Preparing Yourself and Your Subaru for Off Roading

As with any type of motorsport or activity that includes extreme performance, preparation is a key component to success and safety. The primary goal of the Subimods team is to guide our customers and other associated interested enthusiasts both accurately and safely so they can pursue their excitement and passions with joy and be prepared for what unknowns may come their way. We know that all Subaru enthusiasts share the same feeling of brand pride, loyalty, and anticipation as they follow their dreams one drive at a time, but the factions within this world who live in both the realms of road and track and the "off roading" space are historically very unique and face a completely different set of challenges in their individual arenas. We are going to focus on those who invest their time and energy powering overland, exploring "the road not taken" and the trails to get to the great campsite by the lake, but not necessarily rock climbing over 2 ft boulders in Moab, Utah. It's important to mention that just because you’re not converting your Subaru into a rock crawler doesn’t mean you’re not pursuing the true off roading experience. One of the first levels of off roading can be simply defined as safely and smartly driving your Subaru where there are no roads and allowing its designed capabilities and some added modifications to heighten your experience and build memories. We want to concentrate on how to help those less experienced prepare both themselves and their Subaru of choice to have the best, most safe experience down the beaten path as possible.

As an enthusiast who has just taken ownership of a Crosstrek, Forester, or Outback, there are a few basic and truly obvious points to consider before taking your Subaru on its first off roading adventure. Honestly, before an owner of one of these vehicles drops one dollar on a modification or serious upgrade, they should wrap some critical thinking around their future plans. Whether this includes a simple day trip to a campsite by the lake or a remote dirt trail drive to your fishing cabin in the mountains, preparation is key to safety, enjoyment, and success. Any serious off road enthusiast or practitioner of motor sports will stress a detailed inspection of the vehicle before it moves from the garage or driveway. A quick but thorough overview of the vehicle which includes an inspection of the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and drivetrain should be the first step of preparation. Catching something simple (that always leads to something major if not addressed) could avoid a serious failure in a remote area resulting in an accident, injury, or even a fatality. Perform an inspection under the hood, under the vehicle, and on all four sides of the exterior to determine if the vehicle is safe and secure. Determine if your tires are in good condition, have proper tread, and are properly inflated for the conditions you may encounter. Extreme trail conditions will require better grip, so upgrading to off roading tires for better traction is always a good choice. While under the hood, check and/or replace dirty air filters, fuel filters, and any questionable belts or hoses to avoid serious failures on the trail. Lastly, complete all the steps covered in your vehicle's normal maintenance procedures, it is best practice to change the engine oil and filters to complete the basic preparation.

A smart second phase of preparation is to perform some physical modifications to give your vehicle another layer of protection and enhancement to make sure any unknown or unexpected obstacles will not cause your Subaru to stop short when you need to move forward or cause serious damage which could result in injury or a fatality. First, protecting the undercarriage, sides, and both the front and rear of your Subaru is extremely important when you are on a journey through territory that may expose rocks, debris, and other natural challenges that propose potential hazards. Installing appropriate skid plates to protect the components exposed underneath the vehicle and adding sturdy brush guards to protect the front end from branches and obstacles would be an excellent investment before hitting the trail. Secondly, purchasing additional lighting which includes protected LED spot lights for the front or a more expansive LED light bar for the roof will greatly improve visibility if caught on a dark trail at night. Next, as mentioned earlier, purchasing a more aggressive and robust set of tires and wheels designed primarily for off road driving would be another smart investment before stepping into the wilderness for that potentially challenging journey. There are many options for direct replacement of the factory set which give the vehicle a better thread, grip, and profile for off road performance, but are not different from the stock size. If an appropriate upgrade to a larger wider tire size is wanted, the last preparation an enthusiast would need to consider would be a modification to their Subaru's height and suspension to raise the clearance and provide more performance when larger obstacles and possible holes in the trail may be too challenging for the stock configuration. Investing in a suitable suspension system, lift kit, proper wheels and tires provides extra ground clearance and a little more insurance before taking on a harsh environment.

We would be neglecting our responsibility to the Subaru enthusiast if we avoid mentioning some of the most important additional boxes of preparation every driver should check that have nothing to do with the physical modification of the vehicle. There are a few critical points of detail that need to be discussed before venturing into the unknown with your Subaru and dreams in hand. Any seasoned off roading adventurer, explorer, or outdoor enthusiast will confirm that you should never go off-roading alone. This pastime is one that should always be shared, but to ensure safety, security, and to make the best decisions along the way. Also, the enthusiast should create both a recovery gear kit and emergency kit which includes (at its most basic) a high-quality recovery strap, a powerful winch, shackles, a strong, quality shovel, a jack, first aid supplies, extra water, non-perishable food, a quality LED flashlight, and basic tools. The items in this kit can get a vehicle out of a difficult or desperate situation, or save a life - so becoming knowledgeable about these items and tools while including them in your planned journey is an important step and smart way to prepare. Another important addition to your preparation list would be extra fuel, coolant, engine oil, and brake fluid just in case a journey becomes longer than expected in a remote area. 

Also, something that is often taken for granted since most people communicate and navigate daily with cell phones, is a reliable communication system like a two-way radio. This will make it easier to ensure proper communication in remote areas between companions and drivers. In addition to radio communication, some GPS navigation systems and smartphone applications are designed specifically for off-road use which would prove very helpful to navigate challenging trails. Most importantly, even after all the boxes have been checked and a good time before you head out for that weekend adventure, please educate yourself and practice off road driving techniques. Get familiar with proper throttle control and obstacle negotiation by spending some time on easier trails near your home -  then progress to a more challenging environment as you get more comfortable and confident with the vehicle under these circumstances. Once you feel comfortable behind the wheel, you will become a better and more responsible enthusiast, driver, and educated member of the Subaru community. Every step you take, from check-ups to a lift kit and suspension is one more towards your ultimate safety, the security of your peers in the off road gang, and enjoyment over the life of your Subaru. Again, whether you coordinate regular inspections of your Subaru before you head out on the trail or to a simple camping destination, invest seriously in off roading accessories, or make a big plan to purchase aftermarket components for a major mechanical modification or upgrade, a defined course of proper preparation will allow you to enjoy an exciting life of off road experiences with your Subaru while keeping safety and protection as your highest priority.

The great outdoors is a place near and dear to the heart of the Subimods team. No matter what the genre or level of interest, we will always continue to concentrate on sharing our expertise while providing quality aftermarket innovations and products to transform your Subaru platform into a source of excitement, new adventures and discovery. 

As a final point, please remember, when heading into the wild, always advise a family member, friend, or neighbor your travel plans, and never venture into unfamiliar territory without a companion. This practice could save your life.

We would be very interested in your thoughts regarding this article and would encourage your feedback and comments regarding your off roading experiences.

Write your comments below and continue this conversation. We are always thrilled to hear about your off roading life.

For more information regarding aftermarket parts for your off road loving Subaru, please visit our website and explore the section dedicated to your platform. We would be happy to provide quality support!