swcolegacyl Posted May 27, 2014 Author Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) A friend bought a '98 Outback about a month ago. And right away, lifted it and had a custom bumper built. He used SJR 4" rear lift and SJR 2" front lift blocks. And same bumper that i have, with a Warn 4000Lbs winch too. We took a bunch of measurements and i actually have almost 1" more clearance at the lowest point. He just got the car back a couple days ago. What do you think? http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift1.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift2.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift3.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift4.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift5.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift6.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift7.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift8.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/SteveLift9.jpg Edited June 2, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) Just replaced the steering rack bushings. What a pain-in-the-ass job that was! the video link below on YouTube makes the job look pretty easy. Don't be fooled, it took almost 2 hours without a lift. luckily my car has no rust, so everything came off pretty easily. The old bushings weren't too hard to remove, but trying to squeeze the new Whiteline bushings in was a bitch. All done and what a huge difference the new bushings make. The steering feels MUCH tighter, it's like a new car. The guy in the video is working on an '02 WRX so the undercarriage is a little bit different then the '96 Legacy. But it's basically the same job and the KSR202 Whiteline bushing set is the same part for the Legacy. http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/steeringbushings1.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/steeringbushings2.jpg Edited May 29, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 (edited) I replaced the Legacy ‘trailing link brackets’ with ones from a ’98 Outback and finally got the rear wheels centered perfectly in the wells. I also replaced the rear shocks with a set from a ’98 Forster. The rear is a bit higher now. And had her realigned. The car drives incredibly well, on and off road. The Whiteline steering rack bushings made a big difference off road too. I also learned a important lesson about brakes this weekend off-roading: Car Quest standard brake pads melt and fail when they get hot. That kinda sucked! So I bought new ceramic front and rear pads today. I’ll get those in tomorrow. http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Ridgway.jpg Edited June 2, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/03/ygehyhez.jpg Here's a before and after shot of my 95 legacy. I went with 04 forester fxt struts all around -04 fxt springs and 1/2" spacers on rear -first generation forester springs on front I am going to put my wrx wheels on my wife's car and use the same wheels you have and same tire size. Looks really great. Also will need to do the outback rear trailing arm extension. Is there any way you could do a write up of the install of the 4eat switch? Btw if I had time and funds, I would love to build exactly what you've built. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 Hi 96outback, Thank you for that complement. The Subaru has been a very fun project car. And a hell of a lot of fun to drive. It looks like your Legacy is at about the same height as mine. It also also looks very clean, how's it run? I find the Legacy wagon to be a really great versatile car. especially when you lift them. It's pretty cool that, so many parts from different Subaru's over many years span can be mix and matched. I think i have parts on my car from about 30 other Subaru's. The research i did for the 4EAT switch is all in the download on the 1st page of the thread. It was fairly easy to wire though i did it awhile ago, so not sure that i can write it up for you. if your car is AWD, it might have a fuse socket under the hood (passenger side) labeled FWD. That's the circuit your looking for. By installing a fuse in the socket, 12vdc is sent to Duty solenoid 'C' witch locks out the rear drive train. all i did was add a switch to also cut power to Duty solenoid 'C' causing 50% power to the front and 50% power to the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Oh that makes sense. I'll look it over. Do you drive in the fwd on the highway? I imagine it could ruin the trans and drivetrain doing that. In an earlier post you said you get 29mpg. How the heck are you doing that? What tricks do I need to do to get that also. Drivability of my wagon is great. It's my favorite vehicle to drive. Decent pickup, can drive over anything I need to. It's basically the versatility of an suv but the comfort and gas mileage of a wagon. And with the Lego effect, I also have noticed many other parts from different subarus fit greatly on the wagon. You should continue to update this thread with new modifications and ad-ons, etc. I'll throw mine up here also when I get time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 (edited) Hi 96outback, RE: (4x4 switch) I dont think FWD will do any damage. mainly because a indicator light will come on, on the dash reading FWD when you install a fuse in the socket. as if the car was meant to do it. the car still drives normally it just becomes a FWD car. The switch i installed toggles between (FWD/4x4/AWD) modes. and it works perfectly. RE: (29mpg) I actually rarely take the car on highway only drives. But im using Amsoil Racing Motor oil, NGK Plug wires, Bosch iridium spark plugs and a K&N Air filter the engine is running about as efficiently as i can get it. I think i'm getting the most power and the best millage i can get out of that 2.2L engine. I'll keep posting, this thread has logged over 21 thousand hits. I'm pretty amazed by that alone. But, so far, some of the best reference material i've found is from people posting what's worked and what hasn't for them. happy to contribute, and it's nice to get feedback and ideas from other people as well. thanks! Edited June 3, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Dude that's awesome! Great build! What weight of oil are you using? