[frogstar7055]

Figure I'd start this before I begin the next round of mods.

Started with a 2001 Forester with a 109,000 miles on it.

Since playing in the dirt/mud/off road was my goal all my mods are geared to that end.

The list.

Engine / Drivetrain

* DIY grounding kit
* DIY 4EAT lock switch
* 2004 EJ25 (New to me engine)
* DIY CAI/Half snorkel (Clean cool air from windshield void)
* DIY TBS (Handmade throttle body spacer)

Handling

* Yokohama 225/70 R15 A/T-S (All terrain tires)
* DIY Lift kit (Handmade 2 inch strut blocks)
* DIY Trailing arm blocks 2" (Fixes geometry with the 2" strut lift.)
* Subaru OEM 2008 xt struts and springs
* Ebay strut braces front and rear

Exterior

* Valley Roof basket (Carries stuff)
* Hella 500 driving lamps (Bright)
* DIY Skidplate
* DIY Diff protector
Interior

* Fire extinguisher

Audio / Video

* VR3 Stereo (Play MP3's on SD card)
* XM Radio XM add on unit (Use in car and at work)
* Garmin Nuvi 1300 GPS

As it sits now.

My next two big mods are..........
Handmade bumpers front and rear,need better approach and departure angles.
2 more inches of lift (on drivetrain and bottom of struts) so I can run 31" tires.

 

[frogstar7055]

Mod pics in no particular order.

TBS

Lift

Skidplate/diff protector

CAI/Half snorkel

 

[frogstar7055]

Repair pics (I'm kinda hard on the old Fozz)............


First mis-adventure.
Engine,hydrolocked and blew up. (All my fault).
Fans came on in water and destroyed radiator. (again all my fault)

Was filming when the hydro-lock occurred.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdYjK9X8bio

Still ran after it grenaded two weeks later,drove it up on the tow truck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKvOx8_y75s

The damage............

Picked up a low mileage 04 for $1500 and proceeded to put it in.

Dead engine on the floor.......

Work progressed..............

Finally done..............

My revenge on the pit that got me............
(with re-routed intake and fan fuses pulled)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOvDLUmvWqA

 

[frogstar7055]

Mis-adventure #2.

Got bogged and stuck in a different pit,ended up with about 8" of water in the cab.


Gutted the interior to clean and dry...........

Got it dried out but wouldn't start,checked ECU.............
Fried.

Picked one up off Ebay for $35 and got it started to pull it to back of drive way and change out all the fluids.
First time I drove it on the road rear wheel bearing that was humming before the "INCIDENT" was now growling like it was gonna blow apart.
Changed rear wheel bearings and seals.
Drove it again and front passenger was humming so changed fronts as well.

Took apart all the CV's,cleaned and re-packed with grease and once again all was right with the world.

 

[frogstar7055]

Want to thank all (especially flstffxe) who have helped me recover from
these incidents with their vast wealth of knowledge.

Without all your help I could have done it,but it would have been MUCH harder to do.


Don't ya just LOVE this forum.:woohoo:

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

Very nice, love the earlier styling! Blue has been my vehicle color choice for years!

Great start to your Member Journal, looking forward to your future updates. :wink:

Bobby...

My MODding Journal

 

[MudRunner]

Looks great! How are you liking the Yoko's? I'm on the fence between them and the AT2's as my next tire choice. :N_poke:

 

[Animal_gso]

Nice job, you do good work. keep us posted how it does.

how big a job was it to do the lift?

 

[frogstar7055]

The Yoko's are a great all-terrain for a vehicle that spends most of it's time on the road.
Less road noise than the AT2's but still very respectable off road. (just be careful in the real thick gooey mud,will load up)

The lift is actually easier than you think but you gotta have access to the machinery to do it.

 

[Straycatkid]

I'm surprised with the size of your tires. I have 205 75 15 Grabber AT'2s and I didn't think there was all that much more space for a larger tire. Suppose that means I'll be going larger next time around, huh?

 

[frogstar7055]

I put them on and ran them before I did the lift.
Slight rub at full lock but no big deal.
Biggest size you can get under the struts.

 

[MudRunner]

Have you noticed any gains in power or economy with the TB spacer?

Never realized you had one.

 

[frogstar7055]

Not sure about mileage,maybe a little increase but not that I noticed,(don't really pay attention that close to mileage unless it goes to sh*t).
Not more power but I believe it reaches peak torque at a lower RPM,comes on a little quicker.

Old hot rodder trick,wanted to try it so I made one.

 

[Real Lyte]

Good compilation! Let the modding continue :biggrin:

 

[funkymonkey1002]

Any plans to put on some extended/adjustable lateral links?

You're never going to be able to really fit a 31" without modifying the front of the rear wheelwell, which will mean hacking up the unibody.

However, you could probably fit the smallest size TSL superswampers, they're 27x9.5x15. IE:

(sti on stock forester suspension with super swampers)

 

[steve_green_forester]

May be a stupid question but what difference does a "DIY TBS (Handmade throttle body spacer)" make?

(BTW - I love the lifted look on the Forester.)

Cheers - Steve

 

[dgsblb2]

Just curious, how were you planning on running 31's? Unless you space out your wheels about 3 inches they wouldn't clear the spring perch.

 

[Elmy]

He's going for a bottom strut lift :biggrin:

 

[cosmiccharlie]

That STi is awesome! I can't wait to lift my foz.