You Do What?

[Smash]

Haha, yep, another Subaru owner here. Subacool let me know about your "Stockers without Lockers" run next month, figured I'd come over and say hi!

I have a little 2003 Forester XS 5 speed, done a little to it but not much.

50mm strut lift [from Australia, hence the metric measurement]
Removed front and rear sway bars
3/16s front and rear skid plates
215/65/16 General Grabber AT2s
All my other mods are just utilitarian, ie roof basket. He's a good little wagon, but when he grows up he wants to be a 4x4 with atleast a low range. My biggest limiting factor with the Forester isn't the clearance, it's the 5 speed. Steep hills put a stop to me FAST. It's not a strong clutch or transmission, so very difficult to even feather the clutch to get up steep obsticles. Oh well, I just take that into account when I plan routes.

Looking forward to meeting some folks and drooling over some true offroad rigs!

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff182/deesmotorhead/group%20camping%20memorial%20day/IMG_1406.jpg


http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff182/deesmotorhead/group%20wheeling%20june%2027/overrocks.jpg


http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff182/deesmotorhead/offroading%20mud%20after%20work%20june%206/IMG_1485.jpg


http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff182/deesmotorhead/Wheeling%20with%20Jacob%20July%203/IMG_1943.jpg

[DKDunn04]

Looks good, Welcome!

[SubaCool]

Nice! :D

[Funrover]

Welcome! What are the options for low range in the newer Subies? That really is a huge limiting factor.

[Smash]

Unfortunately there isn't an option. There are no aftermarket outfitters. You CAN get the low range in Australia, but not anywhere else. It is really limiting, but, the wagon's got 113k on him now, hoping to squeeze 200 out of him then move on to something actually built for the dirt... IF I could get low range in the Forester, I would keep it much longer.

[Funrover]

Unfortunately there isn't an option. There are no aftermarket outfitters. You CAN get the low range in Australia, but not anywhere else. It is really limiting, but, the wagon's got 113k on him now, hoping to squeeze 200 out of him then move on to something actually built for the dirt... IF I could get low range in the Forester, I would keep it much longer.

Could advanced adapters make something to hook up to the 80's models w/ low?

[Smash]

I have no idea, I wish I was a wrench, but sadly, I am just learning.

[SubaCool]

something actually built for the dirt...
Correction: something built for actual serious offroad :rolleyes: Dude, are you forgeting that the Soobs ARE built for the dirt?! :p

[Smash]

Eh, in my opinion Subarus, off the factory line, are built for pavement, inclement weather and fireroads. If they were built for dirt they'd have the option of atleast low range.

Rally is one thing, when I say built for dirt I mean built for more than just a fire road.

[Patrolman]

Could advanced adapters make something to hook up to the 80's models w/ low?

If I remember right, the XT and XT6 offered a trans that was AWD with a selection for 4wd with low range. I believe it bolts up to the Forester engine, but not sure which driveshaft and CV's would have to be used. Lots of work, but would make for a really cool ride!

[Smash]

I had no idea the newer Foresters had the option of low range in the states. Never even heard of it here. I wish I was good enough to fab things like that. If the Forester had low range I would be really happy with it.

[Patrolman]

It isn't in the Forester. The last car to offer 4x4 in the US was the XT or XT6 (six cylinder model). Those were built 1985ish to I think 1991. The Loyale was built later than that, but not offered with a 4-low option, only 4-hi.

This guy put an EA-82 trans into his Forester.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/792800
Same trans that the XT got, but the XT was also offered with an AWD/4WD option which gives you the best of both worlds!
If you can do the lift and other work on the Subaru, you can do a trans swap too.

[Smash]

Ah yes I knew of the setup in the old Loyales. Trans swap sounds way out of my league, especially with my meager hand tools. All moot tho, not that I could afford the trans anyway! Bugger. Oh well, the car's pretty fun as it is right now!

[Funrover]

Ah yes I knew of the setup in the old Loyales. Trans swap sounds way out of my league, especially with my meager hand tools. All moot tho, not that I could afford the trans anyway! Bugger. Oh well, the car's pretty fun as it is right now!

Yes.. but for me spending others $$ is fun hahahaha!!

[Smash]

:lol:

And so much easier!!

[Funrover]

Exactly! LOL :lol:

[Haku]

The Forester is essentially an Impreza underneath (made in the same Factory in Japan) and yes, swapping out a transmission from a earlier year would be a huge project I think. The transmission in the Forester is transaxle that houses the front and center differential. I'm pretty sure the older years used those too, though I'm not completely sure. They might have also just made it 4 wheel drive by adding in a t-case, but I can't find any good info on how they did things back then.

