(Update: Failure.) This is Not Going Well

"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
07/03/2020 at 15:22 • Filed to: Subaru

Update: I’m installing a hitch. Always check you have all your hardware first. I’m missing a carriage bolt so this won’t get done today.

Grinding holes in unibody frame rails suuuuucks.

DISCUSSION (30)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 14:40

speed holes?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 14:41

Why are you perforating the unibody? Speed holes?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/03/2020 at 14:52

Maybe he just hates warranties. . .

66P1800inpieces > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 14:57

Coiled extension cords can make transformers if plugged in.

Wacko > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 14:59

I had to cut 1 inch holes when I installed a hitch on my sx4 when I had it.

I’ve got the same white forester, but mine has roof rails, did you remove them on it?

VincentMalamute-Kim > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/03/2020 at 15:18

My guess is a hitch but I’m surprised an Outback wouldn’t come with appropriate holes.

VincentMalamute-Kim > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 15:18

Hardened or b oron steel?

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/03/2020 at 15:19

Adding lightness! Hitch actually.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Wacko
07/03/2020 at 15:20

It never had them. Base model 2.5i in the US didn’t come with the roof rails . All other trims did.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/03/2020 at 15:21

This is long out of warranty.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim
07/03/2020 at 15:21

Yep hitch. Pretty much all the aftermarket ones need the existing holes expanded. I’ve never l ooked at the OEM one to see how it is installed.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim
07/03/2020 at 15:22

No idea. I just know it’s a pain.

VincentMalamute-Kim > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 15:26

I installed a hitch on my Grand Caravan. I had a lift and I had to mount my drill to a high jackstand. One that had a foot pedal that lifted it a few inches. That was the only way I could apply enough upward force on the drill.

If it’s anything similar, I guess that means you’ll get it done. Eventually.

VincentMalamute-Kim > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 15:26

If it’s anything similar, I guess that means you’ll get it done. Eventually.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 15:28

I had the dealer install my hitch when I bought the car. I wish it was a 2" but at the time they only had a 1.25" hitch. The OEM hitch comes out at the bottom of the bumper with a little cut out so it’s not too low to the ground.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 15:32

Brutal

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/03/2020 at 15:43

Kind of a long story how I ended up at this point. Dealer wanted over $700 for the hitch + install which just seemed too much to me. I ended up with this one cheap from a friend who had the same year Outback and got rear-ended before he got a chance to install it. The shop that repaired his car welded in a brace that got in the way of the hitch.

The Snowman > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 15:50

I helped my neighbor do one last month. Big harbor freight step drill seemed to do just fine.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 16:07

I talked them down to $350 for the hitch installed on my car. I was paying close to sticker so they made me feel good about something.

XJDano > VincentMalamute-Kim
07/03/2020 at 16:09

What year caravan? I didn’t need to drill holes on my 2012.

XJDano > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 16:12

I think that hole saw bit is not the size you need. Just guessing.

VincentMalamute-Kim > XJDano
07/03/2020 at 16:36

2003. It only took Chrysler 9 years to figure out that feature.

Most of the holes were there. I think I had to drill one extra hole on each side.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > XJDano
07/03/2020 at 17:03

Speeeeeed holes! Yeah that was just in my tool bag and got thrown there out of frustration at some point.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > The Snowman
07/03/2020 at 17:04

Yeah I’m learning lessons here. I didn’t want to spend for a step drill but it would’ve been worth it looking back.

Urambo Tauro > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/03/2020 at 19:44

No problem! Just downgrade the towing capacity accordingly . For example:

3000 lb hitch rating
÷ 6 mounting holes
x 5 fasteners
= 2500 lb capacity

Fastener companies HATE this one weird trick!

Danny Korecki > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/04/2020 at 01:40

Two Subarus in the driveway . Are you one of those in the Subaru cult?

Note - I/wife own a Subaru Crosstrek. So any trolling is coming from a fellow owner.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Danny Korecki
07/04/2020 at 17:11

Hah pretty much everyone here is a cult member! We actually bought the Outback new in 2013 to replace a Fit a couple months after our second kid was born. With a rear-facing car seat in the back of the Fit the front passenger seat was so far forward my knees were pressed against the dash. My wife prefers wagons to crossovers so it came down to the Jetta and Outback. After about 18 months with the Outback I was so happy with it that I replaced my old Santa Fe that was having issues with a CPO Forester.

We bought both of these when were living in San Antonio. Subaru isn’t very popular down there. It was so easy to find our car in the parking lot from that distinct 4-beep pattern they make when you unlock all the doors. Here I walk out of the grocery store and it’s practically a symphony of Subaru beeps.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Urambo Tauro
07/04/2020 at 17:17

I actually stuck it on there with three of four bolts because I really didn’t want to have lower the exhaust again. All I want to use it for is a bike rack and honestly it could probably hold that fine at this point but I’m not going to risk that until I can get the last bolt and spacer from the vendor.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/04/2020 at 17:25

Subaru in the US puts so little in their base models that it is pretty much a no-brainer to go up to the “Premium” trim for around $2k more. But I found this base model used for like $5k less than I could find an MT Premium so I was OK with it. I replaced the steel wheels with pulls from a turbo Forester, the crappy rubber steering wheel with a leather on from a wrecked Legacy, and the hard plastic shift knob with an leather-wrapped WRX knob. I thought about buying roof rails but never really ended needing them.

Danny Korecki > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/04/2020 at 22:55

As a fellow owner of a 4 year old Crosstrek, I have to say I am not a fan.

If you Google “Crosstrek Hybrid Issues” the top search result is me. Half of my issues were Hybrid related, the other half weren’t. I have a follow up of newer issues that will be making it into a new article once COVID budgets allow.

Regarding the cult, I have a colleague who has owned 4x straight WRX/STis in a row of varying years. He will mention some great enthusiast alternatives, then just ends up buying some other WRX/STi. When Donut Media came out with a Subaru Cult video I was like THIS IS YOU!