Gen 5 Outback installation of Flatout GR Lite suspension

9192 Views 39 Replies 11 Participants Last post by 74Plb, 6 mo ago

Jim_jm

Discussion Starter · Aug 14, 2021

5

After installation of GR Lite coilovers, Rallitek subframe spacers, tires and wheels on a 2018 Outback 2.5i Premium.
Lift (not including 1/2" from the tires) is currently 2" in front and 2.5" rear. Alignment shop had no problems adjusting to spec. Flatout recommended spring rates of 300F and 325R. Installation was straightforward, just be sure to tighten everything to spec, especially the lockrings on the shock body. No creaks or clunks so far.
I may raise the front another 1/4" to 1/2" and the rear another 1/4" if there's any sag after a few weeks.
The difference in ride quality is immediately noticeable. Not necessarily harsher, just more solid with much less body roll around corners and curves. I've set front damping at 50% and the rear at full soft. I'll stiffen up the rear when I load up the rooftop tent and mtn bikes on the hitch-mount rack.
The Toyo tires (245-65/17) are reasonably quiet and I haven't detected any rubbing at all. LP Aventure LP1 wheels have +35 backspacing.
So far, really happy with this setup. The build quality of the Flatout coilovers is excellent and they are fully rebuildable, if ever needed.
I'm just planning on soft-roading and camping, so this set-up will be more than capable.
I started looking at spacer lift kits, but realized I needed more travel and tunability for camping trips. The customizable spring rates and adjustable ride height are a huge plus.

Front coilover old & new

Rear coilover old & new

Front installed

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Masonjarbeer99

· #2 · Aug 14, 2021

sweet setup.
I have yet to install my GR lites. 300F/325R (as per Flatout/Russell's recommendation).
Did you have to get any additional parts or upgrade existing parts? (ie: end links type of thing)

Jim_jm

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 14, 2021

Masonjarbeer99 said:
sweet setup.
I have yet to install my GR lites. 300F/325R (as per Flatout/Russell's recommendation).
Did you have to get any additional parts or upgrade existing parts? (ie: end links type of thing)

Thanks!
No additional parts needed except for the Rallitek subframe spacers. I think as long as you keep it under 3" you shouldn't need to change the control arms, swaybar links, etc. unless you want to.
The tech at the alignment shop commented on the quality of the new coilovers and didn't see any issues that might occur because of the lift. He didn't need to adjust much to get it aligned back to spec.
The swaybar link brackets on the front can be moved up and down on the shock body. On previous versions they were welded to the lower bracket. I positioned them so the swaybar was in the same orientation after everything was reconnected.
When I installed the fronts I positioned the bottom of the shock body flush with the bottom of the bracket, which gave me 2" lift exactly. This is what Flatout recommended in one of their videos, probably being where most folks would want to start. On the rear I added 1/2" compression to the springs, which has me sitting at about 2.5" now.
Next up is a front bumper guard and skid plates from LP Aventure.
Good Luck with your install!

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PisgahRoamer

· #4 · Sep 3, 2021

dude. yes!

You've got quite a nice ride. And kudos to you for going all the way with Flatout's coilovers - from what I've read and seen, far superior to any other option. I'm sure time will tell, and I look forward to your reports on how they perform. I saw your member gallery, the photo with the iKamper on top, that's on the stock rack? Curious to know how well that worked for you.

I'm super envious, coilovers are a ways down the road for our OB. One day!

Jim_jm

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 3, 2021

PisgahRoamer said:
dude. yes!

You've got quite a nice ride. And kudos to you for going all the way with Flatout's coilovers - from what I've read and seen, far superior to any other option. I'm sure time will tell, and I look forward to your reports on how they perform. I saw your member gallery, the photo with the iKamper on top, that's on the stock rack? Curious to know how well that worked for you.

I'm super envious, coilovers are a ways down the road for our OB. One day!