I doubt that your CV's would be the same, and you'd have to modify the knuckles or the transmission to fit those. You'd also have to redo the mounts for it most likely, and possibly have an adapter plate made to mate to the engine. I'm sure there are a whole host of things that would come up that I have no idea about too. So yeah, a lot of work. You'd honestly be better off starting from scratch and replacing the whole drivetrain I think.

There are a few buggies out there that use the Subaru engine, but they usually bolt a different transmission to it that has a transfer case instead of a center diff. Getting everythink to mate up and have room and stuff is a big task though.

I love my Subaru (have a WRX as a daily driver), but its definitely a road car that can handle some weather and reasonably rough roads. Like I said in another thread, I've been surprised to find a Subaru Outback in some of the places I've been. I do agree though that for the more serious offroad stuff, something else would be better. "Rally Bred" asside, there are alot of weak links in the system. Love em to death, but there are just some stuff that isn't worth doing to it.

JH

[Smash]

Haku - Yeah that's kinda where I am with it. Will do a little more research, but if it's gonna be a pricey project with lots of fabrication I'd rather wait a few more years til I can afford a 4x4.

[Roostercruiser]

hi first the sammi invasion and now the subi are coming . welcome welcome. looking forward to wheelin with ya

[Smash]

Hehe. Invasion of the "lesbaru" wagons! Well, besides the fact that we aren't lesbians. Altho I think I was in a previous life. :D

Happy to see that everyone is so welcoming! I've mostly had a lot of backlash on 4x4 forums and 4x4 shops, it was nice to have the opposite here. Looking forward to meeting some new folks!

[Roostercruiser]

we love diversity here. thats what makes us differnt.

[dr350jja]

Welcome. Those are some nice pics you posted.

[Smash]

Welcome. Those are some nice pics you posted.


Hey thanks!

The Forester is definitely NOT a rock crawler, but built the way it is it makes an excellent vehicle for exploring and camping. Which is what I like to do anyway! In the future I'd just like to have something a bit more capable so I don't have to be quite as careful picking my routes. (hmmm, is this one bad uphill? Hmmm, I probably can't do it. etc etc)

[ShutUpHippie]

Sweet Subaru! Nice pics of it tackling terrain.

:welcome:

[Smash]

Quick question:

I have a Garmin eTrex Summit HC that I need maps for, want the 24k southwest:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=35408#overviewTab

However, that's a steep price for maps! I looked all over my bittorent sites, wasn't able to find any for download. Anyone have any insights into majorly discounted maps (I don't mind if they're older) or even better, free ones?

[bskey]

Welcome! I'm a huge Scooby fan and love to see someone pushing it like you do!

[Smash]

Welcome! I'm a huge Scooby fan and love to see someone pushing it like you do!


Fantastic! Got one in the garage? Will I have the pleasure of meeting you on the stockers without lockers run next month?

[Roostercruiser]

i saw your and subacool vidoes way cool keep up the great stuff:thunb:

[WINKY]

Quick question:

I have a Garmin eTrex Summit HC that I need maps for, want the 24k southwest:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=35408#overviewTab

However, that's a steep price for maps! I looked all over my bittorent sites, wasn't able to find any for download. Anyone have any insights into majorly discounted maps (I don't mind if they're older) or even better, free ones?


hey i have a crapton of garmin topo maps for colorado and utah you can pull the data from and toss onto your gps, free!

[Smash]

aaaahhh beautiful! I really only need Colorado. Is the file too huge to email? There's also a secure fileshare we can use.

[WINKY]

i have a few disks actually, if you want to meet sometime i can just let you borrow all the stuff, and the program that loads it onto the gps if you dont have it already.

[Smash]

That would be awesome. Lemme send you a pm real quick...

[SubaCool]

i saw your and subacool vidoes way cool keep up the great stuff:thunb:
We like to have fun ;)

[Smash]

I'm coloradosmash81 on youtube, got some more vids if you guys get bored and want to check them out.

[Roostercruiser]

I'm coloradosmash81 on youtube, got some more vids if you guys get bored and want to check them out.

youve been added to my subscripts:thunb:

[Smash]

Saw that!

Ha, you guys are nuts for going out all night. Nice vids.

