Rad Rigs: Subaru Offroad & Overland Builds
Whether they lack sufficient space, or happen to be bogged down by an unforgiving CVT transmission, Subaru’s aren’t the first vehicles that come to mind when thinking about overlanding. In an Instagram market flooded with lifted 4Runners and Wranglers traversing trails with names such as, “Hell’s Revenge,” Subaru owners made sure they weren’t going to be left out of the fun for long.
With the recent explosion of the overland and offroad scenes, Subaru owners no longer have to custom fab their rigs. Offerings for the Forester, Crosstrek, Outback, and even Impreza platforms have become more readily available, and I tracked down some of the raddest Subaru rigs out there. Looking to beef up your Subie to handle the elements? I reached out to the guys and gals who have already done it, from an unsuspecting 1st gen Crosstrek to a monster of a Forester, these guys didn’t let the Subaru platform hold them back, and they built some of the most capable AWD vehicles out there.
2005 Subaru Forester XS
Owner: @subaru_rob
I Drive a 2005 Subaru Forester XS that is lifted 4 inches on Long Travel Suspension.
What got you into overlanding?
The thing that got me into overlanding was just a simple gravel logging road that made me fall in love with trail driving and vehicle based exploring. From there my love grew and so did my confidence to push further.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
My favorite place to travel is a hard one, The PNW in general is amazing to travel around in. But I would have to say SE Oregon is my favorite with the Alvord Desert, Steens Mountain, Hot Springs and Canyons.
What is one piece of equipment you would never leave home without, and why?
I would probably never leave home without my Free Spirit Recreation roof top tent. That thing is amazing in any weather and basically any situation. I have Safe, dry shelter in 2 minutes and its up and away from the critters. It has been one of my favorite pieces of gear and one of my most used.
What is one piece of advice you would give to future Subie overlanders?
My one piece of advice I would try to give to future Subie Overlanders and any Overlander in general is: get out. Get out into the woods and do the thing we all love most. You could have a bone stock forester (what I started exploring in) and still have fun and learn. People always ask me what I should do first to their Subie and to be honest, I dont have a map plan for any of my builds. I get out and do what I love, and prioritize my next mods by what I need/want most when I'm out doing what I do with my rig. So get out! Have fun! And make your own mod plan based on what YOU want and need most.
2014 Subaru Crosstrek
Owner: Scott Horner
14’ tangerine orange pearl Subaru Crosstrek
- 2x2.5” lift from subieliftoz
- light bar & pods from element LED
- 215/75/15’s BFG KO2 tire’s
- black rhino boxer wheels
- Tepui Autana Sky RTT
- Yakima core bars / Yakima timberline towers
What got you into overlanding?
Well I found myself wanting a reliable car with decent gas mileage so I bought a crosstrek.. but I still had too much car enthusiast left in me from the prior cars I’d had. I looked for something fun to do with the crosstrek and started searching hashtags on Instagram and found a couple treks lifted with tents on them. Then I stumbled onto MTNROO and my actual chapter MTNROO northeast. I’d already had the tent for a bit before I messaged them but saw an event they were doing for some off-roading at AOAA anthracite outdoor adventure area for offroading and camping a couple months out and finally dropped the money for the trek to get lifted and on new rubber so I could attend. Once I went once with the club I knew I was never looking back. I had a blast the entirety of the event and made tons of new friends. Now I consider one of them my closest friends and the trek has yet to get stuck anymore besides a deceivingly deep snow bank I plowed into on purpose once.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
The sky’s the limit. I have only gone as north as Vermont and as south as North Carolina. But I LOVE the mud and the snow. Notable spots were the Pine Barrens in NJ, AOAA in Anthracite PA (coal township), Stowe VT, and North Springfield VT. But I do like the North better there’s just larger concentration of fresh air and deep green pine trees I find so it always feels like a getaway from the troubles of life.
The plan is to take my trek out West one day though!! I’ve been to Colorado for a week before and it felt like the home I never knew was my home; like I belonged there. I didn’t have the trek back then and I want to take it out there and see everything the Rockies have to offer with my trek in tow I would love to hit all of the western national parks!
What is one piece of equipment you would never leave home without, and why?
