Every mod ever on my budget overland Subaru Forester build
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- The Forester is long gone, but I continue to frequently get questions about various mods. While almost everything has been covered in one video or another, it is all spread out across many videos spanning a couple of years. So here is one final, definitive list of everything I did to my 2012 Subaru Forester.
This video serves mostly as a catalog of all the mods, but also an index of all the detailed mod videos, which you'll find listed below. This video may answer your question, but if it doesn't, the videos below go into far more depth about each mod.
Chapter links for this video:
Intro: (0:00)
The Car: (0:53)
Blackout Chrome: (1:43)
Rally Innovations light bar + lights: (1:54)
JDM F emblem overlay: (2:11)
ADF Lift: (2:31)
Wheels: (2:45)
Tires: (2:58)
Full size spare: (3:36)
First camping build: (3:43)
Awnings: (4:02)
Hella lights "upgrade": (4:22)
DIY roof rack: (4:33)
Auxbeam light bar: (4:57)
Skid plate: (5:17)
Tinted rear windows: (5:56)
Gazelle + new buildout: (6:08)
ADF light mount + Diode Dynamics SS3: (6:47)
Rear bumper chop + muffler delete: (7:10)
Diode Dynamics C2 pods: (7:33)
Budget "trasheroo" solution: (7:49)
Front bumper cut: (8:12)
King springs: (8:37)
Rear anti-sway bar delete: (9:20)
Conclusion: (9:31)
Links to detailed mod videos mentioned in this video:
BFGoodrich T/A KO2 tires: • What's it like running...
First build walkaround: • Offroad Subaru Foreste...
DIY Awning: • The $60 DIY Awning I b...
Forester DIY roof rack: • Easy, Inexpensive DIY ...
Frontier DIY roof rack: • Inexpensive DIY Roof R...
Auxbeam lightbar review: • $80 Offroad Lighting??...
New kitchen build: • DIY Overland Kitchen B...
Gazelle tent review: • THIS is the Gazelle T3...
ADF Forester light mount: • ADF's New Offroad Ligh...
Diode Dynamics SS3 pods: • High Performance LED P...
Rear bumper chop/muffler delete: • Improved Departure Ang...
Diode Dynamics C2 pods: • New Powerful Mini LED ...
Czech army backpack trasheroo: • How I Carry Trash Outs...
Forester Front bumper chop: • Trimming the Front Pla...
Frontier DIY front bumper: • Novice welder attempts...
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Note, this is really just a list that does NOT go into depth about these mods...that would take hours. But this answers the most common questions I get, like, "Who made that bumper bar?" or "What brand was that roof box?" or "What size were those tires?" etc. The chapter links in the description ^ not only help you navigate to the info you're after, but this also serves as a comprehensive, chronological list of every mod or upgrade I ever did to the Forester (including things I eventually changed out 🙂). There is much more detail in the dedicated videos about each mod, all also conveniently linked in the description. If with all of that your question STILL isn't answered, ask it here as a comment on this video and I'll do my best to get legitimate questions answered. 👍
Thank you sir. :)
The offroad/overland equipment companies have no problem encouraging us to throw gobs of money at any and every problem or idea they can conceive of. I much prefer your mindset of DIY and minimalist add-ons. Even with the Frontier you never went overboard on anything, and even learned how to cut and weld your own parts and pieces. It's fun to watch you work my friend.
Thanks Bob!
Man I miss this car. Amazing what you can do on a budget given enough time.
aww man, now I miss the Forester! I bought a 2003 forester after watching your Overlanding videos, and I've put 30,000 miles on it traveling around the west coast. Thanks for the inspiration, I love my little car :)
Mmmm. Came to this channel for the subaru... I stay for the adventure... but boy I do miss the subaru content!!!
I still miss the Forester content. It really encouraged me to push the limits of the Outback I drove back when I first started watching your channel. Like you, I have since moved on to a more capable rig, but I learned the valuable lesson that one's ability and confidence as a driver can be just as important as the type of vehicle you choose to wheel with.
