Why?

[Duck Vader]

They say it's not a huge improvement but enough of one that it's worth the investment. Only vehicle I've driven with one was the mustang. So no idea how much of a difference it would make on something like a subaru

[aaronatstate]

Find something else to spend your money on. Even though you drive "faster and harder" than most, you aren't going to be driving it at the point where you'll notice a difference honestly.

[Duck Vader]

That's kind of what I was thinking. Wasn't sure how hard you have to drive it to notice it.

Definitely getting the king springs and small lift from primitive though. Last year with this thing fully loaded and on forest roads it definitely could have used them.

[ChargerX3]

Are you autocrossing, or rally racing? If no...then no.

[vr4]

I've got one on moms Maxima but not on mine. There is a fairly noticable difference but the cars aren't identical. I think her engine is a little heavier.

[Duck Vader]

Kind of did something spur of the moment the other day.

Was thinking that with taxes and shipping if I waited to get my stuff after I moved then I would be paying a LOT more. Hundreds more. So I ordered tires, carrier, and the primitive lift.

Picked up the lift yesterday but they forgot to give me a part so need to go back and get the rest.

Getting tires put on today.

Carrier arrives today or tomorrow.

I am having a local shop do the install for the lift. I can no long access my garage to do the work and I get crazy nervous messing with springs since I only have those cheap spring compressors you get from AutoZone.

The primitive lift is smaller than most but instead of just spacers they use smaller spacers and include King Spring. With the added weight of the carrier and the fact that I load this thing up a lot the stiffer springs of the kit made sense to me.

Luckily I am not on the new house loan and I have a few credit cards that she is not a part of. So after the move I will just pay them off.

[Jeff V.]

Sounds like a solid plan.

[Duck Vader]

Might need to invest in some wheel locks for the tire carrier though.

[Duck Vader]

Also the shop can't get me in for the lift until June 1 so that's annoying.

[Duck Vader]

New tires put on this morning.

Picked up missing lift parts. Might install all of the lift except springs myself if I get inpatient.

Carrier says out for delivery, but we will see. FedEx sucks out here.

Pics of tires:





Doing some research the Wildpeak A/T3W weighs about the same as their A/T Trail tires (39 vs 38 lbs) for the same size tire - 245/65R17 - so went with the A/T3W. They were $20 more a tire than the Trail, but that is only $100 more for a tire I would rather have (5 tires). Less warranty 55k vs 65k, but I like the looks more and should be better in the heavier mud/rocky stuff on forest roads. They are significantly heavier than the stock ones though and noticeable for sure. About 9 lbs heavier. We will see what that does to gas mileage.

[Duck Vader]

Went from pending to unknown delivery date. Ugh. FedEx is always a problem out here for some reason.

[alienviking]

Car looks good on there. I think that setup looks wise is perfect without a lift.

[Duck Vader]

Lift is only about an inch. Biggest reason for it is the new springs. Could have done just springs but for just a little bit more I get the extra inch of clearance if needed.

[Duck Vader]

The carrier came today. I installed it. Not sure how I feel about it. Sits a lot further out from the car than I would like. But it's designed to be able to store things like a table or gas cans between it and the car.

I'll see how I like it over the next few weeks. If I hate it I'll sell it and figure something else out.

[tabasco122]

all of the hitch mounted ones are going to sit that far out

[Duck Vader]

I know. I'll see how I feel about it. Might end up going roof top or find a way to mount it inside if I don't get used to it.

[Duck Vader]

Didn't realize until I was putting the spare on that enkei makes the wheels

[Jeff V.]

It'd be nice if it sat a little closer to the hatch, but maybe it won't be so bad once you get used to it.

[Duck Vader]

I get why it's out like that though. They offer a table that attaches there along with fuel and water tanks and stuff like that. Might look into getting something like that down the line.

[alienviking]

Yeah not a fan of that look I must admit.