The one piece of equipment that never leaves my car is my Kobalt Tire inflator that plugs into my cigarette lighter. You never know if you’ll need to air down or up depending on the terrain you get into let alone having the ability to help someone with a leak to get to safety. It’s always nice to get off the trails and onto the highway knowing you brought the tires back up to 35psi so you can get the best mileage possible for a long trek back home.
I also would never leave home without my Blueridgeoverland gear tool bag. It holds all of my tools in different see through zipper bags from zip-ties to socket sets or ratchets. I have tie downs and bungees; hell even my Tepui tent ambassador discount cards are in there.
What is one piece of advice you would give to future Subie overlanders?
Don’t choose what you think other people will think is cool on your car as your first modification; get what you will enjoy most first. Are big tires and new wheels and a lift awesome?? Hell yeah but I, like most people, am not loaded so I had to decide on my RTT or the lift and wheels first. It was so hard to choose, I went with my RTT which honestly even more so sparked my passion for the outdoors and making the car a large part of what I do outdoors as opposed to just taking me somewhere. My car is the whole trip! But now I have largely the majority of what I want done to my trek done and I’m glad I took the path I did.
2013 Subaru Outback
Owner: @offroadwagon
2013 Subaru Outback with custom front and rear bumpers along with skid plates from Endless Horizon Fabrication, LED bulbs from LASFIT, wheels from VTX, roof/camping accessories from Yakima and a 2/2.5” lift from Subie Lift Oz.
What got you into overlanding?
Functionality. I originally wanted a car that could do it all; something that has AWD/4WD for accessing trails and camping/rock climbing locations, something that offered decent mpg’s, and something with a bunch of space to stuff in all my stuff, friends, or both! The Outback offered all these things, and offered a great starting platform. I always wanted a Subaru, so I figured this was the time to pull the trigger. As far as “overlanding” goes, I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself an “overlander,” but I think the itch to modify my car into exactly what I wanted it to be was what got me started. Coming from a background in VW’s, I really only knew wheels and suspension. So turning my car into something that actually works better for me is a whole new idea to me, and so far, I love it!
Where is your favorite place to travel?
I love going to Joshua Tree NP. It has great camping, climbing, and it’s so close to home while still satisfying the need to “get away.” I haven’t had much time to travel lately, but even a short day trip can keep the nerves calm from our busy lives.
What is one piece of equipment you would never leave home without, and why?
I always have my head lamps with me no matter where I go, even on day trips. I hate being caught in the dark and not being able to see. Yes, phones nowadays have flashlights, but having 2 hands free is better than 1 haha.
What is one piece of advice you would give to future Subie overlanders?
Build with purpose. Each of us ask our cars to do different things, and there’s no better way to help your car serve that purpose than to build them accordingly. Our cars are a reflection of who we are, so if you can look back at your car with a smile and a sense of accomplishment then you’re doing it right
1993 Subaru Impreza
Owner: @projectwagon
1993 Subaru Impreza Wagon Suspension, 1” Strut spacers on 27” Hankook M/T’s with 15x7 4” backspacing basset wheels. 1.8 Manual with 301k miles! Shout out to: Anderson Design Fabrication, Mtn Roo, The ChickenShack LV, Industrial Grade Products, 6651 Customs, Flatline MotorSports
What got you into overlanding?
Photography, I’ve always had a passion for photography and having a capable vehicle like mine allows me to travel to places not everyone can get to see! I love discovering new trails and back country roads with no phone service. There’s nothing like nature.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
I really enjoy driving through Utah and exploring trails that lead to water. I’d love to share but gotta keep them hidden gems!
What is one piece of equipment you would never leave home without, and why?
A spare tire, air compressor and jack! It’s the combination of these tools that won’t leave you stranded! You never know what might puncture your tire.
What is one piece of advice you would give to future Subie overlanders?
Once you finds where you want to go download and offline map via google maps before heading out on a weekend adventure. Doing so, will allow you to use your gps while having no service in that area. You never know if you might make a wrong turn and doing this prior will save your butt. (Trust me from experience!)
2018 Subaru Crosstrek
Owner: @xtrek.gt
I drive a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek in sunshine orange. Others describe the car as being “loud” and “bold” especially with gold Motegi Racing wheels that’s wrapped in Yokohama tires. My main goal for this build is to keep it practical since it’s my daily driver; that in mind, all the modifications that I added have purpose behind it.
