martin_j001's adventure-wagon

[martin_j001]

Installed the CKE SSP Transmission Mount Insert (anti-"wobble" insert) the other day, very easy install. Definitely removed the "wobble" I used to get at 18-22mph. Also increased the exhaust sound in a good way, which the maker of the mount seems to think comes from the fact that the exhaust is hard mounted in that same area. Overall, quite happy with this cheap mod.

ETA: thanks to @Wawa Skittletits for making it clear just how easy the install could be...took about 10 minutes once I got enough 2x6's under the bottle jack used to push the trans mount up.

 

[martin_j001]

Rally Armor mud flaps and LP Aventure small bumper guard with plate added. Now time to decide on some lights, and determine how they'll be wired up.

 

[Kaiser]

Installed the CKE SSP Transmission Mount Insert (anti-"wobble" insert) the other day, very easy install. Definitely removed the "wobble" I used to get at 18-22mph. Also increased the exhaust sound in a good way, which the maker of the mount seems to think comes from the fact that the exhaust is hard mounted in that same area. Overall, quite happy with this cheap mod.

ETA: thanks to @wawa_skittletits for making it clear just how easy the install could be...took about 10 minutes once I got enough 2x6's under the bottle jack used to push the trans mount up.

Jeff, I'm glad I saw your thread -- specifically, this post. I'd just about given up on that damned 18-22mph shake, which the dealer (of course) has continually claimed doesn't exist and/or blames the LPA lift for. I'm reading up on the insert now and I'm going to order it for my '16 3.6R as well (mine's also in the best color -- see below).

Which hardness did you go with on yours?

 

[martin_j001]

Martin, I'm glad I saw your thread -- specifically, this post. I'd just about given up on that damned 18-22mph shake, which the dealer (of course) has continually claimed doesn't exist and/or blames the LPA lift for. I'm reading up on the insert now and I'm going to order it for my '16 3.6R as well (mine's also in the best color -- see below).

Which hardness did you go with on yours?

Good looking car! :) I installed the softer of the two that came in the kit, the 65d one. The dealer isn't incorrect, really... the insert seems to be the only currently known way to decrease it. It's a quick, but awkward job...jack up the trans mount from the center bolt as high as you can get it (a bottle jack makes this easiest), and push the (greased up) insert in from the front side until it pops in. Once you get it jacked up, you'll be able to see/feel where the insert goes.

 

[Kaiser]

Cool! Thanks so much, Jeff!

 

[martin_j001]

Got the Knucklebone coated in bedliner and mounted up.

 

[martin_j001]

Cool! Thanks so much, Jeff!

Curious what plate mount you used @Kaiser ? Considering something different on mine as well, to avoid having to deal with the plate if and when I need to get to the spare.

 

[Booker]

Who

Got the Knucklebone coated in bedliner and mounted up.

Who makes that tire carrier? Thanks.

 

[martin_j001]

Who

Who makes that tire carrier? Thanks.

Detours Offroad Hardware. It's the Knucklebone. You can find him here-- https://www.facebook.com/detoursoffroad.hardware/

 

[Joey83]

How big is that awning?

 

[martin_j001]

How big is that awning?

It’s the ARB 2000. Listed at 78.75″ (2.0m) W x 98.4″ (2.5m) L.

 

[Joey83]

It’s the ARB 2000. Listed at 78.75″ (2.0m) W x 98.4″ (2.5m) L.

Thanks! :)

 

[chuckoverland]

Were the rally armor mudflaps easy to install? Im about to pull the trigger and get red ones for my crosstrek.

 

[martin_j001]

Were the rally armor mudflaps easy to install? Im about to pull the trigger and get red ones for my crosstrek.

They were. I pulled each wheel to make for more room. I think I'm about to remove them myself. While the oem splash guards don't give the protection these do, but I'm just not loving them aesthetics-wise. The mounting hardware/setup isn't as strong as it could be for something that hangs down that low either.

 

[martin_j001]

Thanks to @Kaiser for the info! Tidied up the back end a little with a tow hook license plate mount. This makes the spare easier to get to, rather than having to get the plate and plate mount out of the way before getting to the tire.

 

[Kaiser]

Looks great, Jeff!

Yeah, Mark at Detours Offroad does great work. Fyi for everyone else: He can make that particular carrier so that it either pivots to the side or straight back. I went for the side option so that it would be easier to get at my trailer's connections and cargo box. It's been really handy.

 

[bumpo83]

Awesome build! I’m really looking forward to diving into my Outback build soon! I love seeing all these great adventure wagons on here!

 

[martin_j001]

Spent this past Sunday doing some exploring in North Georgia with a 4th gen Outback driving buddy, who works at my local dealership. Even got to see some "Winter Wonderland" type weather and scenery. This was in Suches, GA--Coopers Creek and Duncan Ridge trails.

The breakfast meetup.

Headed north.

Waterfall at the side of the road.

As we went north, we hit some more wintery weather, and even patches of ice on the roads...

...so we changed our plan a little and instead of going further up the mountain, we descended back down a little and entered a trail from the low/protected end. Still some snow on the ground, and definitely nice for my wife (who misses snow), and my munchkin to see.

We found some really cool camping spots.

...and let the munchkin run around some to burn some energy while we checked the area out.

After a while on this trail (Coopers Creek), we decided to make our way east over Wolfpen Gap, to see what Duncan Ridge looked like. As we got to the top of the ridge, this is what it looked like.... The trees were coated with ice. Very windy. Very pretty.

You can hear the wind in this video that my wife took...

After a little while on this road, we decided to turn back. My friend said the trail got a little tighter and rockier as we went on, and between that and the ice on the ground and in the trees, I didn't really feel up to taking any chances at all with the family on board. Still enjoyed a great couple of hours exploring some trails.

 

[martin_j001]

Installed a Nilight 20" light bar on the bumper guard. Ran all the wiring in non-permanent ways to see if this is something I will get use out of, and whether it would be worth "going big" with it (like Rigid or Black Oak, with a switched setup and more permanent wiring run). Need to spend some time aiming it a bit better at night, but can already tell that one with twice the output would be better without question.

Took another trip up into the mountains this past weekend. Thought I'd try a road that was closed before, thinking with the shutdown over maybe it would be opened back up, but no luck. The trail up until this point is some of the more rocky stuff I've personally been on, so definitely cool to experience the car having no issues whatsoever and making it seem like a walk in the park. After we got turned back, we dropped into the trail at a different spot and rode through from there. The munchkin took her usual dirt road nap in the back seat, and my wife and I enjoyed a quiet drive with good scenery...with no leaves on the trees, the view can be quite nice at times.

 

[martin_j001]

Looking naked without the basket and awning up top. Drove from ATL--> Waco, TX and back in less than a week (4 travel days, 2 full days there). Saw 21-22mpg on the highways, 19 or so around town before leaving and while in TX. About to need another set of tires and need to choose... G015's or K02's.