ShugFranklin
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 11-29-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
Worth getting a lift and tires for my Subaru Forester?
Heading down further than I have before in my Subaru Forsester. Planning on spending most of our time around the 7 sisters. Should I drop the $ on a
2" lift and proper off-road tires? Would that even be enough for most situations? Or should I just save the $ and play it safe road wise?
Thanks!
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
I tried to get a lift for my Subaru BRAT, a perfect Baja vehicle, but couldn't find any kits that would work......except in Australia and the shipping
was prohibitive.
Just be careful and sane
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
What size tires now and what is your current ground clearance? Probably not needed, it's not like the road to Mission Santa Marķa, afterall.
|
|
|
ShugFranklin
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 11-29-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks for the reply.
Found someone in SoCal that does it.
I'm a pretty conservative person, already knowing the risk involved in a trip like this I wouldn't push anything. Just curious how much more access
I'm going to get for the $ invested.
|
|
|
ShugFranklin
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 11-29-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
Hey David,
8.7" currently.
Wheels are 225/55 r17.
|
|
|
MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
Member Is Offline
Mood: Current
|
|
You will be able to get to the "major spots", some of the lesser spots will be a reach. I would go and have fun without the lift. You can decide if
you want the lift for your next trip. You might a compressor and a comealong.
[Edited on 11-29-2016 by MMc]
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
I agree with MMc. The Off Road Tacoma has not much more, at 9.25" ground clearance and 265/70-16" tires, stock. The new Subaru AWD system restricts
slip and rates better than others. The only investment I suggest is a good tire air pump, because deflating the tires will give you the most traction
off road and floatation on sand.
|
|
|
BigBearRider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 4-30-2015
Location: Big Bear, Punta Chivato, and Cabo
Member Is Offline
Mood: 
|
|
I'd consider getting a set of BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2s, assuming they make them in your size. Buy them in Baja. With the weak peso, it's a great
deal for really good tires. I have a lot more confidence in my car on bad roads with these tires.
I did a lot of research to find a lift kit for my car, and found few options (Australia had some). I eventually located a kit, and brought it down to
my mechanic in Baja. He told me that they can just make the kit there. For whatever it's worth.
|
|
|
StuckSucks
Super Nomad
Posts: 2325
Registered: 10-17-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
Here's a few shots of what the road along the coast looks like in that part of the world. A lot of it is tame, but also there's some short steep hills
and some soft sections.
|
|
|
rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
nope...your Suby will do fine, unless you are thinking of major off-roading. have never had a problem with my stock Forester.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
|
|
|
willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
mount a set of off road tires just to slap on when you're in the dirt, get home and roll your street tires till the next trip 
|
|
|
chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
Member Is Offline
Mood: Weary
|
|
NO
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Is there an image of the underside of a Forester, online?
I had three Subaru 4WD wagons and friends also had Subaru BRATs... I really thrashed those Suby's a lot and other than losing the exhaust/ muffler on
the road to Gonzaga in 1979, I don't recall the underside being vulnerable? Those all were with 13" tires, too!
|
|
|
bkbend
Senior Nomad
Posts: 693
Registered: 11-27-2003
Location: central OR or central baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
55 is a pretty low profile tire, not much room to air down for sand and not much protection against bending a rim on rocks. You might be able to find
an older 16" subaru rim and find an equal diameter tire in a 65 (or higher) profile tire.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by bkbend  | | 55 is a pretty low profile tire, not much room to air down for sand and not much protection against bending a rim on rocks. You might be able to find
an older 16" subaru rim and find an equal diameter tire in a 65 (or higher) profile tire. |
Yes, the sidewall and tread width are the places where the action happens!
I think my Subarus had 185/70-13 tires?
|
|
|
ShugFranklin
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 11-29-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thank you everyone!
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Please report back after your trip!
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
