Best budget Overland vehicle I've seen yet - Lifted Subaru Forester
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 พ.ย. 2024
- Overlanding has exploded in the US over the last 5 years. I have seen dozens of companies grow from this style of vehicle camping.
The trend lately has been to take an expensive vehicle like a Jeep Rubicon or Toyota Tacoma/Tundra/Landcruiser and build them up with $20,000 in parts to go camping in remote areas.
I am all for that....but I am on a budget. I have 3 kids and a wife and a mortgage payment lol. So when I see a budget overland vehicle like the one I saw at SEMA 2018 I was intrigued.
If you think about it, a Subaru is a great budget option because its not an expensive vehicle to begin with. They have a tried and true AWD system. They are nimble and capable off road and very popular in areas with rain, snow, ice and mud due to their AWD system.
In a pinch you can sleep inside them to stay warm, dry and safe from animals. It may not be an RV but its a comfy place to sleep non the less when the doors are locked. I have slept in my Hyundai Tucson so I know a thing or two about micro car camping.
What do you guys think?
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My ex-wife and kids got in a terrible accident in that model year Forester. All walked away without a scratch. They won alot of crash safety ratings, so you know they'll protect you and your family.
Glad your family was unhurt. I have been in a head on collision with my vehicle totaled. Its scary and no fun. I appreciated the over abundance of airbag technology after I walked away from my accident in my Toyota Camry.
@@mixflip And people still complain about cars being beefier, heavier, and costing more. It's all about road safety, especially when everyone is driving with their noses stuck on their phones.
Hey there! I see you spotted my Forester! I'm @TheFotoFoz on Instagram.
It is definitely a budget build when comparing it to newer vehicles. I needed something that was not too old, not too expensive, and also a good daily driver that was super comfortable (this one is the touring trim) and fun to drive both off, and on pavement. This hit the nail on the head. I've had 2 lowered Foresters in the past, and I decided to try to build a decent offroader with the 3rd. This isn't a rock crawler. Medium rated jeep trails are about as difficult as I'd go with this since it doesn't have lockers, but I've been so many places with it already, and still feel like I have so much more to explore before I need to invest in something that can crawl Currently car + all of my mods are under $30k.
Awesome vehicle for sure. I've already forgotten 98% of what I saw at SEMA but your Subaru still sticks out as one of the best at SEMA in my opinion. Good job.
@@mixflip Glad you remember it!! That was my goal. I don't remember all the jeeps and trucks that stood out at sema at all either.
Hey bud that front bumper .... was that a custom one or where did you get it?
I have a stock 09 and this is inspiring. Any tips ? I’m just getting into the off road world
Fotofoz must be one of the most recognized rigs in the offroad Subaru community...he's really built a superbly functional as well as beautiful Forester. My 2012 Forester isn't nearly as built out as his, but it still takes me just about wherever I want it to go exploring Oregon wilderness, with enough room in the back for me to sleep. It's true that these don't have a low-range gearbox, but the all-wheel-drive and traction control system works remarkably well in this generation of Forester (these 2009-2013 Foresters have 4-spd auto trans, not the CVT). For sure I can't crawl over every rock like some built 4x4s, but that's not what I'm out there to do anyway. 8^) With a small lift and good tires, a Forester makes a very capable adventuremobile on a budget. Affordable mods, and very reasonable MPGs too.
No head gasket blown yet?
@fukthegoog
His car is a 2010, jackass.
Mines a 2011 so the same. Im just looking and bam in bitten . lift kits arent to bad for forester wheels eh. Then bumper run hundres but worth it i think. Make a roof rack. Buy as much second hand as you can. Im not to handy but ill try lol. Like rubber work mats from fleet farm cut then bolt on for mud flaps screw thoes 100 dollar ones.
@@theundead1600 what?
