Subaru Crosstrek and XV Forums banner

Cbetts' 2020 Crosstrek Premium 6MT Build - "The Battlewagon"

Model Years 2018 to 2023 
52K views 220 replies 35 participants last post by  cbetts 
#1 · (Edited)
Current picture: March 26, 2022
Wheel Tire Car Vehicle Hood


Font Electric blue Auto part Fashion accessory Brand



Subaru Mods (Updated February 29, 2024)
  • ScanGauge II
  • Cell Phone Mount - ProClip
  • Big Chinese Horn (Retired) - Amazon
  • Cup Holder Inserts - CupHolderHero
  • Fuse Cover Tray - Amazon
  • Trash Can - Amazon
  • Hurst Tee Handle (Retired)
  • Nameless 5" Catback Exhaust
  • Kartboy Short-Throw Shifter w/shift stop
  • Orange/Black Subaru Emblems w/ black surrounds (front and rear) - JDFMV
  • DashMat
  • Gear Pattern Sticker - Amazon
  • Rear Seat Back Protector - Subaru
  • ReadyLift 2" Lift Kit
  • Headrest Hooks - Amazon
  • Hella Horn Set (Retired)
  • LED Lights (rear cargo and license plate) - Auto Zone
  • Magnetic phone mount - Amazon
  • RRW Bumpers
  • Primitive Racing Front Skid
  • Door Edge Trim - Auto Zone
  • Fumoto Oil Valve
  • Light Mounts for License Plate - Amazon
  • Windshield Washer Reservoir Bag - Amazon
  • Black Rhino "Unit" wheels (15 x 7 5x100 +15)
  • BFG KO2 tires (235/75r15)
  • Wheel Lug Nut Kit (WZ56125SB)
  • Spare Tire Cover - Amazon
  • On-board Air - Viair
  • Air Horn - Assured Automotive
  • Rear Decals -signspecialist.com
  • Off Road Lights - Harbor Freight
  • Plugs on front bumper - Amazon
  • Prinsu rack
  • Prinsu tie-downs
  • Tire ratchet strap - Amazon
  • Rear reflector - Amazon
  • HiLift jack
  • HiLift mount - Prinsu
  • Awning - TuffStuff
  • Awning mounts - Prinsu
  • Auto-dimming exterior mirrors - Subaru
  • Rack handles - Amazon
  • Tire Lock - Amazon
  • Jack Extension - LP Adventure
  • Door jamb step - Amazon
  • Orange stitch shift and parking brake boots - RedlineGoods
  • Hurst tee shift knob (black) - Amazon
  • Center Console Cover - Amazon
  • Engine/transmission mounts - Perrin
  • Floormats - WeatherTech
  • MagSafe cellphone mount - Wix Gear
  • MagSafe wireless charger - Mob Armour
  • Android Auto Wireless Module - AAWireless
 
See less See more
2
#2 · (Edited)
It has only been a week and I already have a lot of big plans for my Crosstrek. I just brought her home last week and love the car!
Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Automotive lighting




It took me a while to get what I wanted. I had a hard time finding an orange premium with a manual transmission. My goal is to get it close to 4x4subi's car:
Wheel Cloud Tire Sky Car




I love off roading and plan on getting my car to the point where I can enjoy some moderately technical trails.

First, I need to get it usable for everyday driving. I installed an AutoClips cell phone mount. I re-engineered the mount a bit to tuck the phone closer to the dash and to lower it another inch. Worked like a charm!
Plant Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive design Car


Since I grew up in the Eastern Sierras in California, I had to replace the license plate frames already.

Automotive tail & brake light Car Vehicle Vehicle registration plate Automotive lighting




My next few mods are set in motion:

  • Horn
  • Blackout chrome on back with PlastiDip
  • Nameless axle-back exhaust.
  • Dash mat




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Just got done installing a better horn. I found one on Amazon that claims it will put out 300db. 🔗

Had to take apart the front a bit to get it in between the radiator and grill.
300199


300200


I also put in a ScanGauge. I really hate not having gauges but this fills in nicely.
300201
 
#5 ·
The man in brown delivered some more goodies for my Subee!

Found a neat silicone trash container that fits in the cup holder in my door.
300328


Every car with a manual transmission that I have owned had a Hurst Tee handle shifter. The Subee is no different!
300329


I also got my ScanGauge back from having the latest firmware installed. I am hoping this eliminates the StarLink interoperability issue I have been having.
300330
 

Attachments

#10 ·
The location of the ScanGauge was bothering me. I poked around the forum and saw several people put it to the left just under the air vent. I decided to give it a try.
300344


I like it! I might put a wedge in there later to tip it down a bit. Here is a side shot:
300345


I just wish I could get oil pressure to display . . . . .
 
