New kicks for the Forester...

[BAC5.2]

I was sick and tires of my Proxes 4's always losing air, and generally sucking the snake on anything other than pavement. They were 225/55/16's, which is shorter, even than stock, than my new tires.

The new tires are General's Grabber AT2 sized 215/65/16. About 1.4" larger in diameter. They didn't go on without a fight from my 160,000 mile old suspension, however. The passenger side fit fine, the correct clearence and everything. The drivers side, however, strut collapsed on me. The tire hit to the point where I couldn't even consider driving the car. The lower perch had dropped about an inch. No wonder I was hearing a lot of clunking from that corner. I replaced that strut the same day and haven't had issues. I, of course, now have 1 GR2 strut, and 3 blown OEM struts. Time for a lift and new struts at the same time!

Without further ado, the pics...

Tires:








My drivers strut:



Clearance with that strut when in the air was less than 2mm (this distance reduced to zero once the car was lowered on the ground. In fact, there was so much weight on the tire that there was visible deformation of the rubber).

The passenger side clearance:



Front mounted (on rack):



Down passenger side (on rack):



Bad lighting pictures outside for a quick sidelong glance after I put on the new strut:



Cool aggressive tire picture:



And of course, the vented rear brakes I now sport...with the ONE GR2 on the car...





Cheers!

Phil

[Yukonart]

Now THOSE are some useful tires!!!!

[magicmike]

damn you goin muddin in those bitches?

[BAC5.2]

I haven't gotten a chance to push them too far offroad. The car is to low to get into anything really fun, but the little off-roading I have done has been pleasurable. Where the Proxes 4's would spin (like in wet grass), these have no problem at all.

Now, I need diff's, a lift, and some body armor. This is the largest tire size that will fit with stock SF struts. I can upgrade to SG struts/springs, and then fit a slightly larger tire, which I will. At that point, actual body clearance becomes a slight issue.

I want increased approach and departure angles, and of course enough power and traction to climb.

Hopefully I'll do some of it by this summer, and the rest by the following summer. I want to be taller than a Grand Cherokee. So I'm looking to lift about 70mm front and rear.

[206er]

how does that 4.44's first gear feel offroad, you gave much thought to a D/R 5sp swap? or maybe even one of the D/R EJ trans' from aus.

[BAC5.2]

I have indeed thought of a D/R setup. I'm not outruling it, but the actual gears involved with the dual range aren't very strong, and I don't want a gear failure.

I do intend to make more power and I want the trans to be able to handle it.

[206er]

maybe post on RSlibertyclub or something, ask if anyone will ship you an EJ DR, I bet they would sell you one for like $200 aus and shipping might be around $200-300 american(rough guess).
once you add up an adapter plate, ea82 trans, messing with a custom crossmember, all the clutch parts etc seems like you'd be coming out ahead to get the ej DR.

[BAC5.2]

Yes, I would love to do that. We have a good deal with UPS for inbound from AUS, so I could potentially get it for very cheap.

I'd like to see what can be done to beef up and possibly modify the reduction ratio. I would love to have longer gear ratios for highway and cruising, but the ability to get dirty with ultra low ratios.

Hmm...

[Rasta SLO]

Than your best choice is to get the d/r tranny from the ej18 motor. Im not sure but i think they were sold only in europe. When you engage the tranny in hi mode the gears are really short. Here people are offroading with ej18 motor that has only 105ps, but in hi mode that doesent matter.

[BAC5.2]

Can you source me one? I'd love to give it a shot.

[Rasta SLO]

I think i can. PM me if you would give it a go.

[BAC5.2]

Good exterior pic:



Rasta - I'll PM you when I get a second!

[biggreen96]

hell yeah those are gnarly!