Although Softroading is still a Favourite channel; I do miss the humble little Subi 🥺😢🙂😁
A build is much cooler when it doesn’t involve $50k in bolt on parts. Well done and thanks for sharing this info
Man I miss that forester. That's why I bought mine in 2020. Nice to see a video of all mods in 1 video
As a Subaru Crosstrek owner, I miss your adventures in the Forester. But I still tune in and can't wait to see what you come up with next for the Frontier.
A final Forester video... until you get another one and realize your mistake! :D Can't wait to see you back in a Subaru (non-CVT) :)
dude thank you. i JUST BOUGHT A 2010 FORESTER and am about to start with offroad mods. This is awesome
Hello Donald, I Don't comment often but wanted to say thank you for your videos. I remember 2 years ago, probably about the time I found your channel, all the work you did to make the Forester into an amazing overland vehicle, then I saw the accident. At the time I had a Outback thinking that would be really amazing to do the mods but it was an outback and my daily driver as well, In 2022 I bought a 2017 Forester touring, probably the nicest car I have ever owned and probably will ever own. Then I was wiped out by an unisured driver, The car is destoyed but since it is such an expensive car they are going to all ends to repair it, I will not see that car for a long time if it somehow can be repaired I am looking at 6-8 months if the shop that it was towed to today totals it there will be a battle. Insurance company's only care about their bottom line more so then any other time I have ever seen, they Care less about their customers at all. So with that being said I went and bought a 2011 Forester exactly like yours, It has a brand new crated Subaru motor in it full warranty from Subi tek here in Nampa Idaho and Subaru. I am going to do your build with it. My son worked with the owner of Subi Tek. The guy is very very good at what he does. The car will be good to build. Might be interesting. He has a few more if you ever want to do a build again.
Sorry to hear about your accident, but congrats on picking up an SH. It's my favorite of all the Forester models for a number of reasons, and if I were ever to get another Subaru, I would go right back to that model. That's awesome you got one with a new engine, you will be set for a long long time with that little rig.
Do miss the Forester, butt still Enjoying every Adventure you take us on Donald.
I own 3 foresters 2010, 2012, and 2014. I wish you still had yours
Perfect timing, eyeing one of this for the fuel economy and awd capabilities
Thank you so much for putting this video together, Donald. I have watched all of your Forester videos, as I'm upgrading my own 2015, but this summary will keep me from having to bounce around the various videos of the past looking for this mod or that. This will save me a lot of time. Thank you!
This was a fun project to follow. I appreciate your devotion to keeping it inexpensive by putting creativity and work into it. That continues with your current project and I hope you keep going. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I just got a 2010 Forrester this week and am so excited to see what people have done to them and get started on a build of my own!
6:47 NOICE. You, me, and my wife are the reason some people question Subaru reliability.
Dang man! I'm glad I found this! We just purchased our second 2010 Forester, and I'm about to start prepping the X for overland duty. Her XT plus whatever is going to stay stock so that she can enjoy a comfortable commuter that can handle the Midwest winters. I can't wait to watch this.
Hello, I have been watching a bunch of Forester videos recently and it has become my dream car! 😍
Your mods were so cool, it is a shame the vehicle was totaled 😢
Thank you for the inspiration on how to mod a car on a budget! 🙌
A lot of information in one video. Brilliant!
What a nice send off!!
Thank you for posting this video.
And yes, it really did help me with my current subaru build and answered some questions.
Cheers!!
Great build video, thanks for all the detail you put into it. Getting ready to buy a forester as a secondary overland rig to my tundra. Giving me some inspiration here.
Thanks for the update on the Subaru, hope all is well!
Your videos are what makes me bought a Forester
Brilliant overview and easy to follow for someone with a SH shape wanting to convert to a off road style thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
I bought a 2010 forester 1 week ago and you've showed me the way! I finally got cross racks and a roof rack. Hoping to get the nudge bar soon!
I miss that Subi
One of the Foresters that inspired me from the start, love your work Donald!
Haha, the inspiration was mutual! Still makes me wistful seeing your Foz on Instagram! :-)
Excellent overview! Useful food for thought for Subie and others. Well done!
