Yeah, it’s a sweet setup. So convenient! You can expect that video in a week or so. You still have the wildy struts with 2” spacers, right? Because those springs are quite a bit softer than Ironman, and way softer than the spec-C I’d completely delete the rear one, but run the adjustable RalliTek front swaybar endlinks that have quick disconnects.
I'm sure that your Outlander is capable too. Have you considered disconnecting or deleting the swaybars for more comfort and traction offroad? At least the rear one. It's a reversible mod so you can test it out.
Do you notice any on road driving difference with the sway bar delete? That’s what I love about the Subaru is it drives so nice on road. Plus the pup prefers a gentle ride.
With the swaybars gone, there a little more body roll on hard turns, but overall it makes everything softer and more comfortable. I think you’d like it. You can test it by completely removing one endlink from each sway bar.
oh baby, that first slow-mo shot! tbh I would be a little concerned going all the way out there while it's still bucketing down that much, but I guess as long as you have cell signal...
Yeah, haha, that slow-mo shot is epic! We don't usually get that kinda wet and heavy snow in the high desert. Your concern is valid, but I've done that trail a few times before, and we had cell service almost the whole time, two vehicles, and mine has a winch. I see that you've been doing CNC stuff. I ordered a CNC plasma table a couple weeks ago, still waiting for it to ship.
Hey great video I have 2016 outback limited no alterations yet. I would so buy a forester and do all that work it . Sweeeet .. I'm from Canada saskatchewan
I bought the Rallitek front disconnect swaybar end link its great off road give an extra couple inch of flex that can be important, very easy to install just for hanging the link i had to strenth with a bolt ,the plastic button is very weak. i wish i chould send a picture
Awesome content! Running a stock 23 FW with just a Thule cargo box. Plan to upgrade tires to at least a 225/65/17, but possibly 235s with stock suspension.
Love your videos, Matthew! I’m considering OW, FW or CW before too long. Have a ‘19 Outback that I’ve already put 150k+ on. Have really loved the car though. Drive a ton for work. I’m sure you see way more Subarus where you are, with the snow. I’m in north Georgia mountain area so never much snow to speak of. But would love your honest opinion of whether the FW is more capable on the hills/dirt/climbs than the OW? I’ve heard they really are. Afraid the CW might be too small for my needs. Thanks! Keep up the good work!
Thanks! 😄 I think that the FW is the best option. The CW is too small and only slightly cheaper than the FW. The OW is too expensive in my opinion. Offroad, the OW should be a beast with its turbo, but that doesn't seem to be the case in reality. I think that the FW hits the sweet spot. Take one for a test drive and maybe place your order!
My wife has a 2020 Forester Limited (also white), and I have a 2022 Crosstrek Limited. Both are bone stock. I'm curious, other than snow tires and some suspension, and it sounds like exhaust on one of the Foresters in the video, are these stock? We plan to move out west this year, which is why we bought Subarus to handle the snow. I know we need tires other than stock "Florida" tires. I'm just curious if the Foresters in the video are mostly stock and handling this deep snow/terrain. I'm so far very impressed with ours in the Ocala National Forest in deep sugar sand. I think there's a little more grip in sand than snow (very dry vs potential ice). Thanks for any info!
Y'all are off to a great start! If y'all are somewhere REALLY snowy, then getting another set of wheels and dedicated winter tires is the best option, though a bit expensive. If you're just going somewhere that gets snowy winters like Colorado, then a good option is to get the tires that we are using in this video. We both have up-sized Nitto Nomad Grapplers. They are all terrain tires, but they have the 3 peak mountain snowflake rating and they perform very well in the snow, as you saw. They best part is that they are still nice and quiet on the road.
They are universal amber grille lights from Amazon. amzn.to/487vnPe You just drill the 1/2" holes were you want them, and wire them up. Ground/negative goes to the frame or negative battery terminal. The positive end gets a fuse tap. Connect it to an empty slot in the engine bay fuse box and they will automatically turn on when the car is on. I made a short video about how to add them. ua-cam.com/video/sja4IfdlhcY/v-deo.htmlsi=47MfpV35oXf4wz3l
I’m trying to decide now between a used 23 FW and a brand new Outback Onyx XT. I love the comfort and power and some options of the Outback, but like the styling, cheaper price, shorter length and styling of the FW(and the CD player). Would love to hear your thoughts on which would be the better daily driver here in the Northeast.
@@MatthewHeiskell I ended up getting the ONYX XT and love it. I would have been happy with the FW, but I like the power of the Onyx as well as the more car like driving experience.
that's awesome. I have a slightly modded '22 Forester Wilderness too that is also white! I'm in the Phx area, maybe not too far from you. Be cool to hit up a trail in between and run all 3 cars together. I'll email you
I love the wheel setup on Joe’s forester! Do you have suspension, wheel / tire specs? I’d love to try to get something that fits similarly on my wilderness.
Joe's wheels are Fifteen52 Metrix MX 17x8 +38mm and his tires are 245/70R17 Nomad Grapplers. His wheel-tire setup is not ideal though. Running a 7" wide wheel would improve sidewall flex and decrease the chance of de-beading a tire when aired down. His offset is too aggressive too. Factory is +48mm which provides the best tire clearance. Mine are +45mm, just 3mm more outboard than factory. His +38mm off set wheels move the center outboard 10mm more than factory. This increases the amount of rubbing. Finally his tires are 1" too tall. He rubs a lot and he will rub even more now that his swaybars are gone. I made a video about the optimal wheel and tire specs if you want to learn more: ua-cam.com/video/cx_4JVFqgYc/v-deo.htmlsi=_ojZ8QibISXFqCwX We both have Ironman suspension. I have spec-c front only, he has spec-c front and rear.
