1996 Subaru Legacy L Wagon AWD 4" Lift

Turned out awesome!A bungee cargo net across the ceiling on mine.Great for stashing gear, jackets etc.You may already know of this guy but just in case....

Hey thanks gregsplett, I didn't bother taking any pics while i was doing the masking and painting because i really expected this to be a disaster and have to remove it. But after the paint dried, the texture and the finish look great and seems fairly durable.

 

And thanks for the youtube.com link, always love checking out Subaru vids.

have you thought about doing bedliner or a chip coat? I've used some of the rubber stuff in the past and had it dry out with prolonged sun exposure.

Hey derp, thanks for the suggestions I'll check out chip coat. I kinda figured that the sun would be the problem for the rubber coating. I can always remove it and try something else.

 

First camping trip of the season, back to my favorite spot. Love where this car can go.

 

The big rock to the right of my car you can see on google maps/earth:

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3260303,-108.9641568,139m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Camping1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Camping2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Camping3.jpg

Edited April 19, 2017 by swcolegacyl

The USB cigarette lighter adapter has always bothered me. Its in the way and looks sloppy. So i found on eBay.com an adapter that i could wire in.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower1.jpg

 

That's better!

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower6.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower2.jpg

 

$6.50 on eBay.com

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower4.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower5.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower7.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/usbpower8.jpg

 

Just did this install in my third gen

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhdmx4aipNI

Changing switches:

 

I bought a new lighted power switch for the winch from China. $3.56 including shipping, and i showed up in about a week. Amazing!

 

The winch switch keeps getting turned on accidentally. So, I've been trying to find a switch that is harder to turn on and indicates when it is on. I found this one on eBay.com that seems to fit the bill. The switch is really nice and I changed the location of the winch master switch which should also help.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SwitchesNew.jpg

 

About 3 weeks ago i broke the antenna mast off, on a tree branch. Most of the time i listen to my iPod via Bluetooth and i don't need the antenna up. So i replaced the mast for $35.00 and added a switch to lower the antenna and keep the stereo on.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Switches2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Switches.jpg

 

 

PS: RumbleRumble -Nice video!

Edited April 27, 2017 by swcolegacyl

WOW this is an awesome build thread. I read it pretty much start to finish. I daily my 99 Outback and started taking it on some offroad adventures. I have some questions.

 

On the 96, you put the 4 inch lift on the car with Forester shocks, did you swap those over to your 99?

 

I've been contemplating doing a 4 inch lift, but I want more than 10 inches of ground clearance. I'm shooting for 12 or more inches of ground clearance. Some of the trails here I fear my be challenging for my Outback. My buddy's old 2016 F-150 FX4 scraped on some of the trails we went on and he had 9.5 inches of ground clearance.

Hi Setnev, Thank you. Lots of learning along the way.

 

On the '96 Legacy, I went with '98 Forster struts, 1" list spacers and the rims went from 14" stock wheels to 15" with larger tires. Totaling a 4" lift. The '99 Outback got all the suspension and wheels and tires from the '96. With the Outback i only benefit the Forster struts, 1" spacer and larger tires (205/75 R15)

 

If you've looked through the thread, you'll see my friends blue '98 Outback. He lifted his about 3" and he's has had constant issues with CV joints and tire wear. Problems that i have not had.

If you've looked through the thread, you'll see my friends blue '98 Outback. He lifted his about 3" and he's has had constant issues with CV joints and tire wear. Problems that i have not had.

 

I was reading about the CV angle issues on various forums. I can't seem to get a straight answer.

 

Subie Lift OZ has a full lift kit that will give me 4 1/2 inches of lift on the suspension and includes 2" frame spacers for increased body lift, as well as a whole slew of other spacers and extensions to help correct the geometry of the suspension, steering, and drivetrain for around $600 shipped to the US.

 

Because I own the Outback model and the kit assumes a stock Liberty/Legacy, this will net about 5 inches of total lift on the whole car, achieving a total of 12.3 inches of clearance and will not cause premature wear of tires or CV joints. That is lifted Jeep territory.

 

Wheels and tires have been my second pain point in this whole process. Because we're talking about a SUW (Sport Utility Wagon, is that even a thing?), it's got McPherson struts and the spring perch is a huge obstacle without coilovers. Tire options are extremely limited. I want to run LT tires, at least 225/75's without rubbing and requiring 1" or more spacers, which isn't kind to your wheel bearings.

 

The problem is I can't find compatible coilovers that don't lower the car. SG Forester struts and coilovers are direct bolt-ons, but again, they're McPherson struts and all the coilovers I've found lower the vehicle. Does no one make a coilover that lifts the vehicle?

Hi Setnev, I don't know about coilovers. But if you find a good match please let me know. Below is a list including the one you mentioned of Subaru lift and spacers.

 

My car has about 8" clearance with the lowest point being the exhaust resonator. How you drive is as important as the clearance under the car. Drive slow and pick your route and you can get pretty far without braking the car. I might be adding a 2" sumo lift to my car. Now i have the subtle-solutions 1" spacers on top of the struts.