Hello! Nice to see Forester again on channel))
Good evening from Godley Texas, nice overview of the Forester 😎
Thanks for sharing your build and your story!
WOW! Memory lane. Most of these mods seem like just yesterday. What happens to the time? Thanks for the memories! George.
Such a fun car. Thanks for breaking this all down! I have a 2004 Highlander and I’m always tempted to do this. It’s FWD, but some beefier tires and a roof rack would be fun additions.
Thank you for your kind and quick reply
You do a fantastic job on your videos!!
Love the build!
Nicely Done! You have a fantastic speaking voice!!
Very thorough. Great post. Plan to use the same concepts on a RXLEX300..Wish me luck.
Great video and an awesome build
Excellent summary Donald
Thanks for doing this 'little' compilation!!
(and LOVE that bit at the end, WOW! So cool!)
This probably doesn't apply too specifically to my 2012 Kia Sorento, and that's OK -- awd or not, it's no Subaru and I don't intend to off-road with it at all, but am considering using it to take just me (solo) down the Pan-American Hwy as far as I can go and there certainly are general ideas that will transfer over to my somewhat larger and heavier Sorento.
My biggest concern really, as you found, is not having space to move around in and I was thinking of a roof-top tent for days when the weather is nice enough. I may yet decide that a Frontier -- I've had four Nissan trucks in the past--- (maybe with a Super Pacific?) is more suitable and I have time to decide still -- either way, I think it's much more affordable than buying and building out a van.
With all the $$$ upfront and then operating costs saved, I should be able to afford many an AirBnb or hotel, allowing me to stay longer and explore in areas I like while I scout out a retirement spot.
Any advice on my choice of vehicle (or other factors) for this road-trip of a lifetime would be greatly valued!
Cheers!...from North Vancouver.
Very interesting video. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks.
Great video, man. I love this idea, and might have to steal it for my crosstrek, lol! People still ask me all the time about that car.
Nicely done video!
Looks like a nice setup.
Excellent video
I have a spare 2010 Forester X that I am thinking of converting to something more interesting. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks mate, i just laughed as hard as i did back in 2000. My wife and i spent $2000 on an 80cm tv just to watch the Olympics. 68cm was the benchmark then so we thought we were rich. Roy and HG have always been a part of Australian sports comedy. When they host the grand final or state of origin in rugby league, it is also champagne comedy 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Man, every time I see your Forester lifted and with the BFG's, I want to do that to my own Forester. Love love love the way it looks! Reality always bites me, my stock Forester handles all the forest service roads I travel, and I commute 20k miles/year in it. Just can't justify sacrificing any MPG for aesthetics. But I can still look at yours and drool!
you could get the BFG's on their own wheels and change them out whenever you need to go off-road. the best of both worlds; MPG for the highway, traction and toughness for the dirt and rocks.
@@live2av8Could definitely do that, but not worth the trouble for my usage. I have other vehicles that are far more suited to going off road, and drive those when called for. The most serious my Forester sees is forest service roads, and it handles those perfectly fine as-is. It really is aesthetic for me is all, I'd prefer my Subaru look beefier.
Thank you so much. Very cool.
Beautiful!
Makes me want a Forrester!!!
Great vid 🎉
4:27 was hella good.
LOL 👏👏
This is what the average person builds his rig. My 98 k1500 is pieced together also. I pull my R Pod 180 for a base camp, then go farther with 98. Equip with bed, tools kitchen, cargo basket from JK, full length on canopy plus 6 in over cab. To mount the basket, I bought rails at wrecking yard off a Chev Tahoe ,10 ea nuts, bolts, and washers at Wilco some silicon....also added mats, 2 nato Jerry cans, an axe, a shovel, and a hi lift jack (used).
Legend.
I enjoyed see the old Subaru Forester again. Is your daughter still wanting a Subaru for herself?
No, alas. She's angling for an older Ford Ranger. We'll see what happens. 😏
Wow my 09' Forester X 5 speed is the complete opposite. It is lowered 3 inches on coilovers and has just about every STi aftermarket suspension piece. It handles like a racecar. I was thinking about buying another Forester the same year and color except a 4EAT and lifting it. Amazing what these vehicles can do. You can go from one extreme to the other.
