[SYFXT]

Based on searches on Japanese website
this is my understanding

****************
SF = 1st gen Forester
SG = 2nd gen Forester
SH = 3rd gen Forester
SJ = 4th gen Forester
***********************************
SG5 = 03-05 body style
SG9 = 06-08 body style

Has nothing to do with the VIN nor the decoding of the vin numbers

***********************************

SJ5 14-16 N/A Forester body style
SJJG 14-16 Turbo Forester Body style

 

[XT-sub]

Interesting thread. For the record: Australian MY03 Forester XS 2.5 N/A Auto (build date Dec-02). VIN: JF2SG9KR53Gnnnnnn

 

[MaverickXT]

Hi!

New here, and is about (maybe) to buy an facelift GS 2.5XT 230hp.
I'm looking at two MY06 AT, and both have GS9 in the VIN.

 

[k3nj11]

It would seem to me then (thus far anyway) that the main difference between SG5 and SG9 would be the use of the 2.0L versus the 2.5L engines and that the SG6 is basically an SG9 but with different emissions equipment and regulations while still using the 2.5L engine.

 

[hyogong57]

Clearing the air on Chassis codes for 03-08 Foresters.

There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding on the terms SG5 or SG9 for the 03-08 model year foresters. I wanted to shed some light for a proper technical understanding that comes from Subaru of Japan since they are the ones producing the cars and designing them.

For this discussion we are talking only about the SG chassis code - model years 03-08 for the USA. However the engine size code does apply to all Chassis that use the SOJ (Subaru of Japan) engine designation when the cars are produced.

So here it goes:

SG5 - SG (chassis) code, 5 (engine code)

5=all 2.0L engines

SG9 - SG (chassis) code, 9 (engine code)

9=all 2.5L engines

So if you have a 2.5L forester then your vehicle code is SG9, NOT SG5
no matter what year your car is between 03-08.

The same for SH models. In Japan there is a SH5 because the Japanese model is a 2.0L engine. There is a 2.5L SH9

The same on Legacy models. BL5 (sedan) or BP5 (wagon)
2.0L engines.

There was a BP9 and BL9 for the 2.5L models.

Just my two cents.

 

[acag_fxt]

While on the same topic would I be able to put on the SG5 JDM front on onto my 2006 SG6? I had a traffic incident and looks like I will be needing these parts.

 

[Gancherov]

I found the correct manual.
Here is the USDM 2007 Forester VIN decoder, which shows that this car will have a SG6 VIN rather than the SG9 VIN.
There is no such thing as a USDM SG9.

 

[Tuned200]

I have vin numbers listed below from a MY 2008 XT sports and 2007 XT sports.

2008.

JF1SG66658Gxxxxxx

2007

JF1SG696X7Hxxxxxx

and our other 2007 XT sports

JF1SG6968Hxxxxxx

Granted, everything minus the last 6 digits are there but the 08 is 666, where as the 07's are 696.

 

[k3nj11]

Yeah, that's what I'm coming to the conclusion of here.

In the USDM market, there is no such thing as an SG9.......we only ever saw the SG6 from 03-08 for the SG chassis.

In the JDM market though, it seems as though the SG5 versus SG9 was a dileniation(sp?) between the 2.0L and the 2.5L chassis.

 

[RE3Rotor]

Everyone wants to be JDM so they refer to then using the Japanese chassis code.

 

[RE3Rotor]

While on the same topic would I be able to put on the SG5 JDM front on onto my 2006 SG6? I had a traffic incident and looks like I will be needing these parts.

Yes, but you will need more than just the lights, bumper and fender. You will need proper rad support and more. Someone has the parts list here somewhere.

 

[k3nj11]

Everyone wants to be JDM so they refer to then using the Japanese chassis code.

Yeah, it does seem like they all want to be JDM.....but I think that's just because the JDM models had better options and styling than the USDM models.

Yes, but you will need more than just the lights, bumper and fender. You will need proper rad support and more. Someone has the parts list here somewhere.