Love your vids man
Stuff like this excites me way more than those super expensive builds, probably because it's way more affordable for me to do. But I also like taking something very humble and expanding its capabilities, especially when you can get into the vehicle itself used. Thanks for spotlighting this great budget overlander. It'll definitely get you there and get you home
I'll be building my rig hopefully early next year.
@@mixflip Yeah it's got me looking at my options now too. I've got new goals going in 2019 haha!
Been at the top of crazy difficult mountain passes in my 4x4 and have run into old school VW vans (non-syncro) and Subarus. Much respect!!
Now that is impressive.....a VW bus off road!
The person who owns the subaru has actually thought about how they will use it instead of spending thousands on all the new toys, very nicely done.
I'm a 4Runner guy, but I always appreciate seeing a Subie out on the trails. People buy the big expensive stuff because they're the kind of people who buy big expensive stuff, not because they actually need it (which is why I'm doing a series on budget overlanding). A simple Subaru like this can give you a lifetime worth of adventure.
I like that they can still park in the garage. My lifted Yukon couldn't even go through a car wash lol.
That Subaru looks awesome!! You definitely don't need to spent that crazy amount of money on a rig to get out there. Start small and know your limitations. I'm keeping my built simple for money reasons and it's a daily driver. Will upgrade parts when I need to replace them and will use the gear I use for backpacking to keep the weight down. Keep the videos coming, love the channel
I spotted a rusted 2wd 80's Mercedes 4 door sedan at Overland Expo 2018 that had a home made lift and had trekked across Europe for 2 years. Definitely don't need much to sleep in your car in the woods. Thanks for watching.
That is a sweet Forester. If you are on a budget and creatively handy, some of these items can be made rather than bought as well.
You mention Tahoe, I take my Forester to Tahoe and the surrounding areas and high desert frequently, it's a great knowing the vehicle is is capable for almost any weather conditions.
that's a really cool vehicle man, I'm looking into getting into a cheap off road camping / go out of town with my kids on the weekend vehicle options are amazing
Face it, a lot of people would be perfectly happy with a setup like this. Most “off roading” done by the $70k Jeep Rubicons is just dirt road exploring. Who’s gonna really scratch and dent up their pretty paint and mega $ rims while rock crawling? Serious off roading is best left to built rigs that can take some damage, rigs that might be a little older, dented and scratched but have the serious engine, suspension, and armor mods to get the job done. I admit it, I had a Jeep Rubicon when they first came out in 2003, (they were $25k new), after spending lots on all the mods, I realized the off roading I liked didn’t involve the big risks that might wreck your rig or get you hurt, white knuckling hairy trails in a daily driver is not my thing, guess what I’m driving now?
A subaru?
Yep, Forester, you’d be surprised how much you can do in one of these!
We need more subaru vids love this content
Subaru has a huge offroading community. "Subarus offroad international" and "MtnRoo" are both big ones. You'll find all sorts of Subies from Rally cars, rock crawlers to campers.
A well deserved following.
Thank you for this video. I have a newer Forester XT and I'm looking into these ideas. Thanks again.
I just found out last year that what I've been doing for the last 25 yrs was called 'overlanding'.
Mr too. Sleeping in my vehicle always appealed to me. I remember sleeping in a suzuki samurai on the beach in Maui in 1993. I called it...to lazy to put up a tent....Now it's called overlanding.
@@mixflip mine was an old izuzu trooper. Spent months in the hill and mountains from North Alabama/Georgia to Virginia. I've been in the same 1st year tundra for the last 15years. 250k miles, 20yrs old, and I'd still take it anywhere.
My boy J.Shaw! Solid build and helped him get into that fozzy. Lemme know of you need some help getting one! 👌👌👌
Yooooooo Teets is the man!!
Yup.. That's why I love my Forester!
There is a major community of Subaru owners, especially with off roading in mind, there is a enthusiast group local to you called flat4 that you should check out and if you want more information I can lead you to where to look and who to talk to. I live up in the pnw so there is a more prevalent off-road Subaru community.
