2001 Subaru Forester modifications for camping

[Requ21]

Love, it's what makes a Subaru a Subaru I understand exactly what Requ means. You don't want to do hardcore rock crawling or rallying, you just want it to be a more capable vehicle off-road, while retaining good on-road manners, correct? For that, the Forester will be great! I've worked on tons of old, beat up, 300k plus miles Foresters, and many people have them for exactly what Requ wants. Sure, if you want more space, you can move into a larger vehicle, but like previously mentioned, the Forester is paid off, already been modified, and is capable enough to handle mild off road situations. I think thats just about what Requ needs at the moment. +1 with the FZJ80, those things are awesome! But they get bad fuel mileage. Requ, if you want to move away from the car-based-overlanding, I strongly urge you to look at the Toyota Tacoma/4Runner platforms and Ford Ranger or F150. Those are all great, reliable vehicles that get decent mileage, all available with 4x4, good ground clearance, and have plenty of on/off-road performance, without coming in with a hefty price tag like a Land Cruiser or Range Rover. In the meantime, can we get some more pics? My mod-junkie side is craving a fix! Cheers!

No pictures as of now, I'm working on the plan for my lift kit currently, and working on aquiring the money to actually make it happen.

well no one was suggesting anybody should leave the forum.  a couple of us just pointed out the obvious.  I am not trying to bust you dreams just trying to give you some advice,  as I have driven 4x4's since I was about 10.  I worked for a 4x4 company as a mechanic for several years.  this company converted and sold 4x4 Toyota mini trucks before Toyota did.  this company also invented the part time conversion for full time 4x4s.  I have worked on every type of 4x4 made.  I have also worked on and pitted for off road race trucks and buggies.  just saying you do whatever makes you happy,  but don't think we don't know what we are talking about.   highdesertranger

Minor misunderstanding, when I said "I hope to stay active on this forum" I meant that with school (Which starts Monday), and work I hope to physically have the time to remain active on the forum. Also that I'm hoping to maintain activitiy other than my Subaru discussion, since it really no longer fits within the mission of this forum.

Also, I appologize if I made it sound as if I didn't think you knew what you were talking about, that was never inteded, and I respect your experience and input... I just feel like we are viewing the end goal from different directions, so I was attempting to clarify.

My goal isn't to build a rig capable of tackling any terrain in front of it, because that will never be a Forester (save some fairly impressive fabrication and solid axles swaps).  I enjoy exploring, and driving trails/sort of trails. What I don't like, is having to turn around because something is a little rough, or steep. I hope to improve the overlanding abilities of my Forester to allow me to explore for a weekend, without having to give up early.. Understanding of course that eventually I'll find obstacles I can't overcome, but pretty much any rig will encounter the same.

Actually I'm sympathetic and until you said you would start looking for something else to live in, I never said anything against the Subaru because for what you are planning it's fine.

My thinking is that if you are looking for a different vehicle to live in, you would combine the two hobbies into one vehicle. For example a Tacoma is an excellent overland vehicle and a very good live-aboard vehcile so it is the best of both worlds.

I want to do exactly what you are talking about but a Tacoma is too small for me to live in for the rest of my life. So I'm going to get a 4x4 truck and tall shell. It won't be as good overland as the Tacoma, but the extra room is more than worth it to me because I am not a hard-core offroader.

It sounds you want to have two vehciles, the Subaru for overland and a van to live in. Is that right? Will you get a storage space to store one in while you are using the other?
Bob

After I responded, later in the night, I started to realize the possible misunderstanding.  My eventual Van build will be in the future. I'm currently a student, and as of right now I plan to remain that way. I love the subject I study, and I will continue to study it until that is no longer the case (or I get my degree, whichever comes first).

The way I envision it as of now, with the focus being shifted away from a full time living rig is as follows, just to attempt to clarify my thought process.