#12 ·
Thanks! The good stuff is yet to come. I have a lift and bumpers lined up. Not going to be able to pull the trigger on them until next year though. My goal is to drive to Wheeler Ridge. I actually lived in Rovana and would drive to Wheeler on a regular basis.
 
#15 ·
Next, it was time for the Kartboy short throw shifter. That required a little more work. Instead of posting all the pics I took during the process, I am posting the YouTube video I followed for installation.


Taking the weighted lever off the transmission was the hard part. Fortunately, I watched the video a few weeks ago so I knew what to expect. The use of the palm nailer to remove the roll pin was the best piece of advise! I picked one up at Harbor Freight for $24 ($30 normally, I always have HF coupons). There is no feasible way to swing a hammer while lying on your back under the Crosstrek.

Here us a pic of the old and new shift arm:
300771


One thing I have learned about the Crosstrek is that it will eat hardware. I lost a bolt in the front putting in the horn and I lost the roll pin in the back. I guess I got carried away with the palm nailer and shot it out the top! Another trip to the store to find a metric roll pin. Good thing I have another car! After attaching the shift arm, I pressed in the new bearing in the end of the shift cable. The video said to use the old washer that came off here but mine was pressed into bushing. I found a small fender washer in my hardware bin and drilled out the center to fit.
300772


Now to work on the shifter stop. With some careful probing, I used a spudger to pry up the center console after taking off the shift knob. There was no need to disconnect any wires. I just flopped the plastic off to the side.
300773


300775


Once again, I will post the video that I used to adjust the stop once installed:


All back together with no sign that anything was done. SUCCESS!
300774
 
#16 · (Edited)
Project Blackout took place yesterday. Found some nice orange-on-black emblems from JDFMV. Went to the hardware store and got Plastidip, masking tape/paper and some black hardware.
300854


300855


I removed the cover off the back to get better access to the emblem. The dental floss trick wasn't working so I resorted to my heat gun and plastic trim removal tool. As the emblem was lifting, I ran some Goo Gone to help break up the adheisive.
300856


Once it was off, I used more Goo Gone to cleanup any residual adhesive. The new emblem and trim ring went on with ease.
300857


The front was a bit more challenging but doable. I also removed the grill wings to black them out. Now to blackout the letters in the rear along with the grill wings.
300860


300861


300862


I am not really happy with how it all came out. The grill wings are already peeling. The letters in the back have little globs inside the holes. I think I am going to wrap the grill wings and debadge the rear. Definitely going to swap the license plate frames to something black!
 

Attachments

#25 ·
Android. I used to be an Apple fanboy until I bought a iPod Touch (first gen) and only had OS support for a year. iOS 4.0 came out and left me behind. I got even more upset when I had to reload the OS and apps and discovered that Apple does not keep older versions of apps in the App Store, forcing me to do a full upgrade, hardware and all. I bought a Droid and never looked back. </$0.02>
 
#27 ·
I removed the ScanGauge for a while. Even though I had it flashed to the latest code, I still get the occasional StarLink red light issue.

A couple evenings ago, I went into the garage to get a tool and noticed a buzzing noise. After making several laps around the car, the noise was coming from underneath by the right rear wheel. The only thing I could think of that could make that noise was the fuel pump. I pulled the OBD plug and voila, the noise is gone. I am not sure if this has ever happened before. I am not taking chances though.

Now I need to find a better method to get engine health information.
 
#30 ·
The hardest part was knocking out the roll pin. The palm nailer made it pretty easy.

The shifter could use some more weight. Shifting feels a little clunky, even with the heavy T handle shifter. The bearing replacement made the most significant change by making the shifter feel more solid.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
#32 ·
The ReadyLift is Installed!
303414


Took me about three hours to install by myself in my modest little garage. Pretty straight forward but you must follow all the directions. I had everything torqued before I put it back on the ground, This left tension on the bushings and kept the car from sitting properly.
303416


I loosened the joints and jounced it a bit and re-torqued the bolts. Looks better already!
303420


The alignment everything was close. I didn't adjust anything from stock. I even kept the cam bolts on the front struts in the same position. The tech mentioned that I may need to bring it back in a few months since I only have 5500 miles on it and it still might settle a bit.
 

Attachments

#36 ·
The ReadyLift is Installed!
View attachment 303414
Looks nice! I was curious what the lift would look like with the stock wheels and tires and I'm glad you've shown that. It doesn't look too bad with the extra gaps. I was thinking about doing that with my plug-in hybrid and getting Falken Wildpeaks. I really wish i had smaller rims because I wanted the bigger sidewalls, but don't want to spend the cash on wheels.
 
#33 ·
Amazon delivered parts for the next mod, CB install. I already have a radio that I kept when I sold my Hummer. Not sure where I will mount it yet. I bought a remote speaker in case I mount the CB under seat.


Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
Top