[synergy10]

Going to keep this clean and simple. I've modified cars and trucks in the past but this will be my first Subaru.

11/24/17 - Purchased on Black Friday with 6 miles on the odo

12/09/18 - Installed Findway floor liners/mats

12/13/17 - Installed STI/tS front under spoiler

12/24/17 - STI/tS rear under spoiler and OEM splash guards installed

12/25/17 - 20mm rsb upgrade completed

03/18/18 - Perrin steering dampener lockdown and master cylinder brace installed

05/29/18 - JDM gauge hood (black leather with silver stitching) installed

07/21/18 - Removed STI/tS under spoiler (might look into custom brackets to run with the hitch) and installed Drawtite Max Frame Hitch Receiver as well as Hopkins plug-in trailer connecter (comes with harness and grommet and installs just like OEM)

07/29/18 - Installed Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE2 hitch mounted bike rack

11/25/18 - OEM Door Visors and Baja Designs Squadron Sport fog lights installed

12/24/18 - SPT cat back exhaust meant for an 08-10 WRX installed

04/20/19 - Matte Gunmetal Blue Volk ZE40, 17x7.5 +44 offset with Cooper Discoverer AT3 4s 235/65-17

I plan to add OEM door visors, OEM splash guards, 20mm rear sway bar and Perrin dampener lockdown soon. I'll also go with either the Baja Design/Rally Innovations fog light upgrade or with the JDM yellow/multi-color fog lights.

Wheel/tire upgrade and possibly suspension work down the road (leaning towards keeping it at stock height since we currently have a lowered Accord and a lifted Tacoma as well). Just need to figure out the best wheel and tire combo for a stock height Forester.

Pics of when we bought the car and some of the lip installed:

 

[Lagger1]

You have pics of the floorliners? The all-weather stockers seem to shift everywhere....frustrating.

 

[synergy10]

You have pics of the floorliners? The all-weather stockers seem to shift everywhere....frustrating.

I don't have pics but can take some this weekend. They fit pretty well, the front fit better than the rear and they don't shift around. In fact, they stay put from what I've observed so far.

The fit isn't really that bad but if I were to give my Weathertechs in my Tacoma a 10/10, these would get about an 8/10 (the rear not staying flat bugs me a lot). Another thing I really like is how they look just like the stock black carpet.

 

[pt37]

the JDM yellow/multi-color fog lights.

Looks great so far. Love that front lip! Check out the classifieds

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f65/parting-out-my-2015-xt-touring-740585/

 

[synergy10]

Looks great so far. Love that front lip! Check out the classifieds

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f65/parting-out-my-2015-xt-touring-740585/

Thank you and thanks for the link. I saw that and he's in SoCal too but I'm really undecided at this point. I don't think I've seen a pic of the JDM fog lights output. I have Baja Designs Squadron Sports on my Tacoma now and they're bright. About the same price too. I'll have to think about it some more since it's not really a priority at this time.

**EDIT** - I just checked the thread again and it looks like there's an attached file showing the jdm fog lights output. Not bad at all.

 

[synergy10]

JDM compared to Baja Designs (owners of the photos or cars, just let me know if you want these images taken down):

 

[synergy10]

12/24/17 - STI/tS rear under spoiler and OEM splash guards installed

12/25/17 - 20mm rsb upgrade completed

@Lagger1 - I forgot to take pics of the floor liners since I didn't clean the interior and was in a time crunch. Will get some pics this coming weekend.

Also, fog light options are now down to either Baja Designs or JW Optical.

 

[waldo98]

Was it necessary to remove the tail lights to install the STi rear under spoiler? Your SBM looks good with the front/rear STi lips.

 

[synergy10]

Was it necessary to remove the tail lights to install the STi rear under spoiler? Your SBM looks good with the front/rear STi lips.

It was necessary to remove the rear bumper in order to bolt the brackets on for the spoiler. As for the tail light removal, the attached pdf's show that the first step to removing the bumper is to disconnect the ground cable to the battery (didn't do this), then to remove the tail lights.

So, I'm not sure if the rear bumper can be removed if the tail lights are still on...didn't think to look into it since the tail lights are really easy to remove (as is the bumper).