[WINKY]

you should try it sometime..... might jsut get another hooked on it!:thunb:

[Smash]

Ha, with my clearance and difficulty going up steep hills, that just sounds for a recipe for disaster! Albeit a really really really fun one....

[BLOODBANE]

Don't really care what you wheel, as long as you want to wheel. Thats how I look at it. I don't own a Subie, and don't plan on it, but welcome to the site, and these guys here will get you out into the mountains.

[Patrolman]

So this drivetrain is what you want to drop into your Subie! Find a tore up car and swap everything over. AWD but optional 4wd hi/low. Also rear LSD.
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1262815136.html

[Patrolman]

Just bought a 98 Forester AWD for the wife this afternoon! Upgrading for her older Ford Escort. Few years newer than the Ford, but what a difference!

[Chris]

Stockers w/o Locker Jeff? :D

[Patrolman]

Ouch... Maybe as it is the only 4wd/AWD we own that is still close to stock. Good news it has some paint damage already, so getting a few pinstripes won't make anyone cry.

[dr350jja]

Good luck with the new ride :)

[Smash]

Patrolman - nice buy! If the headgaskets haven't already been replaced I'd recommend doing it. They almost always went bad on the pre '03 Foresters. If you're looking to get it dirty, I can help out with mods and actually feel useful! :lol:

[Smash]

So this drivetrain is what you want to drop into your Subie! Find a tore up car and swap everything over. AWD but optional 4wd hi/low. Also rear LSD.
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1262815136.html


Yeah, it'd be cool but not cost effective. :(

[SubaCool]

Just bought a 98 Forester AWD for the wife this afternoon! Upgrading for her older Ford Escort. Few years newer than the Ford, but what a difference!
Nice! May I recommend www.subaruforester.org (http://www.subaruforester.org) for all the support you'd ever need :thunb: (Smash, I can't believe I've beat you to it :eek: :p)

[Patrolman]

This is actually the :princess: DD, so she may want to keep it stock. We will see how she likes it after a season or so. Maybe make some changes after that. ;)

[Smash]

Yep, tons of possibilities depending on what is wants to do with it.

[Haku]

Patrolman - nice buy! If the headgaskets haven't already been replaced I'd recommend doing it. They almost always went bad on the pre '03 Foresters. If you're looking to get it dirty, I can help out with mods and actually feel useful! :lol:

Head gaskets suck balls to change on a Subaru (trust me I know) since you have to either pull the engine out. You might be able to manage it in the car, but its very tight (like 1 inch each side). I love Subbies, but thats the most annoying part of it. Worth it to have that flat 4 in there though. Nice torquey fun little engine that gets decent mileage and has good reliability.

Another good place to check out is NASIOC (www.nasioc.com) for any info you need for the Forester. Started out as an Impreza site, but its the best place to go for anything Subaru these days. They sometimes jump on you for posting about easily found issues Pirate4x4 style, but there is a ton of info on that page. The main thing to remember is that the Forester is essentially an Impreza with a different body and slightly taller, so alot of the parts and tech transfer over. That includes anything all the way from the base model impreza all the way up to the WRX and STI.

JH

[Smash]

Haku - Thanks for bringing up Nasoic. However, Patrolman, be forewarned, that is not a well run, organized, mature, or even helpful forum imo. Check it out, see what you think.

[Haku]

Haku - Thanks for bringing up Nasoic. However, Patrolman, be forewarned, that is not a well run, organized, mature, or even helpful forum imo. Check it out, see what you think.

I think the better way to put it is that while there is wealth of information on there, there isn't really a sense of it being a community. There are upwards of 200,000 people signed up 44,000 of which are actually active members. I think this takes a lot of the personality out of it, and it just becomes a site for complaining and flaming on occasion. So yeah, if you are looking for a friendly place to meet other enthusiasts, then its not the place to go. If you need to find out tech info or buy parts or any of that stuff, then its a great place to go. Just plan on getting flamed if you ask a question that a ton of others have already asked.

JH

[Patrolman]

Thanks for the info guys. I used to drive older Subie's when they were still 4wd with hi/low. This is a whole new ballgame!

[Smash]

I think the better way to put it is that while there is wealth of information on there, there isn't really a sense of it being a community. There are upwards of 200,000 people signed up 44,000 of which are actually active members. I think this takes a lot of the personality out of it, and it just becomes a site for complaining and flaming on occasion. So yeah, if you are looking for a friendly place to meet other enthusiasts, then its not the place to go. If you need to find out tech info or buy parts or any of that stuff, then its a great place to go. Just plan on getting flamed if you ask a question that a ton of others have already asked.

