Subaru Forester Owners Forum banner

GeoJosh's Lifted '14 XT Journal

('14-'18) 
142K views 295 replies 88 participants last post by  cosmokenney 
#1 · (Edited)
Well, I have finally started doing some modifications, which means I get to start a journal!

Thank you for looking and following along. Feel free to ask any questions!

First things done when I purchased were:

Iowa State front license plate


Tinted front windows and moonroof


Took a couple months, but now I have started making some light off-roading mods:

Smittybilt D-ring recovery point, only in place when needed.


Daystar rubber D-ring isolator, to prevent damage to paint.


Rokblokz mudflaps with grey stickers



I also have some 225/55R18 Yokohoma Geolandar A-T/S tires on the way, along with a full-size spare tire. I will post pictures once they are mounted, hopefully in a few days.

Edit: New tires installed and full size-spare added to replace the donut. Update here!





Edit: Offroading update added here.



Edit: Hail damage on hood and roof. Update found here.



Edit: Primitive Racing triple armor kit installed here!



Edit: Offroading - Round 2: Here!



Edit: OKSubies Talimena Cruise: Here!


Edit: Offroading - round 3: Here!


Edit: Hail damage, again: Here!


Rally Innovations bar and RamboWill LED bar installed Here!


Edit: Offroading - round 4: Here!


Edit: Offroading - round 5: Here!


Edit: Lift kit and new wheels and tires installed Here!



Edit: Sundog Trails Offroading - June 2016 Here!


Edit: Sundog Trails Offroading - March 2017 Here!
 
See less See more
20
#6 ·
Thanks! Sadly I couldn't watch the game last night as I don't have ESPN U, but it sounded fairly competitive. We have been struggling lately after our 14-0 start. Hopefully we get to have a rematch in primetime during march madness!

Nice tints. What percent tints did you go with? They look like they match the factory tints on the rear.
I am not exactly sure what the tint % is. I just went to a local shop (Alta Mere in OKC) and asked them to match the factory tint. I believe it might be as low as 17%, but some others have said 30% is a good match, so I don't know exactly.
 
#7 ·
I am not exactly sure what the tint % is. I just went to a local shop (Alta Mere in OKC) and asked them to match the factory tint. I believe it might be as low as 17%, but some others have said 30% is a good match, so I don't know exactly.
Thanks for the info. Guess I'll have to skip this mod :icon_frown: Tints on front windows are illegal in NJ. I've gotten away with 50% tints but did that on my cars that didn't come with factory tints.

Anyway, they look great and match the tints on the rear.
 
#10 ·
It will fit, use of the storage compartment/tray may be compromised. I do not have the tires yet, but I am hoping that by partially deflating the spare will allow me to still use the tray while keeping the spare under the floor.

I will post updates with details on all that when I get the tires... possibly tomorrow, maybe not until next week.
 
#14 ·
Tires!

Got my new tires installed today.

Geolandar A/T-S in 225/55/R18, which is the stock XT size. I went with the stock size and stayed with the stock rims because I like how they look. Also wanted to save some money where I could.

Also purchased a 225/60/R17 tire and a 17" rim to have a full-size spare.

Wanted an AT tire for my off-road adventures along with my daily commute to the oilfields. When it gets wet and muddy, these tires will fair much better than the highway tires I had stock. The old tires also made me slightly uncomfortable in the rain, even got squirmy braking on the highway because of the lack of grip.

I will update again after I get some more time on the tires and wash it up later this week.


Untitled by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSCN2324-2 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSCN2323-1 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSCN2325-3 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSCN2326-4 by jasplund91, on Flickr

Old vs. New

Untitled by jasplund91, on Flickr

Spare comparison (donut vs full-size)

Untitled by jasplund91, on Flickr


Untitled by jasplund91, on Flickr
 
#15 ·
Partially deflated my spare tire to get it to fit in the rear compartment.

Replaced the donut spare with a 225/60/R17 Yokohoma Geolandar A/T-S.

I used this rim: Wheel Details - Discount Tire

Here is the fitment in the spare tire compartment.

I packed an air compressor, tow strap (3"x30', 30k pound rating), original jack, D-Ring/clevis on the left. There is also a bag with ratchet straps in it (Subaru bag at top)

I had to deflate the spare tire to get the back floor to fit level. This is why I carry the portable air compressor.

Note: The foam tray that was on top of the donut does not fit.


DSCN2339 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSCN2341 by jasplund91, on Flickr

Rear floor fits flat

DSCN2342 by jasplund91, on Flickr

Test fitting the spare tire on the


DSCN2334 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSCN2332 by jasplund91, on Flickr

Stock tire size/rim on left, spare tire installed on car on right. Very close in size, which is perfect!

DSCN2337 by jasplund91, on Flickr
 
#75 ·
Partially deflated my spare tire to get it to fit in the rear compartment.

Replaced the donut spare with a 225/60/R17 Yokohoma Geolandar A/T-S.

I used this rim: Wheel Details - Discount Tire

Here is the fitment in the spare tire compartment.