I bet this does just as good as some of those 100k plus jeeps and trucks off road.
In rain, mud, snow and ice....it probably does just as good as any 4x4. Rock crawling? Not so good. No low range.
Really nice,like it, like the black hood gives the car a caracter, congratulations
Nice, I’ve seen the smaller Subaru Crosstrek or XV (where I’m from) modded for overland as well. Would be interesting to see you do a build on your channel. Thanks for sharing.
I hope to build up my rig next year!
mixflip Awesome, looking forward to it! 👊🏽
Hi fella, I'm a UK guy and in Great Britain we have the diesel variant in 3rd and 4th gen forester. I have the diesel 3rd gen manual transmission only on 3rd gen but with cvt on the 4th gen. I love my diesel which for obvious reasons is great on fuel. Trouble in UK is that unless you have a tricked out Land-rover then there is nowhere to offroad your subie as majority of land in my country is off limits to go adventuring on and offroad/overlanding foresters or outback are as rare as rocking horse sh#t.
You're 100% right older foresters or outback are amazing budget vehicles for the said task.
Hi John, I'm in Derbyshire with a Forester. Where are you? I'm an off road driving instructor with Adrenalin Jungle in Nottinghamshire. Just starting to use my Forester for camping.
And you can use it every day without needing your own refinery. It makes best sense.
Lol that's such a good point. A Tundra gets roughly 12 to 14 mpg with MT tires.
You dont really need the turbo. The additional torque and HP is nice on paper but it's not really necessary from the spool times of the turbo and RPMs needed for it to have affect. Plus it's just another component you have to worry about in the brush breaking.
It's probably a twin scroll. There's very little spool time. You get power with that faster than the CVT will give it to you
That is my car! 09 Forester I would love to do that to it
Id rather go with the forester. Practical and functional Best find on the lot
Enjoyed this more then the fancy, expensive vehicles you show.
What was the “budget” twenty thousand dollars?
Good video, keep them coming!
This is awesome! Great video, & thanks for sharing. I love budget builds and want to use a 2003 Pathfinder for an overland one. I might use the lights in front of the mirrors mod too. There's a channel called 'Outdoor Lovers' which has a overland built Pathfinder and i'ts pretty cool. A Subaru is an interesting platform too; I can see the new Subaru SUV, the Ascent, being used for overland duty.
Wow damn awesome I hope their all useful some people build them for look and never been out
Do it. just bought a 2011 chain drive ready to build. Avoid the turbo if you can you reaaly don't need it.
gratz man, keep on doing what you do. this is a good one. subie is life..
Subie is perfekt
Wonder if @LLOD might do this with his Forester, though he just got a Series 80 Landcruiser.
I own a Forester and I do a significant amount of disbursed camping in it, and I find that space is limited. My roof rack is overflowing if I want to keep that back seats up for extra passengers.
Where's the bumper and winch from??
Man, I love your videos.
Thanks for watching.
Go for it!! Make a video series of it. Get sponsors!! Ok, I'll be your agent for 50%...stop twisting my arm.....lol
Getting real close to that 100k man. Happy for you 👍
It's been a long road to 100k. I joined youtube in 2006....I didnt take it serious though until about 2010 though. Still that's a long time.
@@rolandxor179 thanks for the kind words. I probably should get serious with this channel and build a website and sell merch, start a patreon account, build a studio for reviews etc....I'm just one dude with a gopro camera who does to cool shows and reviews things I like. It's a slow and simple process but it works for me since I have a full time day job still. Thanks for watching.
This is exactly what I want
I will do this to my 2013 Forester.
This old Subaru forester looks better then new 2020 Landrover Defender.
That "budget" tire carrier cost $1000
More like 1500
Hey why not start out this way. Great opportunity to try things out and build from there.
good looking Subaru!
Lights at side mirrors are quite funny, but works.
Have though of putting ledbar at roof, but where you guys pull wires inside? From antenna hole?
