I sat down with Jim, the owner of a 2015 Outback that actually gets used the way an off-road rig should.

We talk about a major off-road error that ended up costing him thousands, what led up to it, and what he should’ve done differently. If you’ve ever hit a puddle a little too confidently, this one will hit home.

We also get into building a capable Subaru in your driveway, trail riding on the East Coast, and the Offroad Roos community pulling over 40,000 pounds of trash out of the woods.

Follow Jim:
Instagram: @LittleRubySubie

Support the channel by checking out our awesome sponsors:
Use code DIRTSUBIES

 * Anderson Design & Fabrication (ADF) – 5% off
 * MeLe Design Firm – 10% off

Want more Subaru themed content? Check out the Subie & YOU! Podcast and The Wave Podcast wherever you prefer to listen to podcasts.

THIS Off-Road Mistake in a Subaru Cost Him Thousands

Most people just lift their Subaru and stop there. But my buddy Ryan didn’t.

In this episode, we break down his Outback build that went way further than most people are willing to go. We talk about tires, suspension, offroad parts choice and real-world trail use. We also go over some things that Ryan would have gone back and done differently now that he's got more experience with the Subaru platform.

If you’re thinking about lifting your Subaru, this is one you’ll want to check out.

Consider using Ryan's link and code to get the Upside app. It'll save you some money on gas and other items: Get 15¢/gal extra cash back on your first fill-up + 10% back on your first restaurant or grocery purchase. Use code 853RH or download here: https://upside.app.link/853RH

Thank you to our awesome sponsors. These are parts that I've been using for years and have spent my own hard earned money on:

Anderson Design & Fabrication (ADF)
Get 5% (10% this month) off with code DIRTSUBIES
https://awdadventure.com [https://awdadventure.com/]

MeLe Design Firm
Get 10% off with code DIRTSUBIES
https://meledesignfirm.com [https://meledesignfirm.com/]

Did This Subaru Build Go Too Far? Here’s What He’d Do Differently

In this episode I sit down with Cory (aka @sk8foz) to talk about his 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness build, how he got into the Subaru off-road scene, and the lessons he learned along the way.

Like a lot of people, Cory had no idea the lifted Subaru community even existed when he bought the car. Shortly after he was already on the trail scraping the bumper, overheating the car, and figuring things out as he went.

We get into:

• His Forester Wilderness build
• Spacer lift vs coilovers
• Falken Wildpeak tire choice
• Skid plates and protection mods
• The $1200 roof box mistake
• Night runs and ditch lights
• CVT limitations off-road
• The Subaru off-road community in SoCal

If you're thinking about modifying a Forester Wilderness, Crosstrek, or Outback, there are some great takeaways here — especially if you're new to off-roading like Cory was.

I'd also like to mention that Cory has done volunteer work/donated to the following organizations: National Alopecia Areata Foundation naaf.org and also with @dadirtyroos doing cleanup events at the Nevada Desert Wildlife Preserve.

Follow Cory:
Instagram: @sk8foz

Sponsors

Huge thanks to the companies that support the podcast.

Anderson Design & Fabrication
Lift kits, suspension parts, and Subaru off-road accessories
https://awdadventure.com [https://awdadventure.com/]
Use code DIRTSUBIES for 5% off

MeLe Design Firm
Performance battery mounts and lightweight batteries for enthusiast builds
https://meledesignfirm.com [https://meledesignfirm.com/]
Use code DIRTSUBIES for 10% off

Cory Almost Blew Up His New Subaru Forester Wilderness

In this episode, I’m joined by Josh aka @Further_Motion, one of the early builders who helped kick off the lifted VB WRX movement when everyone else was busy hating on the car.

We dig into why he chose a 2022 Subaru WRX, what it was like cutting into a brand new car, and how the build evolved from a daily driver into a full on safari-style experiment. Josh breaks down suspension choices, wheel and tire fitment, spacer vs spring lifts, and Crosstrek & Forester parts swaps.

We also talk about CV axle myths, drivetrain concerns, and why sometimes the smartest mod is knowing when to stop. If you’ve ever thought about lifting a VB WRX or wondered whether it’s actually practical, this episode answers a lot of real-world questions.

Follow Josh / Further Motion
Instagram: @further_motion

Our Awesome Sponsors:
Anderson Design & Fabrication
5% off with code DIRTSUBIES

MeLe Design Firm
10% off with code DIRTSUBIES

Everyone Hated the VB WRX But He Made it Cool

In this episode, I’m joined by John from Subaru Off-Road Adventures, and this one is full of good real-world Subaru experience.

We get into why John stopped wheeling his newer Forester and built an SG Forester strictly for off-road use, what mods actually made a difference, and where Subarus realistically start to show their limits. We talk lift kits, CV axles, center diffs, rear lockers, and why more lift isn’t always better.

John also shares some solid tire experience with Wildpeak AT Trails, Maxxis ATs, and why tire choice matters more than people think.