I packed an air compressor, tow strap (3"x30', 30k pound rating), original jack, D-Ring/clevis on the left. There is also a bag with ratchet straps in it (Subaru bag at top)

I had to deflate the spare tire to get the back floor to fit level. This is why I carry the portable air compressor.

Note: The foam tray that was on top of the donut does not fit.
Hey man, thanks for the write up. I'm looking for a steel wheel for a spare and it looks like this would work perfect. However, have you tested that wheel on the front yet? My concern is making sure that it will clear the brake caliper. I just bought new wheels and tires and went to 17inch wheels for my XT. With the bigger XT caliper, the clearance between Caliper & Wheel Barrel is extremely close.

Thx!
 
#19 ·
Amazon.com: Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor: Automotive

Viair Heavy Duty. I have only tested it out, but it seems to work well. Fairly quiet for its compact size.

Rated up to 100 psi, so it should work well. :icon_biggrin:

Wow, so much better with a full size spare. Thanks for posting the details with pics. I gotta add this to my to-do list.
No problem. I am glad it fit... was starting to worry it would not after sticking it in without deflating.

After deflating the tire quite a bit, it fit perfectly. Even got the screw in to secure it to the floor.
 
#20 ·
#23 ·
do you notice much difference in the new tires on paved roads?
Not a whole lot of driving on the new tires yet... been on 24 hour service at the rig, so I spent a whole week parked there.

The tires have a little more road noise on some road surfaces. Handling is still very good. Ride quality has not changed, for the better or worse... still a stiff ride with minimal body roll. I have not had a chance to try them out on much gravel or on wet roads.

I will be going to a new oil well starting tomorrow, which has a lot of gravel and crappy roads leading to it, so I will report back with an update after more gravel travel.
 
#27 ·
Drive out to the oil rig this morning: 45 MPH winds, sometimes a tailwind and other times a crosswind. The Geolandars seem to be slightly less affected by the crosswinds, but not much.

The 2 mile road heading to the rig is paved, but the pavement is so bad there are many gravel filled sections. Switching from pavement to broken pavement to gravel and back the Geolandars did a great job. I never felt the changes in conditions, even traveling at 45-50 mph.

The bumpiest portion of the freeway was slightly smoother... I think the rubber and sidewall might be a little softer than the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400s (stock 2014 XT tire), which helps suppress some bumps.
 
#29 ·
MPG with geolanders





I'm in the oilfield as well and am thinking of upgrading to the geolanders when the time comes for new tires. I know you have not had the tires on for long but can you post an update when you have an idea on what you mpg is compared to the stocks? I work up in Wyoming and I know I will need something more aggresive when next winter hits. Thanks for all the updates.
 
#28 ·
Just wondering if you tested the steel rim on the front? I know the manual states that a spare should only be put on the rear but I figure the full size one should eliminate this issue... I'm wondering if the bigger front discs would cause an issue with the steely. I have 17" alloys that I'm running for the winter tires and there isn't all that much clearance and I would wonder if the steel rims would have less...
 
#30 ·
I have 17" alloys that I'm running for the winter tires and there isn't all that much clearance and I would wonder if the steel rims would have less...
I did not test it up front, but I would imagine 17 inch rims should all be 17 inches. It should fit, but if for some reason it does not, I will put it on the rear. My main goal in buying a full size is so I can drive at full highway speeds and on all terrain without worry... none of which is allowed using a donut.

I know you have not had the tires on for long but can you post an update when you have an idea on what you mpg is compared to the stocks? I work up in Wyoming and I know I will need something more aggresive when next winter hits. Thanks for all the updates.

I will be tracking the MPGs on Fuelly. I will have a much better idea when the warm weather hits over the spring and summer.
I did drive on quite a bit of ice this morning. The tires never lost grip, even when I get it significant amounts of gas on hills. VDC never activated, nor did ABS. I was pretty impressed.

I went to my geology field camp in the bighorn basin of Wyoming near Greybull. Beautiful country up there!
 
#35 ·
Offroading update!

Went to the offroad meet at Northwest OHV park in Bridgeport, TX. 7 Subarus there in total. Had a great time and was truly impressed with the capability of the Forester and the magical X-Mode button.



DSC_0851 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSC_0855 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSC_0856 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSC_0863 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSC_0888 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSC_0894 by jasplund91, on Flickr


DSC_0901 by jasplund91, on Flickr

Shansen, our unofficial photographer has uploaded these photos. He drives a lowered XT but came along to take photos for us.

If you know anyone needing photography, especially automotive photos, hit him up on Flickr. He is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.


DSC_0022 by Puzzles Photography, on Flickr


DSC_0093 by Puzzles Photography, on Flickr


DSC_0224 by Puzzles Photography, on Flickr


DSC_0256 by Puzzles Photography, on Flickr


DSC_0279 by Puzzles Photography, on Flickr


DSC_0475 by Puzzles Photography, on Flickr


DSC_0476 by Puzzles Photography, on Flickr


DSC_0511 by Puzzles Photography, on Flickr
 
#36 ·
Looks like you all had a great time, some great shots of some Fozzies get down into the stuff they were designed to get into. It looks like your new tires and mud flaps did a good job keeping your rig moving while keeping the mud at bay. :Banane35:
 
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top