Frontrunner Flat Roof Rack, thx, all I wanted to know. 😎
by any chance did u find out where he got that metal front guard an winch holder?
Looks like a Warn Industries semi-hidden winch and bumper
@@travisd1631 thanks m8.. gonna check it out
I love that stubby front steel bumper. The hood scoop is stock on all subarus, because it's a boxer engine.
Only stock on turbo subarus tho.
@@morteneriksen2827 possible, in my country most are turbodiesel and all petrols are wrx mostly. So bigass turbo.
Damn good Subaru!
Are you sure the old subaru has a reliable engine
“Budget” shows a Subaru with 15k in mods 😂 that tire holder alone is 1k
I'm guessing you are new here? Have you seen the price of a patriot camper? ($50k for a trailer) Or the price of a Winnebago Revel 4x4 off road camper van? ($100,000k for a van)
mixflip I understand and a lot people prefer to bring home amenities while “camping” to each their own
Definitely more budget friendly overlanders out there. But the Fotofoz is well done without going to the extreme that you see some others doing (Jeeps and Toyotas, as shown in the video). I reckon you could have a very capable overlander for about $5-7k USD. Especially so if you've got a welder and some creativity.
You're so far, off if you think all those mods were 15k. $8-10k tops.
The lift is most likely a ADF lift. 2.5” for about $600. The tire carrier isn’t needed. The rack can be bout cheaper. You can buy good off road tires and use the stock wheels. You could do this with a much lower budget and get the same outcome.
Nice!
Hello, Was there any discussion on the choice of tyres on this Forester? they are 15 inch which would be great but as it is a turbo the recommendations from many is that you can't go less than 16inch, standard is 17inch. Did you know how this was achieved on this vehicle?
Why can't you go less than 16 on a turbo?
That's bad ass
Mmm its nice, i can appreciate it. Is it the best bang for the buck though? I paid 7k for my 84 4runner a couple years ago, new engine and new paint job and im still way under whats in this thing.
I think the appeal with these subarus is the high level of reliability and fuel economy for daily driving vs an older 80s vehicle as a daily driver.
Overland rigs are cool but they rarely make for great daily drivers.
@@mixflip Thats true, im sure its more comfortable. Mine not so much. But I would put my carbuerated 22R against any Subie in terms of relibability and gas mileage (not always having to push 4 wheels), plus you get that added EMP proof benefit on older rigs.
Definitely not the best bang for buck. But for me being a subie guy, it works. It's super comfortable as a daily since it's the Touring trim Forester. As much as I wanted a truck, it wouldn't have made a great daily.
Sweet!
My Subaru group on Facebook has 63k members. It's called The World is Fl4t. Check us out.
I will thanks.
song at end?
👌🏻
Tire size?
I wouldn't call the engine "reliable" lol. Its a turbocharged EJ. Anyone that knows subies knows man lol.
They are reliable. If you don't do regular maintenance, don't let the engine warm up before driving, and redline it like an idiot, then yes they will get damaged. I drive my EJ205 GC everyday 100 miles a day with no problems. The people blowing up engines don't know how to take care of them.
No low range.
Story time...I just got back from Tahoe yesterday. On the drive up from Vegas about 200 miles deep into the Nevada desert on lonely 2 lane highways there was a deadly accident. A mini van hit an 18 wheeler and the driver died instantly. This caused the police to shut down the highway in both directions for 7 hours to conduct a fatal investigation. (standard to shut everything down). This left drivers stuck for hours in the desert with 3 options.
1. camp out on the highway for hours until highway patrol opens up the road again. This one was 7 hours wait.
2. Turn around and go back to the next town and have lunch or just cancel the trip.
3. Go around the issue off road in the desert, taking rutted out roads and sand traps and downed barbed wire fences hidden in the sand.