@@MatthewHeiskell Thank you for all the details! His setup looks so much more aggressive than yours, which drew me in, but you articulate the downsides of that well. I think your (well detailed!) setup seems to be the best balance of things after hearing how many sacrifices he's made. I appreciate your content!
Sick! And that dual chamber/resonator exhaust sounds amazing. I want one for my Outback. How do you find no sway bars while on road? Tempted to remove mine too.
Yeah, his Forester sounds really nice. I like that it makes it easier for viewers to know when and how much throttle he is using. Getting rid of the rear one requires zero on-road sacrifice, but gain a good bit off road. Deleting the front one helps even more off road, but you'll notice more body roll when taking high speed hard turns. You can remove one endlink from the front bar and one from the rear bar and try it out for yourself. Its easy if you have a couple car ramps and a socket set. $250 ain't bad for the quick disconnect adjustable endlinks for RalliTek. That would give you the best of both worlds. They made a nice video about how to use them: ua-cam.com/video/avDOJPfDtgQ/v-deo.htmlsi=9DPY2yDvzWNKnsVX
2 Questions: What is the screen you have above your infotainment screen? And if I do the swaybar delete, did I have to extend or modify my brake lines?
Good questions! Your brake lines will be fine. Removing the or disconnecting the swaybars does not change total suspension travel, instead it changes how differently the left and right sides can move. That little screen is a Scan Gauge 2. It displays the CVT temp, SUPER important, and a lot of other useful info. I made a video about how to setup one specifically for a Subaru. ua-cam.com/video/S3g0PtDsTkU/v-deo.html.
@@gavinbaker100 LP Adventure, Ironman, and Primitive include rear brake line extension brackets in their lift kits to reduce stress on the rear brake lines when the rear suspension is at full droop (fully extended). You don't need them in the front, even with a 2" lift. Removing or disconnecting your swaybars does not change suspension travel. Full droop is still the same position, instead, it let's the left and right side move completely independently, improving suspension articulation, comfort, and traction.
Thanks Matt, that is really helpful and clears the air. I originally had a SLO 1.5 inch lift front and back and it did not come with brake line extensions. Because of fouling issues between the front sway bar links and steering rod (local beaurocracy) I swopped the front spacer lift out for a Primitve 1.25 inch King Spring Lift which resolved my fouling problem. Strangely enough I actually gained another .0.25 inch lift at the front. The installer reckons that's because Subaru OEM springs are too soft and sag. Any way because I only have 1.5 inch lift at the back I might not need the extension. Thanks for your help. One other question. Have you found that the Wlderness Forester is noticeably better than the standard Forester when the going gets tough? Cheers
I stock Forester would have struggled more, but I think it could do it. If you want to do this kinda stuff, then I recommend skid plates, lift, and tires.
I am curious why you chose the Forester over the Outback Wilderness? Doesn't the extra torque of the turbo help to get unstuck from deep snow? If someone is starting from scratch, and assuming the Outback Wilderness is within budget, would you recommend the FW or the OW to build a rig like yours?
Good questions! In my opinion, the OW is too expensive. The FW has better gearing (better crawl ratio). It’s true that the OW has a turbo and makes 277 ft lbs of torque at 2,000 rpms, which makes it better on paper, but that’s EXTREME torque for a CVT. I think that Subaru has programmed the ECU to significantly limit engine output at slow crawling speeds. They must have! because that amount of torque…the CVT won’t last long. I want to go head to head with a OW using my FW. I think the most capable Subaru is the CW, but it is too small for my needs.
Awesome video! Really highlights your own improvements and modifications. Do you know what lift/tires your buddy is running? Also, is his nameless exhaust catback or axleback? Not sure how much of a difference that makes, but I've had my eye on it for a while. Thanks!
Thanks! 😄 Joe is running Ironman too, but Spec-C all around. He’s running Nomad Grapplers too, but 1” taller than mine. His are 245/70R17, but he still has rubbing issues after trimming and tweaking. Mine are 245/65R17, no rubbing under any circumstances. His exhaust is just axle back.
Loved the snow run! Removing the sways appears to be the killer mod for these cars. Have had any issues with stability? Do you feel that your Forester would still be safe loaded down with four adults?
Yeah, it's the killer mod for sure! Free and reversible too! I made a very detailed testing video about this topic. ua-cam.com/video/_N0hZR-IxfQ/v-deo.htmlsi=LMYgh__rbAIuFtO4. It's still stable without the swaybars, even fully loaded. The low/flat boxer engine, unibody construction, and fully independent suspension help keep the handing good, but there are some other factors that help... the Ironman suspension has stiffer springs, and the Spec-C version has even stiffer springs. This helps a lot with keeping the vehicle stable. Getting rid of the rear one requires zero on-road sacrifice, but you gain a good bit of off road performance. Deleting the front one helps even more off road, but you'll notice more body roll when taking high speed hard turns. You can remove one endlink from the front bar and one from the rear bar and try it out for yourself. Its easy if you have a couple car ramps and a socket set. $250 ain't bad for the quick disconnect adjustable endlinks for RalliTek. That would give you the best of both worlds. They made a nice video about how to use them: ua-cam.com/video/avDOJPfDtgQ/v-deo.htmlsi=9DPY2yDvzWNKnsVX
I lifted my 2017 Forester XT this summer and now its even more of a beast in the snow! Do the wilderness trims come with a cvt cooler or do you have to install one yourself? I see some guys run them and some guys don't. I'm on the fence about if I really need one or not - I run 235/65/17 Wildpeak AT3W's in the summer, but a stock size true winter tire in the winters.
