Lifted Crosstrek Question

[grambo]

So, I have inherited my kid's 17' Crosstrek while he has my STI at school. I'm going to lift it with a Kartboy or Subtle kit and am contemplating adding the Eibach Lift Springs for a, combined, 2.5-3.0" lift.

I am wondering about suspension geometry and possibly need to extend axles and things of that sort.

Tom, at Kartboy, has plans to check out this same recipe but, has not yet.

So, I thought I'd ask the all knowing NASIOC and see what happens. Thanks.

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[boostin23]

Hey hey man, its chicken from IWSTI/Iclub

I would assume that would be too much lift for the CVs. I know the first gen has 2 inch lift kits avail from numerous companies.

I personally dont know about any shops selling custom axles, but if there are any, i doubt they'd be cheap considering how expensive OEM ones already are.

Ive got a 2018 (2nd gen) and most are limiting to 1.5 inches (might be a couple 2").

[jcbluescooby]

With any lift I'd sugest subframe spacers that match up to your lift ro re-center the rear wheels under the wheel well/arch. 2" is the most people would go without adverse effects tot heir car. Anything over that then you start endangering your car due to the CV angles from the lift.

I also always suggest to people spring lift > than spacer lift performance wise. The stiffer suspension from the lift springs effect the car similarly to how it would if you were to drop it. Obviously there is still body roll but not as bady as one would think IMO. The body roll on a straight 2" spacer lift would be horribly on stock springs. If you wanted to do a 2" lift I'd suggest a spring lift along with a 1 inch spacer lift with subframe spacers.

Anderson Design Fabrication (ADF) does customer work as well. He can factor in a spring lift with a spacer lift and design you subframe spacers accordingly.

[grambo]

Originally Posted by boostin23

Hey hey man, its chicken from IWSTI/Iclub

I would assume that would be too much lift for the CVs. I know the first gen has 2 inch lift kits avail from numerous companies.

I personally dont know about any shops selling custom axles, but if there are any, i doubt they'd be cheap considering how expensive OEM ones already are.

Ive got a 2018 (2nd gen) and most are limiting to 1.5 inches (might be a couple 2").

My Iclub Homie!!! Thanks dude.

[grambo]

Originally Posted by jcbluescooby

With any lift I'd sugest subframe spacers that match up to your lift ro re-center the rear wheels under the wheel well/arch. 2" is the most people would go without adverse effects tot heir car. Anything over that then you start endangering your car due to the CV angles from the lift.

I also always suggest to people spring lift > than spacer lift performance wise. The stiffer suspension from the lift springs effect the car similarly to how it would if you were to drop it. Obviously there is still body roll but not as bady as one would think IMO. The body roll on a straight 2" spacer lift would be horribly on stock springs. If you wanted to do a 2" lift I'd suggest a spring lift along with a 1 inch spacer lift with subframe spacers.

Anderson Design Fabrication (ADF) does customer work as well. He can factor in a spring lift with a spacer lift and design you subframe spacers accordingly.

Good point about the springs and CV angles. It'd be similar to driveshaft yoke issues on a traditional 4x4. I'm leaning towards springs and spacers now. Hmmmm.

Thank you.

[Jack]

That's a LOT of lift. Even on a Wrangler, that amount of lift requires component changes. With a Wrangler (I have one), lifting is typically done to fit bigger tires to get over bigger rocks offroading. With a Crosstrek (hey, I have one of those too), with the small wheel openings, there really isn't any room to take advantage of bigger tires because they're going to hit in front of and behind the tire. Or are you planning to cut the fenders to fit 35's or something? With independent suspension, I'd think you're talking at least axle changes. What I'm not sure of is during articulation, how's that work? The high wheel is going to want a shorter axle (or stock length). So perhaps control arm geometry changes are needed?

I think overall, this is a bad idea. If you want to go offroad, get a Wrangler. I say that owning both and soon to replace a Ford Fusion with yet another Crosstrek......but later, replace our 13 Crosstrek probably with a Rubicon or Willys Wheeler.

[old school]

https://www.subaruxvforum.com

Try that.

