w.kenji.huff Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hi guys, I own a 2nd Gen 2002 Outback. I am looking to lower it this summer and I have seen some people say the Legacy struts/springs would be a direct bolt on swap and it wouldn't need any modification. Can anyone verify this? I am looking to go higher in the winter, and lower in the summer. Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FtsTexx Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 There's a ton of threads in here about this exact thing. From what I've seen, it's a direct fit. Should lower your ride height about 1 1/2 -2 inches. Use the search bar, I'm sure you'll find a definite answer from some other threads. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 There's a ton of threads in here about this exact thing. From what I've seen, it's a direct fit. Should lower your ride height about 1 1/2 -2 inches. Use the search bar, I'm sure you'll find a definite answer from some other threads. Good luck Thank you, I will look. Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 you will have to get smaller tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 you will have to get smaller tires. Are you talking about lower profile or smaller diameter? Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 smaller diameter. outbacks are about 2 inches larger than the legos. the outback tires will rub if you install lego struts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 smaller diameter. outbacks are about 2 inches larger than the legos. the outback tires will rub if you install lego struts. What are the gen 3 Legacy oem wheel specs? Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giffle Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 What are the gen 3 Legacy oem wheel specs? Sent from my Nexus 6P 205/55R16 if you have OEM outback wheels. 225/45R17 with 17" wheels, 215/45R17 will do as well but I prefer 225. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 205/55R16 if you have OEM outback wheels. 225/45R17 with 17" wheels, 215/45R17 will do as well but I prefer 225. So those specs would all fit a stock Legacy ride height? Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giffle Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Yup, these are the sizes I have for my BH. 16 in on winter, 17 in on summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 Yup, these are the sizes I have for my BH. 16 in on winter, 17 in on summer. Nice, so you aren't lowered or anything? Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giffle Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 No Got any pics on 17s? Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBisson Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I'm lowered and I use 205/50/r16 for winter and in the summer I use a 225/45/r17 for summer Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 I'm lowered and I use 205/50/r16 for winter and in the summer I use a 225/45/r17 for summer Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Sweet! Guess my tire size is now set. Thanks man! Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 If you like bump steer, then just swapping in Legacy struts is fine. If you want it to drive like a stock Legacy, you will also need to remove the body spacers between the subframes, replace the driveline, transmission crossmember, trailing arm pockets, rear upper control arms, rear bumpstops, steering column, rag joint and radiator hoses. There's probably a couple small things I'm forgetting. I have the Legacy struts on my 04 3.0 sedan but it doesn't track very well because the suspension and steering geometry is now out of wack. Rough road makes the car dart back and forth in the lane. Just a heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty2Hotty Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 My car handled fine lowered with just coilovers installed without issues. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160213/ffec77fcbde3acd5ce95be7f73d732ee.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 If you like bump steer, then just swapping in Legacy struts is fine. If you want it to drive like a stock Legacy, you will also need to remove the body spacers between the subframes, replace the driveline, transmission crossmember, trailing arm pockets, rear upper control arms, rear bumpstops, steering column, rag joint and radiator hoses. There's probably a couple small things I'm forgetting. I have the Legacy struts on my 04 3.0 sedan but it doesn't track very well because the suspension and steering geometry is now out of wack. Rough road makes the car dart back and forth in the lane. Just a heads up. Oh jeeze.. That's a lot of stuff I don't know how to do. Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giffle Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 If you have the 2.5 liter H4, it will probably be OK just to swap the struts. I'm not quite sure if the swaybars will do though for better handling. This has to be checked... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 If you have the 2.5 liter H4, it will probably be OK just to swap the struts. I'm not quite sure if the swaybars will do though for better handling. This has to checked... I was planning on putting a white line one in as well. Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giffle Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 My rear swaybar is a 20 mm Whiteline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w.kenji.huff Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 My rear swaybar is a 20 mm Whiteline Is it good, do you notice a difference? Sent from my Nexus 6P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giffle Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 It might be different on a Outback since it is about 200 pounds heavier than the Leggy Brighton. Yes, there is a difference, less understeer, almost neutral, becoming oversteer near the limit. You wanted to see a picture, here it is: http://media5002.dropshots.com/photos/1325961/20150810/b_104717.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I've swapped Leggy struts into my 2002 Outback (kept the Outback springs) and it seems to handle fine. I use the OEM Outback wheels with 215-55-R16 tires. I would like to eventually take out the sub-frame spacers but as Caboobaroo mentioned, there are several other things that must change in the driveline too. I thought it was the steering rack that needed swapping, not steering column... but I can't remember where I read that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Forgot to ask, what is a 'rag joint'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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