Subaru Impreza "XV" - Building A Crosstrek / Michigan Adventure

Jack Stilts

Subaru Ambassador
Looking forward to your trip reports, warm weather is just around the corner!

Yes it is! Been enjoying this very mild Michigan winter.

I have phase 1 of mission "go outside" complete - my new Thule roof box is in. Replaced my Force L box with a Pulse Alpine in order to house my new Oz tent RV3. Turns out I did my math pretty well, because it fits in there perfectly. I'm very excited to have everything coming together so well! Phase 2 of mission "go outside" is in progress - I have the full 2" lift kit from ADF on order, along with General Grabber ATs in 205/75R15. Also ran into a very familiar face...

IMG_20170302_2050082_zpsilkm5wrp.jpg


IMG_20170304_1007575_zpswcwqaxyl.jpg


IMG_20170223_1701329_zps3yystomu.jpg
 

Jack Stilts

Subaru Ambassador
Loving the simple look you have going. Nice build!

Thanks! I'm really enjoying this car.

I have phase 2 of mission "go outside" in progress - just got in 2 of 5 of the General Grabber AT2s in 205/75R15. Waiting for the 2" lift kit from Anderson Design and I'll be good to go! I also started the revamp for my roof rack system - getting rid of the OEM Euro-style bars in favor of a full roof rack system. Got in roof rails today from a Crosstrek, so that will be completed soon!

IMG_20170308_1240322_zpswfnbbrqc.jpg
 

Jack Stilts

Subaru Ambassador
Had a very productive day with the Impreza! I've had a four-part to-do list for a while now, and I finally did 3 of 4 today:

  • Underbody splash guard - replaced broken / torn plastic.
  • Rear spoiler installation - eBay Wing Tech painted 32J Obsidian Black.
  • Spark plugs replaced - NGK laser iridium SILZKAR7B11 (gapped .39)

The splash guard was ripped off during a fight with a tall parking block, so I found out that it could be replaced for a relatively cheap cost ($40). What I didn't know was that it wasn't just the small triangle of plastic; it was the entire wheel well liner, all connected in one piece! I could not believe the size of the box that showed up on my porch. Anyway, I didn't want to replace the whole liner, so I made the decision to hack it up a bit and bolt / zip-tie it to the remaining liner. It looks like Frankenstein, but it's very functional. Plus, it's not visible unless you're under the car :)

Ah, the rear spoiler. Been wanting this since day one. Every hatch & wagon deserves a spoiler. I was going to get the OEM Impreza Sport (same item as the Crosstrek), but didn't want to shell out the $300+ to get one. I had been watching one on eBay for quite a while and finally just bought it. The company is called Wing Tech, and you have the option of getting a spoiler unpainted or painted. For an extra $80~, they will paint match to your color (have to send them your paint code information). It took about two weeks, which wasn't bad at all, and it is great quality. The paint match is exact to my car, and overall I'm quite pleased with it. The template is different from the Subaru one in that it doesn't come with the big overlay / sheet of paper, but instead comes with four strips of cardboard that line up over the holes in the spoiler. Then those strips are placed down on top of the trunk, and the drilling begins! It was nerve-wracking, but it wasn't my first time drilling into a car. A few years ago, I took a 3" hole saw to the fender of my Xterra for the snorkel installation. Most terrifying thing for a novice tinkerer like me. Anyway, it turned out great. Went on fairly easily, and I love the way it looks.

Spark plugs! The Impreza is currently at 63K miles, so it was time. I've heard varying things about the complexity of this job, but I completed it in an hour with no issues. I keep comparing everything I do to my last vehicle, which was the Xterra. The 6th spark plug on the Xterra, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the 3.3L Nissan engine, requires a 12-16" socket extension, a wobble joint, and lastly requires you to sit on your engine to reach it near the firewall. It's hell. The process was pretty straightforward:

1. Disconnect battery negative and positive. Remove battery (10mm socket).
2. Disconnect coil pack harness.
3. Unbolt coil pack (10mm socket, 12" extension). Remove coil pack.
4. Remove spark plug. Install new spark plug.
5. Replace coil pack, coil pack bolt, and harness. Replace battery but leave disconnected.

1. Remove air box (10mm socket), disconnect MAF sensor.
2. Disconnect coil pack harness.
3. Unbolt coil pack (10mm socket, 12" extension). Remove coil pack.
4. Remove spark plug. Install new spark plug.
5. Replace coil pack, coil pack bolt, and harness. Replace air box and reconnect MAF sensor.

