Subaru Forester Off Road - The Forester is Back!

The Forester is back and better than ever! The Forester has gone through quite a bit of work over the past couple of years and now it's back on the trails. New suspension, lower milage engine, SubaXtreme front bumper and skid plate, Method VT502 Rally Wheels and new General Grabber AT2 tires.
Oh, and not to mention a 1.447:1 Subaru dual-range transmission. Yes, it now has low-range.
This video is the first major off road outing since the car has been rebuilt, and we went on a familiar trail, Lower Engineer Pass in Colorado.
Modifications:
2" SUMO Parts Lift Kit
SubaXtreme Front Bumper
SubaXtreme Skid Plate
15" Method VT502 Rally Wheels
225/70 R15 General Grabber AT2 Tires
Rola Vortex Roof Basket

[@Transit_my-way]

This is the most off road capable forester I've ever seen... a forester done right.

[@ЮлиянЛазаров]

The person behind the wheel is the most important "tool" :) The driver is very experienced, not a single pedal push more than the needed and the engine is purring smoothly like a kitty lol.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@Stimpy&Ren weekly CV boot replacements🙃

[@mohamedsayd9468]

That Forester is awesome. I love it, awesome mods. I am driving a 2003 Forster. Bought my Forester back in 2005, now I am still driving it for 14 years. I have nothing but love for my 2003 Forester.

[@ntvinternationalnews4591]

Great to hear from an actual subaru owner. How many miles you have on it? Did you have any mechanical problems?

[@CarswithNash]

Very impressive all around, the vehicle, driving, filming and editing are all top notch!

[@sidname9538]

The best part about your whole video was all the clean language---thank you for an exciting video to watch.

[@kellypaws]

Seriously, that makes me want a Subaru.

[@ntvinternationalnews4591]

Right?

[@SaveTheManuals]

*YES YES YES!!!* So good to see you back. Your Foresters were an inspiration for mine and many others out there. 😊👍😁

[@ALNSMOVERLAND]

Glad to see you back ! I think your "Lower Engineer Pass" video is the very first subaru offroad video I saw on YT ! Really inspiring ! Your foz have a very strong look with the bullbar ! I always loved the full black thing too. Keep the videos coming !

[@notsoimprezive]

I missed watching videos of your forester, looks crazy now

[@ModFoz]

Thanks! More calamity to come.

[@virnalisisanabrialopez6235]

¡You guys are awesome! Great vehicle driven by a high skilled driver , and great team also. This is a real test off road for Forester.

[@cavebandit]

This is why I follow you! Every weekend that I can get to the Silverton high country is a good weekend!

[@juliosdiy3206]

Love subies off road kills, thnks fo takin the time to make these videas guys!

[@2003cobramustang]

Good to see you back and the Subaru better than ever! And low range great wanna see a video of that!!

[@glizbane]

Hey man, JonDZ sent me to your channel because I just picked up an 07 Forester XT Sport and I plan on doing some offroading with it at some point. I love what you've done with yours. I'm hopefully going to be driving mine out to Colorado some time next spring to visit some friends, I might have to hit up that trail on the way out.

[@ХанСоло-з6э]

My like from Russia!))😎👍 You are cool, your forester is cool, and landscapes is amazing!))

[@ASAKLIT]

aaaaand i am in love with the forester again

[@ModFoz]

Thanks! More videos coming soon!

[@BradMazur]

Happy to see you and the forester back at it!

[@charlesbonetti7153]

I'll never get tired of that sound

[@Ai2Products]

Glad to see your still out there!!! Nice to see the old Forester back in action!! Do a video on the dual range transfer case!!!! That is cool!!

[@ModFoz]

Once I sort out a few things, I’ll definitely be making a vid on it. I have the whole swap already filmed.

[@preppermcprepperson]

Crazy rig man. Doing stuff I’d be too chickenshit to do in my beefy truck. Very impressive.

[@marionikolov3183]

Damn, that subie rocks! I'm in love with your Forester now😍

[@Snewflake]

Foresters are so versatile and I love them for that.

[@istp1967]

Have Subi will travel eh 😁 A couple of Maxi Traks would be handy too 😁

[@martee4]

4:45 "You're good..." lollll. Looking to do some work on my Forester and I'm appreciating these videos!

[@TheTattooedRonin]

This was awesome to see! I have a 2010 Forester. At abou 160k miles still runs pretty good. Thinking of getting a 2019 Forester soon. I love my Subaru.

[@ModFoz]

If you’re going to get a used one, I’d say get a 2018 XT so you get the additional power. It’s worth it.

[@tajvwss]

Glad to see you're back "off" the road.

[@mattmattmatt131313]

An offroading Forester is like the coolest thing ever! I don't exactly know why...there's just something about it that makes me go :D

[@TyCurtin]

Glad to see it back on the road!

