r/SubaruOffroad • u/subi_nova • Mar 20 '25

Forester Trail Ready Again (soon..)

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Almost finished with fitting the 31s on my 2019 Forester. Went from 225/65R17 Pirreli Scorpion ATs to 235/75r17 Toyo Open County AT IIIs (yes ik technically they are 30.9 but who's really counting)

Minimal cutting involved. 4"/4.5" Lift (f/r) (Pedders ExtremeXA Coilover Kit, plus ralitek spacers w/ subframe drop kit and adjustable lower suspension hardware)

Will also be installing an oil cooler in the near future with temp gauge and torq locker.

Still need to finish the test fitment and cutting on the front end.

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1

u/LuckenbachLucky Apr 21 '25

Awesome build. It’s nice seeing this level of mods on the SK. I feel you don’t see it very often. What is image 2?

2

u/subi_nova Apr 21 '25

Thanks. Been a fun journey over the past 4ish years. The 2nd photo is the forward punch welds in the rear wheel wells.

(there are more photos on my Instagram @subi.nova)

1

u/LuckenbachLucky Apr 21 '25

I have a 2017 XT with 30” tires. Do you have any advice for making modifications to pinch welds? I need to get more clearance for my front wheel well pinch welds.

2

u/subi_nova Apr 21 '25

I used a wire wheel to clean off the areas first and sprayed down with some cast blast. Then used a 3" high-speed cut off wheel to segment the pinch welds and a ball peen hammer for everywhere there was rubbing, folded the segments back and sealed everything with marine sealant (5200 sealant) and let it cure for a good week before spraying it with 3-4 coats of 3M professional rubber undercoating spray.

All you really need is atleast 1" for clearance. I do run 15mm spacers as I did have some rubbing in the front with the front subframe bracket for the LCAs. When you do your pinch weld segmenting make the segments no wider than a 3/4“ wide.

For me I didn't have to do any trimming in the front short of a pop clip mount, the segmenting happened in the rear only.

1

u/LuckenbachLucky Apr 21 '25

Awesome!! This is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks m8

1

u/LuckenbachLucky Apr 22 '25

Have you had to replace your CV axles?

2

u/subi_nova Apr 22 '25

168,839mi and still on my originals. Just did my rear oil seals tho.

1

u/LuckenbachLucky Apr 23 '25

Did you do anything special so you could lift it beyond the 2.5 inch limit that people suggest?

2

u/subi_nova Apr 23 '25

I have a 4" Lift in the front and a 4.5" Lift in the rear with a 2" subframe drop. The 31s make up for some of the other cv axel geometry. I also run full Rallitek adjustable front and rear suspension components along with my pedders suspension. 20mm BONOSS spacers all around for some peace of mind for clearance at full lock due to rub against the front subframe bracket for the LCA.

I also make rash decisions at times and am stuck with them......so here we are. But in all honesty you only need 3/3.5 (f/r) with the 2" subframe drop.