This is correct. You'll basically need to do a front clip swap in order to convert to the older 03-05 body style.

 

[Grandpa_Chris]

Just to add to the discussion I have a late 2002 Forester that is an early build of the SG series that was released here in Oz in 2003. My vin code starts with JF2SG9 and has an EJ25.

 

[RabbitXT]

Yeah, it does seem like they all want to be JDM.....but I think that's just because the JDM models had better options and styling than the USDM models.



This is correct. You'll basically need to do a front clip swap in order to convert to the older 03-05 body style.

Better options? As in? Styling perhaps, because the earlier STI's and even the cross sports I think look a lot better. As far as options go no cruise control, no moon roof, and cloth interior to start definitely aren't better options.

In Europe, did they switch over from a 2.0L to a 2.5L or did it just become an additional option? I was fairly certain the European market (EDM) mirror'd the Japanese Market (JDM) and that in the Japanese market (JDM) the only Forester to have a 2.5L motor was the Forester STi which left all other trim models to have the 2.0L motor, N/A or Turbocharged.

This is correct on the 2.0 in all forester in Japan except the STI. Reason is anything over a 2.0 goes up in class. Road tax gets more expensive and so does JCI tax along with insurance. These things combined literally cost thousands more a year to own. Having a 2.0 turbo that puts out good power sells better.

 

[k3nj11]

Better options? As in? Styling perhaps, because the earlier STI's and even the cross sports I think look a lot better. As far as options go no cruise control, no moon roof, and cloth interior to start definitely aren't better options.

Sure, I think it just depends on personal preference.

I agree that the previous years have a certain, more aggressive appearance and far more options available to them body styling wise but as for the other items, again, depends on what you want out of it.

No Cruise? Not really a big deal unless you're using the vehicle as a long hauler/weekend getaway vehicle. The only time CC is really useful I've found is if you're traveling greater than 20 miles and can maintain the same speeds consistently. Other than that, not used. Again, that's just me.

No Moon Roof? Excellent, it keeps the vehicles' center of gravity lower as opposed to having a giant sheet of glass at the very top. Again, just personal preference.

Cloth Seats? Very nice. The OEM Forester seats feel and sit like crap anyway (feels like I sit on top of the seat rather than on/in the seat) and adding leather to that makes for a seat that already doesn't hold you down very well even worse. At least the cloth will attempt to grip your clothes to keep you where you are in a turn. Last time, just personal preference.

 

[RabbitXT]

You're right it is personal preference, but to say they have better options wouldn't be true then. If a lack of options is a preference then it's just that.

When I have cruise control I use it all the time. Not just on long hauls. It's good for gas mileage and for keeping my foot out of it so I don't get speeding tickets.

 

[purcellj1]

More Perspective... What Does your VIN Plate Say?

I know that this thread hasn't been touched for a while, but I figured I would chime in with some additional info from my perspective... icon_confused:

My Car: 2004 Forester 2.5X
Designation Per Reading Here: SG5
Designation Per VIN: JF1SG63654XXXXXXX
Designation per VIN Plate: SG9 (See Photo Attached) with an EJ251

 

[nidgep]

Bit more info - my car details - 2004 (54) plate UK car.
VIN states SG9, and although registered in March 2004 is MY2005

Please see attached.

 

[Andrei80]

I live in Romania.
My NA 2.0 AVCS(EJ204) 2006 Forester is SG5. My "new" 2.5 XT(EJ25) 2007 Forester is SG9.
2.5 NA is VERY rare around here(I think they are imported from US/Arabia) and 2.5 XT pre-facelift was only sold in 2005 and I only saw one. Don't know if it has the short gearing like USDM pre-2006 XT has.

 

[07nasohcfoz666]

I'm also curious about the chassis differences. Sg5/6 pending years. Are they just the motor differences? 2.0t/na being sg5, and 2.5na being 2g6, 2.5t being sg9?