Why?

[aaronatstate]

The spare would look much better on the roof IMO. Looks just "stuck on" on the hitch carrier like that.

[Duck Vader]

Problem with the roof is I also carry a roof top cargo box. It won't fit on the roof with it. The hitch is really my only good option.

[Chris GTO TT]

Well this isn't a problem for Jason, but for most people getting the spare tire onto and off of the roof is way harder.

[Duck Vader]

Debating on if I should start running premium. Designed for 87 unless towing or hailing or hard driving. New tires are heavier so wonder if I'd see a benefit. Lost about 2 mpg average so far.

[Chris GTO TT]

In our 2.5i premium outback we run at least 89. It seems to like it a lot better. Obviously your 2.4DIT is a bit of a different animal.

[Duck Vader]

1.25 inch lift with stiffer springs.

[Chris GTO TT]

[Duck Vader]

Got some driveline vibration right around the 18-20 mph. Pretty common. Fix is to insert something into the transmission mount. Factory mount is hollow and the new driveline angle messes with it. They make a special insert for it to help stiffen the mount. Reduces transmission movement.

https://awdadventure.com/collections/20 ... nti-wobble

Ordered one. We will see how it does.

[Chris GTO TT]

I wanna get one for our outback to see if it fixes some of the CVT bounce I sometimes feel

[Duck Vader]

Install looks really easy.

https://youtu.be/iWss9TgMl0g

Might need to drop the transmission skid but looks easy enough I might be able to do it quickly in the driveway if the part gets here soon enough.

[ChargerX3]

Looks like you are ready to bug out.

[Duck Vader]

Just realized all subaru outback wilderness are made in Lafayette Indiana.

That said I wonder what my ground clearance is now. Stock is 9.5. Have bigger tires and the 1.25 lift, but also have skid plates that lower clearance under rear diff and subframe spacer so the rear subframe is not lifted the full 1.25. Just 0.25 from the springs and whatever is lifted from the tires.

[Duck Vader]

Had to remove part of the transmission skid plate, but after that pretty straight forward. Support transmission. Remove cross member (6 bolts 5 nuts), then remove mount. Install insert into mount and put it all back together. Took about an hour.

Factory mount:



Insert:



Together:

[Duck Vader]

Still have some vibration but not nearly as bad. Maybe 20% of what it was. They do offer a stiffer one but some say it's too stiff and you can get some droning noise so I'll keep it at the one I got.

[Duck Vader]

Last tank with premium. Gained 2 mpg. Based on how much I drive a year it would save me about $200 every 10 yrs to switch

[ChargerX3]

Might want to take that average over several weeks or months, and dependent on season. They make phone apps that do a good job of that.

[Duck Vader]

I am. Ran 87 most of its life. Going to try premium for a year for the most part and see what it says. I have one trip odometer I never reset. Gives mpg average for the last 19k miles (1 yr next month) and I won't touch the other 1 for a year and see what it says.

[Duck Vader]

With the Vira and Jeff plate discussion it got me thinking. I need to get washington plates after I move. Will do one of their wilderness themed designs but was wondering if I should do something custom.

Ideas?

[Duck Vader]

To see if available

https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/extdriveses/NoLogon/_/

[Duck Vader]

And I'll pick a plate under parks and environment

https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistrat ... esign.html