JH

Mmmm yes much nicer put.

[Smash]

OK now WTF?

Got the maps for my Garmin Etrex Summit HC, woohoo! install mapsource, pull up the topo west. Plug the GPS into the computer via USB. Mapsource doesn't see a GPS! Autodetect or any port, it doesn't see it. (Yes the GPS is turned on and I've tried it several times. My computer doesn't see it either. The USB port is working just fine as is the cable.)

HELP?

Garmin support is closed for the night.

[Chris]

Unplug the USB and plug it back in. ;)

[Smash]

Tried that, as well as turning the GPS off and on, over a dozen times.....

[WINKY]

set the port properly on the software and also try a usb port on the back of the computer instead as the front ones can be flaky sometimes.

[Chris]

Bummer, when I worked with USB devices for the school district unplugging worked about 90% of the time. Check the cable itself and then give Garmin a call. I asume you've downloaded the latest software.

[Smash]

Yeah no go. Tried each port on the software and all 3 USB ports on my laptop.

Will make a call to Garmin in the morning.

[Funrover]

Grab a hammer...smash Repeat till all anger is gone, then go buy paper maps.. and if needed a compass.

[Smash]

Mmmm, yeah well then you get to explain to Karla why the present she bought me is smashed to bits.... Don't think she'd be pleased!

[Chris]

:lol: I have to figure out how mine works. Using it as a speedo & compass, anything more is beyond me.

[WINKY]

check the settings on the gps itself there are different output settings

[Smash]

check the settings on the gps itself there are different output settings


oh ok i'll fiddle with that now. or try to! lol i'm a GPS newb

[WINKY]

if you cant get it come by my place friday after 2pm and i will get it working fer ya man!

[Smash]

Hey thanks. Yeah can't find anything. *banghead. I'll put a phone call into Garmin tomorrow. If that doesn't help you better believe I'll look ya up. (I'm healthy enough now I won't get you sick either)

[Chris]

I'm looking for topo maps, found some online that are said to be better than Garmin, etc but now I can't find them again. :(

[Smash]

Just have the Garmin maps here. If I can get them on my GPS. Hhahahahahaha trying to use this thing is making me feel completely inadequate.

[Chris]

I can sync mine w/o any problems but guess I need an SD card (whatever that is)

Cool thing was finding out when my speedo reads 50mph I actually doing 65!

[Smash]

No syncing here cause I'm weeeeeetadid.

[Smash]

GOOD LORD.

Insert slew of cusswords.

This is ridiculous.


Been on hold with Garmin for over 25minutes. Still no help. No one has picked up.


Pretty ticked off at the moment.

[WINKY]

im home now...:thunb:

[Smash]

I'm very tempted to buzz over.


PM me your address?

[Smash]

Just hung up with Garmin.... Still was on hold! *grumble.

Off to Randy's!

[WINKY]

so we found that the software is not optioned for usb, i couldnt find a female female usb connector as i have a usb to db9 connector. oh well, ash is going to use the nuvi.. we tried.

his pc did recognize the gps as it should so he was good but the software wasnt.

[Smash]

Yeah that sucked, thanks for trying Randy!

. GoI don't have another GPS yet, but it's in the budget to afford one by October. More for the motorcycle, probably getting a Garmin Nuvi 780. Checking now to see if it will read the Garmin topos, the I can use that in the dirt too (even though I'd rather not).

Anybody got use for an extrex? Am I allowed to post that sort of thing for sale here?

[Patrolman]

So any chance any of you have extra rims and/or tires for my wifes Forester? Just looking for something to replace the baldies that are on it. She wants extra rims/tires for studded winters, so we would buy rims if we can find some. Right new we just need some good rubber.

[Smash]

Ah dang no I sold the OEM alloys last year.

Check out www.subaruforester.org though.

[Patrolman]

Appreciate it. Just signed up.

[Roostercruiser]

i agree with funrover. Chris i buy my topo mps at gas stations for $ 20 . its all i ever use.

[Chris]

I like paper maps too, I'm going over the ones I used in Utah last year right now for an upcoming trip. I like GPS for an accurate compass & speedo, my new one replaces one that died. These things keep getting more features and I don't see any sense in not using them if I can for free. ;)

[Wrustywrangler]

I have never seen one lifted..It looks awesome I can't wait to see it in person , I am amazed =)

Dy