The first and most important thing is to add a scan gauge so that you can monitor your trans temp, other stuff too. I made a video about programming one specifically for Subarus. ua-cam.com/video/S3g0PtDsTkU/v-deo.htmlsi=Mh3HakFAAQ0ekprc
Love seeing this! Just picked up my ‘24 Forester Wilderness and am in love. I’ve got probably a bunch of questions, but first, can you fit 245/65-17s with stock suspension? How does it affect the ride/handling?
hey just wondering a few things, are you using chains?.. im a owner of a Legacy Wagon 92, recently i crossed the andes from Argentina to Chile back and forth. On my wayback there was as much a snow as in your video but i was supposed to climb up a mountain road so i put chains on the front wheels, is it reallly necessary?
We don't use chains unless the road/law requires them. Subarus do very very well in the snow because of their AWD system and nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
This looked like a blast! Would you have felt more confident with the K02s? Or were you perfectly OK with the Nitto Grapplers? I have Toyo Open Country AT3 right now and feel like it’s overkill. Want a smoother better MPG tire but also do not want to risk getting stuck and love adventures like this! I also drive a 22 Toyota Sienna AWD haha so heavier and the toyo have been great for traction
Overheating the transmission is the only thing that you need to worry about. I use a ScanGauge to monitor the CVT. I stop and let it rest if it hits 220F. I made an instructional video about adding one and programming it to display the CVT temp. Scan Gauge to Display Subaru CVT Temp ua-cam.com/video/S3g0PtDsTkU/v-deo.html
You won't regret it! They are sooo good at everything. Not the best at anything, but so versatile! Comfortable, safe, efficient, and surprisingly capable offroad.
I still get 30+ mpg at 65mph thanks to the CVT’s infinite gears. The computer is always adjusting the transmission gear ratio and engine RPM for max efficiency. This accounts for the larger tires automatically.
Glad to hear that! The wilderness does not come with sliders. He has the body armor 4x4 sliders. I have the same ones, just haven’t installed them yet. They are also comparable with non-wildy models.
Hello, there are a few companies that make skid plates for Subarus. Here’s one of them: get-primitive.com/product-category/armor-skidplates-and-protection/skidplate-packages/
The Crosstrek Wilderness (CW) and Forester Wilderness (FW) have the same engine and transmission. The CW has a higher tow rating and comes with a little more ground clearance, but the FW is larger and more comfortable. My wife and I sleep inside our FW when we are camping, the CW is too small for that. I recommend that you go test drive both of them. I bet the choice will become very clear after that.
Loved my xTerra. Too bad it just totaled 2 weeks ago. It was a 2014 Pro4X. Only had 120K miles on it. Was super clean. I’m shopping for the next vehicle now, and I’m leaning towards Subaru.
Zero, I'm a firm believer that X-Mode is sufficient. The realized gains, if any, would be very small compared to the cost, install hassle, and complexity. It's just not worth it for me, personally. X-Mode is incredible if you know how to fully utilize it.
Skid plates for engine and transmission. Lift it 1.5” to 2” and get larger all terrain tires, like Nitto Nomad Grapplers. And if you’re serious about offroad, then delete your sway bars.
We did these mods our selves. It's too expensive to pay someone to do it, in my opinion. There are lots of good UA-cam videos that show how do almost everything to a car. See if there is a local Subaru club. The Subaru community is super nice and helpful.
@@MatthewHeiskell any suggestions on how to find them locally. My dealership has told me I'm one of the rare Subaru owners around my area. The majority here he said are very grouchy senior citizens that aren't happy with anything. Lol Salesman at my dealership are soooo stressed out when a sale comes up. They call me the" breath of fresh air buyer " 😂
I see you havent learned the "disconnect the rear passenger wheel speed sensor" trick yet.... It turns your dash into a christmas tree and disables all abs and stability control to allow for all the wheel spin.
haha, there's an easier trick, put the car in neutral to prevent the safety lock out, pull the STOP fuse from the panel by your left knee, press the brake a few times, dash becomes christmas tree and VDC/traction control/stability assist is all disabled, you still have ABS, hoon it up but not on roads, your brake lights won't be functional until you put the fuse back and reset the car.
@@MatthewHeiskell wheel speed sensor method allows you to keep brake lights.... That's a biggie IMO.... I do feel bad for you for having a cvt, the manual allows for much more fun-centric driving on loose surfaces.
@@Ferretts89 Yeah a clutch kick really helps initiate a drift, but I like my CVT a lot. I had to add a transmission cooler, but the infinite gears is really nice for maintaining efficiency . For example, if we both switch to a 10% taller tire, then the ideal highway gearing will be 10% lower. You're still stuck with 6th because 5th is too low. My CVT automatically adjusts the gearing because the computer makes it keep the revs as low as possible while supplying the power requested by the accelerator pedal. Also, when off roading through tricky obstacles, I can ride my torque converter, it just heats the transmission oil, but the transmission cooler takes care of that. You have to ride your clutch, which is not sustainable.
@@MatthewHeiskell I had sent a congratulatory message to you a while back on you conquering that hill with your former Forester when you got together with JONDZ_ADVENTURING and a Bruceyyyy and a few others.
Thanks! Your 22FW is already one of the most capable Subarus out there. The basics that you need are the ADF Eco Lift Kit and a Crawford Performance CVT Skid Plate. Larger 245/65R17 tires once the stock ones get worn out.
