legacycentral bbs

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

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

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!

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

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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