[@alanwest2360]

Having a gearbox with low range is such an improvement, isn't it. It is nice being able to dribble along with tractive force in reserve. Unfortunately my old Foz had serious rust and other problems, and just got sold to optimist who will ignore/fix these. Ah well.

[@offroadingsubarusofcolorado]

Glad to see it up and going again..wan to visit next summer

[@salehhoushiya3388]

Nice work and very nice place

[@cellardwellergaming8388]

Awesome video. Continued inspiration to keep modding my forester. It is sad that 17 jeep owners have disliked this video so far.

[@bartholdbricht1551]

Wow, i am happy to see new Videos from you and your new Forry. Wich you good luck .... :-)

[@SilverWolf25]

Very nice! Welcome back!!

[@naitn]

YESSSS omg look at that forester now :D looking forward to some more snow hooning ;)

[@ModFoz]

Indeed, winter should bring some fun!

[@Curiosity_Voyage1]

Great vids! Keep it up :) had a fozzy with a winch and all a few years ago here in austria! Your vids are awesome and and you are probably the only one who does these kinds of stuff and make vids about it!! GJ!!

[@Grno1984]

congrat bro. we are waiting for this so long.

[@genesonrho6997]

Vid request on the low range setup! More info!

[@ModFoz]

I filmed the entire process, so yes there’ll be a video on it. Just sorting out a few things to make sure they’re correct before I edit it up.

[@robertroberts7345]

@@ModFoz When ? Im keen to see this . The only reason i bought the SF forester over the GT is because of the low range . Im also very interested in seeing someone do crawler gears for the low range ? Im in Australia . Thanks.

[@JohnUllrey]

Yes Please!

[@therealsolo23]

Ive been wanting one for years

[@fattyarbuckle5001]

I'm on my third Subaru. Great product.

[@panama-canada]

Awesome scenery.

[@AInteligence305]

I love you’re for forester, for some reason I like the 2004 xt model more the newer model!

[@ModFoz]

Thanks! That makes two of us!

[@juliosdiy3206]

Now thats a wild beast!

[@BernonCars]

Missed this little Fozzy!!!

[@lucasreeserlarkin8996]

Very nice rig and footage. Have a black and sliver 06 L.L. bean edition Forester. Gonna sell or trade it for an XT. Need a 5-speed, yours sounds Awesome my friend! Stay strong on those trails!

[@jacobhomstead9036]

Woah woah woah... where does this subi dual range trans come from??? I just swapped forester struts in to my 08 Impreza and also swapped all my linkage in the rear for fully adjustable as well as energy poly bushings up front. I don’t see many modded Imprezas of this generation but I’m going to try to work some magic on it. But I’ve got to know about this trans. Loving my manual 5speed for now but looking to upgrade to some AT2s roughly 27” but on 16s. I did however see they sell centripetal lockers for my rear diff for a decent price and that’s definitely going to be part of my recipe.

[@JonDZ_Adventuring]

Whoa! 😮 you’re back!! 😎

[@ModFoz]

Indeed I am!

[@athlon28]

About time :) Nice run!

[@juliosdiy3206]

That ridge looks scary!

[@GoodDayFarm]

Awesome video!

[@maximkarcm3367]

Прям как дорога ко мне во двор. Бампер и багажник на крыше это как минимум +2 к свойствам внедорожника

[@Smitty-tc4ni]

My titan pro4X was just crushed by a Subaru! You probably burned half the gas too! Awesome forester.

[@jeffparryncc1701]

Awesome watching your vids, great stuff. Subed again.

[@noelebbert9322]

Miss your content! I know life happens but I’m still eating a lifted 2nd gen build! Cheers

[@noelebbert9322]

Wanting*

[@Reese842]

Awesome, looks like so much fun!

[@neilyakuza6595]

That kicks ASS!

[@rb1822]

Hi your forester is absolutely crazy. Can you please make a tour video.

[@grembf158]

Damn this subie is a beast!

[@titan_power]

Субару едет! Красавы пацаны!

[@gigiaea2540]

Hi, I just stumbled onto this video. Phenomenal capacity and range of abilities! I was always wondering what modifications could be done on a subaru that make sense. Did you do anything with the engine cause it sounds different or is it just a muffler? Seems like a suspension substituted well for the lack of HP if there was any. I love it.

[@ModFoz]

Gigi Aea Car is stock with the exception of a muffler delete, 2-inch lift but stock suspension. Engine is stock. Front bumper is obviously aftermarket. The transmission is a stock Subaru 5-speed dual-range transmission from Australia. All my videos prior to this one was with the stock transmission.

[@gearsighted]

@@ModFoz how long had you been running the stock suspension on this type of trail? is it still running or did it finally wear out?

