USA top hats require there JDM counterparts. EDIT: 6.10.09

Having reached out to Bilstein Japan for the top hat details - I'm waiting. Otherwise it looks to be a straight forward suspension upgrade. Can't wait.

I don't believe this. Post close up pics of the top of the struts/shocks.

I can lookup the stock JDM Outback tophat part numbers and cross-reference them for you.

Unclemat, Believe it - I'd be more than happy to post a picture of the front USA OE strut (un assembled) and the new JDM Bilstein BTS 5056 front strut side by side. The appropreate top hat (if thats what there called in Japan?) is other than what is used here in the USA.

As far as the rear spring the JDM Bilstein spring is tapered substantially at its top, as seen in the photos. (the beginning of this thread.) The USDM OE rear spring is the same diameter from bottom to top; not so with the JDM Bilstein BTS 5056 kit rear spring as delivered to me.