Crossbread kit strut selection

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:58 pm

I think I've discovered a problem with my plan.

I was planning to install the Crossbred kit into my Lifted L series with the intention of running 15" Lib wheels with 29" or 30" tyres on them.

I know that some of you Liberty boys run tyres these big, but you need to put Outback front struts in because the standard struts have the spring seat base too close to the top of the tyre.

Just reading on the Crossbred website it says that you have to use Impreza struts because they are slightly smaller than Liberty ones (although you *might* be able to use Liberty ones in an L series).

Does anybody know why this is?
Is it just because the control arms won't stretch to a big enough angle to fit a bigger Outback one in?

bluesteel · Post by **bluesteel** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:25 pm

my guess would be that the spring diameter dosent clear the strut tower with the lib stuff?

i remember someone mentioning that the impreza's are a skinnier spring

just my .02

go a set of coilovers and you can run as big a tyre as you like without hitting the lower spring perch

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:55 pm

Okay sounds interesting...
How does a coilover work? Is this something generic that replaces the EJ strut altogether or work in conjunction with it?

bluesteel · Post by **bluesteel** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:09 pm

coilovers are just a more compact spring wraped around a strut with an adjusting collar on it

most of these are built for people to lower cars, so im not sure what the go would be for gettin a bit more suspension travel out of them would be.

so it could be the go if you shopped around and found a suitable choice

also most of the cheaper ones have really high spring rates to stiffen everything up

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:20 pm

I could fit the lib springs in without the lift kit, but because the strut tops are offset the springs are too big. I've got 205/70R15 (26") with KYB Impreza struts and the tyre clears it by less than 10mm.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:46 pm

I think the impreza spring/strut issue is more for MY's than L's but that is just speculation.

Jordan.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:42 pm

BVC - according to Crossbred, Impreza struts MUST be used on an MY and he thinks *mabey* you can fit a Liberty one in an L series but isn't sure.
Even if you can fit a Liberty one in they are still too small to allow a 29" or 30" tyre. I need Outback's for sure methinks.

Hmm this is almost worth looking into getting the stut towers widened slightly to allow an Outback strut & spring in.

(of course it would be even easier again to just get a Liberty wagon - EJ brakes, EJ struts, EJ engine all stock. These days you can buy them for less than I paid for my stock L series wagon too). But that's just no challenge!

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:25 pm

so the outback struts are bigger in diameter and spring seat clearance than stock liberty ones?
maybe slide on in to see how much it will/will not fit into the L.

legacytt · Post by **legacytt** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:47 am

You can use outback struts and Liberty spring in a L series with 3 inch lift as the lift gives enough clearance at the top. My old L Series, now Fatz's, uses this setup. However this requires longer control arms and adjustable radius rods a the angle on the standard arms is too steep as the overall length of the OB struts is longer and the spring is more compressed so the car sits higher. The other option if strut tower space is an issue it use Impressa springs and strut top/hats on the OB strut.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:56 pm

Ah yes! With a 3" lift the strut top doesn't have to fit as far up in the strut tower so it will probably fit....and with a 6" lift kit....no worries!

How come you used a Lib spring - were the Outback ones rediculously too long?
How did you lengthen the control arms? This might be easy for me as I'm getting custom modified ones already - could easily request a further mod to make them longer...

I'm guessing that this also meant the front CV's were placed at a rather extreme angle?

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:11 pm

Did you have dramas with CV's pulling apart with the longer control arms?

legacytt · Post by **legacytt** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:17 am

The Liberty and outback springs are the same just the spring plate height is different and the OB strut is a little longer. No dramas with CV's as I was using Liberty ones so longer shafts. Angles were Ok due to the longer arms. The arms were cut and had a solid block welded into them. This was done in such a manner as to look completely factory and they are now stronger than standard.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:59 pm

Cool sounds interesting, did you ever take any photos of those control arms? Or just any photos of the general setup?

legacytt · Post by **legacytt** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:18 am

No pics sorry. Pm Fatz he may oblige and take some for you.

Bratgeebah · Post by **Bratgeebah** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:01 pm

I didn't see this thread. Sorry for no input.
BVCP was bang on.You only need the Impressa strut for non lifted MYs' but they are a tight fit, one person has had trouble with clearance on a lowered Brumby as far as I know.The best bet for lowered MYs' are coil overs. (good for all models L/MY , lifted/non lifted).The L Series test car had coil overs. So to be on the safe side I didn't guarantee the Lib. stuff would fit an L, just in case I wasted someone's money/time. I think some people are already useing Lib. stuff in non lifted Ls' with the kit.
As far as I know just about any late model stuff will go in if you have a lift kit.
I'm unaware of all the differences in spring rates/heights and strut lengths across the model range though.
If anyone needs fast answers to questions about the kits or are concerned about details to do with their build up and the compatability of the kit you can call my mobile 7 days in daylight hours. (Melbourne time)

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