Glad I found this site!

[Superu]

I've been working on kitting out my 05 Outback for the past 6 months as time permits. Fortunately, my wife is very tolerant of my indulgences as the UPS truck shows up at least once or twice a week.

My goal is to be able to use the OBW to take the family camping, hiking and for weekend runs on primitive roads.

http://lh3.google.com/wbanas/Rou8F-SwjII/AAAAAAAAAR0/ChABBeoezfc/s800/%3Cuntitled%3E%2012.jpg

http://lh6.google.com/wbanas/Rou6tuSwi_I/AAAAAAAAAQs/9tNTuhf_Un4/s800/%3Cuntitled%3E%203.jpg

So far, I've added

215/65/16 Yokohama Geolandar A/Ts
1" lift springs from King Springs in AU
3/16" aluminum front skidplate from Primitive Racing
Surco Safari Rack with spare tire and axe & shovel carriers.
Hannibal dual NATO jerry can holder
Scepter NATO fuel and potable water jerry cans
2 Lightforce Stryker 170's and a single Lightforce 240 XGT
Hella FF300 fogs
120 psi on-board air compressor with 1/2 gal tank and 18" / 15.5" air horns
Black rat hand winch
Hi-Lift jack with weatherproof locking case, sand base and tire hooks
Spare shackles, gloves and misc. recovery related items.
Samson 30'x1" poly dipped snatch rope
Cobra 40 channel WX 25 ST with weather alert
Nicro Solar powered deck vent
Engel MT-45 Fridge/Freezer
Hidden hitch
Go-Light 55W H3 rear spot 370 deg swivel / 135 deg tilt w/wireless remote


http://lh5.google.com/wbanas/Rm1WeA9Hv_I/AAAAAAAAAIA/f98eArpegGQ/s800/P6102780.JPG

http://lh3.google.com/wbanas/RncbkA9HwII/AAAAAAAAAKk/9m2Em2Gbv4s/s800/IMG00120.jpg

http://lh6.google.com/wbanas/RnxDpg9HwPI/AAAAAAAAAL8/aFY9BGdx9fU/s800/IMG00126.jpg

http://lh3.google.com/wbanas/RobNfOSwizI/AAAAAAAAAPA/SgPcwwL4SgM/s800/IMG00155.jpg

There's more camping and hiking related but that's the core for the car. I have a 2" aluminum lift kit being made as I type by Dave Blandford at hirisesubaru in AU and a Safari Snorkel for a Toyota Prado 120 series on the way to the 4X4 center in VT for fitment.

Am interested in the center diff switch mod that someone had mentioned in another post. Also planning to add a toggle switch to shut off the fans for water crossing.

Any suggestions are welcome.

[Scott Brady]

Great looking Subaru and a fun project. On the 2" springs, how much down travel does that leave you? On a short travel AWD, I would try to keep extension travel around 50mm.

I like the Guinness in the fridge. :)

[stevenmd]

Where did you pick up the HiLift case?

Also diggin' the Guinness!

[Superu]

The King Springs are actually just 1" lift so down travel isn't impacted too much. The 2" lift will be a full body lift kit with strut top spacers. We'll also have to do a bit of exhaust work to snug it up close once the lift kit is in.

[Superu]

Jackguard (http://www.jackguard.com/)

This was my solace after a last chucka defeat of Team USA by Scotland at last week's polo match. I was only spectating, but it was still tough to see the team lose such a close one.

http://lh3.google.com/wbanas/Rn7U7Q9HwVI/AAAAAAAAAM8/mtv2cSQeU-M/s800/IMG00135.jpg

[TeleScooby]

Your OBW is evoking some serious envy out of my Forester!

That's one great looking wagon!!

Here's mine for reference:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j230/jessekelber/Forester/Tint6.jpg

My ultimate goals are similar to yours, though I started with more ground clearance then you, so I'm not adding a lift just yet. next steps are to paint the wheels black and add a slightly taller, knobbier tire...if I can find a cheap basket I'll mount the spare up top, if not, supposedly a full size will fit under the cargo area, just without the cargo divider...

Keep us updated on the progress!

[Superu]

That Forester looks sweet. A lot of guys on subaruoutback.org have been going with the Rola cargo basket. The price seems pretty good though I believe it's steel rather than aluminum like the Surco. I have the spare on the roof instead of cramming it in the well so I have space free to relocate the battery and add a second with an isolator for the fridge/freezer and other accessories.

The scoop on the front is covering a vent louver from West Marine that I put in to help draft hot air out of the engine compartment since the lights up front block off a bit of airflow. It works better than I expected!

http://lh6.google.com/wbanas/Rou68uSwjBI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/Q3ncZxDvzjI/s800/%3Cuntitled%3E%205.jpg

What does the Forester have for clearance out of the box? My OBW started out with 8.4" factory which was a step up from the previous model. The closer I get to 12" of clearance the happier I get! Really need a winch bumper for the front and a nice custom piece for the back to better my approach and departure angles. :wings:

Is that your Impreza behind the Forester?