I’m dumping my Forester ASAP. It’s a 19 with only 15K miles because it’s in the repair shop more than it’s out. In the last 7 weeks I’ve had it home only 10 days. Subaru didn’t find Anything wrong until 3 days After the warranty expired so now I’m having to pay for all of the repairs that they couldn’t figure out. It took Subaru 5 years to figure out why the remote start didn’t work. As far as I’m concerned Subaru can go 🖕🏽Themselves
@@gagags1115 They tried that and it didn’t work. The rear hatch opens at random, the dashboard lights keep burning out, the facial recognition system about 1/2 of the time, my Forester unlocks itself randomly, it says the tires need maintenance. The oil pressure light flickers only when cold and when it hit a bump in the road. They had to replace the DCM and that didn’t fix anything but it Decreased my fuel mileage DOWN to 20mpg. The list goes on while I’m having to pay for it. It’s on its 3rd battery. The car is simply a POS. I’ve been Begging Subaru to buy my Lemon 🍋 back from me since the first month of ownership. It started showing problems 3 days after I bought it. It’s a HORRIBLE CAR. Like I’ve said, it’s 5 years old and I have only 15K miles on it because it’s in the repair shop more often than it’s not. It won’t stay running long enough for me to get it sold, so I have to keep repairing it. This is my First Subaru and it will definitely be my LAST SUBARU !
@@Doc1855 sounds like you have yourself a lemon. I never buy vehicles with electric hatch. More stuff to break IMHO. But based on all else it really sounds like you may have a lemon
I completely understand your frustration. I've owned subies for years. I traded my 2019 sport for my wilderness. I avoid all the bells and whistles because those are usually what tend to be a headache. I had a little added Tahoe with nothing but bell and whistles problems
lol . Looks like a happy baby dog playing in snow
Yeah, haha, digging around and having fun.
These are the off road adventures I’ve missed, especially the outdoor shots tackling different terrain. Keep them coming!
Thanks Steve! We recently had a little subi meet up in the PNW. I film some neat obstacles at Tahuya OHV. You will enjoy it for sure!
@@MatthewHeiskell patiently waiting for more adventures! Hope you're enjoying the new car mate.
Amazing vehicles in just about any terrain. Handled that snowy day like a boss! 🏆🏆🏆🏆. Viva Subaru
Love this episode. great video
Many thanks! 😄 we had an absolute blast that day in the snow!
Definitely interested in that on board air! I need to disconnect my sway bars soon!
Yeah, it’s a sweet setup. So convenient! You can expect that video in a week or so. You still have the wildy struts with 2” spacers, right? Because those springs are quite a bit softer than Ironman, and way softer than the spec-C I’d completely delete the rear one, but run the adjustable RalliTek front swaybar endlinks that have quick disconnects.
@@MatthewHeiskell yes I do, I’ll definitely do the rear for now and do some research on those other ones, they seem really convenient!
Exhaust sounds good. I think that's the one I'll get for my 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness.
Yeah, I liked it, not sure if I'd enjoy living with it though. Did you order one for your 24CW?
I initially wanted a forester but wanted room to car camp, so i got an outlander phev instead. But wow! This is one tough car! Nothing stops it 😮
I'm sure that your Outlander is capable too. Have you considered disconnecting or deleting the swaybars for more comfort and traction offroad? At least the rear one. It's a reversible mod so you can test it out.
@@MatthewHeiskell I did not k now you could do that :O
Love the snow adventure with Subaru wilderness
They looks so nice
Many thanks! 😄 And they are a lot cheaper than a 4Runner, haha.
Do you notice any on road driving difference with the sway bar delete? That’s what I love about the Subaru is it drives so nice on road. Plus the pup prefers a gentle ride.
With the swaybars gone, there a little more body roll on hard turns, but overall it makes everything softer and more comfortable. I think you’d like it. You can test it by completely removing one endlink from each sway bar.
@@MatthewHeiskell I don’t have one yet, but maybe someday I’ll try that.
Я так каждое утро добираюсь на работу😂.Удачи вам👍👍👍
большое спасибо
Что снимают? Даже смешно. В подмосковье бы его к нам в посёлок, узнал бы, что такое бездорожье. 😂
oh baby, that first slow-mo shot!
tbh I would be a little concerned going all the way out there while it's still bucketing down that much, but I guess as long as you have cell signal...
Yeah, haha, that slow-mo shot is epic! We don't usually get that kinda wet and heavy snow in the high desert. Your concern is valid, but I've done that trail a few times before, and we had cell service almost the whole time, two vehicles, and mine has a winch. I see that you've been doing CNC stuff. I ordered a CNC plasma table a couple weeks ago, still waiting for it to ship.
Hey great video I have 2016 outback limited no alterations yet. I would so buy a forester and do all that work it . Sweeeet .. I'm from Canada saskatchewan
Thanks! I bet your Outback could do this with a few mods! Lift, swaybar delete, tires, skidplates, done!
AMAZING!
Many thanks! 😄
@ 1:04 That is "ALL" you had to say.. I'm now hooked!!!
haha, yeah Subarus are pretty much made for the snow, and that capability transfers really well to mud and sand too.
I bought the Rallitek front disconnect swaybar end link its great off road give an extra couple inch of flex that can be important, very easy to install just for hanging the link i had to strenth with a bolt ,the plastic button is very weak.
i wish i chould send a picture
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome content! Running a stock 23 FW with just a Thule cargo box. Plan to upgrade tires to at least a 225/65/17, but possibly 235s with stock suspension.