[@ModFoz]

Jesse Woody Stock suspension works fine on these trails.

[@jcoats5529]

That is super impressive

[@kingofbaja5b]

nays nays nays

[@BruceHoult]

Hmm .. I've got a 1997 2.5 "Legacy Lancaster Grandwagon" with a dual range box. It's probably starting to get near the end of its days as my unmodified long distance touring car .. maybe it could be fun to turn it into a crazy offroader :-)

[@kevinnorwood7355]

Sweet ride can’t wait until I get myself another Subaru Forester, you need a better spotter.

[@ntvinternationalnews4591]

Wow 😲. That's awesome 👌 👏 . What a car. It's like a mountain goat, climbs effortlessly over those rocks. What mods did you do to it?

[@rodneywk1]

That car looks and sounds amaze-balls!!!

[@ModFoz]

Thanks! Stock exhaust with a straight pipe in place of the muffler.

[@bronteb5415]

oof makes the poor little factory fozzie look a bit sad!! Cant wait to fix it up with some nice toys😋

[@tallerhcr8551]

Good driver! Amazing car.

[@chrismighton]

Nice dude!!! Looks like an absolute BLAST! What Springs, Spacers, and or Wheels and Tires and skid plate are you running? Love that the Forester is back. Was subscribed to your channel for a while hoping you would be back! - Never mind about the modifications questions - went back and read the video description. Thanks man!

[@fatih2838]

I want this exactly as I want

[@anonim1133]

It looks like you are missing on ratio, to properly control car. Sure, raw pawer of turbo seems to be working too, but up to some point only.

[@landonwadley7630]

So sick!

[@TheNazreth]

Nice to see an XT with the low-range gearbox swap from a NA version. I'm wondering how the overall transmission will cope with the additional torque from a low-range + a turbocharged engine. I don't think any turbocharged Subaru model came with a low-range out of the factory - durability of the low-range gearboxes from the less powerfull models might not be calculated for this much torque. I would really like to see this work however. Driving an SG XT manual myself, and it is a real pain when it needs to go slow, uphill, against the rocks....

[@ModFoz]

No idea of the longevity. I figure as long as I drive it fairly easily, no clutch dumps and no abusive shock-loading of the transmission should allow it to last a while. I did some towing with it, and a few odd road trips, and it seems to be going good so far.

[@TheNazreth]

I see. It should be ok I think, you obviously now how to drive in rough terrain from the videos we see :) Question about the gearbox itself - what is the exact reduction ratio? Or what was the model of the donor car? I know that in the Australia there were 2.5 NA Foresters with low-range gearbox available. In Europe, where I live, there was no such model available, only 2.0 NA. It was also available with low-range, but the reduction ratio on these 2 models were different (the gearboxes, despite being both manuals, had different low-range ratio). I also think that the clutch is different between those 2. Sadly, finding a 2.5 NA with low range manual in Europe is like finding a unicorn... My current 5 speed manual in XT is suffering from a dying syncro on 4th gear and needs a clutch replacement. From what I see, it is really tempting to try and fetch a low-range gearbox from 2.0 NA with some axles and diff and swap it, instead of fixing the original one :)

[@ModFoz]

The gearbox is the Forester SF 1.447:1 low range. I believe it was originally mated to a 2.0 NA Forester.

[@nagval7592]

Отличный Forester, не пересели ещё на новый?

[@rodrigodetriano8273]

Im loving the new Bull bar. can you do a video detailing how much the modifications cost, and links to purchase them please

[@ModFoz]

There’s an overview video of all the mods coming soon.

[@ahidaraigoza209]

Love the front bumper....

[@Nortdaron1]

- Hola estimados, le hicieron alguna modificación??? O es así de genial de a fábrica??? - Hello dear, did you make any changes ??? Or is it that great from the factory ???

[@mb4lunch]

Fozzy wazzy wazz a bear.... And kicked major arse!

[@SubieSean]

Sounds so good!

[@КанатКенешбеков-у8п]

Your Forester is good, but please would you like to look at the road in gorge Altyn Arashan in Kyrgyzstan.

[@Spiritual_DriverAE101]

Nice. Manual trans👍👍

[@ModFoz]

Manual AND it’s a dual-range one at that.

[@MADelectriCITY]

Wasn't a fan of noisy vehicles out on these otherwise peaceful trails but that's a pretty sweet Forester.

[@torreVs]

Lan ikaragarria! Beste ligan jokatzen duzu. Zorionak!

[@crucialmind7801]

where I live this road is still okeys!

[@redpilledpatriot8484]

Fantastic.

[@vicismin]

This foresyer is crazy good. Other fotester is same with this? I like to have a this beast.

[@spagfishing4731]

Very cool!