Thanks! Haven't had a chance to really test them offroad, but on-road performance has been better than I expected. Handling is firmer, but not a huge difference from before. We'll see how it goes when the car is loaded up, but with the higher spring rates I'm confident it'll be much better than stock.
Yeah, the iKamper is on the stock crossbars and I've got just enough clearance to fit my hands underneath to attach the locking brackets. It looks like it's sitting on the side rails, but it's not quite touching. When I bought the tent last year, iKamper's web site showed an Outback set up exactly the same, and they said it should be no problem fitting to my vehicle. It's within the static and dynamic weight limits for the roof rack, no no problems so far. One bonus is since the closed tent sits so close to the roof, there's no wind noise on the highway with the fairing installed. MPG is a bit lower, but that's expected.
Here's one with the car loaded up, but still on stock suspension. The butt sag is pretty obvious here, but the bikes/rack count for another 100 lbs on the trailer hitch.

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smithcreate

· #6 · Sep 13, 2021

I'm curious what your measurement is from ground to inner fender. My buddy did my install, and I wanted jus 2", but I don't think he really measured anything, and was kinda basing the height of the lift from the rear which was probably not a good idea since I had my camping gear loaded as well as a Dirtcom spare swing out and fun size spare which added a lot of weight to the rear.

I'm calling a semi-local shop tomorrow to see if they can fit me in to take a look at the setup as I've been experiencing a horrible clunking noise when I hit small potholes. I feel it in my bones! Plus, it still needs an alignment and they have everything there. This is Mount Zion Offroad in Dover, PA. I noticed they did an Outback build with the same suspension setup, so I figure they'll already be knowledgable with things.

Jim_jm

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 13, 2021

smithcreate said:
I'm curious what your measurement is from ground to inner fender. My buddy did my install, and I wanted jus 2", but I don't think he really measured anything, and was kinda basing the height of the lift from the rear which was probably not a good idea since I had my camping gear loaded as well as a Dirtcom spare swing out and fun size spare which added a lot of weight to the rear.

I'm calling a semi-local shop tomorrow to see if they can fit me in to take a look at the setup as I've been experiencing a horrible clunking noise when I hit small potholes. I feel it in my bones! Plus, it still needs an alignment and they have everything there. This is Mount Zion Offroad in Dover, PA. I noticed they did an Outback build with the same suspension setup, so I figure they'll already be knowledgable with things.

Sure! I'm currently sitting at 34" from ground to inner fender in the front, and 34.75" in the rear. This is with the 245/65R17 tires, which add 1/2" to overall height (1" larger diameter overall from the stock 225 tires). So if I was still on the stock tires, I'd be at 33.5" front and 34.25" rear, which is about a 2.5" higher than the stock suspension. Also, my rear differential now has 10.75" ground clearance with a Primitive Racing skid plate installed, which is about 1/4" thick. I think stock clearance was about 8.7".
Yeah, the weight of the camping gear and the spare tire carrier adds a lot of sag to the rear. How do you like the Dirtcom trail swing? I'm looking at that and the Rigd carrier, but the Dirtcom has a lot of features I like. Unfortunately it's also the most expensive one.

Good luck with your setup and keep us updated! - Jim

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smithcreate

· #8 · Sep 13, 2021

Jim_jm said:
Sure! I'm currently sitting at 34" from ground to inner fender in the front, and 34.75" in the rear. This is with the 245/65R17 tires, which add 1/2" to overall height (1" larger diameter overall from the stock 225 tires). So if I was still on the stock tires, I'd be at 33.5" front and 34.25" rear, which is about a 2.5" higher than the stock suspension. Also, my rear differential now has 10.75" ground clearance with a Primitive Racing skid plate installed, which is about 1/4" thick. I think stock clearance was about 8.7".
Yeah, the weight of the camping gear and the spare tire carrier adds a lot of sag to the rear. How do you like the Dirtcom trail swing? I'm looking at that and the Rigd carrier, but the Dirtcom has a lot of features I like. Unfortunately it's also the most expensive one.

Good luck with your setup and keep us updated! - Jim

I'm measuring roughly 34" in the front and 33.75 in the rear. I'm running 235/65R17 tires/wheels. Also fully skidded. I'm not balanced left/right, there's definitely a difference in height on all 4 corners.

I removed the Dirtcom swing out because I received an email from them regarding a recall due to a possible missing weld on the receiver hitch. They are shipping me a revised version and paying return shipping on the one I have. That's pretty freaking amazing customer service if you ask me. More expensive, yes. But the quality and service is top notch. I'll be selling the Dirtcom swing out and mounting my spare to a roof rack. I find I prefer easier access to the trunk and my backup camera than having the spare mounted there.