Haha, I loved this car so much that I wouldn't have minded owning a second one, taking the lowered approach! :-)
Forester! Yeee! 🤘
With a few mods to our stock 4wds they can b very capable and get us (Primal Outdoors plug) OUTSIDE, 😭 thanks for sharing Donald
Hey man, great video really appreciate it, just bought a 2012 Forester here in Greece and you just saved me a ton of time so thanks! Just a question, do you remember which King springs you installed ? Im trying to find them in Europe but dont have the part number. Thanks again!
I still have the box in the garage actually...the part number appears to be: KSRS-56
These are the "standard height" springs for 3rd-gen Forester.
Thank you very much! I wish you all the best!
Hey bud
Where is that river crossing you did when you met Casey ( coyote works ) for the 1st time?
I live just over the hill from the hot springs and would love to camp there!!
Thanks!
Thank you!! :-)
Really great video! I just got a used 2018 forester and I'm going to use your video as reference for the mods Im going to do! Anything you wish you would have done that you didn't mention in the video? Like any mods that you wish you wouldve spent just a little more on?
The lift...I should've just waited until I could swing a complete 2" lift with all the extra components that correct the suspension geometry. And upgraded the rear springs at the time of installing the lift, since everything was already torn apart anyway.
I could only trickle money towards this project so everything got done over a number of years, but the window tint ended up being much nicer and more transformational than I expected, and I wished I had been able to do that sooner. That's one thing I didn't cheap out on, I went to a shop that had excellent recommendations from friends and spent a little more on quality ceramic tint at the darkest option (5% I think it was?). I was still sleeping in the car at that time and my main goal was to add some privacy, but I was pleasantly surprised by the impact it made keeping the car cooler in summer, and overall the car also just looked better. The only drawback was that it made backing up at night rather difficult, but adding the Diode Dynamics C2 pods in the rear took care of that. :-)
@@softroadingthewest Appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the lift and window tint. It's good to know that you'd have gone for a complete 2" lift with all the components and upgraded rear springs if you could do it again - I've been looking at the ironman america 2" lift kit which which includes springs - although had to reach out to them to see if they had something for the 2018 model - we'll see what they say.
Good to know on ceramic window tint as well. My car came slightly tinted, so probably going to see how that goes for a bit. I live up in Seattle, and very much enjoy the light in the car during gloomy days!
@@wally1138 hey there, 2 months later how are you liking that 2018? im getting a 2017 touring soon
@@QueenFairy420 loving it! Haven’t made any modifications or done any serious off-roading but it’s been great around the city and on several road trips in the mountains. Only minor complaints are (1) no apple car play and (2) back seats don’t lie completely flat which makes sleeping in the back a bit less comfortable without a platform to even it out. Happy to answer any specific questions, but overall have really enjoyed it - moon roof is awesome
Hey Donald Happy New Year I have one quick question who did you purchase the King shocks from and were there on any of the previous early Subaru video . I have been following you from about 2017 after I got my 2018 forester that I use on my fishing trips in the Sierras and west coast beaches from Ventura Ca. up to the PNW . We always love watching your videos especially with the Sasquatch van.
I bought the springs from Primitive Racing in Portland. It was one of the last mods to the Forester, I believe the only videos of the Forester with the springs installed is the Bend>Alvord series. The Forester was totaled shortly after that trip.
Dejaview- you ought to get a pickup truck next. 😂
I'll give it some thought. 😆
What a great build, I love it. I have a 2010 outback that I'm modding out to do the same thing with! Im curious how you fit a full size spare in the trunk, did you have to take some air out of the tire to squeeze it in? I definitely would like to have a full size spare and figuring out the options of where to put it, might build a hitch gate with tire mount?
Fully inflated full size spare fits in this model of Forester IF you take out the piece of foam that the donut spare normally sits in. That worked in my case with my slightly oversize tires. Any larger tire and it would not fit. I'm not sure on the Outback. You might search CZcams for the channel called *bruceyyyyy* and look through his videos. I _think_ his Outback is that same body style, and I seem to remember him messing around with the spare tire compartment. Probably same kinda thing though, might need to remove some of the foam pieces.
