[shewolves]

Greetings!

I hail from your neighbors over at the recently deserted RS25.com (thanks VerticalScope...). I had been looking to retire my '99 RS from daily duties and while my original purchase was a 2000 4Runner, I ended up with a 2005 Forester instead. Arguably a much better purchase so far.

I acquired this single owner 2005 XS 5spd with 164k on for a decent price on September 12th, 2020. It definitely needs some things by the way of maintenance (clunking end links, seeping seals, etc), but it's been a gem for the most part.

I'm doing my best to keep the mods to a minimum.. for the sake of my bank account and because it goes downhill REALLLL fast

The day I bought it

Today

2005 Subaru Forester XS 5MT

Interior

• Forester XT cloth seats
• Forester XT black carpet
• Forester XT black trunk lining
• Forester XT door cards
• Satin black painted radio trim
• Satin black painted shift surround
• JDM red hazard button
• JDM NAV dash pod
• Shiba dog hairs

Audio & Lighting

• OEM Subaru underseat subwoofer
• White LED map/dome lighting
• White LED HVAC lighting
• Alpine ILX-W650 double din
• JDM HIDs with Aaron’s Subie harness
• OEM tweeters

Exterior

• Forester XT hood
• Forester XT roof rails
• OEM rear spoiler
• Paint-matched door handles
• 06+ side skirts
• 06+ LED mirrors
• 06+ smooth door moldings
• JDM power folding mirrors with Top Shelf yellow convex mirror glass
• JDM STi hood scoop
• JDM front + rear spats
• Cross Sports front grille + headlight extensions
• Cross Sports front bumper
• Cross Sports trunk badge
• Cross Fire lip
• Paint-matched rear hatch garnish

Chassis & Suspension/Wheels

• KYB Excel-G struts with King lift springs
• Gold RS 5-spokes on General Grabber ATX 215/65/16
• Prodrive P1s on Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 Plus 225/45/17
• Cusco rear strut bar
• Cusco front strut bar
• Cusco lower rear diff brace
• Cusco rear subframe brace lower bar
• JDM ‘02 STi struts and springs
• 2004 STi rear sway bar
• Whiteline rear heavy duty sway bar link support brackets

Engine + Exhaust

• no-name UEL headers
• Stromung midpipe
• Stromung axleback

 

[shewolves]

First things first was to refresh the hazy headlights.

And get the dogs' approval.

 

[shewolves]

Here in Colorado we have a plethora of Subarus and one particular junkyard had about 8 SG Foresters in their inventory so I went for a look and found some things I needed.

The side garnishes on my XS were repainted flat black by the PO and I was not a fan. There were also some scratches on the mirrors and center console so I snagged all those items. I also took some tweeter door trim things (don't recall the technical term at the moment) for when I do upgrade to tweeters. The car has the wiring for it already, just doesn't have them. The climate control piece isn't the same as my '05, but I didn't really care.

There were a couple XTs, one with leather and one with cloth. I opted for cloth, mostly because I don't like burning/sticking my toosh in the summer.
The donor XT:

Unfortunately the passenger side was caved in and I couldnt salvage the door cards. But I snagged the seats and carpet.

 

[shewolves]

Spent a Saturday thoroughly cleaning the newly acquired interior and installing.

This car was originally from AZ and the PO told me she took it around the country a lot so needless to say.. it was really dirty everywhere. She was also a horse-person.. so literally hay everywhere.

 

[shewolves]

Maiden drive with the dogs to the mountain

Purchased some body-colored door handles (not the best shape but more appealing to me than black handles) and detailed one side of the car. The quick polish really helped spruce up the side garnish a bit.

 

[shewolves]

Today I received a set of goldies from an RS friend and I have some 3mm spacers from Primitive coming at the end of the week. Excited to get these on and unload the spray painted stockers. I've never been the biggest fan of black wheels on white cars and even less when it's spray painted flat black haha.

Eventually I'd like to get some JDM mirrors, a spoiler and maybe a front lip but nothing too major. Maybe an XT hood and scoop so it can be as useless as my RS hood too . I'd love a Crossports grille, but I'm sure I'll dislike the gap with the stock bumper and throwing down for a JDM bumper isn't a priority. I have an Alpine double-din awaiting installation as well, but might not get to it until the weekend. It was originally going into the RS, but since I barely drive it now.. it'd get more use in the Forester.