Due to the field I am studying, and hope to someday work in (as of now), actual full time nomadic van dwelling will not be an option... So, I hope to build my (again, as of now) the Nissan NV3500 as a "long term camper"/"Basecamp" It will be set up to spend several months in. It will also have towing equipment, to pull the Subaru (or whatever it ends up being) to a location, where I can then park the "Basecamp" and spend my time exploring the area, while having the NV3500 Basecamp to return to at night, or atleast whenever I need/want to.

It isn't the perfect Van Dwelling plan according to most of the members here, but I have realized I have to balance my want of adventure, with my desire to pursue my career of choice. 

I hope this sort of clarifies my rational on decision making.

Again, I will be working on the Subaru little by little. By the time I graduate, I may have reached a point where I have moved on to something else... The plan has to remain fluid, because I've found that is how life works out.

Requ21

 

[akrvbob]

You don't need to be in a van now or be a fulltimer to be a member of this forum, the hope or intent to take trips and camp out of a van or car is all that you need--so you and your Subaru build are very welcome here!

The information you share will be valuable and useful to someone, sometime and that's all we ask! I think many of us find it very interesting!

Can your Subaru be towed 4 down?
Bob

 

[Requ21]

You don't need to be in a van now or be a fulltimer to be a member of this forum, the hope or intent to take trips and camp out of a van or car is all that you need--so you and your Subaru build are very welcome here!

The information you share will be valuable and useful to someone, sometime and that's all we ask! I think many of us find it very interesting!

Can your Subaru be towed 4 down?
Bob

I'm not 100% on 4 down (or any down) procedure on the Subaru, I would assume being awd, with an automatic transmission it will have to be trailered.

 

[Requ21]

As an aside.

In an earlier post I listed a list of things I learned from my 1 day and night of dispersed camping.

I would like to add to that, from a camping (short term) standpoint, I always laughed at the ideas of those little 5-6 gallon shower bladder set ups... thinking, if I'm camping for a weekend, I can "bathe in babywipes" and be find until I get home... the Baby wipes idea is what I did before (trying to) go to sleep Sunday night.

However, now I've been dealing with chigger bites for a couple days, I'm thinking that possibly having a shower set up is a good idea.

Question going along with this... the bites didn't show up until like Monday night, by that time, a couple articles of clothing from the trip had been introduced into my room... will the Chiggers thrive and continue to attack? Should I burn my apartment down? That last idea is a joke, but I'm curious how they handle an urban environment.

 

[RollinWOT]

You're correct with the flat towing, it's a no-go. You'll destroy the t-case and diffs, then the tranny, then the engine(if left in gear). We had a customer that brought their car in because they flat towed it and it was AWD. They ended up having to buy a new car. You'd have to flat-bed it if you wanted to take it anywhere. If you don't mind me asking, what subject are you studying? If you're anything like me, I'm studying geology and if I ever got a degree in it, I'd be able to travel all around the back country. I like your idea of a basecamp vehicle. If I could make a suggestion on splitting up vehicles though. Get either a motorcycle or a quad so you can runabout and explore the area like you want, and you can have you NV as your basecamp. It would be way cheaper than car insurance on two cars, way easier on gas, and a lighter load on the NV. You can get a hunting style quad with racks on it so you can still haul gear and a tent, etc, or you could outfit a dualsport motorcycle the same way. Just my $.02 on that. I hate towing cars if it's not necessary. Cheers!

 

[Requ21]

You're correct with the flat towing, it's a no-go. You'll destroy the t-case and diffs, then the tranny, then the engine(if left in gear). We had a customer that brought their car in because they flat towed it and it was AWD. They ended up having to buy a new car. You'd have to flat-bed it if you wanted to take it anywhere. If you don't mind me asking, what subject are you studying? If you're anything like me, I'm studying geology and if I ever got a degree in it, I'd be able to travel all around the back country. I like your idea of a basecamp vehicle. If I could make a suggestion on splitting up vehicles though. Get either a motorcycle or a quad so you can runabout and explore the area like you want, and you can have you NV as your basecamp. It would be way cheaper than car insurance on two cars, way easier on gas, and a lighter load on the NV. You can get a hunting style quad with racks on it so you can still haul gear and a tent, etc, or you could outfit a dualsport motorcycle the same way. Just my $.02 on that. I hate towing cars if it's not necessary. Cheers!

