Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

anarchy1024 · Post by **anarchy1024** » Sat Mar 12, 2016 10:13 am

Hi everyone,

My 2003 NA with 358,000 km, I'm pretty sure, still has the original shocks and springs, and at least one of them is going bad (rear-right shock absorber), so I'm thinking about replacing all four. Problem is, I want to replace them with something better than basic, but I'm not sure what to get.

Primary use is as a daily driver, with the occasional spirited drive on deserted, twisty mountain roads; not much off-roading, but I don't want the Baja to be any lower than it is. It's not usually used for hauling things around, but more than a few times I had fridges, engines/transmissions, hundreds of pounds of stuff, etc. in the back, and wouldn't want to sacrifice that ability, either. So, is there anything that will improve handling, without sacrificing ride height or carrying ability?

I see KYB GR-2s everywhere, but saw mixed reviews. The Legacy GT suspension parts seem to be bolt-on compatible, but it looks like they'll lower the truck substantially (I saw a photo of the LGT parts because the Baja parts, but can't find that at the moment). I was looking at Koni Yellows, but didn't see anything for the Baja. I have no intention of selling the car anytime soon, or ever, so I don't mind spending a bit more to get something that'll last (and is fun).

Also, since the springs are likely ~13 years old, now, I guess they should be replaced... Any ideas for those? What about sway bars, rear linkages, and anything else I might want/need?

Thanks!

kamesama980 · Post by **kamesama980** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:07 am

Going through the same thing with my new-to-me '03. Rears are iffy, RR especially so. From the paint and condition I'm guessing the fronts have been done before. I occasionally haul and have fun on twisty backroads.

What I've found is the GR-2s are the best bet without frankensteining parts or spending an arm and a leg. It might be possible to replace the guts with Konis like the Imprezzas but I haven't had a chance to do measurements yet as far as range of motion. There are also the usual gabriel and monroe products but nobody's been any more optimistic about them than I am (which isn't much). As for springs, King springs are the suggestion I've been given, available in heavy duty stock height, lowered, or raised (usually from primitive racing). There are coilovers out there but then you're starting out with a bottom shelf coilover for the price of a good spring/strut combo.

anarchy1024 · Post by **anarchy1024** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 10:05 am

Sounds like we're in about the same situation, in terms of intended vehicle usage, and the amount we're able to spend.

These are the only springs I could find on Primitive's site compatible with the 2003 Baja: http://get-primitive.com/suspension-lif ... ester.html

: springs.PNG (212.35 KiB) Viewed 10923 times

So the KYB Excel GR2s with King Springs seem to be the most recommended? Have you heard anything about anti-roll bars?

kamesama980 · Post by **kamesama980** » Mon Mar 14, 2016 6:28 am

I'd give them a call, I was intending to before I order anything. After the wife gets over the last $1000 of engine/front end parts I'm not done putting on. Some people just don't understand the point of getting a car you know you need to put more money into after the sale. Actually I shouldn't say too much, she's pretty good and tries to be understanding about it, just has no interest herself which is why she has a '15 prius and I just sold my '12 Frontier to make my newest (both newest to me and youngest) car the Baja.

LumberjackJack · Post by **LumberjackJack** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:50 pm

Any update on this folks? My stock height NA 2004 is begging for some new suspension, and I would love to find out if the King Springs above for the Outback fit with the Baja! And if someone already has them, how do they like them?

anarchy1024 · Post by **anarchy1024** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 8:40 pm

I just went for it... got the KYB ExcelG shocks and the King Springs I linked earlier, along with new top mounts. I'm liking them so far, but I don't really have a benchmark to compare them. I replaced the shocks and springs at the same time, so I don't know which changes are caused by each part. Plus, the parts they replaced were likely 13 years old, and the rear shocks were so worn there was near-zero resistance when leaning on them. Overall, the ride is firmer and it feels like it leans less in the turns. I haven't done any spirited driving yet, and won't be until I get the transmission issue sorted out.

Oh, anyone in California and wants to help me change the clutch and flywheel? Offering food and all-you-can-drink beer for the day...

Took some photos right after they were installed... they have settled a bit since then.