I need to schedule a windshield replacement sooner than later too; It's got quite a lot of cracks and pitting in it. Best quote I've gotten so far was $200-ish.

That's all for now!

 

[Kevin]

Some good work being done there!

 

[HeatherCamper]

You go girl! Great job on your re"fur"bish!

 

[shewolves]

You go girl! Great job on your re"fur"bish!

Thanks!

Some good work being done there!

Thanks! Trying to make it as presentable as my RS haha

 

[shewolves]

RS goldies and Primitive Racing 3mm spacers are on

 

[Dogs]

windshield replacement

If you need to buy some time, Loctite* 420 (very low viscosity). Due to the low viscosity, the glue can travel into the cracks, via capillary action. Where the glue won’t travel along the crack, very gentle pressure (from opposite side), can sometimes open up the crack ever so slightly. You can also buy a repair kit from the parts store, that emulates what the windscreen repair guys have, that pulls a vacuum on the chip/crack.

Where the crack is clean and the glue fills the gap and coats both surfaces, the visibility of the crack is reduced (improving vision through windscreen). The glue will also return some strength to the windscreen. Note: for long cracks, the general practice is to drill the ends, to stop the crack from running.

For deeper pits on bullseye’s, use a more viscose formula, after the fine cracks have been glued.

Any excess can be scrapped off with a sharp razor blade.

*other brands may make a similar formula glue.

 

[shewolves]

Much appreciated!

The crack(s) go along the entire windshield both vertically and horizontally. I'm not too worried about it failing sooner than later, but will likely schedule a replacement this coming week just to get it over with.

Unfortunately the moonroof is also cracked about as bad.. but it seems the previous owner taped it up and put a clear bra over it. No leaks so far.. but it's on my list of things to replace when I can. Haven't seen a Forester in the yards with one equipped, and the one I did see, also had cracks lol.

 

[Dogs]

Haven't seen a Forester in the yards with one equipped, and the one I did see, also had cracks

If you end up having trouble finding one, you could consider gluing it, and then covering it with a safety/security film. 3M, amongst other brands make them. Some say they handle a bomb blast.

I was going to cover mine, to protect it from Hail. There are also some films that are suitable for the outside of the glass, which could help with water tightness.

Glue with safety film inside and out, could buy you time, till the right glass shows up.

 

[RJ_Bex]

That's looking really good. You've definitely put a lot of effort into it.

Beautiful dogs.

 

[Womprat57]

Love seeing a nice XS getting the luv! With the rims, headlights and door handles it looks fantastic! I wish I could find a black carpet for mine that wasnt all worn thru! Keep up the awesome work!

 

[shewolves]

That's looking really good. You've definitely put a lot of effort into it.

Beautiful dogs.

Thank you! They’re a Shiba Inu (mine) and an Aussie/Border Collie mix (boyfriend’s).

Love seeing a nice XS getting the luv! With the rims, headlights and door handles it looks fantastic! I wish I could find a black carpet for mine that wasnt all worn thru! Keep up the awesome work!

Thank you! If I ever see another XT in the yards I can yank it out for you, but not sure how far you are haha.
I’d have loved an XT, but didn’t want the extra headache of the turbo and whatnot (also why my RS isn’t swapped 😂).

 

[Womprat57]

I would appreciate that a ton! I'm up in NH. Alwaya been a naturally aspirated inclined owner myself but did toy with supercharging my Mustangs back in the day.

 

[shewolves]

I'll keep an eye out! Shipping shouldn't be super horrible from CO.

I sometimes miss my Legacy GT wagon but the maintenance on the NAs is quite nice.

 

[Womprat57]

I think the NA does a nice job of punching through corners when the spirit moves it to, and otherwise has great road maners for everything else. And the hauling space is a bonus! Do the pups like it?

 

[winnerone23]

RS goldies and Primitive Racing 3mm spacers are on

Nothing wrong with White and gold!! Our parking is similar!

Co-worker bought my 09

Silver and gold?

Not JDM mirrors but I didn't care for them, on my 08.
If interested? I believe I have the wiring harness's for them, as well

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