Nice, but you can go all the way to 245/65R17 without rubbing if you use the stock wheels.
Is this true stock suspension or do you need the Ironman lift? Thanks!@@MatthewHeiskell
Great video
Many thanks! 😄
I miss going off roading. Was debating on getting a nice little subie for going camping
Subarus are affordable and surprisingly capable with a few mods. Go for it!
Love your videos, Matthew! I’m considering OW, FW or CW before too long. Have a ‘19 Outback that I’ve already put 150k+ on. Have really loved the car though. Drive a ton for work. I’m sure you see way more Subarus where you are, with the snow. I’m in north Georgia mountain area so never much snow to speak of. But would love your honest opinion of whether the FW is more capable on the hills/dirt/climbs than the OW? I’ve heard they really are. Afraid the CW might be too small for my needs. Thanks! Keep up the good work!
Thanks! 😄 I think that the FW is the best option. The CW is too small and only slightly cheaper than the FW. The OW is too expensive in my opinion. Offroad, the OW should be a beast with its turbo, but that doesn't seem to be the case in reality. I think that the FW hits the sweet spot. Take one for a test drive and maybe place your order!
@@MatthewHeiskell thank you buddy!
My wife has a 2020 Forester Limited (also white), and I have a 2022 Crosstrek Limited. Both are bone stock. I'm curious, other than snow tires and some suspension, and it sounds like exhaust on one of the Foresters in the video, are these stock? We plan to move out west this year, which is why we bought Subarus to handle the snow. I know we need tires other than stock "Florida" tires. I'm just curious if the Foresters in the video are mostly stock and handling this deep snow/terrain. I'm so far very impressed with ours in the Ocala National Forest in deep sugar sand. I think there's a little more grip in sand than snow (very dry vs potential ice). Thanks for any info!
Y'all are off to a great start! If y'all are somewhere REALLY snowy, then getting another set of wheels and dedicated winter tires is the best option, though a bit expensive. If you're just going somewhere that gets snowy winters like Colorado, then a good option is to get the tires that we are using in this video. We both have up-sized Nitto Nomad Grapplers. They are all terrain tires, but they have the 3 peak mountain snowflake rating and they perform very well in the snow, as you saw. They best part is that they are still nice and quiet on the road.
What grill lights are those?
They are universal amber grille lights from Amazon. amzn.to/487vnPe You just drill the 1/2" holes were you want them, and wire them up. Ground/negative goes to the frame or negative battery terminal. The positive end gets a fuse tap. Connect it to an empty slot in the engine bay fuse box and they will automatically turn on when the car is on. I made a short video about how to add them. ua-cam.com/video/sja4IfdlhcY/v-deo.htmlsi=47MfpV35oXf4wz3l
I’m trying to decide now between a used 23 FW and a brand new Outback Onyx XT. I love the comfort and power and some options of the Outback, but like the styling, cheaper price, shorter length and styling of the FW(and the CD player). Would love to hear your thoughts on which would be the better daily driver here in the Northeast.
You should for sure get the FW. It has better gearing and a simpler engine!
@@MatthewHeiskell I ended up getting the ONYX XT and love it. I would have been happy with the FW, but I like the power of the Onyx as well as the more car like driving experience.
that's awesome. I have a slightly modded '22 Forester Wilderness too that is also white! I'm in the Phx area, maybe not too far from you. Be cool to hit up a trail in between and run all 3 cars together. I'll email you
Yeah Ruli! I wrote you back 👍
I love the wheel setup on Joe’s forester! Do you have suspension, wheel / tire specs? I’d love to try to get something that fits similarly on my wilderness.
Joe's wheels are Fifteen52 Metrix MX 17x8 +38mm and his tires are 245/70R17 Nomad Grapplers. His wheel-tire setup is not ideal though. Running a 7" wide wheel would improve sidewall flex and decrease the chance of de-beading a tire when aired down. His offset is too aggressive too. Factory is +48mm which provides the best tire clearance. Mine are +45mm, just 3mm more outboard than factory. His +38mm off set wheels move the center outboard 10mm more than factory. This increases the amount of rubbing. Finally his tires are 1" too tall. He rubs a lot and he will rub even more now that his swaybars are gone. I made a video about the optimal wheel and tire specs if you want to learn more: ua-cam.com/video/cx_4JVFqgYc/v-deo.htmlsi=_ojZ8QibISXFqCwX We both have Ironman suspension. I have spec-c front only, he has spec-c front and rear.
@@MatthewHeiskell Thank you for all the details! His setup looks so much more aggressive than yours, which drew me in, but you articulate the downsides of that well. I think your (well detailed!) setup seems to be the best balance of things after hearing how many sacrifices he's made. I appreciate your content!
Sick! And that dual chamber/resonator exhaust sounds amazing. I want one for my Outback. How do you find no sway bars while on road? Tempted to remove mine too.
Yeah, his Forester sounds really nice. I like that it makes it easier for viewers to know when and how much throttle he is using. Getting rid of the rear one requires zero on-road sacrifice, but gain a good bit off road. Deleting the front one helps even more off road, but you'll notice more body roll when taking high speed hard turns. You can remove one endlink from the front bar and one from the rear bar and try it out for yourself. Its easy if you have a couple car ramps and a socket set. $250 ain't bad for the quick disconnect adjustable endlinks for RalliTek. That would give you the best of both worlds. They made a nice video about how to use them: ua-cam.com/video/avDOJPfDtgQ/v-deo.htmlsi=9DPY2yDvzWNKnsVX
2 Questions: What is the screen you have above your infotainment screen? And if I do the swaybar delete, did I have to extend or modify my brake lines?
