COMPLETED! dead air suspension to forester / OB conversion

[greenmonster94]

Ok, so ive been driving around for the last 2 months with a blown out air suspension on my 94 wagon and now finally have the cash to make a junkyard run to get "new" parts. I want to get either forester or outback struts and just want to know exactly what I need to pull from the donor car, what I need to buy, and what I need to use from my wagon. I have used the search, and hours of reading other posts, but haven't found a specific list. I already know that im gonna need to get some sort of spacer for the upper mounts, thinking of using a cutting board, lol. Basically, can i just pull the complete strut assembly off of a forester/ob complete w/ springs and stick it onto my wagon?
Also, if i can't find a forester/ob in the yard, can I pull a standard suspension off of another 94 legacy that i know is in the yard and just stick it in, no muss no fuss?

Thanks in advance

EDIT: Swap Completed, omg its so high

[wtdash]

Hi,
You may want to head over to the USMB for more info, as lots of people put OB struts on the older Legacy.

The main difference is the '95-'99 Legacy models used a different rear top hat/strut mount bolt pattern than the '90-'94.

The rear top hats/strut mounts, which have a different bolt pattern, so will need swapped. You may want to remove the extra stuff for the air shocks - wiring/compressor(s). - I've NOT done this swap so don't take my word for it!

Here's a POST I made over there about OB vs. Forester.

Here are my 'cliff notes'.
- Front complete assemblies/take-offs (top hats/springs/strut) will bolt up from either OB or a Foz; Rear will need to swap top hats/mounts - but need to confirm the mounts fit the springs.
- You'll likely want bigger tires as you'll end up w/a gap if you're still running the 185-70-14's.
- You don't need the body spacers from the OB/Foz....not worth the trouble, but the control arms may be wanted to keep the wheel centered in the wheel well.
- Read down thru this POSTabout removing.....so not sure what you read about needing make spacers (other than for the rears if you use the Forester struts).

- OB struts will look like this:


- Forester struts like this - Note the 'saggy butt' - you can buy spacers for it - but the front sits about 1/2" higher than the rear:


GL,
Td

[greenmonster94]

can I use my leggy springs? that will determine when I get to do all this, as I have already ordered new 98 OB GR 2's, and was gonna reuse my tops and springs. but if I need OB springs I need to hit up the yard.

Thanks again!

[wtdash]

You'll need to do your homework about springs...I've never messed w/them...i just put the complete assemblies on my car.

TD

[greenmonster94]

Just found out that I need to get new top mounts because the air ones don't fit standard struts. So, junk yard here I come. gonna just get OB springs while I'm there and hopefully the 94 they have in the yard has a standard suspension. Really don't want to get new ones, so expensive on my already cash strapped budget.

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