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 (edited) I runing 20W-50 Amsoil Racing 100% synthetic oil year round and using the Amsoil oil filter. I change the oil once a year and the filter twice a year and top off the oil. The coldest it typically gets here in Telluride is single digits in the winter. And the car still starts and runs just file. In fact the engine was burning a bit of oil when i first bought the car. And that's all but stopped using the Amsoil. Tiny bit of leaking around the valve cover gaskets, but that's it. Edited June 6, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Swcolegacyl have you ever thought of adding a snorkel? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 Hi 96outback not much need for a snorkel out here. I live in South West part of Colorado and I tend to do most of my road trips is between Telluride and Moab, Ut. High desert to desert terrain. It's pretty dry out here. I might have to cross an occasional stream. Usually by mid summer, they're just dry creek beds. Though if i lived anywhere else with more water, i would consider it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) Decided to get dirty and replace the valve cover gaskets today. A good sunny Saturday morning project. Not too bad of a job, a little messy though. Both sides were leaking, driver side was worse. Also the drivers side is much harder to replace. I also had the oil filter replaced and the oil topped off with Amsoil, of course. Fel-Pro. http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/FelPro.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ValveCoverRT.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/ValveCoverLF.jpg http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/engine.jpg Edited June 8, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Do you not use your ac at all? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 Nah, I open the windows. The humidity levers here are very low. And although it gets hot, the AC is just not necessary. I notice a draw on the engine with it on, so it's stealing power that i want more than cold air. I keep the AC belt and an extra alternator belt in the car. So if i need the AC, it only takes about 10 min to install the belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Ah smart. I was going to say you should just take it out. But since you might use it never mind. I'm in Louisville, ky and humidity is horrible. I have to use ac and the engine definitely suffers because of it. Engine bay looks good man. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) Thank you, I try to keep my car mechanically perfect and very clean in and out. That engine has about 205,000 miles on it and it's still running incredibly strong. While i had the valve covers off today, i has able to get a peek inside. I could not see any signs of wear on anything. And the inside of the covers were pretty clean too. Edited June 8, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 That is exactly how I am with mine. It's good to see someone with the same mindset with an older non turbo legacy. Question about tires. Were the 205/70/15 the biggest you could fit? It seems as though we could go 215/80/15? Any reasons why you stayed smaller? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) I only have one car, the Legacy and I rarely drive it. I mainly use it to go camping on the weekends thought the summer and fall. The winters, my car may sit for mounts without me driving it. I have no need to go into debit, buying a new car that I don’t use. All I need is a good reliable car, and the ’96 Legacy Wagon fits the bill perfectly for me. By keeping the car in good condition, it should last me for many more years. As far as tires go: I tried the 215/80/15’s on it and the only problem was the back inner wheel wells on the front, rub when making sharp turns. I’d need either a rim with a larger off-set or larger wheel spacers. I currently have ½ spacers behind all 4 wheels. Edited June 8, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Oh so they rubbed even with the 15mm spacers you have now? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 Yeah, exactly. I currently have 15mm, H&R Trak Plus wheel spacers. Slightly more than a 1/2". It's not enough for the bigger tires though. The 205/70's are good enough for now. I have to be careful with how much money i put into this car. Of course i'm already thinking about putting in a 2.5 Liter or a 2.0 turbo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Yeah I've thought about doing the same. And you're probably right that 205/70 is good enough. Clearance is good already on it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Lights: High beams, Love those LED's. The LED's lights on the bumper come on with the high beams and the lights on the roof rack are controlled by a separate switch. http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Lights.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swcolegacyl Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) Wish i bought one on these a long time ago: 18v Makita 1/2 Impact driver. I've had the 18v drill for years and the 2 18v Lithium batteries are still in great shape. So all i had to buy was the tool it's self. Still about $180.00 New on eBay.com. But this will make working on the Subaru a whole lot easier and quicker. Next to the Impact is a new Craftsman 12-Piece Impact set from (12mm to 27mm) $60.00 http://srvtelluride.dyndns.org/Subaru/Impact.jpg Edited June 12, 2014 by swcolegacyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I use a cordless impact also. So helpful! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96outback Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/17/yjy5yhup.jpg here's a picture to share with my fellow wagon brother. We're going on a trip this weekend so I got new tires, 215/70-15 Kenda kenetica from tire discounters. Seem like ok tires for the price and free alignment. Since this is my dd I needed something that would be good in the city. I also just added that gaudy fairing. I used two street signs (not stolen). And also replaced my steering rack. Ready to roll! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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