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It depends on how you look at it. If you can "import" a rust free car from out west here for $1500.... think about how little that is compared to rust related repairs over the next few years that you would likely encounter on a 12 year old east coast car..... and when you are talking about a built car worth ~$15k, a little shipping to get a nice one that's got no rust may be of little consequence in the grand scheme. GD

Thanks - just measure it, with no weight in it it's exactly 1" lower than FSM spec's. All 4 FSM responses to "improper vehicle posture or wheel arch height" involve replacing the strut and/or spring. Interesting it doesn't mention bushings as even a possibility.

Maybe I’m misreading something but every Subaru from the 1980s until 2004 uses that top style - including the 2002 forester. It’s not rare, it was the only axle style for decades. In general transmissions can vary for various reasons having different part numbers, and to claim “one year only”. when in reality there are other trans that fit. But the information is sparse to come by. When did the sensors/electronics change? They did in 1999 so I’d guess 2000-2001 trans work as well if the final drive ratio is the same or you swap the rear diff to match Gear ratio and sensor comparability are the key drivers. Certainly other foresters in that same generation have transmissions that are interchangeable - as well as other model Subaru’s. If you swap the rear diff to match you can use whatever gear ratio you come across. Generally the gear ratio will be 4.44 and maybe one other option, that’s it. But swap the rear diff to match and you can use either one.

Nice work. I just cannot picture where these would go, despite your photo. From someone who has achieved this, what first step would you suggest for me to learn this from scratch?

I’ve never had a problem either but they do look trashy in short order when they rust and there are ways to make covers easy which negates the point of running without them. I think both ways are a good fit depending on the person and vehicle.

There are a ton of forum members running no covers that have had different results than those stated above, myself included. Dan

I’ve had Subaru’s shipped from out west. Cheap, under a grand, and well worth it to get what you’re looking for and rust free rather than trying to get something close to what you want locally. When I’ve done it prices fluctuate wildly. Same company quotes $200 more or less than a quote 5 days earlier.

If you can find a 5-speed FXT, you'll need to 'bring $' as they're becoming as sought after as, well, a clean, unmolested WRX :-) And you really don't want to do a swap, do you? Really? :-) Just not worth it, unless you're really bored, unemployed, have too much $$, etc. It's a full harness swap, not just engine/trans....wiring isn't usually a fun thing. Note to self: Just Stop looking @ those OBXT's for cheap on CL.....

I use an app for that literally just called "reduce photo size" It functions, nothing more nothing less.