The Great Strut Debate

[FlyingAlpaca]

So, I just got my '04 trucklet in February, joined an offroading group, and one member there has been giving me ideas/advice to mod my truck out. He's a Subaru mechanic by trade, and he suggested using mid-2000 Forester struts (and an eventual lift kit to go with them to give 2-3 inches of lift) and putting Baja top hats on them to make them fit. Makes sense to us. One of our group as an older Legacy with a Forester lift and has had no noticeable issues, so we see it as being possible at face-value. Okay, so we found a set of Forester struts for cheap, but now there's a debate going on between our friend and these others guys about how they won't supposedly fit or will fuck something up, but with no telling of why because "just trust me". Now, my boyfriend and I are trying to learn about cars so we can do things ourselves so we don't get scalped by the local mechanics that wanted to charge us $1400 just for the front struts (and we do pretty alright, we do our own brakes, oil, and changed out front struts), but I feel every time I ask about something, I get a simple answer and not an explanation without it being said or conveyed in a condescending manner because ovaries (and it's an attitude I've seen in the Subaru community in general). My truck's a bit goofy off the bat anyway; bought it with Legacy front struts (and only in the front, not sure what the PO was aiming for) so we miraculously found a set of Baja struts at a junkyard that seem to come from an '03 (and I've read the springs would be the thing to change here) because my front still sits a little noticeably lower from the back. I would really appreciate it if someone would explain this issue thoroughly, because I've truly tried to Google-fu some solutions and all I see are topics on spacers. I've considered spacers, but I've heard of them cracking/breaking pretty easily and I don't feel I should drop a lot of money on something I've heard questionable things about (but prove me wrong, I suppose).

I will point out that I do realize that there could be length/longevity issues with some components in the wheel area if I don't change those out, too (although I'm not sure exactly what) if the lift is too high, and I know that my year is supposed to be just over 8", but like I said mine is still somewhat goofy in the front. I'm looking to go to about 10", but I'm on a sad, silly budget as well. I do want to be safe though and I love my beastly trucklet to death, so that's why I'm seeking broader advice.

[Buck Rogers]

I have an 05 Baja currently lifted with Scorpion lift kit (consisting of spacers for the top of all four struts, and body spacers where the running gear, cross members, and center bearings bolt to the uni-body) I also added the Subtle Solutions 1" strut spacers when I changed my struts this spring (total of 3" on top of the struts). I do not think the forester struts are longer than the original Baja struts (the 05 model would have the longest strut for the front), most people who use the Forester struts are lifting Imprezas, and they also need the trailing arm brackets as well. Evan with what Ive done, I cant fit anything larger than a 215/70 16 General Grabber under the truck (wheel wells are to narrow) If I were you, I would start by getting a set of Baja truts under the front (preferably for an 05)....good luck

Buck

[BBoley24]

Hey Buck, could you post some pictures!~?