Baja Makeover

[MNBAJA]

Hello, I am new to the site and I am hoping for a little direction since cars are by no means my strong suit. I have a 04 Baja turbo manual and I would like to set it up for offroading. I am to the point where a truck is a must have but I love my Baja to much to part with it. Since I will be in the market for a UTV I figured why not use the Baja instead. I am unsure about what options the Baja has and am having a little bit of trouble finding info on it. A lift of 4''-5'' minimum is pretty much required (combo of lift kit, springs and tires), skid plates and a brush gaurd are a must for starters but am looking for recomendations on other products and sites. Other options I'm interested in are extra lights, winch, roof rack, water proofing the electronics (put it in a flooded ditch in 06 and fryed my computer, would like to not do that again) Any help is appreciated

Thanks
Alex

[sfeather11]

Wow, that's a long wish list for a Baja. 4"-5" lift is very impractical and near impossible for this car. You're on your own, nobody makes aftermarket lifts for this car, the cars are just not popular enough. Scorpion in Australia used to make a mild lift, but I do not think they are available anymore. The only kit I know of is from Xcceleration, and it is only a set of 1" body lift spacers for $400! I am making my own set, but again it is only a 1" body lift. The wheel wells are not designed for larger tires. The up/down clearance of the sheet metal to your tires is not the problem, it's the front to back clearance. Serious sheet metal trimming will be required to fit larger tires, even with a lift. There's only 1 or 2 guys who are running a brush guard, but again it was a custom shop in Washington state (Mudrat designs) that fabbed them up. Not sure if he still even makes them. Lights can be done (search for vids of Thacrudd on you tube), and there are 2 skid plates that I know of, one small rear differential protector. and a nice large one for the front can be found. Check out the links below for some info...

http://xcceleration.com/baja-leg-drive-sup.htm
http://www.writerguy.com/primitive/skid ... d_baja.htm

Sorry if this bursts your bubble, but the market just wasn't there to make these serious off-roaders!

Peace!

[offroadohio]

yeah good luck. Sell the baja and by a side x side if thats your plan

[MNBAJA]

Ya I had a feeling that it would be an issue but I figured I would ask. I am also waiting back to hear from Primitive still. The main reason was that the side x sides are not cheap by any means and it would be sweet to have such a different style offroad vehicle. The trimming for the tires is not an issue. It all comes down to how high before its to much for the CVs. I have a feeling that it is a hopeless cause but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the help!
Alex

[offroadohio]

you have a turbo baja, sell it for 10k and buy a slightly uses side x side.

The Baja is not and never can be a good offroader without significant modifications. Lack of lo range would be the biggest issue. There is a reason why you dotn see newer subarus, rav 4s escapes and other such vehicles with AWD with big lifts and big tires.

[MNBAJA]

Well it was a fun idea at least. Anybody want to buy a Baja lol

[bajamudd]

Hello, I am new to the site and I am hoping for a little direction since cars are by no means my strong suit. I have a 04 Baja turbo manual and I would like to set it up for offroading. I am to the point where a truck is a must have but I love my Baja to much to part with it. Since I will be in the market for a UTV I figured why not use the Baja instead. I am unsure about what options the Baja has and am having a little bit of trouble finding info on it. A lift of 4''-5'' minimum is pretty much required (combo of lift kit, springs and tires), skid plates and a brush gaurd are a must for starters but am looking for recomendations on other products and sites. Other options I'm interested in are extra lights, winch, roof rack, water proofing the electronics (put it in a flooded ditch in 06 and fryed my computer, would like to not do that again) Any help is appreciated

Thanks
Alex

I have on 03 Baja Sport with a 1" subtle solutions lift kit for now, I have plans to lift another two inches with strut extensions.
My Brush Guard/light bar was made by Gorilla Off-Road company and it is one sturdy bar, It holds up to the demands of using the winch on the front of it to pull me up hill climbs, out of mud holes and whatever else I use it for.
I put 6 Hella 500 lights on the bar, as well as two baja lights on my roof, but with all of the lights, my subwoofer speakers, and winch, i had to buy an optima deep cycle battery for 150$.

[MNBAJA]

Pictures?

[bajamudd]

of what? the baja in action? or how it is all installed?
i dont have many shots in action because all o fmy friends suck at picture taking and I do a lot of my offroading at night

[bajachilloopa]

Check out SJRLift.com. They make lifts for nearly all subies and are based in washington state i believe. The '00-'04 legacy/outback lift only requires a teeny tiny bit of mods to work on the baja. They have 2", 4", and 6" lifts. For the 4 and 6 u will most likely need to cut the fenders a bit to fit big enough tires to not look funny. Mudrat Designs Baja front bumper IS A BEAST and worth the money. They also make a tough rear bumper. The Gorilla bar is nice if u want semi-stock looks. Check out the Subaru Baja Owners Club on Facebook, a guy named Ryan has a deliciously made-over baja

[bajaguy]

Lifts are one option but I have seen forester suspension installed to give like 3-5 inches. I'd watch out for the increased angle between the engine and awd system. The safest way to go is 1 or 2 inches with spacers above the suspension. The '04 already has 1" on the '03. Good luck!