Cbetts' 2020 subaru Crosstrek Premium 6MT Build

[cbetts]

Now that my Subaru looks off road worthy, I feel inclined to post my build . . . .

I first came home with it brand new in June 2020. It met my initial requirements:

• Four wheel drive (well, this is all wheel but I can fix that later)
• Manual Transmission
• Had to fit in my garage

My first alteration was to liven-up the exhaust a bit. I put in a Nameless axle-back kit with a 5-inch muffler.

Next was a short-stroke shifter kit along with a Hurst Tee grip.

There wasn't much chrome on the car, but it was enough to bother me. I replaced the Subaru logos and PlastiDipped the rest.

 

[cbetts]

I picked up a 2" suspension lift for cheap.

 

[cbetts]

Next, time to cut the car! I picked up a set of RRW bumpers on sale.

I had to finish removing the reservoirs in front of both front wheels. I put in a new bag style reservoir for the windshield washer deleted the intake resonator.

 

[cbetts]

The stock tires are so small now! I had to fix that. I ordered Black Rhino "Unit" wheels (15 x 7 5x100 +15) with BFG KO2 tires (235/75r15). Now it looks like a proper vehicle!

 

[06 H3]

The bag style reservoir is wild! It’s a cool idea to save space

 

[scoreh3]

The bag style reservoir What’s old is new again. I remember the old bag one you would hang on front of grill to try to cool the water in the bag.

 

[cbetts]

Painted under the rear bumper. What an improvement!

 

[3Hummers]

Craig, I have never seen another Subaru done up as your is. You may be a trend setter in the Subaru world.

 

[cbetts]

Craig, I have never seen another Subaru done up as your is. You may be a trend setter in the Subaru world.

Thanks for the kind words! There is actually a significant off road Subaru community in SoCal.

 

[Mr_Rich]

It looks like the tires and wheels made it; completed the "look". I like it!

 

[cbetts]

I got tired of the tires rubbing when making turns so I removed the little flaps in the fenders.

I found a Pelican case that fits neatly next to my spare, I guess I found my tool box!

 

[cbetts]

Finally got the undercarriage up front painted and installed the train horn and onboard air I had from the H3.

The air hose quick connect is protected and east to reach.

I routed the air intake almost against the firewall under some trim.

I was thinking about painting the horn but it is not really noticeable.

 

[3Hummers]

According to my youngest daughter, who used to sell Suburus and has driven them herself for a decade, " It's a Suburu, you shouldn't need a tool case".

 

[cbetts]

According to my youngest daughter, who used to sell Subarus and has driven them herself for a decade, " It's a Subaru, you shouldn't need a tool case".

That may be true. I have talked to several people that wheel their Subarus and have never broke anything.

However . . . . . I would rather carry tools and not need them rather than break down and not have them.

 

[cbetts]

Not a whole lot going on with the build. I rebadged the rear though . . . .

 

[cbetts]

I was at Harbor Freight and noticed they had a Black Friday deal on a set of off road lights, so I pick up a pair. LINK

I already had two more sets of mounts like the set I used to mount my license plate. Took me a few to play around with different mount points. Fortunately, the front plastic comes off easily so I had a lot of room to work.

The lights have additional LEDs on the side so I had to swap left and right since I mounted them upside-down.

What made this install easy was the car originally had fog lights before I cut them off the front. I used the fog lights wiring to provide power for the new lights. Overall, I like the look!

 

[3Hummers]

Craig, how often do you take your new ride off road?

 

[cbetts]

I haven't had a chance yet. Over the last year, I have noticed that hard braking tends to make my Crosstrek steer a little squirrely. I had the alignment double checked and all looks good. I suspect my 2" ReadiLift may have contributed to the problem. After taking a long look at the lower control arms (LCA) up front, I realize the rear mount is nothing but a flexible piece of rubber. I can see how a hard brake can cause the rear part of the LCA to flex inward. A good piece of evidence the my front wheels rub in a turn only when braking. The weird feeling during the hard brake is also reminiscent of having too much toe out.

Stock:

Aftermarket STI:

I found several articles where people have used the LCAs from an STI on their Forrester. One benefit is the STI LCA relocates the wheel a little bit forward to increase the caster.

 

[rascole]

OK Craig, enough of the pretty pictures. LETS GET IT DIRTY!!!!!! Have a few small runs planned before Moab so lets go.

 

[cbetts]

I had been looking around for a roof rack that sat close to the roof. I did not want the typical basket on the cross rails. I eventually settled in a Prinsu.

Installation took most of the day. Hard part is pulling out interior parts to get access to the fasteners for the factory rails.

The existing holes needed to be drilled out a bit to allow the plus-nuts to fit. I made sure to goop them a lot with sealant to prevent future leaks.

Fitment was not precise. I kept everything loose until all the fasteners were started, then slowly cranked them down. I really like the end result!

 

[cbetts]

HiLift and awning mounted!

 

[LagunaH1]

...

 

[H3Hummer]

HiLift and awning mounted!

Your baaad ass Sub go prepared or go home man... that's the badest Subaru I've EVER seen DUDE :thumbsup

 

[cbetts]

The man in brown dropped these off today!

Getting closer to some wheeling!

 

[LagunaH1]

Please help an uninformed non-Subaru-literate person..... These are.... rear control arms? What do they add? Flex?