Good questions! Your brake lines will be fine. Removing the or disconnecting the swaybars does not change total suspension travel, instead it changes how differently the left and right sides can move. That little screen is a Scan Gauge 2. It displays the CVT temp, SUPER important, and a lot of other useful info. I made a video about how to setup one specifically for a Subaru. ua-cam.com/video/S3g0PtDsTkU/v-deo.html.
Then why do LP Aventure and Primitive in lyde a brake line extension bracket in their kits?
@@gavinbaker100 LP Adventure, Ironman, and Primitive include rear brake line extension brackets in their lift kits to reduce stress on the rear brake lines when the rear suspension is at full droop (fully extended). You don't need them in the front, even with a 2" lift. Removing or disconnecting your swaybars does not change suspension travel. Full droop is still the same position, instead, it let's the left and right side move completely independently, improving suspension articulation, comfort, and traction.
Thanks Matt, that is really helpful and clears the air. I originally had a SLO 1.5 inch lift front and back and it did not come with brake line extensions. Because of fouling issues between the front sway bar links and steering rod (local beaurocracy) I swopped the front spacer lift out for a Primitve 1.25 inch King Spring Lift which resolved my fouling problem. Strangely enough I actually gained another .0.25 inch lift at the front. The installer reckons that's because Subaru OEM springs are too soft and sag. Any way because I only have 1.5 inch lift at the back I might not need the extension. Thanks for your help. One other question. Have you found that the Wlderness Forester is noticeably better than the standard Forester when the going gets tough? Cheers
I watched this video again, and I have to ask..can a stock subaru forester do this as well?..or just the modified versions?
I stock Forester would have struggled more, but I think it could do it. If you want to do this kinda stuff, then I recommend skid plates, lift, and tires.
On Joe’s setup, what is the light pod setup below the grille? Looking for a bar to hold pods like that!
It’s called an SSD Rally Light Bar. Add “Forester” and you’ll find it on Google.
I am curious why you chose the Forester over the Outback Wilderness? Doesn't the extra torque of the turbo help to get unstuck from deep snow?
If someone is starting from scratch, and assuming the Outback Wilderness is within budget, would you recommend the FW or the OW to build a rig like yours?
Good questions! In my opinion, the OW is too expensive. The FW has better gearing (better crawl ratio). It’s true that the OW has a turbo and makes 277 ft lbs of torque at 2,000 rpms, which makes it better on paper, but that’s EXTREME torque for a CVT. I think that Subaru has programmed the ECU to significantly limit engine output at slow crawling speeds. They must have! because that amount of torque…the CVT won’t last long. I want to go head to head with a OW using my FW. I think the most capable Subaru is the CW, but it is too small for my needs.
Awesome video! Really highlights your own improvements and modifications. Do you know what lift/tires your buddy is running? Also, is his nameless exhaust catback or axleback? Not sure how much of a difference that makes, but I've had my eye on it for a while. Thanks!
Thanks! 😄 Joe is running Ironman too, but Spec-C all around. He’s running Nomad Grapplers too, but 1” taller than mine. His are 245/70R17, but he still has rubbing issues after trimming and tweaking. Mine are 245/65R17, no rubbing under any circumstances. His exhaust is just axle back.
Loved the snow run! Removing the sways appears to be the killer mod for these cars. Have had any issues with stability? Do you feel that your Forester would still be safe loaded down with four adults?
Yeah, it's the killer mod for sure! Free and reversible too! I made a very detailed testing video about this topic. ua-cam.com/video/_N0hZR-IxfQ/v-deo.htmlsi=LMYgh__rbAIuFtO4. It's still stable without the swaybars, even fully loaded. The low/flat boxer engine, unibody construction, and fully independent suspension help keep the handing good, but there are some other factors that help... the Ironman suspension has stiffer springs, and the Spec-C version has even stiffer springs. This helps a lot with keeping the vehicle stable. Getting rid of the rear one requires zero on-road sacrifice, but you gain a good bit of off road performance. Deleting the front one helps even more off road, but you'll notice more body roll when taking high speed hard turns. You can remove one endlink from the front bar and one from the rear bar and try it out for yourself. Its easy if you have a couple car ramps and a socket set. $250 ain't bad for the quick disconnect adjustable endlinks for RalliTek. That would give you the best of both worlds. They made a nice video about how to use them: ua-cam.com/video/avDOJPfDtgQ/v-deo.htmlsi=9DPY2yDvzWNKnsVX
I lifted my 2017 Forester XT this summer and now its even more of a beast in the snow! Do the wilderness trims come with a cvt cooler or do you have to install one yourself? I see some guys run them and some guys don't. I'm on the fence about if I really need one or not - I run 235/65/17 Wildpeak AT3W's in the summer, but a stock size true winter tire in the winters.
Comes with the cvt cooler.
The first and most important thing is to add a scan gauge so that you can monitor your trans temp, other stuff too. I made a video about programming one specifically for Subarus. ua-cam.com/video/S3g0PtDsTkU/v-deo.htmlsi=Mh3HakFAAQ0ekprc
Love seeing this! Just picked up my ‘24 Forester Wilderness and am in love. I’ve got probably a bunch of questions, but first, can you fit 245/65-17s with stock suspension? How does it affect the ride/handling?
Nice! Yup, that’s the perfect tire size, even with stock suspension. You’ll be sitting 1” higher, but no significant changes to the ride or handling.
awesome !
