Light modifications for increased off road capability

[ea81turbo]

I own a fully stock Subaru 1.8 5 spd dual range station wagon.

Im curious about light modifications that can be made that don't compromise the build quality and drivability of the car, but increases it's off road capability. Coming from Australia, is a 2 inch suspension lift possible and recommended ?. I haven't found any All terrains that fit 13" rims, does such a thing exist, or do I have to find a larger rim?

[electryc_monk]

DUDE... let me tell you to start searching about the BYB lift kit.... its an Aussie designed kit. I got PK Davis (of Sandiego, California fame) to sell me one of his offical version of that designed kits for my wagon. they had a 2" kit but, I got the 4" kit.

 

 

thats a start for ya.

 

go forth and be fruitful!

[alexbuoy]

Only “light” modification is a 2 inch lift and fitting 27 inch tires. You either need to drill out your hubs to 6 lug or drill out 6 lug wheels to 4x140 to fit 15’s.

Other than that weld the rear and dual park brakes up front.

[el_freddo]

BYB don’t make lift kits for these anymore. I doubt you’ll find anyone in Oz making a lift kit for these anymore.

As previously mentioned, a two or three inch lift and 27 inch tyres are the go. 

After that you’ll want an EJ22 to turn those larger wheels better, or sort out a gearbox with foz internals behind the EA82.

Cheers 

Bennie

[ea81turbo]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to go anymore than 2". 

[Steptoe]

have you found a limitation so far?

i used to run 14" steel Sunraysia rims that should still be available new from intrepid tyre and rim merchants willing to ring about to source them. Then 185.70.14 tyres might give you a little more clearance. Pretty certain I ran this size

if you venture on to some Facebook groups may find lift kit still available new or previously loved. Have seen a few EA81 and 82 with two inch lifts look hardly noticeable to the average Joe. 

[ea81turbo]

I haven't actually driven off- road before on the Subaru (Havent even driven it on-road). I assumed the stock ground clearance may be quite limited on tracks though.

[wagons]

my first mods would be an EJ22 swap. This will help with the next mods. SJR lift 4" with redrilled 6 lug hubs and 27" tires. After that EJ22 swap and lift, it would be a custom suspension with aR154 and transfer case to locker diffs. All this is possible but a jeep will be cheaper lol. On a serious note EJ22 and SJR lift would be great.

[alexbuoy]

I would be able to make you a 2 inch kit. But sounds like you’re in australia and i’m in the US so shipping is going to be killer

[sparkyboy]

The chevy six lug can be drilled for 4 x 140 

15" is good for two inch lift 

+1 on the ej22 swap :-)

The 13s work well, my 86 has a 2" lift

 

Edited November 2, 2018 by sparkyboy

[el_freddo]

8 hours ago, wagons said:

my first mods would be an EJ22 swap. This will help with the next mods. SJR lift 4" with redrilled 6 lug hubs and 27" tires. After that EJ22 swap and lift, it would be a custom suspension with aR154 and transfer case to locker diffs. All this is possible but a jeep will be cheaper lol. On a serious note EJ22 and SJR lift would be great.

Not even a chance that you’d get away with that for long over here!! Traffic authorities would spot it a good mile away

Small/mild lift and tasteful mods are the way to go. The EJ22 can be done without drawing attention to your ride  

Cheers 

Bennie

[KiwiBrumby]

Id be interested in finding out anyminor mods too>

 

All the mods in 'wagons' post would be OK here, generally  Traffic authorities wouldn't notice!!