New member, "new" Baja.

General talk about the Subaru Baja.

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ZUBAJA
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 276
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 4:38 pm

New member, "new" Baja.

Post by ZUBAJA »

Hey gang, new here. When my beloved 1989 Isuzu 4x4 Spacecab burned up last month, the best replacement seemed to be a Subaru Baja. Picked up this 2003 / 195K miles 5 speed stick Sport last week. Owner couldn't drive a manual any more so they found an identical automatic model, and offered this one for sale. I had 43 pages of build thread on Planetisuzoo on the Spacecab over the 6 years I had it. Also have 3 Foresters. A 98 (170K - Daughter's), a 2002 (221K second daughter's), a 2005 (105K wife's), and had a 2006 (wrecked by a drunk @ 209K). Did heads and rings on the 06, did heads on the 98 (DOHC). All Subaru Family now.
Plans for Baja: getting a hitch this weekend, a mild lift (at least the front) in the not too distant future. Dennis
Baja 001.JPG
Baja 001.JPG (2.59 MiB) Viewed 3949 times
Baja 002.JPG
Baja 002.JPG (2.66 MiB) Viewed 3949 times
Airborneguy
Scoobytruck Contributer
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:21 pm

Re: New member, "new" Baja.

Post by Airborneguy »

Welcome! Nice truck. I have the same one.
tomato_88
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 185
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:42 pm

Re: New member, "new" Baja.

Post by tomato_88 »

Welcome! Looks like a nice find!

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mark40
Scoobytruck Contributer
Posts: 24
Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:14 pm
Location: Pike County PA

Re: New member, "new" Baja.

Post by mark40 »

Looks great Dennis. Welcome.
ZUBAJA
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 276
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2018 4:38 pm

Re: New member, "new" Baja.

Post by ZUBAJA »

So after 6 months it is finally time for a bit of a change. I decided a 2" lift was needed. I also decided to make my own lift blocks using 2" thickwall square tubing, 1/4" plates, and modified front strut mounts. I made similar blocks for the back, but there was a fit issue and after fighting to get the STOCK struts in (even with the jack method), I decided I will go with a 1" rear lift and probably space the rear cradle down 1" too. Currently, the front is slightly over on the positive camber, but it handles well and I will let it "settle" for a week before adjusting.
before block is for comparison only - I have serious jack stands
before block is for comparison only - I have serious jack stands
Baja lift 001.JPG (2.58 MiB) Viewed 3521 times
lift block
lift block
Baja lift 005.JPG (2.56 MiB) Viewed 3521 times
after (forgot concrete block)
after (forgot concrete block)
Baja lift 006.JPG (2.59 MiB) Viewed 3521 times
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