That was my initial thought regarding flat towing. Thanks for the verification!

I'm majoring in physics with an emphasis in material science. My univeristy has an "Accelerated Masters Degree" track that I'm hoping to be accepted into, that will allow me to start working towards a Masters in Material Science while still a physics undergrad (essentially taking grad level classes that will satisfy both undergrad, and graduate requirements)

I forsee myself working in or around good Ole Silicon Valley, which I'm okay with, because it's truly fascinating stuff!

I have also been thinking dual sport, as I love riding motorcycles, we will have to see what happens.

I just remembered the NV (as of now) has no diesel engine option, which would make it less than ideal for towing a car, however it would still be perfect for a motorcycle. (Although I don't really think it would really have no problem pulling a subaru/land rover/4runner/land cruiser/tacoma/etc... other than probably pretty low mpg)

Requ21

 

[ramblingvanman]

I am not a Subaru tech, but IIRC there is a procedure to turn your AWD to FWD so you can just use a tow dolly. A quick application of "googlefu" brought me to this video


I hope this helps.

 

[Requ21]

I totally forgot about the FWD fuse! I hadn't thought about whether that fuse was powered with the key off.. I'll have to check.

Good thinking!
Rrqu21

 

[Requ21]

On a totally unrelated note... someone decided to key my Victory.

 

[highdesertranger]

efen !@#$%^&*. senseless. highdesertranger

 

[WriterMs]

Darn it. I meant to respond about chiggers before. Growing up in the south, the usual "fix" around here was to paint over the chigger "spot" with clear nail polish. That would soon make the itch go away and seemed to allow it to heal faster. Also keeps scratching from infecting the bite. Could this be folklore with no medical basis? Yes, but if so I guess my whole family was "convinced" enough that it seemed to work.

Today, I'd likely substitute something like "New Skin" antiseptic coating for the nail polish.

I have never known of chiggers infesting an inside location just from casually being carried in on clothing. It's only my own and family experience in chigger country, but it might be some consolation. I do know you are supposed to wash clothing exposed to chiggers in hot water.

 

[RollinWOT]

I'd be pretty upset if someone keyed my wife's car. On my truck, I'm not sure I would even notice with the bullet holes, dents, and scratches lol. Probably someone jealous of what they couldn't have. That could probably buff right out, it doesn't look deep. make sure the bike is washed nice and clean, then use a light colored clean terry cloth towel and a paste called "Barkeeper's Friend." It goes on sort of silvery, but keep buffing and it should take away the deep scratches and fill in the clearcoat. Have you given any more thought to using a quad or dirtbike and towing it with the Subie?

 

[Requ21]

I'd be pretty upset if someone keyed my wife's car. On my truck, I'm not sure I would even notice with the bullet holes, dents, and scratches lol. Probably someone jealous of what they couldn't have. That could probably buff right out, it doesn't look deep. make sure the bike is washed nice and clean, then use a light colored clean terry cloth towel and a paste called "Barkeeper's Friend." It goes on sort of silvery, but keep buffing and it should take away the deep scratches and fill in the clearcoat. Have you given any more thought to using a quad or dirtbike and towing it with the Subie?

Thanks man, I took it to my uncle's body shop and he said that only about half of it will buff out.

However he also said that if I pull the tank, and sand/prep it, he will paint it for nothing (I supply the paint).. so that's a pretty good deal.

I like the idea of a dirt bike.. however, if I modify the Subaru in the way I plan to (skid plates, lift, larger tires, tent, camping gear, etc.) It is really not going to have much power left over for towing anything... I have seen people swap the 3.0l h6 from the legacy into my body style Forester... which would solve my underpowered condition... but in all this I have to remember that this will always be a $1600 prior salvage title vehicle... so beyond a certain extent money invested will no longer make economic sense... which is why I'm taking it slow, and being deliberate with the money I spend.