Photos of the front:

anarchy1024 · Post by **anarchy1024** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 8:43 pm

Rears:

anarchy1024 · Post by **anarchy1024** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:22 pm

And for reference, these are the parts I got:

KYB GR-2 Gas 334448 http://www.amazon.com/KYB-334448-Suspen ... B007LXPF22
KYB GR-2 Gas 334447 http://www.amazon.com/KYB-334447-Suspen ... B006ZN44XA
2x KYB GR-2 Gas 341276 http://www.amazon.com/KYB-GR-2-341276-S ... B0071B7EQY
2x KYB SM5214 Strut Mount (Rear) http://www.amazon.com/KYB-SM5214-Strut- ... B000HDD87W
2x Mevotech MP902924 Strut Mount (Front) http://www.amazon.com/Mevotech-MP902924 ... B007I5O56K
King Springs KSFR-26 KSRR-29 http://get-primitive.com/suspension-lif ... ester.html

kamesama980 · Post by **kamesama980** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 8:05 am

Wow thassa lotta wheel gap! How much did you have to start with? I don't suppose you could post before and week or 2 after pics? I ask cause the guy at Primative responded to my email saying it'd only raise a Baja about 3/4"

I know I have slightly oversize tires but my Baja only has maybe an inch gap in front and 3/4" in back.correction: 1.5-2" both. guess I never really looked that close but it's a LOT less than your after pics.

starr- · Post by **starr-** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:09 am

I'd imagine that it would raise an 03 baja pretty damn close to to the 1-1.25" that is projected for the outbacks. As for the 04-06 I bet there wouldn't really be any difference seeing as how they got that extra inch already. (Im just guessing but I have looked into these king springs before and seems like I'd also need to throw on some spacers to get 1-2" taller than the stock 06 height)

anarchy1024 · Post by **anarchy1024** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 6:21 pm

kamesama980 wrote: Wow thassa lotta wheel gap! How much did you have to start with? I don't suppose you could post before and week or 2 after pics?

I'm not sure how much I started with... besides, they were 13-year-old shocks and springs that have taken quite a bit of abuse over the years, so I don't think they'd be representative of the average Baja. I can take some pics after a bit of driving, and measure the gap with a caliper. How long does it usually take for springs to completely settle? My tires are standard size: 225/60/16. In time I'd like to upgrade to 17" rims, but other things have a higher priority, especially since I don't need winter tires here.

Here are some photos with the stock springs... not sure what you can tell from these angles, though.

anarchy1024 · Post by **anarchy1024** » Fri Apr 08, 2016 4:27 pm

And here are some photos taken after having driven it a bit (well over 1000km):

RedStage · Post by **RedStage** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 5:23 am

anarchy1024 wrote:I just went for it... got the KYB ExcelG shocks and the King Springs I linked earlier, along with new top mounts. I'm liking them so far, but I don't really have a benchmark to compare them. I replaced the shocks and springs at the same time, so I don't know which changes are caused by each part. Plus, the parts they replaced were likely 13 years old, and the rear shocks were so worn there was near-zero resistance when leaning on them. Overall, the ride is firmer and it feels like it leans less in the turns. I haven't done any spirited driving yet, and won't be until I get the transmission issue sorted out.

Oh, anyone in California and wants to help me change the clutch and flywheel? Offering food and all-you-can-drink beer for the day...

Took some photos right after they were installed... they have settled a bit since then.

Photos of the front:

If I may....how much did this setup run? Going to be needing to do this in the near future.

kamesama980 · Post by **kamesama980** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 5:39 am

RedStage wrote:
anarchy1024 wrote:If I may....how much did this setup run? Going to be needing to do this in the near future.

Have you tried looking?

http://get-primitive.com/suspension-lif ... ester.html

Nothing magical about the struts, just price them out at your parts store of choice. I just ordered all 4 struts and mounts with boots for about 450 shipped from rockauto.

anarchy1024 · Post by **anarchy1024** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 9:54 am

RedStage wrote:If I may....how much did this setup run? Going to be needing to do this in the near future.

I included all the links to the actual parts I purchased... clicking on the links should reveal the price.

anarchy1024 wrote:And for reference, these are the parts I got:

KYB GR-2 Gas 334448 http://www.amazon.com/KYB-334448-Suspen ... B007LXPF22
KYB GR-2 Gas 334447 http://www.amazon.com/KYB-334447-Suspen ... B006ZN44XA
2x KYB GR-2 Gas 341276 http://www.amazon.com/KYB-GR-2-341276-S ... B0071B7EQY
2x KYB SM5214 Strut Mount (Rear) http://www.amazon.com/KYB-SM5214-Strut- ... B000HDD87W
2x Mevotech MP902924 Strut Mount (Front) http://www.amazon.com/Mevotech-MP902924 ... B007I5O56K
King Springs KSFR-26 KSRR-29 http://get-primitive.com/suspension-lif ... ester.html

scoobytruck.com

Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA

Re: Upgrading suspension on 2003 NA