[sonbum1]

Hi all long time reader first time poster. Grambo I have lifted my crosstrek 2" 1" spacer and 1" spring. the problems doing it this way are that you have to source subframe spacers, personally I think lowering the subframe defeats the purpose of raising the car. So alternatively you'll have to find adjustable caster, toe, and control arms for the rear, and that is just to align the back the front caster and camber don't seem to have many solutions there aren't any longer or adjustable lower control arms I am contemplating a camber plate but that still leaves caster. One of the things I'm wondering about are control arms from other Subarus, I know some people have put STI arms on outbacks and Legacy arms on Foresters is there a Subaru front control arm that is "wider" to correct camber????
As far as axles I've read that Forester axles are 5/8" longer and have the same splining, I am looking into Forester shocks/struts as replacements as they have a longer travel.
I think the problem is lack of demand for truly lifted crosstrek parts. Most crosstreckers are content with the out of the box spacer lift because their crosstrek looks more awesome on a dirt road.

[Derkainer]

I'm pretty happy with the 2inch leveling kit from Crawford. Easy installation and made in America if that matters to you

[Jack]

WRT other Subaru control arms, the fronts are unique to the Crosstrek and Impreza with that stupid donut thing at the rear point of the lower front control arm that breaks at 100k miles. I would think that any swapping of control arms is going to require custom fabrication of mounting points on the subframe. Would another model's subframe swap in? Hmmmm. That would be a cool thing to do, if possible.

A new note from my last comment about wheel wells. The 18+ Crosstrek's wheel wells are enormous compared to the 13-17. (Hey...I now have both a 13 that one of my son's still drives and a 19 that I lowered on RS-R springs). With the 13, stock sized snow tires rub just from the added tread depth. On the 19, I went from 60 series OEM tires to 65 series snows (all other dimensions equal) and have plenty of room, even with the car lower by 1.2 inches.

[Derkainer]

I really like my lift kit from Crawford preformance. Only took like 5 hours to Install. The directions were excellent and easy to follow. I plan on doing the subframe lowering kit at some point to take some pressure off the ball joint and bearings

[Derkainer]

Crawford preformance offers a heavy duty rear controlarmfor the crosstrek

Originally Posted by Jack

WRT other Subaru control arms, the fronts are unique to the Crosstrek and Impreza with that stupid donut thing at the rear point of the lower front control arm that breaks at 100k miles. I would think that any swapping of control arms is going to require custom fabrication of mounting points on the subframe. Would another model's subframe swap in? Hmmmm. That would be a cool thing to do, if possible.

A new note from my last comment about wheel wells. The 18+ Crosstrek's wheel wells are enormous compared to the 13-17. (Hey...I now have both a 13 that one of my son's still drives and a 19 that I lowered on RS-R springs). With the 13, stock sized snow tires rub just from the added tread depth. On the 19, I went from 60 series OEM tires to 65 series snows (all other dimensions equal) and have plenty of room, even with the car lower by 1.2 inches.

[R P]

I have 225X65X17 K02s on OEM rims on my 2018 Crosstrek, no lift, no rubbing. It raises my clearance to 9.2" which is all I need for my off-roading.

[youreAbus22]

I ended up with the Rough Country 2" lift on my 2014 Crosstrek. The install was a bit of a pain in the front but overall love the difference. Handling wasn't effected, however a year later I needed to replace ball joints and swaybar endlinks cause they began to make a popping on entering driveways and such. I'd advise against PartsGeek as well since their replacement parts went out within a week of professional install.

[orwellianpie]

Originally Posted by Derkainer

Crawford preformance offers a heavy duty rear controlarmfor the crosstrek

Rallytek has a great setup for control arms and tow arms too!

[orwellianpie]

Originally Posted by grambo

So, I have inherited my kid's 17' Crosstrek while he has my STI at school. I'm going to lift it with a Kartboy or Subtle kit and am contemplating adding the Eibach Lift Springs for a, combined, 2.5-3.0" lift.

I am wondering about suspension geometry and possibly need to extend axles and things of that sort.

Tom, at Kartboy, has plans to check out this same recipe but, has not yet.

So, I thought I'd ask the all knowing NASIOC and see what happens. Thanks.

Hey man, I have a Flatout system I'm selling that might work for your car. https://www.facebook.com/share/18fpabKdp6/

I initially bought it for my 16 Impreza but I think most of not all parts would be excellent for a Crosstrek if the model year fits for yours.