[@oldmillennial6872]

They should be this way from the factory! And seat 6...😁

[@fukkinkana]

They're honestly not bad from factory. They just need tires and ground clearance. (Lsd would be nice to have from factory)

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@fukkinkana Locking diffs and electronically detached sway bars would be nice too

[@fukkinkana]

@@veganpotterthevegan honestly I'd be happy if it had the sti 6 speed.

[@fukkinkana]

@@veganpotterthevegan but a forester with locking diffs are bad ass. My friend had one, bone stock xt, with locking diffs. Easily tore through the mud, when all these lifted Chevy, dodges, monteros and Toyota got stuck.

[@f3637097]

Very nice!!the best off road forester!i would like to ask you something about the tires.I have the forester xt 2.5 06 AT.I go for light off roading every week with my family and i have problem with yokohama g055 (80/20) 215/55/17.I am thinking to put general at3 215/60/17 or michelin latitude cross 225/55/17 ?What is your opinion about these two tires and sizes?

[@geoffwhyham3337]

In the market for a Forester and cannot decide what model to get - any comment please. Love your video and all the great comments. As a 4x4er, I know the value of low range. So am thinking a SF model may be the best option as cost of low range box from Australia with import taxes could make it way too expensive? Lastly love the center instrument cowling - where did that come from please? Cheers! Geoff

[@ModFoz]

The US never got the dual-range, so we have to import them either from Australia or Japan. I know Europe also got the dual range, just not sure of the ratio. I know the SF Forester’s got the 1.44:1 dual range gear box, but I know that 1:1 versions are out there (which are essentially pointless). The 1.44:1 gear box (and matching final-drive ratio rear diff) will be able to be swapped into essentially any EJ-engine equipped manual Forester (SF or SG, maybe even later). My 1.44:1 dual-range gearbox is from an SF Forester, but bolted up to my SG turbo Forester just fine. The gearboxes look identical on the outside, and bolt up just fine. A clutch slave cylinder swap, clutch and flywheel were required for me to get mine to mate up to the Forester just fine (I needed to use an upgraded NA clutch/flywheel). Slave cylinder is also from an NA. (Mine was originally a pull style clutch, the dual-range is push style clutch). The additional bits I needed to add was the dual-range lever (and cable connecting it to the transmission), and center console (arm rest up to the radio cowling) with the version from a dual-range Forester from an SG. I got that shipped to me from Australia from a person down there that picked it up for me from a wreckers yard. Everything bolted in, nothing I needed to really modify there, more of just bolt-on add ons. It’s all factory parts, so they all just bolted in perfectly, and work perfectly. Hope this helps.

[@overdriven77]

Can you please do a video on what have you done to the suspension and drivetrain? That sure don't look stock. Sorry if you allready covered that topic.

[@ModFoz]

I will be. Other than the simple 2” lift kit, the entire drivetrain is stock Subaru bits.

[@overdriven77]

Thank you very much for the quick reply!

[@lockandloadlikehell]

I guess a dual range transmission accomplishes the same thing as a dual range transfer case (torque multiplication); all else (ratios) equal.

[@ModFoz]

Correct. With the Subaru's, it is integrated into the transmission (so it's the same exact outer dimensions as the stock 5-speed gear box). The gear reduction is on the input shaft of the transmission.

[@MatthewHeiskell]

Hell yeah!

[@morgankid]

Amezing!

[@chasedyer9819]

Love the video. Can you put a link for the bumper your using? I've been looking but I cant find one that i know will fit

[@MarvFitBikesKicks]

damn i didnt think there was anything you can do to these cars to make them look better. these look great, i would like to get mine like that but thats probably like $2k invested!

[@simonlynchsae]

Yeah... instant subbed.

[@ModFoz]

Appreciate it. More vids coming.

[@justincooper5189]

Nice job. I own a 98 forester, and I'm having issues finding a decent suspension lift kit for it. I can easily find drop kits, but I don't want a street only forester. Where did you get yours from? Also, where did you get the bumper? I know my car looks a little different, but the company may have something similar. Have fun with yours, and be safe. No one wants to hear that you put yourself in the hospital or worse. We all want you to be safe and keep making interesting videos of your adventures

[@ModFoz]

Lift kit was from SUMO. There are other companies out there that make lift kits for these things as well.

[@gavinblosse2811]

Next upgrade?.....Kevin's hiking boots. So he can keep up and keep getting the good video 👌👌.

[@zacjohnson8404]

did you paint it black? looks sick

[@Doc1855]

If my wife would let me do this to my Subie, I would. But she’s right , I bought my subie for the traction getting around and not severe off roading. That’s what our pickup is for

[@juliosdiy3206]

Your modification is the best! I totally love it. Do u have to cut any fenders? Otherwise i am doing the same setup, the only difference is that i may put some fenders and add half inch to one inch spacers.