What got you into overlanding?
Being raised as a scout, being outdoors is pretty much my second home. It’s my way of “restarting my system” from the day-to-day chaos of the city and the daily dose addiction of technology. When you’re out there, you don’t hear the constant honk and sirens that a city life offer. Instead you hear great stories that’s being shared around the campsite. Those are just a few reasons why I got into Overlanding.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
It’s a tough one since I’ve traveled across multiple states and foreign countries; all offers unique experiences. If I have to pick one, Joshua Tree National Park takes my vote because it’s close enough and just perfect for a weekend getaway.
What is one piece of equipment you would never leave home without, and why?
Pocket knife - I never leave home without a pocket knife. In addition to its main function “to cut”, it’s good to have a pocket knife for emergency and defense especially if you’re out in the wild.
What is one piece of advice you would give to future Subie overlanders?
I would say make smart decisions. When it comes to adding modifications, consider both pros and cons; and really ask yourself multiple times if you really need it. When going out for adventures, you don’t drive a Jeep or Tacoma so pick smarter lines; walk your lines and find an alternative route if needed.
2016 Subaru Outback
Owner: @riptysuperoo
2016 Subaru Outback, 2” LP Adventure Lift, BFG KO2 Tires
What got you into overlanding?
Been truck and camper camping since I was 5yrs old. Seen every state in north America through a camper window. Then Car camping as a young adult, 10 years of BoyScout camping with my son. Had a pop up tent trailer for behind my Jeep Wrangler and then found the joy of Subaru. Now that I’m retired from the fire service I wanted to get back into camping and exploring.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
Anywhere new, but my favorite place is Moab Utah.
What is one piece of equipment you would never leave home without, and why?
My Camera, I love taking pictures of my adventures, that and my Leatherman Tool. But I can’t go anywhere without my awesome Tepui tent or ARB sun shade. No matter the weather, I will be dry, shaded and happy.
What is one piece of advice you would give to future Subie overlanders?
Figure out what it is you want to do or where you want to go. Set your Subie up to support that adventure. Make sure you include the creature comforts that you need.
2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Owner: @projectcrosstrek
My name is Colton Mantolino (or ProjectCrosstrek on IG) and I drive 2016 Subaru Crosstrek (6 speed A/T CVT). It’s fitted with a custom tube front bumper by Stellar Built from Sacramento, California and a rear bumper / tire carrier by Mad Millers Race Worx here in Las Vegas, Nevada. My trek is currently lifted on Anderson Design and Fab 1 3/8” strut spacers, 1” subframe spacers and 1.2” lift springs by Eibach. To get me rolling around, I chose 15x7 +15 Motegi MR139 wheels wrapped in 28” Hankook Mud terrains. For the times I go camping, I chose to run a Tepui Ayer Sky 2 RTT with Yakima towers and crossbars to keep it securely attached to my roof. But to really set my Crosstrek off from other builds, I had Film Workz in Las Vegas do a complete color change using Avery Dark Gloss.
What got you into overlanding?
My love for being outdoors and traveling is what really got me into the style of overlanding. Nothing beats being able to traverse back country roads to a rocky trail in your own rig to a place where rarely anyone goes. Being out in the middle of nowhere with no cell service and gorgeous views is the perfect way to get away from the stresses of everyday life.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
For the past 4 years I have been exploring up to the Pacific Northwest. In those years, I have yet to make a dent on what Oregon / Washington has to offer. But for close by trips, Southern Utah (Toquerville Falls) and Central California (Alabama Hills) are high on my list of favorite places to be.
What is one piece of equipment you would never leave home without, and why?
I might be cheating a little on this one, but I never leave the house without my “recovery bin”. In this bin I carry a full set of tools, tire inflater / deflater, tire patch kit, jumper cables, a quart of oil (because Subaru) and other essentials like water, snacks and sometimes extra clothes. Bringing this bin out with me gives me an ease of mind should I run into any issues while out on a trip.
What is one piece of advice you would give to future Subie overlanders?
Have fun and enjoy the moment! Sometimes we get so caught up in life with what’s going on in social media or day to day distractions. Get out on the trail whether it’s for a couple hours, a day to a week long trip because a little fresh air never hurts the soul.