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Dulagarl: the Lifted H6 Forester

Well, I bought it, and I have to say that what SKT has done is truly inspired.

It’s a freaking rocket on the bitumen, and it has an enormous amount of grunt offroad.

Engine transplant thread is here:

https://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16564

Here’s a little log of bring it home, and it’s first offroad trip once home.

Jan 29th I flew to Coolangatta. Scott picked me up at the airport and we went for a drive. It didn’t take long for me to be convinced that I should buy this. Sure, it had a couple of issues, for example some worn out bushes in the front end, and a cooling issue, but I could tell that this was a VERY serious vehicle.

Brought it home via Lismore and Casino and then to Tamworth for the night. Next day was Tamworth to Narrandera. Narrandera to Melbourne on the Minday was relatively easy after all of that.

Saw some amazing country in the process. Didn’t have time for many snaps, but here are a few…

Some of the country just into NSW after casino…

imgp1367a.jpg


Took a detour via the outer solar system…

001solarsystem.jpg


Actually, that virtual solar system drive from siding spring observatory is a good idea. That pic was taken in Gilgandra.

While on the space bent, couldn’t resist a couple of pics with the Parkes Radio Telescope…

002dish1.jpg


003dish2.jpg


It was 38 degrees Celsius when those shots were taken, and it didn’t get cooler for hours. Unsurprisingly, the vehicle got a bit hot just south of Forbes.

004southofforbes.jpg



A bit further south past West Wyalong, and there was still water around from December. Ridiculously flat country with paddocks turned to lakes…

005southofforbes.jpg


So, when I got home, I went straight to the mechanic and got an aircon service. I also consulted about improving airflow to the radiator. I looked at pics of offroad bars on Outbacks on the Subaxtreme site, and also the bar on the latest Forester. Armed with that info I decided to cut some holes in the bulbar, and this is the result…

001grille.jpg


002front.jpg


Gotta love the grille mesh from supacheap auto!

So, I then set up the GPS on the dash with some adhesive Velcro…

003gps.jpg


and connected the ECU to the laptop to monitor engine performance and temperatures.

004ecudata.jpg


(BTW: I think I might have resolved the “cooling issues”!)

... part two to follow
 
Last edited:
Its done and its like a monster truck. report to come later.
 
Hi Dulagarl,

Did you use 8610-1352Sport Koni's on all four corners?
 
^ rear only. The 1351 are for the front, but I have kyb in there at the moment. Will do the front another time.
 
^ rear only. The 1351 are for the front, but I have kyb in there at the moment. Will do the front another time.

Cool thanks mate,

So 1351 for the front and 1352 for the rear. Got it.
 
^ This bloke (Taza) sold me a centre diff on eBay. 12 kg. Said it would bolt straight on to my gearbox. I had it shipped to All Drive Subaroo, who I booked to install it. Drove up there from Canberra to get the job done.

The install job required the fitting of an earlier model transfer case: more $ and more time. Cost me a day's work to hang around in Sydney. I did suspect an earlier transfer case would be required, but I was assured by the seller that it wasn't. Had I been certain that a new transfer case was needed, I would not have bought the unit. I could have waited and in fact bought a suitable DCCD from Venom when it came up.

I contacted the seller who offered to refund part of the purchase price. I made a suggestion and then heard nothing.

Anyway, put the new unit in and it was soon binding very badly: almost like a locked diff. Had it looked at and it was diagnosed as suspect. Had to buy a new centre diff. Another trip to Sydney, more cost and inconvenience. The good news is that the re-manufactured 20 KG centre diff I put in is great and doesn't bind at all. It confirms to me that the 12 KG unit was stuffed from the start. In the process, one of my driveshafts shat itself, so more $$$.

Moral of the story? Don't believe what you are told by eBay sellers: even if they are from this forum. This has cost me a lot of money and inconvenience.
 
Due to a number of personal issues in my life I have not had the time to deal with online banter. An agreement and refund has been given to Dulagarl due to the misleading circumstances. Goodluck and safe travels with the vehicle!
 
I'm sorry you've had issues. "Banter" is not quite the word for a legitimate complaint.

Thank you for your well wishes.
 
Drivetrain update:

Installed rear KAAZ clutch type lsd (purchased from Venom). Drives great and looking forward to trying it offered soon.

Remaining elements of drivetrain are 5 spd MT, quaife front helical diff, 20kg viscous coupling, 1.44: 1 low range.

Also got new BF Goodrich 215/75 r15 all terrains. Very chunky but disappointed that the rim protector is no longer a feature.
 
The rim protector was a good feature for sure. I like the look of the new BFGs, almost a cross-over between AT and MT.
 
The BFG KO2s are very popular. They look great & are significantly better than the old KO for onroad grip & noise. They're also meant to be better offroad too

What lockup level have you had the KAAZ set up at? I'd suggest 80%, IMO 100% is too severe & can snap axles
 
^ I reckon this set of AT's are quieter than the previous set. Dunno what the KAAZ is set to: whatever Rhys had it set to. I just bolted the diff in, driveshafts and all.
 
Diff report:

Finally got to do some decent offroading in Walls Of Stone National park. Some steep loose rocky rutted tracks.

With the diff set up I now have, I barely spun a wheel. This was at times with a couple of wheels in the air. The clutch type KAAZ diff combined with the Torsen in front and the 20kg centre works almost like a centre lock and rear locker. This will ultimately extend tyre life, as on previous trips with a different diff set up wheels were prone to spin on loose surfaces.

Very happy with this set up. Barely notice the diffs are there until you really need them. As I have said previously, the "folklore" about 20kg centre diffs being harsh and locking wheels on turns etc is a load of rubbish.
 
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