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just bought a 91 liberty with the airbag suspension and was wondering if the forester rims fitted with muddies of some description will fit with the standard suspension set up?

cheers.

Check out this thread in the suspension section.

showthread.php?t=15267

nope the tyres will hit the airbag struts in the rear if you go anything over about 25"

vincentvega wrote:nope the tyres will hit the airbag struts in the rear if you go anything over about 25"

that is right.. He wouldnt be able to use Forester tyres on the Liberty, he will have to downgrade the size unless he fits Outback struts.
Cheers
AP

whats involved in fitting the outback struts? is it just a matter of buying the struts and fitting them? or is it more complicated then that

woody.t wrote:whats involved in fitting the outback struts? is it just a matter of buying the struts and fitting them? or is it more complicated then that

You have a few options - (there is a few threads in here about that kind of thing)
You will need to remove the airbag suspensions, you will need to get spring, outback struts (or liberty struts if you dont want it to be lifted but the tyres wont fit) and hats... so your best bet is to find 2nd hand suspension set out of a liberty for springs and hats and grab new set of outback struts. (Springs on Liberty and Outback are the same part number, but if you want raised then I recommend Raised King Springs, approx $220 a pair)
You will also need outback trailing arm mounts for rear as well.
Cheers
AP

so basically i am chasing - a set of 4 outback struts with the rear trailing arm bracket for the rear pair
- a set of 4 liberty or outback springs either will do with 4 liberty hats

and querying the kings raised springs what benefit will this give and are they neccessary for the forester wheels to fit?

sorry bout asking but want to get it right before i go out and buy it.

woody.t wrote:so basically i am chasing - a set of 4 outback struts with the rear trailing arm bracket for the rear pair
- a set of 4 liberty or outback springs either will do with 4 liberty hats

and querying the kings raised springs what benefit will this give and are they neccessary for the forester wheels to fit?

sorry bout asking but want to get it right before i go out and buy it.

Correct above...
You dont HAVE to get raised springs, that is if you want extra lift then yes. Otherwise standard springs is okay.

Be aware, since you have Gen 1 Liberty, its likely to have mechanical speedo and your speedo will be out by approx 5-8kmh with these tyres. (if its electric you can get converter for it)
Cheers
AP

AlpineRaven wrote:Correct above...
You dont HAVE to get raised springs, that is if you want extra lift then yes. Otherwise standard springs is okay.

Be aware, since you have Gen 1 Liberty, its likely to have mechanical speedo and your speedo will be out by approx 5-8kmh with these tyres. (if its electric you can get converter for it)
Cheers
AP

Here is a picture of the struts -

Left is outback strut, right is liberty strut. Both are Front.


Left - Liberty Strut, right Outback Strut. Both are Rears.

Cheers
AP

Hey woody.t, welcome to the forums. I've just finished my 'review' of sorts, having finished my modifications of my '92 lib. See the post here.

I suggest you read that post carefully before you persue your mods too much. In a few days I'll have my full 'how to' write up that in conjunction with the workshop manual (available off these forums, just search) will be enough to help you through the modifications.

In short answer you'll need as a minimum:
96-98 Outback strut assembly (inc springs). It MUST BE this series (Gen 2, strangely named as it was actually the first generation of outback...) as gen 3 outback suspension will not fit.
1" lift kit (just get a 2" as they're standard and legal, or 3" if you're keen)
your choice of wheels and tires
Gen 2 outback (same as above) rear trailing arm mounts as these move the rear wheel back far enough to avoid scrubbing (I still had to trim a bit) during its travel.

Read the linked post and then ask further questions

Have you put photos of your ride up yet?

Cheers,
Owen.

so lifting it is a necessity? the front airbags are shot so i decided i may aswell do it now instead of having it fixed and doing it later down the track and would prefer avoiding the aditional cost of spacers if possible.

If you want to use outback struts, then yes. I think JC on here went without lift blocks and eventually had several issues with cv joints going repeatedly.

basically the strut tops are there to correct the angle that the outback struts create as best possible.

Is it just the cost of the spacers that has you worried? I mean, lifting would only help you if you're moding your car to go muddy places...

Perhaps you should look into getting liberty struts and look for 25" off road tires?

how much are the blocks? it's more that i prefer the look of them without the extra lift but if it is necessary then it has to be done. what rims do you fit 25" rims to? liberty struts does seem like a decent option.

ScubyRoo wrote:If you want to use outback struts, then yes. I think JC on here went without lift blocks and eventually had several issues with cv joints going repeatedly.

basically the strut tops are there to correct the angle that the outback struts create as best possible.

mate your a bit confused about this. The offset of your lift kit tops have nothing to do with CV wear.

JC had raised springs and outback struts. This resulted in about 2" more length in the strut overall, which means more CV wear.

just read your other thread. your car has raised springs, outback struts AND an extra inch in the lift kit top. thats 3" more length overall, so you may have even more problems than JC.

You have to remember that an old tired shaft will often fail when you lift he car. the extra angle will push it over the edge. Once some fresh shafts are put in they can last quite a long time depending on how high you go with the lift.

ScubyRoo wrote: 96-98 Outback strut assembly (inc springs). It MUST BE this series (Gen 2, strangely named as it was actually the first generation of outback...) as gen 3 outback suspension will not fit.

gen3 front struts CAN be used.

1" lift kit (just get a 2" as they're standard and legal, or 3" if you're keen)

not required unless you want the extra height.

cheers for all the info much appreciated, pretty clear on what i need and my uncle has also clarified and said he can install them for me so it's all go now i'll post photo's of before and after when it's complete and have no doubt i'll be calling on you all again for info relating to other mods in the near future.

woody.t wrote:cheers for all the info much appreciated, pretty clear on what i need and my uncle has also clarified and said he can install them for me so it's all go now i'll post photo's of before and after when it's complete and have no doubt i'll be calling on you all again for info relating to other mods in the near future.

Good Luck and keep us updated.
Cheers
AP

vincentvega wrote:mate your a bit confused about this. The offset of your lift kit tops have nothing to do with CV wear.

JC had raised springs and outback struts. This resulted in about 2" more length in the strut overall, which means more CV wear.

just read your other thread. your car has raised springs, outback struts AND an extra inch in the lift kit top. thats 3" more length overall, so you may have even more problems than JC.

Ah cool thanks vincentvega, I'll ask you questions on that in the other thread

vincentvega wrote:gen3 front struts CAN be used.

Was not aware that gen 3 fronts could be used. Woody.T, I have a set of gen 3 front struts sitting in my garage if you're interested....

woody.t wrote:cheers for all the info much appreciated, pretty clear on what i need and my uncle has also clarified and said he can install them for me so it's all go now i'll post photo's of before and after when it's complete and have no doubt i'll be calling on you all again for info relating to other mods in the near future.

Good luck mate, look forward to seeing it all once you're done!

FYI -
The reason that Gen 3 rears will not work on Gen 1 & 2 because they have different setup - here is why - (picture of standard and outback struts)

Cheers
AP

gen 2 outback rears are also much beefier than gen 3's. I reckon it's close to an inch difference if overall diameter between the two.