Keeping things trashy

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THEpoorguy

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Sweetser, IN, USA
First Name
Matthew
Last Name
Poor
Member #

6440

now that I've had time to work some of the kinks out of my rig, I figure it's time to make a build thread. This isn't my first subaru build, but decided to go auto with this one. Having the auto tranny has helped considerably allow my small, under torque engine get me over hills and obstacles I couldn't in my previous manual rig. I started off with a 99 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport with 100k miles for $650. View attachment 40607
My previous rig (the Warback) is in the background.View attachment 40608
Car ran very rough and hadn't been driven in a few years. There was considerable amounts of rust on the undercarriage, but the unibody was solid. So then I got to work tearing everything apart to see what was needed. Note that there was no front steel bumper underneath the cover when I removed it.View attachment 40609 View attachment 40610
View attachment 40611
Rear subframe was rotted much more than I originally thought. Everything else was workable. Decided to see just how cheap I could keep this build to help encourage others interested in building a Subaru. Off to the salvage yard I ran and picked up these parts: 99 Forester rear subframe $75, 98-02 Forester front struts $60, 98-02 Forester rear trailing arm bracket $10, 03-08 Forester Rear struts $60, 98-02 Forester front lower control arm bushings $25.
Front struts installed for 2" liftView attachment 40612
Cutting away arches to fit tiresView attachment 40614
rear struts for 2.5" lift along with new rear brake lines that I broke. not pictured is the forester trailing arm brackets which help recenter the wheels after a lift.View attachment 40616
Rear subframe took the longest. here's tear down, comparison, and installed with a coating of bedliner. Gas mask was the only way to keep all the rust out of my eyes and mouth View attachment 40619 View attachment 40620 View attachment 40621 View attachment 40622
Then all that was left was to put everything else back on
View attachment 40623
This was all just to prepare to get it roadworthy. I knew I'd still need a front bumper to even be legal, so on to another buddy's shop.
 
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THEpoorguy

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Sweetser, IN, USA
First Name
Matthew
Last Name
Poor
Member #

6440

Seeing how everything was being peacemealed together from trashed subarus, I began calling her trasharoo. Now I know that's a company name, but her name stuck.

Next up was the bumper. Using scrap metal and a hand me down bull bar from an H3 we started to mock it up, then weld


She was finally road legal and ready for her first time off road

Sent from my SM-G950U using OB Talk mobile app
 
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THEpoorguy

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Sweetser, IN, USA
First Name
Matthew
Last Name
Poor
Member #

6440

Took her for her first run at Grandpa's Pit. She did well but figired out there were a couple mods needed
Removing the sway bars made me the only subaru at this event to not free hang a tire at the entrance to this trail

I made it up the side of this sand hill

At the expense of it knocking my fog lights back

Then I slid into a tree root at the crest of a soft trail

Our group photo there


Sent from my SM-G950U using OB Talk mobile app
 
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THEpoorguy

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Sweetser, IN, USA
First Name
Matthew
Last Name
Poor
Member #

6440

Apparently I can't upload video. They had a good mud hole there but she stammered like hell because I got water in the intake. She rocked every trail though.

Sent from my SM-G950U using OB Talk mobile app
 

THEpoorguy

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Sweetser, IN, USA
First Name
Matthew
Last Name
Poor
Member #

6440

Next event was Badlands Offroad Park's Customer appreciation day. Installed forester front LCA bushings to give me a little more caster.
View attachment 74240
Got an old cobra CB and fit it in the dash pocket like it was made for it.View attachment 74241
Threw on wheels and tires from my previous rig. Basset Racing 15x8 3" backspacing wrapped in 225/70R15 Grabber AT2s
View attachment 74242
Made it to campsite
View attachment 74246
Mandatory flex photo
View attachment 74247
Testing out my new tracking app
View attachment 74248
Group photo while the storm rolled in
View attachment 74250
Explored an abandoned hotel the following morning
View attachment 74249
 
Last edited:

Logan Hall

Rank II

Enthusiast III

I love the build. There's something special about bringing a car back to life like that. I have a 2010 outback, but older gens have a special place in my heart. i want to lift mine, but I refuse to do just a spacer lift. If I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it right. How did you know forester struts and springs would be compatible? I want to do a suspension lift- I assume that was implied- and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much help in offroad parts for the gen 4 outback.

PS what cargo rack did you use?
 
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THEpoorguy

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Sweetser, IN, USA
First Name
Matthew
Last Name
Poor
Member #

6440

First gen forester struts are a direct fit, but the 2nd gen forester struts have spring perches further away from the knuckle, allowing larger tires. As far as true suspension there really isn't anything available for any of them. I really need to update this, since I've lifted it more, and rolled the car haha. The roof basket was a cheap curt basket.
 
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THEpoorguy

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Sweetser, IN, USA
First Name
Matthew
Last Name
Poor
Member #

6440

Rolled it? You really did a lot of work on this rig since the last time I stumble across this thread. Nice to see you got it out to run some trails. Hope to see more up-dates soon!
It's obviously been a few since I hopped on the forums. I have a lot of updates, just drove her 2 hrs to Badlands Offroad Park and back for a fun trip last weekend. She just won't give up lol