blackseb

@iludez Do you have any pictures of your new Outback? Been a while since posting, I have managed to pick up some rims relatively cheaply and get decent tyres put on and I'm liking the blacked out look. At the moment I don't plan on going lower, although it would look great.

@JGM I'd be really keen on getting my hands on your D2's provided they're still in reasonable condition. Could you flick me a message to organise that? I'm in Wellington but if you're able to ship them I'll pay shipping, that'd be awesome. Just had the wag tinted over the weekend and it's looking good so I'm really keen on getting the build moving - well.. acquiring some parts at least! I imagine if I'm not going low low then I should only need Legacy bumpstops to maintain a functional ride. Thanks guys for the advice on fitment and guard work etc. Sounds like it won't be too much of a struggle to get 8.75's under there. My E30 is the real drain on the bank account so the aim is to keep things simple with the Outback!

@A_J_T I had always planned to get the same XXR's that you have, so was stoked to find your pics - without wanting to copy your build, you're running the perfect height and fitment. Do you think that a staggered 35p front 20p rear would work better with a height similar to yours? I'm not adverse to making fitment work, however my partner also drives this (and has a ownership share) so I've got to keep some practicality! I've just sold my project of the last few years, which was a 90s Hilux on 15x10's with no ground clearance whatsoever. So am loving the comfort of the OB at the moment, although as soon as I get wheels I'll be going low too. Would also love to get some advise from you guys on coilovers - which are best and what is required & recommended to make them work to a practical low - and be certifiable. I ran BC Gold's in by 2002 Legacy GTB until that was stolen a few years back, loved them although not sure what other brands are like.

Hey guys, After deciding for some time what my next car was going to be, I went out a couple of weeks ago and bought an 08 Outback - with the ultimate intention of getting some wide wheels and lowering it. I think your guys cars look great and I've got a long list of mods in my head for this. Bear with me if the pics don't work, I haven't used the forums since my last Legacy a few years ago. So having just got a new car, what better than to take it down South and throw it at some water gravel and mud?! I have to say the clearance was fantastic for our bach driveway, and it's fast! However with 99% city driving I'd still like to try go down the adjustable suspension route. Hopefully this will be an ongoing project...

Here's a few pics of my BH5 which I have taken back to stock after being stolen recovered.

Good job man on managing to resolve that, people like this are so frustrating! Made for a satisfying, rather than cliffhanging end to the story too

Finally a day off with perfect weather, and a mate to help me out. We managed to get everything suspension-wise back together! With some serious wiggling and jacking up and down everything went back together with minimal problems. Unbolting the sway bar links let the hub drop right down to where it needed to be to fit the strut in so thanks heaps to all you guys and your suggestions! Have also installed the replacement stock bov and coolant lines. Unfortunately did manage to snap two 12mm bolts right off though. The most problematic being the bolt that snapped off right where the ABS sensor plugs into the hub.. I feel superglue isn't a fantastic resolution in this situation! Due to the tiny driveway I'm working in I couldn't really get any pics but you get the idea with this one. The interior is immaculate now though as well thanks to a few extension cords for the vacuum.

Bugger so didn't do any today. Wednesday's supposed to rain.. if so have to wait until Sunday again. I think thanks to heaps of you guys that I have enough info to at least assess and have a good go at trying to put her all back together. Hopefully the next update will be a good one!

Yeah I'll try give disconnecting the sway bar a go, today hopefully and just try everything to persuade them in there. At least get some photos of what's going on. Definately front struts, can confirm that much at least! You truly are a GC, absolutely agree with that. I'll attempt to do as much as I can though for sure. See how today goes

Yeah I managed to put the engine pieces back together today and tried to turn it over with a screwdriver, only got the electrics going she refused to turn over so ill have to get it towed to the auto sparkys eventually. Problem I am having is that I can't even get the top bolted in because the hub is sitting so high that the bottom of the strut is a fair way from going over either side of the sway bar/axle etc. jacked the hub away from the guard and it started cambering it out so far I thought id stop. Any suggestions on how to pursuade it a good 30cm or so? Could something have bent from sitting with no struts or is that unlikely? Cheers for the help, hoping to get herr eventually

I can't see how they couldn't be, I took them out of identical Leggy wagons at pick apart. The hub is very high, when I jack up the car with the wheel on there is nearly no gap between the tyre and guard, even with no struts and fully jacked up. I just have no idea what part could be bent.. if something is.

Thought I'd bring this back and post here. So have been pretty unsuccessful on installing the front struts. I'm assuming something must be bent from having the car sitting with no struts in it because the hub is a good 30cm or more when jacked up from being able to fit the strut in over the axle etc. I tried jacking the hub down and it started cambering out at the top with still 20cm or so before the strut could even fit... Any insight's or anyone willing to give me a hand or a look would be seriously much appreciated. Cheers

Went missing from near the city end of Mitchell St. Real gutted about it aye. So definitely insured for theft then even if they know the cert's being void. That's interesting, and definitely worthwhile then. Will look into that further, cheers.

Yeah I mean I can sort all that out later. But any insurance would be void if it were stock wouldn't it, for not complying with the cert. So insuring it would be pointless right, which I have learnt (the hard way) is important!