Requ21

 

[Requ21]

I'm fully prepared for the "I told you so's" to roll in...

But after some thought, and rudimentary cost - benifit analysis... I'm probably going to scale back the build I had planned on the Subaru, to funnel money into my van fund (long term) and my Subaru replacement off road exploring rig (shorter term)..

I'll probably put some more all terrain friendly tires on it, and just use it to improve my off road driving skills while I save up for a replacement.

I have really wanted a Land Rover Discovery (series 1, or 2) since I was 16, but the upkeep costs are terrifying... so I'll probably not go that route.

Requ21

 

[highdesertranger]

I hope you are aware of the problems Land Rover is having with their aluminum block engines? last time I was in the machine shop I use they had 6 blocks in there waiting for shipping. they are known nation wide for their fix and it ain't cheap. highdesertranger

 

[WriterMs]

I'm fully prepared for the "I told you so's" to roll in...
Requ21

I don't expect you to get too many "I told you so" replies from the knowledgeable guys. I think you are a smart young man who came here for feedback and you are making use of the information you came for.

I enjoy reading your posts to see how you are planning for an adventurous life.

 

[akrvbob]

No "I told you so" from me! When I was young I wouldn't listen to anybody, so I admire that you are able to!

I do think it's a good decision! You might find that a van can do both jobs you want to do. you can put small lifts on vans with more aggressive tires and a Locker on back and they are remarkably competent off-road. They'll never be a Jeep, but they can probably go most places most of us want to go.
Bob

 

[Requ21]

I hope you are aware of the problems Land Rover is having with their aluminum block engines? last time I was in the machine shop I use they had 6 blocks in there waiting for shipping. they are known nation wide for their fix and it ain't cheap. highdesertranger

Oh yeah.. basically everything on an LR is at risk of total failure, yet for some reason the desire to own one hasn't subsided... I probably won't actually buy one, it's just what I've always wanted.

I don't expect you to get too many "I told you so" replies from the knowledgeable guys. I think you are a smart young man who came here for feedback and you are making use of the information you came for.

I enjoy reading your posts to see how you are planning for an adventurous life.

I don't expect any I told you so's either. Thus far this forum has been the best I've ever been a part of for knowledgeable people who are willing to share their know how, and experience with others!

No "I told you so" from me! When I was young I wouldn't listen to anybody, so I admire that you are able to!

I do think it's a good decision! You might find that a van can do both jobs you want to do. you can put small lifts on vans with more aggressive tires and a Locker on back and they are remarkably competent off-road. They'll never be a Jeep, but they can probably go most places most of us want to go.
Bob

I really like the idea of an off road (ish) van! The Astro/safari has always been high on my list, with a small lift and a locker in the rear. I agree it would probably get to 80% of the places I would ever want to go!

I haven't considered a full sized rwd with a locker and lift, I guess since I'm partial to raised roof full sized vans I always viewed their physical size as the greatest draw back.


As I mentioned in an earlier post (at least I think I did)

The Toyota 4runner is pretty much at the top of my list for now, I like the 90-95 body style ones, fairly spacious without being too big.

After that is the Tacoma (which I never really looked at prior to all you guys' recommendations), a K5, and the Land Cruiser (80 series that was recommended) although at my current level of income it's purchase price will be a bit of a hinderance.

In any event, school starts tomorrow.. my first semester at a University, as opposed to the Community College I have been going to... so my activity on the forum may slow down, just so everyone is aware.


Thanks again,
Requ21

 

[highdesertranger]

good luck with school, study well and make us proud. highdesertranger

 

[RollinWOT]

Good luck at university. I like the idea of you getting a 4Runner. If you can get a '96 or newer, you can get one with the 3.4L V6 and those are super reliable and put out quite a bit of power. That idea sounds great to me, because some of those come with factory lockers on 4x4 and even some 4x2 models. I had a '96 Tacoma with the 3.4L and i really regret selling it. If you can find a 4Runner with 4x4, 3.4L V6, and a factory locker, get it! G=Agsin, good luck! Cheers!