Need some Oppo opinions

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
02/22/2014 at 21:40 • Filed to: None

So recently I've been thinking about lowering my Outback a little bit to get rid of the copious amounts of body roll in turns. Yes, I know that lowering an Outback kinda defeats some of the purpose of it, but I'm literally never taking it off the road. I'd really kill for a set of coil overs, but that's not in the budget right now, unfortunately. I was thinking about picking up a set of lowering springs to bring it down about 1.5 inches.

No, I don't want to look like a hella stance bro because I hate that shit. I'd just like to have it a bit lower to look more aggressive like a Legacy GT. If I were to get lowering springs, would I have to get a camber kit to keep my wheels from wearing unevenly?

Do you think this is a bad idea? If so, let me know! If you think it's a good idea, what suggestions do you have for me? I'm open to anything reasonable.

DISCUSSION (34)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 21:43

Can't speak to camber, but check that your dampers/shocks can handle uprated and shorter springs first.

Isn't the outback the same platform as the LGT? Couldn't you just swap the Legacy suspension over?

Big Bubba Ray > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
02/22/2014 at 21:47

Ya they're pretty much the same car, only the Legacy sits lower. To tell you the truth, I hadn't even thought about swapping Legacy suspension haha

I'll have to give that a look. Thanks for the suggestion!

Jay Lauer > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 21:53

You could swap Legacy suspension for much cheaper, but to be honest, I'd just stick with what you've got.

Take it offroad a bit, have some fun with what the car was built for. You'll be glad for the ground clearance.

flat6 > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 21:56

They have a pretty good forum at LegacyGT.com

I used to post on there back when I had my '05 LGT, maybe they have some good threads regarding the Outback suspension options.

Big Bubba Ray > flat6
02/22/2014 at 21:57

I'll give that a look. Thanks for the tip!

Big Bubba Ray > Jay Lauer
02/22/2014 at 21:59

Any idea of how much of a drop the Legacy suspension would give me?

But I'm in St. Louis so there's not much of an opportunity to take it off road or anything. The car is to get to work/class/whatever else.

My Baja Bug is definitely my crazy fun car that I would be using for anything kinda off road so that's why I want to lower the OB a bit

flat6 > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 21:59

No prob. Looks like they have a forum there dedicated to the Outback. Should be some good stuff in there.

Big Bubba Ray > flat6
02/22/2014 at 22:01

Ya I've been floating around some Outback forums but nearly all the posts are old as shit from like 2007 haha so it's hard to find still relevant information.

Jay Lauer > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 22:06

There's a buttload of dirt roads and such around STL. I did it in my stock WRX all the time. I even wrote about it . Just show up to work covered in mud. It's a conversation starter.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I really don't know the difference. I just bought an LGT and it's plenty low for me.

FlimFlamMan > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 22:14

What year/generation OB do you have? There are King springs available for some, but I am pretty sure they won't lower your car... probably keep the same height. But.. they are much stiffer springs and that will help a lot with the roll you are experiencing. Plus you'd be able to still take it off-road if need be. I have been wanting to do this to the wife's '12 OB but she ain't budging yet.. ha ha.

HammerheadFistpunch > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 22:18

no one has said sway bars yet? i am dissapoint. Seriously, get some sway bars and call it a day, if you get the right balance you can even introduce a little oversteer.

Big Bubba Ray > FlimFlamMan
02/22/2014 at 22:21

Shit, I forgot to mention that in the post! It's a 2005 Outback 5MT. Those springs sound nice, but I really never take my car off road. Its used for getting to class/work/etc. My Baja Bug will be doing most the (very light) offroading that I'd like to do at some point.

Big Bubba Ray > HammerheadFistpunch
02/22/2014 at 22:23

Sway bar are a great suggestion, but I've already got some on there. They're not beefy at all so that's why I still get a good amount of body roll. I'm wanting to drop it some purely for looks and to help with handling a slight bit.

Big Bubba Ray > Jay Lauer
02/22/2014 at 22:25

I remember reading that post, hilarious! When did you get an LGT? You've gotta post some pics of it!

wrblue11 > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 22:29

looks mean. I'm a fan!!