Many thanks! 😄
hey just wondering a few things, are you using chains?.. im a owner of a Legacy Wagon 92, recently i crossed the andes from Argentina to Chile back and forth. On my wayback there was as much a snow as in your video but i was supposed to climb up a mountain road so i put chains on the front wheels, is it reallly necessary?
We don't use chains unless the road/law requires them. Subarus do very very well in the snow because of their AWD system and nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
This looked like a blast! Would you have felt more confident with the K02s? Or were you perfectly OK with the Nitto Grapplers?
I have Toyo Open Country AT3 right now and feel like it’s overkill. Want a smoother better MPG tire but also do not want to risk getting stuck and love adventures like this!
I also drive a 22 Toyota Sienna AWD haha so heavier and the toyo have been great for traction
I prefer my Nitto Nomad Grapplers over the KO2s in EVERY situation except really deep nasty mud.
Is this off-road? I'm driving through my snowdrifts up to the roof in the snow. This is not off-road. This is an easy promenade.
That sounds like a lot of fun! 😄 I wish that we got that much snow.
When my Impreza grows up
it wants to be a Forester 🚙
People lift Imprezas. They can turn into crosstreks and go even higher with just a few extra parts.
What kind of tires are you running? Great video
Upsized 245/65R17 Nitto Nomad Grapplers. They are excellent!
@ thank you
I have a forester and I soo worried to off-road with the cvt.
What kinda of Subaru do you have?
@@MatthewHeiskell 24 forester premium
Overheating the transmission is the only thing that you need to worry about. I use a ScanGauge to monitor the CVT. I stop and let it rest if it hits 220F. I made an instructional video about adding one and programming it to display the CVT temp. Scan Gauge to Display Subaru CVT Temp
ua-cam.com/video/S3g0PtDsTkU/v-deo.html
@Matthew Heiskell What light bar does your friend have on the front?
SSD Light Bar!
Who makes that metal bumper/integrated sump guard?
Me! I designed it and built it. I have plans to sell them in the future. 😄
@@MatthewHeiskell Very nice 👌
Well I just came up for air after a 2 hour deep dive of your content. You've just earned yourself a sub! @@MatthewHeiskell
Sold. I’m buying one.
You won't regret it! They are sooo good at everything. Not the best at anything, but so versatile! Comfortable, safe, efficient, and surprisingly capable offroad.
We have a Forester and a Crosstrek Wilderness.....both are absolutely amazing vehicles
Snow or AT tires on those Subies? They look like AT for me?
Yup! They are AT tires.
how exactly did the other wildness make his support for the auxilary lights?
He has them mounted to a bar that he ordered. www.ssdperformance.net/subaru
What kind of mpg are you guys getting?
I still get 30+ mpg at 65mph thanks to the CVT’s infinite gears. The computer is always adjusting the transmission gear ratio and engine RPM for max efficiency. This accounts for the larger tires automatically.
@ that’s awesome
Do you think xmode is absolutely needed in a Subaru to go on trails like these?
No, but it helps. Without it, you’ll have more wheel spin before the traction control system helps out, you should be okay if you keep your foot down
Xmode is pretty cool.
Do you run an aftermaket exhaust?
Yeah, X-Mode is amazing. Joe runs the nameless dual chamber exhaust. I prefer the quieter stock exhaust.
What is the 4 light bar brand name? Is it license plate mounted?
He got that light mounting bar from this website: www.ssdperformance.net/subaru
Do you know what size tires i can put on a stock forester wilderness that will fill the wheel well without rubbing? Just got mine yesterday
The perfect size is 245/65R17. That’s what I have. ZERO rubbing if you use the stock wheels.
Love ur vids man, youve helped me do some mods on my fozzy. What rock sliders does the wilderness have on
Glad to hear that! The wilderness does not come with sliders. He has the body armor 4x4 sliders. I have the same ones, just haven’t installed them yet. They are also comparable with non-wildy models.
Hi. Im keen to know the under body protections for radiator and engine. Voild i have the link please.
Hello, there are a few companies that make skid plates for Subarus. Here’s one of them: get-primitive.com/product-category/armor-skidplates-and-protection/skidplate-packages/
@MatthewHeiskell thanks. Just checked that doesn't fit for Aussie SK models
So I own a Nissan xterra
Once august hit I’m buying a Subaru cross track wilderness
Or should I go Forster wilderness?
Your thoughts
The Crosstrek Wilderness (CW) and Forester Wilderness (FW) have the same engine and transmission. The CW has a higher tow rating and comes with a little more ground clearance, but the FW is larger and more comfortable. My wife and I sleep inside our FW when we are camping, the CW is too small for that. I recommend that you go test drive both of them. I bet the choice will become very clear after that.
@@MatthewHeiskell thanks for the input
I’m think about buying both to be truthful
Loved my xTerra. Too bad it just totaled 2 weeks ago. It was a 2014 Pro4X. Only had 120K miles on it. Was super clean.
I’m shopping for the next vehicle now, and I’m leaning towards Subaru.
with what mode did you did the trail with? like snow/mud
We used x-mode 2 almost the whole time (deep snow/mud)
What do you use for rust prevention?
Nothing really rusts in New Mexico, but try fluid film. It comes in a spray can and works well.
Any plans on getting the torq masters rear locker?
Zero, I'm a firm believer that X-Mode is sufficient. The realized gains, if any, would be very small compared to the cost, install hassle, and complexity. It's just not worth it for me, personally. X-Mode is incredible if you know how to fully utilize it.
