Hey! I have a stock 2018 black Outback, and I’m often on dirt roads and trails for backpacking and camping. Sometimes I wish I had just a little more clearance. I got quoted $2k for a 2-inch lift kit installed, which feels pricey. My car’s paid off with 100k miles, and I plan to keep it for a while.
Has anyone added a lift kit? How’s your experience? Is it worth it? Pros/cons?
@River
That looks great! Another option is that Subaru dealers can install the Wilderness lift on non-Wilderness trims.
Patton said:
@River
That looks great! Another option is that Subaru dealers can install the Wilderness lift on non-Wilderness trims.
Thanks! I’m really happy with how it handles and looks.
Yeah, I’d check with your dealership. I installed most of mine myself, but I’ve been working on cars for years and even repaired tanks in the military, so I wasn’t too worried about it. I also had an ASE-certified mechanic friend help out to make sure it was done right. I even got an invoice from him to back me up if Subaru tries to deny any warranty work.
I’ve done a lot of axle work and CV boots, so I wasn’t too intimidated. Plus, I’ve got all the tools for this kind of job.
@River
Is your Outback a Premium trim?
Patton said:
@River
Is your Outback a Premium trim?
Nope, it’s a Limited. I also got ceramic UV tint because the sun here in Colorado is brutal.
Patton said:
@River
Is your Outback a Premium trim?
Nope, it’s a Limited. I also got ceramic UV tint because the sun here in Colorado is brutal.
I’m struggling to decide on a color. I like the green, the blue, and I really want to see the dark mahogany in person. Tough choices!
@River
My dealership will do a Wilderness lift for $2k, including parts and labor. I’m also thinking about adding a sway bar and all the extras. It’s been a while since I’ve owned a lifted Jeep, but I love that ride, and since my car is paid off, I figure why not have fun with it while I can?
@brunomars
Which lift kit are they installing for $2k? At that price, I wonder if it’s just a body lift, which could reduce your clearance. I’ve got a coil-over lift, and now the lowest part of my car is the exhaust, which sits at about 10.5 inches of clearance.
Make sure to ask if it’s a coil-over or a body lift kit.
@River
It’s the Wilderness lift, as they mentioned.
@brunomars
If it’s the LP kit, it’s a body lift. Check this link for details: LP Aventure Lift Kit.
@brunomars
Honestly, just go for it. The Wilderness lift shouldn’t mess with your CV joints like some other kits, and if the dealership does it, you’ll still have your warranty.
I thought about getting a lift kit too since my suspension is due for replacement soon, but I decided it’s not worth the cost. You’ll end up spending a lot for something with questionable benefits. I had a lift on my Jeep Cherokee, which was worth it because of the solid axles and room for bigger tires. But since my Subaru is my main commuter, I don’t want to hurt its on-road performance.
Just get slightly larger tires and call it good.
@Hartley
Can you fit 245s on stock height?
I do similar trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains with my 2018 Outback, no lift. I’m mainly on dirt roads for trailheads and camping, nothing too extreme.
I don’t know the specifics of your trails, but I wouldn’t lift it until you’ve tried upgrading your tires first. Lifts can mess with handling and wear out other parts faster. Insurance companies might also try to deny claims because of it, though that’s rare.
I regularly drive forest roads with my 2015 3.6R Outback on Method 502 wheels and Geolandar A/T tires. I carry recovery gear, but I’ve only ever used it to help others. I’m not trying to climb Jeep-worthy trails; I just want to get to trailheads.
If you’re scraping the bottom, consider getting skid plates instead, especially during Black Friday sales.
@Fifer
That makes sense. I’ve been running Wildpeak A/T tires for years, and they perform well on dirt roads and some technical trails (not rock climbing, though!). I used to have a Jeep with a 4-inch lift, so I know how it affects the ride. That’s why I’m hesitant with the Subaru. I’ve only scraped the bottom once, and it was fine. Skid plates are a great idea, though. Thanks for the suggestion!
I’ve got a 2019 Outback and plan to install a 2-inch ATS kit from Ironman 4x4. I need more clearance for the washed-out roads I drive to get to trails. I know it’ll wear out some parts faster, but life’s short, and I really want the extra height.
I got the kit for under $1k, and it should take about 30 minutes to install if you’ve got the tools. I haven’t checked installation pricing yet because I don’t have a shop jack or all the tools I need.
You might not even need a lift—just go with bigger tires. I’m running 225/65/17s, and I’ve got 9.2 inches of clearance, which works fine for me.