 

Lifts:

http://www.subieliftoz.com/

http://www.sumoparts.com/

http://sjrlift.com/

http://www.funonwheels.net/hirisesubaru/pages/lliftkit.htm

 

Spacers:

http://www.subtle-solutions.com/index.php?cPath=21

http://trakplus.com/

Thanks for those links swcolegacyl. Sjrlift actually works with the first gens.It has been a while since I have checked but everybody started at 1995.

Time to get the solar system installed in the new car. In the '96 Legacy i had installed a system that charged the car battery with a solar charger. I'm doing things different in the '99 Outback. In the new 'trunk' space behind the drivers sear i installed 2 12V 12Ah AGM batteries. And a solar charger with a switch to charge the batteries from the cars alternator or solar panels.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem1.jpg

 

2 x 12v @ 12Ah AGM batteries:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem2.jpg

 

Install system:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem4.jpg

 

The copper wire to the side of the box will go to a power panel pictured below.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem5.jpg

 

On order from eBay.com $13.99. I still have to figure out where to mount it.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem6.jpeg

Finished the solar system: I realized that i had enough room for 2 more batteries. I added 2 12v 8Ah batteries to the pack, now with a total of 12vdc @ 40Ah. And i mounted the power panel and 400W 120vac inverter.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem11.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem12.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem8.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem9.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem10.jpg

Edited May 29, 2017 by swcolegacyl

I noticed that the batteries weren't charging all the way. The controller that I had used was about 6 years old, time for a new one:

 

About $13.00 on eBay.com

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem13.jpg

 

The new controller uses a Positive-Ground so i had to completely rewire the system.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem14.jpg

 

Now we're getting a full charge:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem15.jpg

 

And my big panel: 50W and it happens to fit perfectly into my roof rack basket.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SolarSystem16.jpg

Nice. Still love this project and wish I had access to off road trails nearby to justify something like it. Edited June 6, 2017 by derp

Hey -Thanks derp. It's nice to live in a place that i can justify it. Out here they're are hundreds of miles of old mining roads. Most haven't been driven on, in many many years. They are lots of fun to drive, camp and check out the old mines. Edited June 6, 2017 by swcolegacyl

Hey All, I've made a few changes to the car this summer like new tires, new LED head light bulbs and LED front and rear blinker bulbs. I've repainted the black bed liner to the lower section of the car and added 1/2" aluminum angle iron to the bottom edge of the rocker panels.

 

New set of General Grabber AT2's

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/NewTires.jpg

 

New coat of Herculiner bed liner and the aluminum angle iron on the bottom edge of the rocker bolted on with 10mm bolts and nylock lock nuts.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/BedLinerAndRocker.jpg

 

I bought some new LED headlight bulbs but had a little space problem on the drivers side. Between the battery and the headlight there is a horn, 2 relays and fuses for bumper LEDs, Winch control relay and lots of wires. So was not not quite enough room for the new LED bulbs that have built-in fans. The simple solution was to move the horns:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/MoveHorn1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/MoveHorn2.jpg

 

And the new LED head light bulbs:

 

https://kensun.com/collections/super-bright-led-conversion-kit/products/led_kit_9007_super_bright_with_eti_led_chips

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/LEDBulds1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/LEDBulds2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/LEDBuldsLeft.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/LEDBuldsRight.jpg

I love the look of the steel rims, but they are starting to get pretty beat up. Spray painting all 4 only took about an hour. I made a simple cut-out from a piece of cardboard to keep paint from getting on the tires. They look much better now:

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PaintRims1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PaintRims2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PaintRims3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PaintRims4.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/PaintRims5.jpg

Time again for Telluride's last festival of the summer season:

 

https://carsandcolors.com/

 

Kind of cold rainy and snowy this September weekend.

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-1.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-5.jpg

 

Even the cops got into the fest. Marshalls Dept. Ferrari, don't want to try out running this car.

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-2.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-3.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-4.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-6.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-7.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-8.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-9.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-10.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-11.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-12.jpg

 

And one lonely Subaru amongst giants: My car actually got a lot of attention. I entered it in the Cool Cars on Colorado part of the fest.

https://carsandcolors.com/subevent/cool-cars-on-colorado/

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-14.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-15.jpg

 

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/TCC2017-16.jpg

Edited September 24, 2017 by swcolegacyl

A little upgrade: My steering wheel looks and feels like it has 219000 miles on it. No texture left, you can see by the pic it's real shiny and smooth. To the rescue, good old eBay.com $20.00 for 2001 wheel and $20.00 for an airbag. After a real good scrubbing and swapping the cruise control switch, the new steering wheel looks and feels great. I'd guess it had about 50-60 thousand miles on it, very little wear.

 

2001 steering wheel installed:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteeringWheel2.jpg

 

original 1999 steering wheel:

http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteeringWheel1.jpg

Edited October 15, 2017 by swcolegacyl

Nice. Keep the updates coming.

Could you tell me what size tires you’re running. I’ve been looking through the thread but I can’t find it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi coreyh29645, I'm running General Grabber AT2 the size is: 205/75R15

Very clean build! I love seeing AWD put to a good use.

I love the frugal build style here. Keep up the good work.