PeterY

· #9 · Sep 22, 2021

Thanks for this helpful information. I'm in Australia and am waiting (patiently

) for my coilovers and spacer kit to arrive. My mechanic will install this for me, so I'll pass on your tips.

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smithcreate

· #10 · Oct 11, 2021

Just a heads up if anyone is following this thread. I'm swapping back to OEM suspension this week and will have my Flatout GR Lite and Rallitek sub-frame spacers for sale by this weekend. Less than 2,000 miles on the setup.

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PeterY

· #11 · Oct 11, 2021

smithcreate said:
Just a heads up if anyone is following this thread. I'm swapping back to OEM suspension this week and will have my Flatout GR Lite and Rallitek sub-frame spacers for sale by this weekend. Less than 2,000 miles on the setup.

How come you decided to swap back?

smithcreate

· #12 · Oct 11, 2021

PeterY said:
How come you decided to swap back?

I picked up a Range Rover. Decided to take the Outback closer to stock to use as a reliable daily driver, and for better fuel economy.

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Dpsphotos

· #13 · Dec 28, 2021

Thanks for all of the information on this thread. Picked up a 2019 3.6R a few months ago and looking at adding the GR lites and new rims and tires. I called them about spring rates due to the heavier engine and they seemed very helpful and informative. The video posted on their website mentions some tire rub after install and needing to add a small spacer. Still trying to figure out what wheel offset they used. I was looking at the LP Ventures wheels in a 17 x 8 with 38mm offset.

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paroxysym

· #14 · Dec 31, 2021

howd this go smoothly with no rear subframe drop? interesting

chrisisinclair

· #15 · Jan 15, 2022

How much additional travel if any did you gain with these?

Jim_jm

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 15, 2022

paroxysym said:
howd this go smoothly with no rear subframe drop? interesting

I also installed the Rallitek subframe spacer kit in the rear. I'm certain that the lift would cause problems without it.

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle brake Bicycle part Rim

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Jim_jm

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 15, 2022

2

chrisisinclair said:
How much additional travel if any did you gain with these?

Flatout advertises 8" front and rear travel with the GR Lites, and I'm sure I've gained a lot, although I haven't measured it.
I've got 2.5" lift over stock (front & rear), not including the extra 1/2" ground clearance with 245 tires.
Anything higher and the brake and ABS lines would have to be modified or replaced with longer lines.
I've got Rallitek adjustable end links in the front and will be adding them to the rear, to get the swaybar back in the correct position.
The below photos show the old and new shocks. There's no preload on the new springs here, and the front shocks are at their "neutral" body length.

Automotive tire Coil spring Gas Suspension Auto part

Automotive tire Coil Coil spring Suspension Cylinder

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chrisisinclair

· #18 · Jan 15, 2022

I saw that 8" specification as well but I believe that was total travel - not additional? Im trying to find out how much travel the stock suspension in my 2017 has - I was advised by a few people who really know these Subarus that the Gen 5 doesnt really have the ability to gain much additional travel compared to gen 4 and 3. Not sure how true that is though as these look pretty **** nice.

Jim_jm

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jan 15, 2022

chrisisinclair said:
I saw that 8" specification as well but I believe that was total travel - not additional? Im trying to find out how much travel the stock suspension in my 2017 has - I was advised by a few people who really know these Subarus that the Gen 5 doesnt really have the ability to gain much additional travel compared to gen 4 and 3. Not sure how true that is though as these look pretty **** nice.

Yeah, it's total travel. I'd guess maybe a few inches of additional travel at most. If you're looking for more, then you'd probably be replacing the control arms and a lot of other components. Ground clearance was a nice gain - it's now at 10.75" at the rear diff, and that's with a Primitive Racing skid plate installed. I also have an LP Aventure front skid plate which brought the front ground clearance down to less than 10", but we have lots of rocky trails here in the Southwest and I like to keep the oil in my engine.

chrisisinclair

· #20 · Jan 15, 2022

Was looking at the LP stuff myself but the shipping was pretty outrageous from Canda - planning to likely go with all priomitive all around ( I like that you can still use them as a lift point including the rear diff cover)

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