Do you have turbo 2.4 or 1.8 in that body SK?
Good question! All SK Foresters 2019-2024 have a naturally aspirated 2.5L boxer-4
New to the suby world just bought a 2016 forester any suggestions on mods ?
Skid plates for engine and transmission. Lift it 1.5” to 2” and get larger all terrain tires, like Nitto Nomad Grapplers. And if you’re serious about offroad, then delete your sway bars.
Unfortunately, here where i live there are no places that will even consider touching Subarus for modifications. 😞
We did these mods our selves. It's too expensive to pay someone to do it, in my opinion. There are lots of good UA-cam videos that show how do almost everything to a car. See if there is a local Subaru club. The Subaru community is super nice and helpful.
@@MatthewHeiskell any suggestions on how to find them locally. My dealership has told me I'm one of the rare Subaru owners around my area. The majority here he said are very grouchy senior citizens that aren't happy with anything. Lol Salesman at my dealership are soooo stressed out when a sale comes up. They call me the" breath of fresh air buyer " 😂
Haha, check facebook for subaru groups in your area, especially offroad subaru groups. What state are you in?
@@MatthewHeiskell Virginia
Is your buddies lifted?
Yes, he has spec-c Ironman suspension all around. He also has even taller tires but they rub a bit.
You still running the Nitto Nomad Grapplers?
Yup! I love them! I just bought another set for the new forester wilderness.
I see you havent learned the "disconnect the rear passenger wheel speed sensor" trick yet.... It turns your dash into a christmas tree and disables all abs and stability control to allow for all the wheel spin.
@@gnarlyatoms3797 it doesn't fully get rid of the abs... Def a need to tamper
haha, there's an easier trick, put the car in neutral to prevent the safety lock out, pull the STOP fuse from the panel by your left knee, press the brake a few times, dash becomes christmas tree and VDC/traction control/stability assist is all disabled, you still have ABS, hoon it up but not on roads, your brake lights won't be functional until you put the fuse back and reset the car.
@@MatthewHeiskell wheel speed sensor method allows you to keep brake lights.... That's a biggie IMO.... I do feel bad for you for having a cvt, the manual allows for much more fun-centric driving on loose surfaces.
@@Ferretts89 Yeah a clutch kick really helps initiate a drift, but I like my CVT a lot. I had to add a transmission cooler, but the infinite gears is really nice for maintaining efficiency . For example, if we both switch to a 10% taller tire, then the ideal highway gearing will be 10% lower. You're still stuck with 6th because 5th is too low. My CVT automatically adjusts the gearing because the computer makes it keep the revs as low as possible while supplying the power requested by the accelerator pedal. Also, when off roading through tricky obstacles, I can ride my torque converter, it just heats the transmission oil, but the transmission cooler takes care of that. You have to ride your clutch, which is not sustainable.
Nice! :)
Thanks! 😄
Subaru question
😊
Thanks! 😄
@Matthew Heiskell your Wilderness makes mine look like a wuss. 😂
haha, it has just a few mods. What kind of Subaru do you have?
@@MatthewHeiskell I have a 2022 Forester Wilderness
@@MatthewHeiskell I had sent a congratulatory message to you a while back on you conquering that hill with your former Forester when you got together with JONDZ_ADVENTURING and a Bruceyyyy and a few others.
Thanks! Your 22FW is already one of the most capable Subarus out there. The basics that you need are the ADF Eco Lift Kit and a Crawford Performance CVT Skid Plate. Larger 245/65R17 tires once the stock ones get worn out.
I’m dumping my Forester ASAP.
It’s a 19 with only 15K miles because it’s in the repair shop more than it’s out. In the last 7 weeks I’ve had it home only 10 days.
Subaru didn’t find Anything wrong until 3 days After the warranty expired so now I’m having to pay for all of the repairs that they couldn’t figure out.
It took Subaru 5 years to figure out why the remote start didn’t work.
As far as I’m concerned Subaru can go 🖕🏽Themselves
It's a factory update system update. Not an OTA update. Mine had the same issue
@@gagags1115 They tried that and it didn’t work.
The rear hatch opens at random, the dashboard lights keep burning out, the facial recognition system about 1/2 of the time, my Forester unlocks itself randomly, it says the tires need maintenance. The oil pressure light flickers only when cold and when it hit a bump in the road.
They had to replace the DCM and that didn’t fix anything but it Decreased my fuel mileage DOWN to 20mpg.
The list goes on while I’m having to pay for it. It’s on its 3rd battery. The car is simply a POS.
I’ve been Begging Subaru to buy my Lemon 🍋 back from me since the first month of ownership.
It started showing problems 3 days after I bought it.
It’s a HORRIBLE CAR. Like I’ve said, it’s 5 years old and I have only 15K miles on it because it’s in the repair shop more often than it’s not.
It won’t stay running long enough for me to get it sold, so I have to keep repairing it.
This is my First Subaru and it will definitely be my LAST SUBARU !
@@Doc1855 sounds like you have yourself a lemon. I never buy vehicles with electric hatch. More stuff to break IMHO. But based on all else it really sounds like you may have a lemon
@@gagags1115 Yes I do have a Lemon
I completely understand your frustration. I've owned subies for years. I traded my 2019 sport for my wilderness. I avoid all the bells and whistles because those are usually what tend to be a headache. I had a little added Tahoe with nothing but bell and whistles problems
Love the vid!
Have these 2 Wildernesses been lifted further than the stock height?
Thanks! Yup, we both replaced the 1/2" higher wildy struts for 2" higher Ironman struts, they have more travel and articulation too.
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