Subaru Outback build ideas

[austinmark]

Hey, y'all.

I'm about to inherit my mom's '12 Outback (she's upgrading, not dying), and I'd like to make it more overland/outdoor-capable than it is now (which is stock). I live in Austin and have long enjoyed national park road trips, but I've never been able to go on the unimproved roads or taken more adventurous routes in my really old Forester. Also, living in Austin means that the closest park with interesting driving is 7 hours away (Big Bend NP), so having a car that is city/highway friendly has to be part of my equation.

What do y'all think of these mods, in part to be funded by my departing Forester? Keep in mind that some of these are fun mods and not purely utilitarian mods:

Up Top:
1. Yakima Loadwarrior
2. Tepui awning in orange (Can't help myself: I'm an alum and prof at UT-Austin.)
3. 2-3 Plano trunks for camping gear (a roof-top tent is a long-term goal)
4. (Eventually) LEDs attached to Yakima for lighting up the campsite

Up Front:
1. A light bar with some distance lighting for off-road driving

Underneath:
1. Selling the 18" rims for smaller 17" rims (the smallest that clear the calipers) to fit...
2. AT tires
3. skid plates
4. MAYBE a 1-2" lift if budget permits

Inside:
1. portable air
2. power inverter for convenience
3. CB radio for calling one of y'all to rescue me
4. recovery gear

Anything obvious that I'm missing? Thanks.

 

[luchaDor]

Question...are you going to 17" rims and taller tires to keep the clearance height the same? I had a Baja and clearance was always my biggest concern. If its a non-Turbo...do you know if the head gaskets are good, or have been replaced? That would be my biggest concern right of the bat.

I'd think about the lift more seriously if you want to get onto more unimproved roads and trails, provided it doesn't impact your daily driving needs. I personally loved my Baja, which was essentially an Outback...but it was too small for my needs. An Outback could be a great Overland vehicle!

 

[Steve]

Hi Mark,

Fantastic! Another Subaru build in process here on Overland Bound. You'll find several that you can glean some ideas from. Here's a search link for threads with Subaru in the title that might help: https://overlandbound.com/forums/search/279076/?q=Subaru&o=date&c[title_only]=1

An option for your front LED: The fairing on a LoadWarrior flips down. I mounted my 32" LED light bar behind mine so that it is hidden and protected, plus throws the light out further than grill height. See my build thread for some photos

Steve's Cross-Country Subaru Outback

 

[Maverick9110E]

Great mod list for sure! I'm working on my 2010 right now. Look into some skid plates from primitive racing. With the lower cleared ce then most out on trails you'll want to protect your vitals underneath. Also add some recovery gear to the list. You've got a great base to start with and plenty of options. Some companies worth looking into:

LP Adventure
Anderson Design Fabrication
Offroad Subaru
Primitive Racing
Black Oak LED

 

[Terry Pickens]

Sounds like what I am doing, the 2" lift kit is gong on the end of April.

 

[WhatTheZo]

I went under armor followed by lift. We have decent stock clearance, which is enough for most forestry roads. The gouges in my skid plates are mostly from me making a wrong turn into more aggressive jeep trails.

 

[austinmark]

Mr. Bellicose,

The 17" rim decision is to open up the option for AT tires--many more 17" options than 18". Also the taller rubber on a 17" gives a bit more sidewall strength and a greater ability to avoid pinch flats. Overall, I don't think I'll go much bigger than 29" overall height on the wheel.

This is a non-turbo OB, and my mom only put 41k on the odometer in the last 5 years, so I'm good on the head gasket for now. I replaced it on my '04 Foz and hated every penny and minute I spent in the process.

I love Bajas so much, and I'm glad to hear you like yours. There are a couple modded ones roaming around Austin.

Question...are you going to 17" rims and taller tires to keep the clearance height the same? I had a Baja and clearance was always my biggest concern. If its a non-Turbo...do you know if the head gaskets are good, or have been replaced? That would be my biggest concern right of the bat.

I'd think about the lift more seriously if you want to get onto more unimproved roads and trails, provided it doesn't impact your daily driving needs. I personally loved my Baja, which was essentially an Outback...but it was too small for my needs. An Outback could be a great Overland vehicle!

 

[austinmark]

What a great resource, Steve. Your build thread was amazing. I've looked through it quickly but clearly need to spend some more time going through it. I'm sure to have a lot of questions for you.

I see your LED bar, but I'm a little concerned about that wire running down the windshield pillar. Did it cause you much wind noise? I know a few have done it a little closer to the pillar itself. I'll have to snoop around.

