Baja Suspension- Hard to find?

[tomato_88]

Has anyone else noticed that it is hard to find replacement struts? At first I could not find any, but then I noticed some prospects if I search using the 2003 model year. Just a couple of years ago I ordered KYB replacement struts for all four corners without issue! Hmmm.

[Guacamole]

What makes it even worse is that the suspension is different between the 03 & the 04-06. I see rockauto has quite a large list of struts for the 03 NA, but then has a bare bones list for the 04, and only rear struts for the 05s & 06s. My local NAPA doesn't even have the Baja model in its database. 'Tis the trouble with older rare cars.

[tomato_88]

From what I understand (from lots of reading a couple of years ago) the struts from all years of Baja (03-06) are the same. The difference is in the spring setup. I am banking on that at this point. I am about to pull the trigger on struts that are listed for the 03 Baja only. (I have a 2006)

[Guacamole]

03 struts & springs are different, 04-06 share the same parts though. They'll fit but you'll lose about an inch of ride height on your 06.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3481&p=19854#p19854

[tomato_88]

I have considered going with the Koni struts that will retrofit using the OEM strut housing. Requires a little fabrication, but may be a good long term solution. If I recall the Kono's have a lifetime warranty.

Koni 8610 1447- Front
Koni 8010 1053- Rear

http://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmeri ... nce/Sport/

These are listed as being for the 05-09 Legacy, may work?

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[Guacamole]

Just from comparing how the Baja & Legacy struts look...
04-06 Baja: https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru__/STR ... AE44A.html
06 Legacy: https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2006_ ... AG00A.html
06 OB: https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2006_ ... AG04A.html
... if the link you gave is a picture of the 2610 1447 strut, the KONI part is definitely shorter than the Baja OEM front strut. I'm not 100% certain these will fit since they're for the next-generation Legacy model.

Anarchy did the suspension on his 03 2 years ago (I should've linked all this in my first post, sorry)
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3175&p=17789&hilit=koni#p17899
His suspension looks like it's still at about the 03 height though.

Starr did his with KYB struts & Baja springs 2 months ago.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2520&p=19952#p19952

Reverend also just did his though with OEM struts & 1in spacers, maybe shoot him a reply/PM for more info?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3596&p=20167#p20167

EDIT: I was just browsing the other OB model struts & they all look extremely similar... the only visible difference is the placement of the flange to secure the brake line hose.

[tomato_88]

Just from comparing how the Baja & Legacy struts look...
04-06 Baja: https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru__/STR ... AE44A.html
06 Legacy: https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2006_ ... AG00A.html
06 OB: https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2006_ ... AG04A.html
... if the link you gave is a picture of the 2610 1447 strut, the KONI part is definitely shorter than the Baja OEM front strut. I'm not 100% certain these will fit since they're for the next-generation Legacy model.

Anarchy did the suspension on his 03 2 years ago (I should've linked all this in my first post, sorry)
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3175&p=17789&hilit=koni#p17899
His suspension looks like it's still at about the 03 height though.

Starr did his with KYB struts & Baja springs 2 months ago.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2520&p=19952#p19952

Reverend also just did his though with OEM struts & 1in spacers, maybe shoot him a reply/PM for more info?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3596&p=20167#p20167

Thanks for all the links. I will do some reading before bed tonight.

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[BajaTim]

I ordered KYBs (listed under 2003 Outback search) from Carid.com - part # was same for 2005 Baja which is what I have (don’t think they had part# for Baja but another site had same KYB # for both).

I went with 2003 OE Outback springs as I wanted to lower my Baja by 1”.


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[tomato_88]

I pulled the trigger and purchased struts for all four corners and new top hats too. KYB stock replacements. Same as I had on my 2003. I don't daily drive it, but don't want to deal with too much NVH from a stiff setup like coil-overs. I feel like I got a good deal, just over $400.00 after tax and shipping at Shocks.com.

Any suggestion on other items I may want to replace while I am working on the suspension?

I will check the ball joints, swaybar bushings, endlinks...

[kamesama980]

I pulled the trigger and purchased struts for all four corners and new top hats too. KYB stock replacements. Same as I had on my 2003. I don't daily drive it, but don't want to deal with too much NVH from a stiff setup like coil-overs. I feel like I got a good deal, just over $400.00 after tax and shipping at Shocks.com.

Any suggestion on other items I may want to replace while I am working on the suspension?

I will check the ball joints, swaybar bushings, endlinks...

replace the mounts and bumpstops along with the struts.

also check the brakes, wheel bearings, CV boots...

[tomato_88]

I pulled the trigger and purchased struts for all four corners and new top hats too. KYB stock replacements. Same as I had on my 2003. I don't daily drive it, but don't want to deal with too much NVH from a stiff setup like coil-overs. I feel like I got a good deal, just over $400.00 after tax and shipping at Shocks.com.

Any suggestion on other items I may want to replace while I am working on the suspension?

I will check the ball joints, swaybar bushings, endlinks...

replace the mounts and bumpstops along with the struts.

also check the brakes, wheel bearings, CV boots...

Thanks!

I ordered mounts at the same time I ordered struts. Makes sense to change them since they have to come out anyways.

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[tomato_88]

I purchased four new KYB struts and top hats. They shipped quickly and arrived in good shape. Needless to say it made a huge difference to replace the (probably) original struts with 200k miles on them. Night and day difference!