[TeleScooby]

Turns out it's about the same stock height...I was thinking the number for my '98 OB, which was more like 6.X"...nice...

[Ursidae69]

Cool Subaru. :jumping: What is the silver round thing in the center-front of the roof? Also, what is a deck vent?

[Superu]

It's a solar powered fan with a Nimh battery backup that is primarily used to circulate cabin air on a boat.

It works very well at keeping the interior temps down in the summer by actively venting hot air from the car with no power drain.

[Dave]

It's a solar powered fan with a Nimh battery backup that is primarily used to circulate cabin air on a boat.

Very nice! Got any up close pictures of the fan? I've been looking into something like this for my camper shell. How does it keep water from coming in when it rains?

[Rhode Trip]

Nice rig, Superu!

[mountainpete]

Very cool Subie! :wings:

[Superu]

Vent on top
http://www.banas.org/images/600_SolarVent6.JPG

Hole in roof
http://www.banas.org/images/600_SolarVent3.JPG

More of hole in roof
http://www.banas.org/images/600_SolarVent2.JPG

Fan installed with green water guard closed
http://www.banas.org/images/600_SolarVent.JPG

Fan installed with guard open
http://www.banas.org/images/600_SolarVent8.JPG

There's an on/off switch above the blade. Two sets of blades with opposite pitch included to draw in or vent out and a clear plastic grill comes with it as well although the grill will restrict airflow by 15-20%.

It's completely watertight when installed properly with marine grade silicone and the vent closed. Even with the vent open you'd be unlikely to get water in because of the way it's designed. I've had it in torrential rainstorms and even took it through a car wash twice to verify water-tightness! :)

[flyingwil]

Great looking Subaru!!! How did you mount the LightForce's? With a unibar?

[Superu]

The twin Lightforce 170's are mounted on a Carr's Lightwing that is secured by a 6 inch lag screw into the bumper and two smaller screws into the bumper cover and insulation underneath.

The 240 XGT is bolted straight into the bumper.

As you can see from other pics, I have no problem with cutting or drilling holes into my car. Resale value is not a consideration as I'll keep this one for quite a while and if I sell it it'll go to someone who appreciates it.:)

[flyingwil]

Sweet, do you have any vibration issues witht the lights mounted that way?

[BajaTaco]

That is a very cool Subaru! Nice job!



As you can see from other pics, I have no problem with cutting or drilling holes into my car. Resale value is not a consideration as I'll keep this one for quite a while and if I sell it it'll go to someone who appreciates it.:)

My kind of guy :) Welcome to ExPo!

The rear light sounds pretty nice. It looks like it may be a marine unit?

[overlander]

Stop the conversation right now!:gunt:

I need immediate details on the solar powered fan before we can continue. Brand, Product number, retailer, price. That is what the h*LL I'm talking about! I'm ready to drill 2 holes in my roof right this minute!:Mechanic:

[Incusus]

Stop the conversation right now!:gunt:

I need immediate details on the solar powered fan before we can continue. Brand, Product number, retailer, price. That is what the h*LL I'm talking about! I'm ready to drill 2 holes in my roof right this minute!:Mechanic:

Google for the win!

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|6880|45749|320600&id=49433

[overlander]

Holy Schnikees! That puppy is expensive!

[Superu]

No cheap, but better than most other prices out there!:)

[Incusus]

about your Lightwing... I'm looking att those now as an option for mounting lights. a few questions, if you could....

-do your lights vibrate/jiggle?
-is the wing straight, or does it have any curve to match the car? I'm trying to keep lights from sticking out past the bumper to minimize damage.

-do you like it? recomend it?

thanks in advance, I've always loved your subie :victory:

[Superu]

The lightwing has since been replaced as it broke after being dropped while removing it a while back. It was pretty stable on most road surfaces, but there was some vibration on really rough roads. The wing is straight across.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1GA8Cs8PtGg/Rn7U7w9HwWI/AAAAAAAAANE/MH3KyaaYfa8/s400/IMG00136.jpg

It's made of white metal and is pretty strong but not made for being dropped at a bad angle onto asphalt! :(

The attached pic should give you an idea of how far out the lights are from the bumper. Depending on what type of lights you use and the shape of your bumper, you may be able to get them back a bit but they'll still be in front of your bumper.

My Lightforce Striker 170's are mounted to the lower part of the grill with Surco light tabs that I had on my rack.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1GA8Cs8PtGg/SHokQp-T_MI/AAAAAAAACkQ/h6oi4Uqx5yw/s400/P7134271.JPG