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  1. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    so Ive been working on a side project for the forester, or rather a companion project. a 2002 Colman Taos pop up tent to serve as a long distance base camp for longer road trips and reginal exploration. just got the last of the basic systems up and operational. so far ive just had to do small...
  2. loweredexpectations4x4

    The Ballad of Simon The Squeaking Subaru- A 2004 BH Outback Build Thread.

    This is really slick! I’ve been wanting to do something like this for my back door as well but haven’t figured out a clean way to install some power points and swivel lights.
  3. loweredexpectations4x4

    The Ballad of Simon The Squeaking Subaru- A 2004 BH Outback Build Thread.

    this thing is awesome! If I could fit an outback in my itty bitty garage I would be building one of these with the EZ30. Love the switch panel in the center of the dash!
  4. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    I 3d printed the cubby to replace the radio when I installed the factory Japanese navigation trim that replaces the cubby on top of the dash so I can see my car play and maps.
  5. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    during my trip to Death Valley last year i ran into a potentially dangerous problem where a road closure not listed by the NPS caused me to be dangerously low on fuel and having to re-route. the small 15gal fuel tank and being loaded down means that the range was fairly limited. so i needed some...
  6. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    small update on the forester. mostly just gong over some small mods that i might have missed this year. its been a long one. lighting has been added front rear and sides. all amazon LEDs but are more than bright enough to comfortably navigate any dark trail. the hood lights are my favorite, i...
  7. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    So fare I love them! It’s a little looser than it was stock. You can tell it’s got no sway bar. But it’s really manageable. It’s still not as bad as a stock XJ Cherokee. Lol
  8. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    I’ve gotten to take the forester out on some early season shake down runs. A couple easy weekend trips up the north coast and the Sierras. Everything worked really well! The awning works really well and the new suspension solved problems I didn’t even know were bothering me.
  9. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    The forester has always sagged pretty good when fully loaded with gear and this was not fixed by adding more roof storage/weight and the winch bumper. This was further compounded by the 150k miles on the factory struts. So a small suspension refresh and upgrade was needed. I already had a 3”...
  10. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    Next up was a better roof rack system. Last year had a few pieces fall off the roof while strapped to the original roof rails. I wasn’t particularly thrilled at the selection of roof baskets specifically for the SG forester. It seems like all the nicer low profile racks cost about a grand or...
  11. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    So! Finally getting around to this seasons list of upgrades to the forester. Have been accumulating parts and pieces for the forester, and with summer camping season approaching I finally got to work. first thing was adding a winch bumper. Since the forester lacks a proper low range I thought...
  12. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    its got a 3" strut spacer lift on it. most of it is amazon stuff but ive gone through and found the individual spacers for the struts and the rear trailing arms as none of the full kits in my price range seemed heavy duty enough to handle what i want to do with it. ive got some heavy rear...
  13. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    oreillys auto parts. I've got a commercial account with them for my shop so i get a bit of a discount.
  14. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    after a long fall and winter started back on the forester. I picked my parts and upgrades with some specific trails and camping spots in mind. I replaced the old worn CV axels with some high travel ones. I added a front “skid plate” made from some shop scrap. I’ll upgrade this later to one with...
  15. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    Took the forester out on its first off road camping trip! Three days in the sierras! It handled really well a for a first real off road trip! Did wind up breaking the front bumper off but that just means it’s time for some armor.
  16. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    Today took the forester in to the shop to give it an inspection before heading on a three day off road trip over the forth of July. While I was I. The shop I installed a modification I’ve been working. It’s a couple relays and a resistor that take control of the AWD duty solenoid to lock the...
  17. loweredexpectations4x4

    Not your typical Subaru Forester

    Nice rig! I just started building an 04 SG. I’ve been really impressed with the places these go! But I really wanted a first gen forester. But I got mine for free so beggars can’t be choosers.
  18. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    Thanks!!! Even though mine is really high millage the previous owner took really good care of it mechanically. I’ve got the records on it from my shop going back to 2007. It was a well loved and well used vehicle.
  19. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    Then time for it’s first test! Took a day trip out to a water Hole I know close to me. Mostly just fire roads but got to test it on some small hill climbs, rutted out side trails, and more than a few water crossings. Coming from a well built jeep im pretty impressed with how well it handled off...
  20. loweredexpectations4x4

    SG forester budget build

    Set my sights next on gaining some altitude. After a weeks of research and endless arguments and opposing views on the forums on lift and tire size limits I decided to go with 3” lift and 205/85 R16 tires to get maximum ground clearance. I decided to use a 3” strut spacer lift without dropping...