Big Bubba Ray > wrblue11
02/22/2014 at 22:34

I wish it were mine!!

Jay Lauer > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 22:39

Yeah, the buyer never knew about that mudding incident. I picked up the LGT about a week ago. It's all broken still, but I'll get pictures when it's up and running. And clean. It's so dirty from sitting 4 years.

But I've got a post a couple down from this one.

Nothing > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 22:50

Why not? I loweredmy xc70 on v70r springs fronts, s60 awd springs rear, swapped the struts and had a significantly lower ride, granted that just meant I pretty much matched a stock v70. Maybe a tick lower. I liked the end result.

Big Bubba Ray > Nothing
02/22/2014 at 22:53

Did you replace the entire strut or just the springs? Valve Float suggested that the shocks wouldn't be able to cope with the higher spring rate so I'm thinking of just finding some Legacy GT struts to throw on the car.

Nothing > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 23:02

Struts as well for me, although I went with xc70 bilsteins up front and s60 awd in rear for me. Took a few iterations to get to my final setup and ride height.

HammerheadFistpunch > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 23:07

What I meant was, get some beefy bars on there, whiteline makes some for you, as well as a few others. I've driven in an outback XT with stiff bars and its a totally different drive. It was a blast. Rallysportdirect is a good place to start looking.

MonkeePuzzle > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 23:10

I'm all for it! http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/lowered-outbac…

LGT suspension seems to be a pretty simple, and stock (so no rubbing or harsh ride) option

Big Bubba Ray > HammerheadFistpunch
02/22/2014 at 23:11

Gotcha, thanks for the tip! Beefier sway bars are definitely on my laundry list of things I want to get eventually for the OB.

Big Bubba Ray > MonkeePuzzle
02/22/2014 at 23:14

I was waiting for you to chime in here! After reading all the comments and searching the interwebs some more, I'm thinking of doing what you said and swapping LGT suspension on. Hopefully that will give me the slight drop I'm looking for.

Any suggestions where to find LGT struts and everything else I need?

Big Bubba Ray > MonkeePuzzle
02/22/2014 at 23:16

Forgot to mention, seeing that post you made a few days ago is what got me interested in dropping my car a bit haha

MonkeePuzzle > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 23:19

NASIOC? Other subaru forums?

To be honest, Craigslist or Ebay are probably you best bets. And or, just buy new from auto parts store, at least for the struts and springs, as then they'll be brand new

JeffFurbs > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 23:20

As the previous commenter mentioned definitely check out whiteline and rallysport direct. I put some beefier sways in my Rex and what a world of difference. I also felt like it helped the back end rotate in corners marginally so less under steer. Also do your research. Too beefy in the rear can supposedly cause snap oversteer if your not careful.
Do it though! Worth it

Big Bubba Ray > MonkeePuzzle
02/22/2014 at 23:29

Ya, I've been cruising CL looking for stuff but there isn't anything of interest there. I'll probably just stop by the Subaru dealer by me sometime soon to see what they charge for all the stuff. Thanks!

Big Bubba Ray > JeffFurbs
02/22/2014 at 23:30

I'll see what I can get done. Thanks for the info!

MonkeePuzzle > Big Bubba Ray
02/22/2014 at 23:31

you could post your gear on CL and see if anyone is looking to lift their legacy and maybe you could do a swap one day?

Big Bubba Ray > MonkeePuzzle
02/22/2014 at 23:44

Definitely a possiblity. Not too many car people around St. Louis who might do that, but it could be worth a try!

MonkeePuzzle > Big Bubba Ray
02/23/2014 at 00:10

thats basically the premise of craigslist, no harm in asking, I've often been surprised

mrhandle > Big Bubba Ray
02/23/2014 at 09:34

If you're putting lower springs you need stiffer struts, otherwise you'll end up with more roll + a bunch of other problems.

Big Bubba Ray > mrhandle
02/23/2014 at 11:38

Ya, after reading responses, I've figured I'll just swap my current suspension for the suspension on a LGT. That should hopefully give me the slight drop I want. Now to find LGT suspension....