I chose to go off road with my rented Nissan Armada with AWD. It has no low range but it did have nice ground clearance for the baby powder sand traps and rutted dirt trails deep in the desert. I didnt need low range. I wasn't rock crawling. I just needed to get around a traffic jam. I saw many cars get stuck in 5 inches of sand with their Honda Civic and such lol.
Later we played in the snow at LakeTahoe where it rained and snowed. The roads were wet, cold and icy. Once again the AWD system is all we needed to survive the uphill and downhill switchbacks of Tahoe in a rain/snow storm. No low range needed. These are the types of roads most overlanders encounter. Some rock crawl...but most don't. We want to go camping in secluded areas that regular cars can't go and were big RVs can't fit. A small AWD vehicle may get zero respect....but it can get you to a lot of cool campsites....and out of sticky situations such as we had this weekend.
For the record....I want a full size 4x4 truck for overlanding! lol
@@mixflip Agreed, most of the time you do not need low range but it comes in handy if you use the vehicle for towing/hauling/extraction/ranch/farm/work, not just "rock crawling". I have never kept a vehicle that did not have it or I did not modify to have it. ___Just my mileage.
@@spektr540hemi I agree. Im thinking about buying either a 4x4 Tundra or 4x4 F150 to put a camper on the back. So much more capable than a Subaru....but also $40,000+ lol.
@@mixflip Indeed! LOL!___Most of my builds start as old beaters, less than $5,000, but end up being around $30-40,000...And I do all the work! LOL!
@@mixflip I have an old '73 Plymouth Seabring Plus with busted out rear glass, no interior anymore, no more front suspension, etc. that I got for a motor donor...Have you seen the Mad Maxxis Offroad Runner from Dirt All DAY? I see something very similar in my future!
Is it manual?
No. This is the SH generation of Foresters. The XT is unfortunately only offered in automatic. The NA engine is offered in a 5MT.
so on
57539
Man that red and gold truck behind the forester is butt ugly, lol. Why would you do that to a truck? It's useless for anything but a show truck.
Awd isn't the same as 4wd in offroad, tho'
Look into the rav4 v6! A better overlander!
you only see that expensive shit on the West Coast for people with lots of money. I bought an 20 year old F350 for $1500, put new brakes on it for $500, put 35x12.5 mud tires on new wheels for just under $1300. Hung a pair of full size spares off the bed exterior one each side. That's it, less than he probably paid for the Subaru and the fancy bumpers and roof rack. And I've got a full size truck bed for storing shit, way more ground clearance than any subaru, and enough engine power that when we get bad snow storms I make extra money dragging morons who get stuck clear.
I imagine that 20 year old F350 probably looks like $1,500 worth (or less?) of vehicle as well.
@@-D-W of course it does. If you're actually going to use the damned thing off road it's going to get dented and scratched and banged up. No point in doing that to a pretty vehicle.
Cheap overlanding is an oxymoron. It doesn't exist
meh, independent suspension with CVs and boots. Hopeless.
Tell that to the Toyota crowd
If you have a cheap overland vehicle other people on the trails will make fun of you!! Don’t save your wallet, just to have your feelings broken on a trail by the laughter of your peers!!:(
People are not worth being around, if they have to be such way
Worst reason ever to get an expensive ride
my experiences are the opposite. "holy shit! how did you get that up here? hey larry check out this subaru. you want a beer? is usually how it goes."
Thomas Magnum don’t you go over landing to get away from people XD
And another think if they laugh at you anf they get stuck and you dont well laugh at them and drive off i saw some foresters drive places nissan patrols on 33 get stuck i love the idea and if you want a mad offroad rig build a rock crawler with 2 seat and tie down the family on the roof lol no just kidding but i would rather take this and be laughed at then have my whole salary go into a car i dont use for its real purpose only to go fish on the beach
Where's the bumper and winch from??
If u go to l&p adventure website, they have project subarus that have a list of parts purchased.
@StellarBuilt on Instagram. Custom bumper.