DirtSubies

In this episode, Sam breaks down his Northeast-tested Subaru Forester SJ build. If you want a reliable trail and family-camping Subaru, this is the pinnacle modification that offers comfort and capability. In this episode, we cover body armor, suspension, wheel and tire fitment, lighting, and a great camping system that stays organized. There’s even a door-meets-tree story with a surprisingly easy trail-side fix.

Check out this article for a full build list or go to https://liftedimports.com/sams-offroad-2015-forester

We're switching over to a bi-weekly schedule so that we can devote more time to each episode.

In this episode, Chris talks about what actually holds up on a daily-driven, trail-ready Subaru. We get into his rack setup, the wheel/tire choices that survive abuse (LP Aventure LP1s), and the simple rule that guides his whole build: if it doesn’t make the car more usable, it doesn’t matter.

If you’re building a Crosstrek/Forester/Outback to drive every day and beat on weekends, this one’s for you. We talk mounts that don’t bend, what breaks first, what’s worth upgrading, and the maintenance mindset that keeps you wheeling longer with fewer surprises.

“Pay it now or pay it later.” In this conversation, Carter explains the maintenance reality of a lifted Subaru Crosstrek: alignments, fluid intervals, and parts that actually fail when you drive hard on dirt. Plus: lighting/mounts that worked, a plate-relocation fix after installing a tire carrier, and the changes he’s making before the next race.

This is a very special episode for me. I've been using ADF parts for over 10 years and am proud to call ADF Pat a good friend.

Patrick Anderson (founder of Anderson Design & Fabrication) joins me to talk about building Subaru parts that actually survive real off-road use. We dig into lift-kit geometry, tire fitment, common install mistakes, and the R&D behind ADF’s billet CVT pan (why cooling matters, what went into the design, and what they've learned during testing.) If you daily a lifted Subaru or you’re planning your first build, this one’s packed with a bunch of good info.

We're pleased to have MeLe Design Firm as a supporter. Use code DIRTSUBIES at checkout for 10% off on anything in their store.

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle (@wazzubaru) to talk about her very first off-road adventure in her Subaru Outback Wilderness and yeah… things got weird. From a naked guy on the side of the road, to getting threatened by people with cordless hole punchers, to getting rock rash on our wheels, this trip was anything but normal.

We also talk about car mods, tire setups, and how to get started in the off-road Subaru scene. This one’s got stories, laughs, and some moments you won’t forget.

In episode 6 of the DirtSubies Podcast we sit down with Rich, a military veteran turned off-road Subaru enthusiast, to talk about how he built his 2019 Subaru Forester for overlanding and Pacific Northwest trails. From accidentally ripping his exhaust off to testing a prototype rooftop tent, Rich shares the highs and lows of building a lifted Forester without breaking the bank.  We talk suspension setups, wheel and tire choices, trail stories, and what gear he never leaves home without. Whether you’re new to off-roading or just looking for real-world insight into building a capable Subaru, this one’s for you.  Here's just a few of the topics we covered:

-Choosing the Forester over a Jeep

-Life after the military & how it shaped his build style

-Aftermarket suspension pros and cons

-Real-world performance of Falken AT Trails

-Skid plates, recovery gear, and camp setup

👇 Drop a comment if you've ever had to finish a trail without an exhaust 😂

In this episode, we sit down with Mitch Meadows from MeLe Design Firm to talk about the Forester that’s pulling double duty as a family hauler, media chase car, and trail rig. It’s not a rally car—but it’s definitely seen rally roads. We get into how the build came together (spoiler: his wife thought it was stock), the parts it’s running, and what it’s like using a lifted LL Bean edition Subaru for everything from camping to competition support. Mitch also shares stories from the stage rally world, including the time he got a concussion mid-race and still came back for more.

Visit Lifted Imports for more offroad Subaru content.

Derek discusses his 2021 Subaru Forester offroad build and shares his stories of being in sticky situations on the trail.

Visit Lifted Imports for more offroad Subaru content.

Milton has one of the most highly modified/capable Crosstreks in the world. He sat down for over 2 hours to share all the details of his Subaru experience and even offered mod advice to newcomers.

Visit Lifted Imports for more offroad Subaru content.