The other thing I've seen people do is build sort of a false floor in the cargo area. Delete the original floor and build a slightly elevated platform to accommodate the spare sticking up a bit (again, would still likely involve removing some of the foam, but it still seems better than having the spare hanging out the back if not absolutely necessary). Good luck!
@@softroadingthewest ok sounds good! Thank you! Yeah I’m pretty sure I can figure out a way to squeeze it inside.
@@softroadingthewest I did some messing around today and was actually able to fit a full size spare in the trunk/cargo area where the donut sits. I’m stoked so now all I need to do is get another tire and do a bit of modifying to the foam and floor so the trunk Matt sits flat. Easy enough!
Such an inspiring build! What was your last avg mpg? I’m debating between a used Outback and Forester for a more budget friendly build
I don't have super accurate numbers because this Forester didn't have (or I could never figure out how to get it to display) MPG readings, and I rarely bothered to track miles/fills. From the few times I paid attention, I seemed to be getting around 18 mpg around town/on the trail and up to maybe 23 mpg on the highway.
@@softroadingthewest The trip/odometer button on the gauge cluster lets you select trip A/B or odometer, if either trip is selected it should have shown the avg mpg in the center display between the temperature and time
Any plans to get a crosstrek next?
that's a great vid :)
Even though I don't have the same car, but its still very useful and transferable.
I was going to make my own aluminum skid plate actually. I am curious - given a small angle of bending, did you simply just put a heavy weight on one end and bent manually the other end, or there was some more tricky approach involved?
Clamp one end where you want the bend to be and hit it with a hammer. A vise is nice for such work.
I clamped boards to it and banged on it with a mallet. Took a lot of trial and error.
@@softroadingthewest I plan on doing this DIY skid plate with my 2012 Forester and I wanted to know where you mounted your plate and what kind of mounting hardware you used. Cheers.
Yay!
This was incredibly helpful as I have a 2012 Forester as well and looking for ideas
Great content! Are you in Oregon?
Yes sir
Good afternoon! Please tell me! I have a forester sh, I bought myself stamped discs from Forester SF, they do not fit on the front axle. The parameters of the ET48 disks are 15 inches. They rest against the brake caliper (I have a 2.5 liter EJ253 engine). What size brakes do you have on the front axle and were there any problems installing 15-inch discs?
These 15" wheels are specifically designed to fit over the original stock brakes. Black Rhino, Method, Reika, Sparco, Motegi, and some other companies offer 15" 5x100 wheels designed specifically to fit over the original stock brakes. It's the only way you can run a 15" wheel on an SH Forester and many other newer Subarus. Otherwise you have to stay with a 16" wheel.
When you first painted the grille with the original Subaru emblem showing, how did you mask the emblem when painting?
You should watch some videos on using Plasti-Dip on emblems. It doesn't behave like paint, it really makes a rubbery coating over the top. The usual technique is to deliberately overspray onto surrounding paint, then peel off the 'Dip where you don't want it. It tears neatly at existing seams. I'm probably not describing that well, you really have to see it in action. But typical masking techniques often don't work because the Dip forms a membrane across it all, and removing the masking often tears the membrane in unpredictable ways.
We just bought one of these with 147k on the odo. I'm currently doing all of the maintenance items. Little clean and fix things, fluid change on all the fluids, timing belt and idlers, with the water pump and thermostat. That kind of stuff. Get it ready for the next 100k miles.
She's going to drive it for a couple of years, and then we will get her a newer Outback or Crosstrek. Thats when I get it. Lol. I'm totally going to do most of this stuff to it. What a great little car. I wish we had got into these years ago.
3:18 Ahh…atmospheric aerosol injection.. Nothing like being pesticided while enjoying nature.
Hi, I have a Subaru Forester 2013 Premium X, it is the third gen as the one you used to have. I want to level up the rear, with the lift spacers to fix the saggy butt, buying the recommended spacer which I have found thanks to you. I am willing to see if I can do it by myself, do you have any video or procedure to do it?
