Au-ty-matic0B5 Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 How is everyone. Well anyway, I'm new to this whole Subaru thing and got a very good deal on a 2005 Impreza obs. Basic as can be. I would like to add a little height to it. From what I've read putting forester springs and struts should give me between 1"-2"? What I'm confused about is would I buy the stuff to fit an 05 Impreza. Or an 05 outback. I've learned through trial and error that I have an Impreza. But due to the heigh of it this suspension stuff confuses me. I guess all I need to know is what is the difference between an outback and an Impreza obs. Thank you and sorry for such a confusing question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Outback in general refers to the lifted legacy platform. OBS was all impreza. Yes, get a set of springs and struts to fit 08 Forester and you'll get a little over 2 inches of lift and can clear up to 28 inch tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Au-ty-matic0B5 Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 So because it's an Impreza I would need end links and trailing arms and stuff too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 a set of forester or Legacy outback struts (90-99) will lift it a bit, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Au-ty-matic0B5 Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 @scott then I would just have to change out the top hats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 They didn't even make foresters and outback in the early 90's Scott. 98-08 Forester struts, or 96-99 Outback struts, will be a direct bolt in, and will give you around 2" of lift. Top hats are the same as well. If you want to recenter the rear tire, then you can use the trailing around bracket from one of those as well. But it's not absolutely necessary. And as was already said, any other parts are bases off the Impreza, not the Outback. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 My mistake, I knew that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 (edited) In general, anytime someone says "outback" just assume they mean Legacy Outback. And basically just ignore that your impreza is an Outback Sport. Your OBS is basically an Impreza with different trim. For an 05, the top hats from a legacy outback or from a forester will be a direct fit. You will need trailing arm brackets and endlinks like the "how to lift your impreza" sticky thread says. Edit:You only really need to use the brackets on a first gen impreza. The only thing that will be different for your car than the one in that thread is that the top hats will fit directly without having to swap or drill. Edited November 24, 2015 by jmoss5723 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 To maximize tire size, the trailing arm brackets are necessary. The rear swaybar will reattach just fine. The front you'll need longer endlinks depending on driving style. I left my swaybar disconnected in the front since I do not go fast or aggressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I've never had to use longer front endlinks in any of the several lifted Subarus I've had. I also ran 215 70 16 grabbers without a rear trailing arm brackets which is the biggest you can run without hitting the rear spring plate, and never came close to hitting in front of the rear tire, so it's not absolutely necessary, but won't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberoo Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 To maximize tire size, the trailing arm brackets are necessary. The rear swaybar will reattach just fine. The front you'll need longer endlinks depending on driving style. I left my swaybar disconnected in the front since I do not go fast or aggressive. Oddly enough to get more front end grip especially on gravel or other loose surfaces the ideal setup is no sway bars with stiffer springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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