2013 Forester XT Soft Roader

machine1

machine1

Adventurist
This is my 2013 Subaru Forester XT adventure vehicle. I bought it in the Fall of 2012.

First trip I ever took it on was to Lake Travis in Austin. The lake levels were way below normal and you were able to drive to the middle of the lake.



The first thing I added to my Forester was a set of mud flaps, the factory mud cups didn't do a great job of keeping rocks from hitting the doors.



At about 18K miles I decided to switch to a set of A/T tires. I went with Cooper Discoverer AT3's in 235/60R17, the only 17" size available that would fit my vehicle. They rubbed for the first 10K miles. The stock size is 225/55R17, I gained about 0.8" in lift putting my ground clearance at 9.7".



Next item on the list was a proper 2" trailer hitch for carrying bikes and using as a recovery point.



Took my first off-road trip after a year of ownership. Went into some water that was up to the rocker panels.

[video=youtube;qvhDx270esw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvhDx270esw&list[/video]



Took a ski trip to Colorado and New Mexico in the Forester.

DSC_0144 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

DSC_0194 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

Did some more off-roading back home.

DSC_0026 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

Snuck into Cars and Coffee Dallas still covered in mud.

DSC_0170_01 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

Installed some Primitive Racing under armor (3/8" Aluminum skid plate) and a 3/4" recovery shackle onto the front tow hook.

DSC_0106 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

Getting into trouble...

DSC_0061 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

[video=youtube;cBaUCHiJxxs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBaUCHiJxxs&list[/video]

[video=youtube;AUxc75mPvPo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUxc75mPvPo&list[/video]

The North American Off Road Subarus (NAORS) at our Spring Soft Road Meet 2014.

DSC_0185 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

DSC_0029 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr
 
Good stuff! I'm looking at my next gen "soft roader" now and trying to decide between the Outback, Forester or Crosstrek. Your build has me leaning toward the Fozz.
 
Ha! I k ow some of those spots. I helped cut the trails in Bridgeport when the place was being built
 
Dave, were you looking to get the newest Forester or the an older one? The Forester has the best approach angle out of the three. All of them are listed as off road in the AUS website:

http://www.subaru.com.au/off-road

Mr. Leary, thank you for being a pioneer of the trail and laying down the foundation for us out there.

My coworkers led me down into Mino's, I still don't know how I got out of there...

[video=youtube;ha5atUA16sM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5atUA16sM&list[/video]
 
Exploring the Hill Country near Mason, TX.

DSC_0130 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

[video=youtube;50IEhXo4hGY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50IEhXo4hGY&list[/video]

ATV Support vehicle at Hidden Falls Adventure Park near Austin, TX.

DSC_0015 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

DSC_0019 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

6th Street Austin, TX in the early AM.

DSC_0079 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

Back to the OHV Park for our Summer Soft Road Meet 2014

DSC_0402 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

DSC_0096 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

DSC_0144 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

DSC_0329 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

DSC_0331 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

10530506_355315674619956_1044966080181352499_o by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

10497044_355315701286620_7019528918129194876_o by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

overlook 1 by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

lineup by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

powerline shot by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

1801270_355315331286657_872460938158082029_o by machinecrewchief, on Flickr

My Forester has served me well as an adventure vehicle. I still have a few more things I have to do to it for more capability.
 
A new one at some point, is the XT Touring (turbo) worth the extra cash?
 
I will say that my older XT did not struggle one bit in the mountains of Colorado. I even got over the rated fuel economy. It is a hot rod with the turbo motor in comparison to the 170 hp NA unit.
The XT is limited in tire options, there only exists one AT tire available in the 18" size. If you went down to 17" you would have three AT tire options available.
 
Al Swope said:
I'm digging the dual exhaust and hood scoop! Looks like fun
Click to expand...

Thanks Al! It's a been a trooper.

Went on a small half day adventure last weekend at the off-road park:

[video=youtube;DepbNKuaWGY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DepbNKuaWGY&list[/video]

[video=youtube;t3LI2H9RzFs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3LI2H9RzFs&list[/video]
 
New tires and wheels installed:

19823006588_c8c33a9888_b.jpg


19824414648_e1feb5cdaa_b.jpg


[video=youtube;onXdSZnwzQU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onXdSZnwzQU[/video]

[video=youtube;YMBIlMt4ZcQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMBIlMt4ZcQ[/video]

[video=youtube;ShXueogefPA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShXueogefPA[/video]
 
I have been wanting a outback for a daily driver / road trip car. Watching your thread has me wondering if I should be looking for a forester instead
 
Cris, Forester's or outbacks.. hard to go wrong with either.. I am a fan of the older forester's myself..
 
A Forester does have a better approach angle than an Outback. But the Outback has more room inside. I was sold on the turbo motor when I bought mine.
There are also more parts readily available for the Forester in the aftermarket.

It will take a while but I think the next phase for me would be some rock sliders, a front winch mount with more recovery points, and a swing out rear bumper with tire carrier. All of it will be custom, I've been waiting for warranty to expire before going all out.

Unless I happen to get a TRD Pro 4Runner, then I have to start all over again.
 
machine1 said:
A Forester does have a better approach angle than an Outback. But the Outback has more room inside. I was sold on the turbo motor when I bought mine.
There are also more parts readily available for the Forester in the aftermarket.

It will take a while but I think the next phase for me would be some rock sliders, a front winch mount with more recovery points, and a swing out rear bumper with tire carrier. All of it will be custom, I've been waiting for warranty to expire before going all out.

Unless I happen to get a TRD Pro 4Runner, then I have to start all over again.
Click to expand...


What kind of mileage are you getting in it the way it sits now
 
BlkWgn said:
What kind of mileage are you getting in it the way it sits now
Click to expand...

19-21 mpg. It was rated at 19-24. This is why I wouldn't mind getting a 4Runner.

When I was in Colorado for a ski week I was getting 24-25 mpg the entire time up there, these things must like the thinner air at higher elevations.
 
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