Thanks for the compliment. I don't see too many modified SBM's around here but I'm liking the outcome so far.

 

[waldo98]

Yeah, I removed the rear bumper when installing the Torklift Ecohitch but it didn't require the removal of the tail lights, which is why I asked the question. I don't see many SBM Foresters around the IE either, which is a good thing IMO.

 

[synergy10]

Good to know man. I'll keep that in mind the next time I have to pull the rear bumper off.

I agree about the SBM not being so common. I love how the Saddle Brown interior looks too.

 

[Nasarog]

How is the ride with the 20mm RSB?

 

[synergy10]

How is the ride with the 20mm RSB?

Just a tad bit stiffer going over potholes and bumps in the road but handles way better on the curves. I've read that STI pink springs ride better than the stock springs and give just a slight drop...so I may go that route later down the road. Going to work on a wheel/tire setup first.

 

[AdamWest]

Nice ride, love what you're doing to it, tasteful JDM mods

Where did you end up getting the front STI/tS spoiler and how was the install?

 

[Nasarog]

Just a tad bit stiffer going over potholes and bumps in the road but handles way better on the curves. I've read that STI pink springs ride better than the stock springs and give just a slight drop...so I may go that route later down the road. Going to work on a wheel/tire setup first.

Very interested in how the ride profile changes with these changes.

 

[synergy10]

Nice ride, love what you're doing to it, tasteful JDM mods

Where did you end up getting the front STI/tS spoiler and how was the install?

Thank you. Growing up around fixed up older trucks (Chevy C10's thanks to my dad), then fixing up lowered Hondas (CRX, S2000 and Accord), to lifted Tacomas and now a Subaru, I'm just picking parts out from previous experience. Glad it's coming together so far.

I purchased both from https://www.japanparts.com/

I hate to break it to you but installation was a breeze for both the front and rear. I think the toughest part was finding the time to do it.

Very interested in how the ride profile changes with these changes.

Same here. I'm trying to avoid messing with the height of the vehicle too much since this is our "in between" car (we have a lifted Tacoma and a lowered Accord as well).

If the STI springs help with the ride comfort I'm all for it even with the slightly lower ride height. I also plan to keep the same sized tires or even go up a size when I do upgrade.

 

[ninjazx]

Thank you and thanks for the link. I saw that and he's in SoCal too but I'm really undecided at this point. I don't think I've seen a pic of the JDM fog lights output. I have Baja Designs Squadron Sports on my Tacoma now and they're bright. About the same price too. I'll have to think about it some more since it's not really a priority at this time.

**EDIT** - I just checked the thread again and it looks like there's an attached file showing the jdm fog lights output. Not bad at all.

No regrets and VERY happy with my choice with JW Optical:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f85/jw-optical-chameleon-fog-lamps-led-version-671234/

 

[Sideways the Seven]

Nice mods! Love the color

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

 

[ak1nza]

I have the JW LED fogs as well. It’s pricey but its a quality kit. Here’s a side by side for the HID VS the LED. HIDs have more output and throw but where it matters (10-15 feet in front of the car) it’s not too easy to tell the difference. I got the LED cos the headlight is LED and its a simpler install with no ballast. Another XT here has the HID kit so managed to get these shots.

I can’t speak for the other kits out there. But being able to switch white to yellow on the fly is pretty sweet too.

HID on top. LED on bottom.

HID on left. LED on right.

Whatever your choice, don’t think you go wrong upgrading from stock.

Oh and I’m on the STI pink springs with stock dampers and would recommend this upgrade to anyone looking for a slight drop, slightly firmer ride and much reduced body roll. Added to any sway bar upgrade and its a real good street set up.

🤟


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[synergy10]

@ak1nza nice and detailed post! I appreciate the extra info. It's definitely going to be a tough choice between these and the baja design fog lights. I'll do more research once I'm closer to making a decision.

I really don't see when I'll need to use the JW set as a driving light in white since the LED headlights are enough for where I drive. As it is now, I hardly use my fog lights (both on the Forester and on my Tacoma) so I'll really have to think about what fits my use best.

The sway bar upgrade made a pretty big difference already. If I find myself wanting more of a tighter handling ride after upgrading wheels/tires, I'll definitely look into the STI pink springs.