I'm sorry that you had to sell your OB, but a '16 4Runner is a reasonable replacement. ;-)

Hi Mark,

Fantastic! Another Subaru build in process here on Overland Bound. You'll find several that you can glean some ideas from. Here's a search link for threads with Subaru in the title that might help: https://overlandbound.com/forums/search/279076/?q=Subaru&o=date&c[title_only]=1

An option for your front LED: The fairing on a LoadWarrior flips down. I mounted my 32" LED light bar behind mine so that it is hidden and protected, plus throws the light out further than grill height. See my build thread for some photos

Steve's Cross-Country Subaru Outback

 

[austinmark]

Yeah, those were several of the manufacturers I've been looking at. It's a bummer that a larger lift costs so much, but I get the rationale. Primitive's armor seems super easy to use, and I'll likely do that before lifting: I'd hate to ruin the car before getting too many miles on it.

Great mod list for sure! I'm working on my 2010 right now. Look into some skid plates from primitive racing. With the lower cleared ce then most out on trails you'll want to protect your vitals underneath. Also add some recovery gear to the list. You've got a great base to start with and plenty of options. Some companies worth looking into:

LP Adventure
Anderson Design Fabrication
Offroad Subaru
Primitive Racing
Black Oak LED

 

[austinmark]

I see that you have a 5th Gen OB, but tell me what size rims and tires you have on there? Do you like your new tires? For me, highway noise is a decent concern, since I'll spend DAYS on the highway for every hour on the trail.

I went under armor followed by lift. We have decent stock clearance, which is enough for most forestry roads. The gouges in my skid plates are mostly from me making a wrong turn into more aggressive jeep trails.

 

[WhatTheZo]

I have Cooper AT3's's at 235/65/17. I know for 5th gens it's the largest you can go with mud flaps without a lift. They're aggressive enough for what I do and SURPRISINGLY quiet on the road. Pretty much unnoticeable when you have your radio on. My mpg dropped by maybe 1-2.

Sent from my Pixel using OB Talk mobile app

 

[austinmark]

AT3s are really great tires, and I'm happy to hear your review. I have Gealandar ATs on my Foz right now, but I prefer a more aggressive look, to be frank.

I have Cooper AT3's's at 235/65/17. I know for 5th gens it's the largest you can go with mud flaps without a lift. They're aggressive enough for what I do and SURPRISINGLY quiet on the road. Pretty much unnoticeable when you have your radio on. My mpg dropped by maybe 1-2.

Sent from my Pixel using OB Talk mobile app

 

[Terry Pickens]

I am going with the 235 Geolandar A/T Go15's. To be purchased in a few months. 2" ADF lift scheduled for April install.

 

[WhatTheZo]

I am going with the 235 Geolandar A/T Go15's. To be purchased in a few months. 2" ADF lift scheduled for April install.

I went conservative with the 1" lift and immediately regretted my decision. Looks so much better with 2".

Sent from my Pixel using OB Talk mobile app

 

[austinmark]

Whose lift did you use? Any installation problems or tips?

I went conservative with the 1" lift and immediately regretted my decision. Looks so much better with 2".

Sent from my Pixel using OB Talk mobile app

 

[Ej Martin]

I went conservative with the 1" lift and immediately regretted my decision. Looks so much better with 2".

Sent from my Pixel using OB Talk mobile app

Funny - I just installed the 2" and regret not going 4"....

 

[Steve]

Thanks for the kind words. Mark.

I did not notice any noise from the area of the wires on the windscreen. I ran the wires that way as a temporary measure due to leaving for the first cross-country trip soon. Then I never bothered to change them. The LED bar is still mounted on the LoadWarrior basket, except now it is on the 4Runner. And yes, I temporarily wired it the same way, 8,000 miles ago... I have a new rack on order, and at that time, I'll likely strip down the arenas and bury the wires under the windscreen trim. Maybe.

I see your LED bar, but I'm a little concerned about that wire running down the windshield pillar. Did it cause you much wind noise? I know a few have done it a little closer to the pillar itself. I'll have to snoop around.

 

[austinmark]

I haven't ever used it, but that Sugru putty is supposed to be amazing. I wonder how that would work to smush the wire into the pillar and make it smoother as the wind passes over it. Hmmmmmmm.

 

[WhatTheZo]

Whose lift did you use? Any installation problems or tips?

I went ADF. No problem's, everything aligned back into spec.

 

[austinmark]

Whose 2" lift? Did you do springs, too? If so, have they had the chance to settle yet? Has the ride gone back to normal when the car is unweighted by camping gear, or is it bouncy?

Funny - I just installed the 2" and regret not going 4"....