Boon you're giving me bucket loads of inspiration! As for the cert being voided, I mean I had the justies wound down lower than the cert height anyway and never got pulled up, so the chance of being pink stickered with stocks in is minimal! Not too worried about that my aim is to get her back on the road and going. I'll get it towed and suss everything out, search for bargain parts at pick apart etc. I'm ready to have a go at everything but it's awesome to know you're willing to help, may need some assistance with the brakes etc. But thanks heaps man, amazing to know people are so willing to help. Guess not everyone's as low life as these thieves!

Boon seems as though you are correct here. After many useless discussions one Mechanic looked up my plates and there it was with a valid wof till July. Therefore Reg'd and Wof'd both till July so once it's going its back on the road. The Towey's also said that it won't really roll, stitting on wheels with no struts obviously it's on the ground. So it's matter of pushing it on and off the truck with blocks under the wheels I think. Hoping doesn't do more damage underneath. Hopefully going to get it moved and get started on it next week. Cross fingers the damage doesn't extend past what I am currently aware of. Unless of course anyone wants to buy it off me and fix her up. Good little money maker, I'd rather just not have to deal with the pain really, but can't bear to see her go to waste haha

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Suby Manic: Trust me, it's not truly safe. Any knowledagble, dedicated and complete **** of a person can get past it. If it's insured though you're alright. I had my car completely hidden so I must have been followed or gps tracked. Had all the wiring put further up in the dash, which just meant more damage to the dash. I mean I had locknuts too that have just disappeared, so nothing can truly stop these ****s. Some alarms are better than others apparently. Mongoose, which I had is one of the not so reliable Subie ones. The more visible security the better though surely.

No fire and theft only third party currently.. Due to being 19 and the ridiculous premiums, excesses etc, I was attempting to sort it. Tough way to learn that lesson but moving on and everything. So therefore writing it off is all up to me. The repair shouldn't cost too much from what I know needs doing. Don't want to fix it all up and find that it has terminal engine damage or something though. Lets hope a screwdriver in the ignition still works so I can suss the engine first.

The cop said he was passing it on to the car crime squad because it seemed very professional and was of high interest to them. However, also said they currently had no suspects. Apparantly forester boot parts were found left in my car, so they suspect they've taken up two stolen Subies and dumped mine and used the other. So while it's good they're doing there job, it's hard to see how far they'll get. You guys all give me inspiration to rebuild her, although the towey mentioned that because the suspension has been reported as stolen, a mechanic needs to install the suspension or "certify" that it's all been done correctly. I'm unsure whether that means it will have to be re-certed or just checked over..? So thats tomorrow's mission. Sitting in the tow yard on no struts and space savers it's on the ground, seems bagged out which is a new look! Do you guys reckon this may have done damage to other components sitting on no struts? Hoping that if I go to rebuild it I don't find whole lots of bent and mangled suspension parts.

Also, a front brake line was cut when the suspension was being removed, hence the fluid is empty. I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on how easy/ difficult this is to remedy as my experience in braking systems is limited. Is it as simple as replacing the line and refilling and bleeding the brakes? Not that I'm sure how to bleed the brakes even.. Cheers guys

Thanks for all the info guys. So in order to get it back on the road would it have to be re-certed only if I changed the setup from the cert plate? Would I be able to get away with stock and not mention it has a cert? I was planning to put it stock then sell it to make back a little bit of what I've lost. However with the cert problems it's easier just to forget about it and cut my losses. If I had room to part it out I most likley would do, but unfortunately I don't. If anyone is after a parts car it's pretty good as far as that goes. 160xxx ks Manual gearbox and engine were mint last time I drove it. Unfortunatley I have to make a decision soon to get it out of the tow yard and I'm so unsure but with cert issues will head towards scrapping, but I'll never get anything near what it's worth even in it's current condition from them..

My baby has been recovered! She was found abandoned at the top of Crofton Downs. Minus Rota's and BC Gold's and a few other bits and pieces. But for now, it seems, minimal damage to bodywork etc. And hopefully not too much from falling off the jack on the right side. Going to look at it tomorrow morning see the full extent of damage. And soon, hopefully, the rebuild begins! Minimal cost back to stock for now. May need some help with a few bits and pieces so hopefully you guys can offer some advice if needed. Cheers

Sucks to hear man. Hope it does turn up somewhere, I agree, definitely a pro-job. Heard from the cops today and mine actually turned up abandoned at the top of Crofton Downs! Minus Rota's and BC Gold's as expected. However, bodywork wise doesn't looks though ANY damage has been done. Few bits and pieces gone, battery, bov etc. Going to look at her tomorrow see the full extent of damage. I must be one of the (semi) lucky ones getting it back in one piece. Now the rebuild can begin... back to stock for now. Praying that the engine and gearbox are still running mint too though, would likely have taken a thrashing.

That sucks man. Have you or the police found it yet? Had my very clean BH5 stolen from Brooklyn last night. Had the alarm and immobilisers backwried and hidden etc. as well, got to wonder where all the parts end up. Really ****s you off how thieves get away with this aye.