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@4x_admin And probably with a quick trip through the Subaru parts catalogue you can get a very well equipped and trail ready model. I'd like to see just how much the skid plate covers on its underbelly and I'd like to see what offerings become available through 3rd party manufacturers like LP Aventure and the like.
And to be honest, I'd like to see my bank account be able to support me getting one. One day. One day.
There is a lot to understand. Interestingly, with a 9.5 inch stock clearance, you might be able to add the Ironman 4X4 suspension alone for better offroad capability. This past weekend, I spent time in @luke-moussa '17 3.6R with the Ironman suspension lift and no LP Aventure body lift and it rode really comfortably. Note, though, my (now @collin-leuthold )'s 4X Outback Road Warrior sits quite a bit higher off the ground.
@4x_admin we forgot to measure the difference but I think the BF KOs on Collin's have a higher sidewall, and my tires were aired down. Either way, I definitely needed that extra .5" or so of clearance on part of the trail I went on Sunday afternoon...yay for bumper guards and skid plates though 🤪
I'll take some measurements this evening though and add to this post. Thanks!
Ok! So I aired up my Falken Wildpeak A/T3s to the Outback factory (door jam) specs and here are my measurements taken:
Lowest front LP skid plate point: 8 1/8" *measurement to frame above skid plate is ~9.5"
Lowest front LP skid plate washer point: 7 3/4"
Lowest undercarriage point past LP skid plate: 10 3/4"
Measurement from ground to bottom of rear rocker panel 12 1/2"
Measurement from ground to top of front rocker panel 11 3/4"
Measurement from ground to lowest point of LP front bumper guard 9 3/4"
What I found is that I lost around a little less than a half-inch of clearance up front which is a bummer but not enough so that I would trade it for the increased travel and handling. I've been looking to see if the BF KO2s are "taller" than the Falken Wildpeak A/T3s but haven't had much luck yet. If @collin-leuthold could measure his KO2s from ground to bottom of rim, that would be helpful for comparison sake.
Nice work, @luke-moussa. My 3 year review video contains some of those measurements. Here is the segment of the video where I get under the vehicle and take measurements.
https://youtu.be/sMq5Q-JYbOg?t=939
For all the talk about minimum ground clearance the only time that has ever really been meaningful to me is pushing snow.
In general it's been approach and rocker clearance that matter most, then breakover and departure. With either locking differentials or particularly eager traction control (and sufficient torque to overcome the disadvantage this brings) it's usually possible to keep tires on the high spots enough that a difference of 1-2 inches among vehicles isn't really a big deal and I'd rather be in something with 7" under an axle and 12" at the rockers, than something with 9" at both locations.
These new Subarus do certainly look like the manufacturer is paying attention to their audience - it's going to be interesting to watch how people end up modifying them, "hot-rodding the factory hot rod" so to speak. If subaru takes all of the most successful modifications people do to yesterday's model and incorporates them into the new one from the factory that will satisfy some people..
@shovel Good insight as usual. If I think about it, you are right on where the clearance happens. Plus, on @luke-moussa Subi with the Ironman 4x4 lift, he had quite a bit more articulation than mine on the tweeker trails. I have been considering if I will buy the Wilderness and rig it as an ultimate Subaru Outback Overland vehicle once again. If I do, it will be built out as much as it can be without cutting...and without an aftermarket rack replacement (like I did before). We'll see. I do have the truck. I am considering keeping it and putting a light weight camper shell on it such as a Super Pacific ( https://www.superpacificusa.com/) camper on it and then pull behind an off-road livable camper trailer such as an Opus or Black Series (replacing the Sprinter camper). Then have the weekender Subi. Not to spend a boat load of cash in the process...
For all the talk about minimum ground clearance the only time that has ever really been meaningful to me is pushing snow.
In general it's been approach and rocker clearance that matter most, then breakover and departure. With either locking differentials or particularly eager traction control (and sufficient torque to overcome the disadvantage this brings) it's usually possible to keep tires on the high spots enough that a difference of 1-2 inches among vehicles isn't really a big deal and I'd rather be in something with 7" under an axle and 12" at the rockers, than something with 9" at both locations.
These new Subarus do certainly look like the manufacturer is paying attention to their audience - it's going to be interesting to watch how people end up modifying them, "hot-rodding the factory hot rod" so to speak. If subaru takes all of the most successful modifications people do to yesterday's model and incorporates them into the new one from the factory that will satisfy some people..
Nailed it.
@4x_admin It would be wise for Subaru to at least lend you one for a week or two and do side by side comparisons with the Overland Road Warrior. If that happens, would it be SOA or a local dealership doing that? I think I recall you mentioning it would be the dealership. If so, I do have a contact at Tucson Subaru I could ask.
@luke-moussa I do have one dealership here in Phoenix that I know the manager of pretty well. I don't expect that the dealership will get one in to look at in their store for a while. The release was just that. You can now put in to claim one but I don't think you can even order one yet. I may be interested in your contact. Also, @western works for a dealership in Georgia and he's a team member! Woot!
I really wish they would have just done away with the roof rack. Putting a RTT on top of that rack kills the height clearance and adds too much airspace between the roof of the car and the floor of the tent. From what I understand though, there is a ladder system rack that makes it easier to mount an RTT. If that is the case, then there would be no need for an additional strong crossbar keeping the height lower than was on my 3.6R with the Yakima Rack. Because we all know how ridiculous it was to install the Prinsu rack. That's not happening again. lol.
@4x_admin I don’t have personal experience with this manufacturer, but Spider Roofracks (www.spiderroofrack.com) claim to have a “no drill” rack that looks very similar to the Prinsu rack. And, you can get custom powder-coat colors. Someone I follow on IG has one and it looks pretty nice.
I’ve talked to Scott about my opinions about what they did, but I’ll share them with you all here.
The 2020 OBXT WE is definitely a step in the right right direction. If you don’t have a 2020 OB yet and were wanting to get one but were wanting to overland.... this is the one to get.
if, like me, you are already a 2020-2021 Outback Owner, I would say don’t upgrade yet. With only a .8 lift over stock, it really doesn’t help much. Given, Subarus approach and departure angle have long been a weak point, and those have been improved. I already have lifted mine 2” over stock and plan to make it exactly what I need now. I do like the improved approach and departure angles and the ability to keep XMODE inactive until you drop below 18. But it’s still not the locking diffs that I wanted. I think Subaru can do it and should. Until then, I’ll be making my 2020 Onyx my own