We cover:

 * Why SG Foresters are still one of the best Subaru platforms to build
 * CVT limitations vs older drivetrains
 * Benefits of rear lockers and VTD center diffs
 * Tire size, width, and PSI
 * Trail breakage stories and on-the-spot repairs
 * DIY fabrication, bumpers, swing-out tire carriers, and learning to weld out of necessity
 * Why Subarus make incredible overland and camping rigs, even if they’re not rock crawlers

Big thanks to the brands that help support the podcast:

Anderson Design & Fabrication (ADF)
Lift kits, skid plates, and other Subaru off-road accessories that I use
Use code DIRTSUBIES for 5% off your order

MeLe Design Firm
Performance battery mounts and power solutions built for off-road abuse. Use code DIRTSUBIES for 10% off your order

How To Off-Road In A Subaru: Tips From A Veteran Subaru Owner

In this episode, I caught up with my friend Eric, better known as @Bearded_Pixel to talk about his off-road 2017 Forester XT and how it ended up becoming one of the more dialed-in turbo Subarus in Arizona (my opinion.) What started as a stock daily slowly turned into a trail-ready setup with an ADF 2-inch lift, Primitive Racing skid plates, Full Force Metal Works rock sliders, Sparco wheels, Geolandar MTs, and a bunch of other cool parts & accessories.

Here are just a few of the mods Eric has on his car:

• ADF 2-inch lift
• Primitive Racing skid plates
• Full Force Metalworks rock sliders
• Sparco wheels + Geolandar MT tires
• SSD light bar + hood-mounted pods + 32-inch roof light
• Transmission cooler
• CVT anti-wobble insert
• Ultimate9  throttle controller
• ScanGauge 2
• RokBlokz mud flaps

If you’re looking to build your Subaru, a quick shoutout to a couple companies that support what we’re doing here.

You can save 5% with Anderson Design & Fabrication and 10% with MeLe Design Firm using code DIRTSUBIES at checkout. Both make solid gear I actually run and trust.

He Built A Lifted Subaru Forester XT To Handle The AZ Heat

Brandt Kayser (@jackie__roo) has built one of the most capable non chassis swapped Subarus in the U.S., and today he breaks down how he built it. From lightweight Pepper Pot wheels to RaceWorks coilovers he rebuilds himself, Brandt explains every mod, every mistake, and every lesson learned.

If you’re lifting a Subaru or trying to squeeze real performance out of an SG Forester, this episode is loaded with tons of good info!

Discounts for listeners brought to you by our awesome sponsors:
ADF Lift Kits and offroad parts – 5% off with code DIRTSUBIES
MeLe Design Firm Battery Mounts and Subaru accessories – 10% off with code DIRTSUBIES

How a Geologist Built One of the Most Capable Subaru Foresters in America

Can you build a reliable off-road Subaru without spending a fortune?
Josh McWorthy, a 10-year Rebelle Rally tech, says yes. He took a $1,500 Forester, welded his own lift kit, sleeved $68 eBay struts, threw on used Outback wheels… and then spent thousands of miles ripping desert rally courses in it with no issue.

In this episode, we talk about:

 * How Josh built a lift from scrap steel at work
 * Why reinforced eBay struts can survive serious offroad abuse
 * DIY trailing arm spacers from Jeep JK control arms
 * Bigger wheel and tire fitment
 * Pirelli Scorpion AT performance in the desert
 * The Rebelle Rally inside scoop and why Subarus are perfect for it

This is a legit budget Subaru that keeps up with trucks and side-by-sides in the dunes at speed without the fancy parts.

Subaru Parts I Actually Recommend:

If you’re looking to lift or upgrade your Subaru the smart way, these brands support the podcast:

• Anderson Design & Fabrication - Lift kits, trailing arm spacers, skid plates, and more. Use code DIRTSUBIES for 5% OFF

• MeLe Design Firm - Lightweight performance battery mounts, batteries. and other cool Subaru parts
Use code DIRTSUBIES for 10% OFF

Support the brands that support the Subaru off-road scene 👊

Cheap Subaru Off-Road Build : Tips From a Rebelle Rally Technician

Dan Benoit is back by popular demand, and we dig into a lot of topics that I've always been curious about. Follow Dan's shop on Instagram @whiskeyrowauto

From keeping Subarus alive past 300k miles to why cheap parts and bad advice cost people engines, this episode covers ALMOST everything related to long-term reliability. We get into head gaskets, turbos, cooling systems, OEM vs aftermarket parts, and even some veteran automotive horror stories.

If you’ve ever wondered why one car lives forever while another dies young, this episode is very informative.

Discounts for the Subaru crowd:
• Anderson Design & Fabrication — 5% off (code DIRTSUBIES)
• MeLe Design Firm — 10% off (code DIRTSUBIES)

Over 25 Years Working On Subarus: What Actually Makes Them Last

Special thanks to our listeners from our awesome sponsors: Use code DIRTSUBIES and checkout for 5% off your order with ADF (awdadventure.com) and 10% off at meledesignfirm.com

Today I sit down with my buddy Raf, and honestly this is one of the most real conversations I’ve had on this show. It was great.

We talk about the day he got laid off, how it happened, how it felt, and what goes through your head when the rug gets pulled out from under you. Raf opens up about dealing with burnout, and trying to find something that actually fits his life instead of drains it.

And because we’re both Subaru nerds, we go from life-stuff straight into how he blew up his center diff, why his Crosstrek was clanking like a shopping cart, and the path that got him deep into the Subaru community in the first place.



Subie Stories With The Guy Who Built The Subaru Community’s First Real Podcast

An offroad-focused podcast looking into the world of lifted Subarus. Featuring stories from vehicle owners and insights from the creators of some of our favorite parts in the off-road Subie industry. Join us as we explore trails, talk shop, and celebrate the adventure-driven Subaru community.

DirtSubies