What is the difference between Strut top spacers and lower lift brackets? We get this question a lot, so we will take some time and explain the differences between these two products and answer some common questions about them both.
-Strut top hats spacers
This is one of the more common style of lift, ranging across all of the years of Subaru platforms. This style lift, sits directly on top of the strut, mounting directly to the top hat. This will sit between the strut hat, and the body of the car to gain your lift.
FAQ-
Are these easy to install?
Yes very easy, no modifications bolt on and re install.
Does this put more wear on my CV joints?
At 2" of lift this is the most common size life we offer. It does add a little stress on the cv joints but in most cases they last years depending on user.
-2.5" Lower Lift Brackets
Lower Lift Brackets are designed for the 1998-2008 Subaru Foresters. This style of lift relocates your strut at the bottom of the knuckle up one mounting hole on the hub with corresponding brackets provided, fastening all 3 mounting locations together.
This Provides 2.5" of additional spring perch clearance raising the limiting factor of tire size of an additional 5 inches. (With Modification to run said tire size).
Biggest advantage of this style of lift is no more limitation from your spring perch in relation to tire size. This style of lift kit does require 25mm wheel spacers or a minimum of +15 offset on the wheel to clear the added thicker bracket.
Down side to this style of lift kit. Being 2.5" will increase the wear on the cv joints, as 2.5" is the top end of the limitations of the cv joints on these generations of Forester. They also require modification to the lower section of the strut so the bracket sit flush with the strut.
FAQ-
Can these be made into different sizes of lift?
No they can not. We are limited to the bolt hole spacing on the bottom of the strut.
Can you manufacture these for any other generations of Subaru?
No. This generation forester is the only one that is capable enough to handle these. Why'll also have the most limitation on tire size due to the spring perch.
Are these easy to install?
They are not, these are much more difficult to install and require some patience.
Can these be ran in conjunction with the top hat spacers?
Yes, which is what our 4.5" mammoth kit is. However, this set up requires full subframe spacers which are included in the mammoth kit.
Does this put more wear on my CV joints?
At 2.5" of lift this is the max this generation Subaru can handle. Being the max this will reduce the over all life span of the cv joints. Wear will depends on end user.
If anyone has any further questions about these style of lifts please reach out!
-Patrick Anderson