Thank you for your kind help
Regards
Sorry, I don't have video of that, I had the install done by a shop. Taking apart the suspension was a little too far outside my comfort zone. :-) Good luck!
What Thule box is that?
Damn, shame it was wrecked. Looked really nice
My little forester has 234k miles on it. Most of it pavement but the times i have gone off road it always punched above its weight. I have many trips planned but i worry by the time i am able to do them my forester will have too many miles and need a mechanical overhaul. Oh well I love that thing to death and will probably never sell it.
Which year ?
Hey there! Have you done anything to protect the front of the car after removing the bumper?
No. The plan was to fab a steel front bumper for this car, which would marry up with the full front-to-mid ASFIR skid plate, but the car was totaled before I was able to get to that project.
To clarify...the original front steel bumper remained in place here. It was only plastic exterior that I removed, the car wasn't any more vulnerable than it had always been.
would these ideas be somewhat applicable to a 2015 subaru outback?
I don’t see why not. I’m not personally familiar with that specific Subaru, but they’re all similar in many ways. You might take a look back through the bruceyyyyy channel. He’s done a lot of mods to his Outback which I *think* is a 2016.
@@softroadingthewest thanks for the channel recommendation, i’ve been trying to find modded subarus
Donald, I don't know what happened but I ended up unsubscribing from you about 3 months ago. And, I wondered why I hadn't seen you pop up in my youtube feed. I'm going to blame the hoodoo's. I'll catch up on the videos but I wanted to say thanks for continually putting stuff out. I know it can be a grind to keep pumping out content. Thanks!
Welcome back! :-)
The older Subarus came automatically with a full size spare tire on a steel rim. Michelin or Cooper I believe. They've made them cheaper and cheaper over the years. 😐
What bumpers did you use
I did not have aftermarket bumpers on this car. I trimmed away some of the plastic for improved approach/departure angles, but underneath there are the factory crash beams.
How was the ADF Lift no multilinks?
The biggest issue with a simple 1" strut spacer lift like I had was that it de-centers the wheels. I had to do some cutting & hammering on my wheel wells. The complete 2" kits include components to correct the suspension geometry AND gets you up a little higher.
@@softroadingthewest I'm actually looking at their 1.5 economy kit 1.5 in front and 1inch in the back but concerned with saggy but, so maybe if I also get their 3/8 rear leveling spacers for rear I would be fine, according to ADF the newer model Forester mine 2020 are built to keep geometry without needing cutting or anything
What’s the link to those king springs
I got mine from Primitive:
get-primitive.com/springs/243-oe-height-king-springs-2009-2013-forester-standard-height.html#/king_springs_color-yellow/standard_height_spri-just_the_pair_of_rea
What is the tent brand name? Thanks
It's a Gazelle tent.
Did you leave the same struts?
Yes, never changed out the struts.
Kinda 😢sad you don’t have the forester anymore
It was a great car! I loved it!
Last Forester video EVER??
Well, last video for THIS Forester anyway 😏 I don't think I can remix old content any more than I already have 😆
Don’t often hear roof pronounced this way! Cheers from Canada :)
Must be a PNW thing. I grew up (in Oregon) with everyone around me pronouncing it that way, so of course that's how I pronounce it. But holy crap does it make some people angry, it's one of the most common comments I get, people telling me I'm saying it wrong. As if every word is pronounced the same everywhere across this vast country. 🙄😄
@@softroadingthewest all good, I rarely hear it that way, but no judgement here. There are quite a few words that are pronounced differently between Canada and USA. Mazda, Sportage, Elantra are some examples in the car world.
To be clear, your comment came across lighthearted & friendly. :-) That's not always the way it goes, heh.
Look at the cloud seeding: 3.20!!!!!!!😮😮😮
Its engine vapor hitting hot air just like when you start your car on a cold day. SMH
Donald, I was thinking that maybe you gave up on You Tube. Lol
Just a complicated month. 🙂
My one & only question: Why on earth are you saying "ruff".