Reconnect battery terminals and fire it up. Done.

I'm also very excited to know that the full 2" lift kit from ADF is en route! Can't wait to get this up higher for the GG all-terrains sitting in my garage.

The only other thing I'm working on right now is the roof rail situation. I have the fixed crossbars, and I got a set of Crosstrek roof rails from another member here. I want to remove the fixed Euro bars and install the full roof rails to get adjustable crossbars, but I need some kind of schematic. It's nearly impossible to find one since the Impreza Sports and Crosstreks come with the rails from the factory. Just need to know where to drill and I'll be rolling.

IMG_20170318_1615374_zpseu9rugvr.jpg


IMG_20170324_1756021_zpsrxg5nwof.jpg


IMG_20170324_1802455_zpsflnidj0s.jpg


Untitled_zpscrwvlkzu.jpg


IMG_20170324_1901236_zpsy0ya2ggd.jpg


IMG_20170324_1903518_zps56hpbpho.jpg


IMG_20170324_1914195_zpswuvr49bt.jpg


dda792fa-7d4d-4cb7-b6f6-2797b67a1db8_zpsa4xtuung.jpg
 

Jack Stilts

Subaru Ambassador
The 2" lift lit from ADF has finally been installed! Took 3 hours and I'm glad it's done. I can finally get these winter tires off. Will be getting the General Grabbers in 205/75R15 mounted this week. I now also have 9.5" of ground clearance!

IMG_20170418_08213712_zpsjp7azwjk.jpg
 

Rattler

Thornton Melon's Kid
The 2" lift lit from ADF has finally been installed! Took 3 hours and I'm glad it's done. I can finally get these winter tires off. Will be getting the General Grabbers in 205/75R15 mounted this week. I now also have 9.5" of ground clearance!

IMG_20170418_08213712_zpsjp7azwjk.jpg

Looks good!
 

ry3w

New member
Looks great!
Would be interesting to see a side by side with Crosstrek

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 

Jack Stilts

Subaru Ambassador
My little C-class economy car is turning into a crossover. It is so strangely tall.

2012 Impreza base hatch
ADF 2" lift kit - 2" front, 2 3/8" rear, multi-link spacers
General Grabber 205/75R15 on stock steelies
No rub at full lock :)

Previous setup was 1" ADF spacer lift on the General winter tires - 205/70R15. The two setups are perfect:

1" spacer lift = 205/70R15
2" full lift = 205/75R15

I planned this out months in advance, and it was all a theory. I had to do math. It was scary. Was very glad to see this work out.

IMG_20170505_2039574_zpsd7bqgshr.jpg


IMG_20170507_1646463_zpsxco6ju7d.jpg


IMG_20170507_1646056_zps3a7r9xzd.jpg


IMG_20170507_1645531_zpstgbfhszj.jpg


IMG_20170507_1645447_zpsjwmoeu9p.jpg
 

Jack Stilts

Subaru Ambassador
Thanks guys!

I had two camping weekends recently, but neither with the Subaru. Had two great opportunities to play with the new Oz Tent though! I love it. The first few shots are from Michigan, somewhere on state land. A trail ends at a large pond / small lake and I wanted to check it out, so we did! Had a great time, and had the place all to ourselves.

IMG_20170519_2125342_zps4uuh6rfk.jpg


IMG_20170520_0717542_zps3zvydhck.jpg


IMG_20170520_0730467_zps5ibh66tm.jpg


IMG_20170520_0739590_zpsctyzglna.jpg


IMG_20170519_2113551_zpsh7l5gof3.jpg



The next trip was Memorial Day (all pictures below are on private property). Growing family = lots of stuff. Enter Transit van! Loaded up way too much stuff - two Power Wheels, tent, dog, toddler, air mattress, archery equipment, firearms, food...man oh man. Definitely took advantage of all the space we had...maybe packed too much stuff. Anyway, it was a great time.

IMG_20170527_1849215_zpsivb94ptf.jpg


IMG_20170527_1931185_zpsmndt1uke.jpg



I'm looking forward to some more summer adventures. I feel like I just broke the ice, and that summer will be a great chance to stretch the legs of this little car. I have a few trips planned already - one around Michigan for a few days (might take the Subaru, might take something else) with limited camping, and then the big one - Overland Expo East in October. Going to plan around that weekend and turn it into a little overland trip in the surrounding area.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,544
Messages
2,875,706
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top