Every mod ever on my budget overland Subaru Forester build

The Forester is long gone, but I continue to frequently get questions about various mods. While almost everything has been covered in one video or another, it is all spread out across many videos spanning a couple of years. So here is one final, definitive list of everything I did to my 2012 Subaru Forester.

This video serves mostly as a catalog of all the mods, but also an index of all the detailed mod videos, which you'll find listed below. This video may answer your question, but if it doesn't, the videos below go into far more depth about each mod.

Chapter links for this video:
Intro: (0:00)
The Car: (0:53)
Blackout Chrome: (1:43)
Rally Innovations light bar + lights: (1:54)
JDM F emblem overlay: (2:11)
ADF Lift: (2:31)
Wheels: (2:45)
Tires: (2:58)
Full size spare: (3:36)
First camping build: (3:43)
Awnings: (4:02)
Hella lights "upgrade": (4:22)
DIY roof rack: (4:33)
Auxbeam light bar: (4:57)
Skid plate: (5:17)
Tinted rear windows: (5:56)
Gazelle + new buildout: (6:08)
ADF light mount + Diode Dynamics SS3: (6:47)
Rear bumper chop + muffler delete: (7:10)
Diode Dynamics C2 pods: (7:33)
Budget "trasheroo" solution: (7:49)
Front bumper cut: (8:12)
King springs: (8:37)
Rear anti-sway bar delete: (9:20)
Conclusion: (9:31)

Links to detailed mod videos mentioned in this video:

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[softroadingthewest]

Note, this is really just a list that does NOT go into depth about these mods...that would take hours. But this answers the most common questions I get, like, "Who made that bumper bar?" or "What brand was that roof box?" or "What size were those tires?" etc. The chapter links in the description ^ not only help you navigate to the info you're after, but this also serves as a comprehensive, chronological list of every mod or upgrade I ever did to the Forester (including things I eventually changed out 🙂). There is much more detail in the dedicated videos about each mod, all also conveniently linked in the description. If with all of that your question STILL isn't answered, ask it here as a comment on this video and I'll do my best to get legitimate questions answered. 👍

[sagebrushbob]

The offroad/overland equipment companies have no problem encouraging us to throw gobs of money at any and every problem or idea they can conceive of. I much prefer your mindset of DIY and minimalist add-ons. Even with the Frontier you never went overboard on anything, and even learned how to cut and weld your own parts and pieces. It's fun to watch you work my friend.

[letsgo_inc]

Man I miss this car. Amazing what you can do on a budget given enough time.

[meredithlove]

aww man, now I miss the Forester! I bought a 2003 forester after watching your Overlanding videos, and I've put 30, 000 miles on it traveling around the west coast. Thanks for the inspiration, I love my little car :)

[allanblack]

Mmmm. Came to this channel for the subaru... I stay for the adventure... but boy I do miss the subaru content!!!

[ryan]

A build is much cooler when it doesn’t involve $50k in bolt on parts. Well done and thanks for sharing this info

[istp]

Although Softroading is still a Favourite channel; I do miss the humble little Subi 🥺😢🙂😁

[dkucharek]

I still miss the Forester content. It really encouraged me to push the limits of the Outback I drove back when I first started watching your channel. Like you, I have since moved on to a more capable rig, but I learned the valuable lesson that one's ability and confidence as a driver can be just as important as the type of vehicle you choose to wheel with.

[subaruforester]

Man I miss that forester. That's why I bought mine in 2020. Nice to see a video of all mods in 1 video

[WontSeeReplies]

6:47 NOICE. You, me, and my wife are the reason some people question Subaru reliability.

[stark]

As a Subaru Crosstrek owner, I miss your adventures in the Forester. But I still tune in and can't wait to see what you come up with next for the Frontier.

[dowroa]

A final Forester video... until you get another one and realize your mistake! :D Can't wait to see you back in a Subaru (non-CVT) :)

[stevenate]

Hello Donald, I Don't comment often but wanted to say thank you for your videos. I remember 2 years ago, probably about the time I found your channel, all the work you did to make the Forester into an amazing overland vehicle, then I saw the accident. At the time I had a Outback thinking that would be really amazing to do the mods but it was an outback and my daily driver as well, In 2022 I bought a 2017 Forester touring, probably the nicest car I have ever owned and probably will ever own. Then I was wiped out by an unisured driver, The car is destoyed but since it is such an expensive car they are going to all ends to repair it, I will not see that car for a long time if it somehow can be repaired I am looking at 6-8 months if the shop that it was towed to today totals it there will be a battle. Insurance company's only care about their bottom line more so then any other time I have ever seen, they Care less about their customers at all. So with that being said I went and bought a 2011 Forester exactly like yours, It has a brand new crated Subaru motor in it full warranty from Subi tek here in Nampa Idaho and Subaru. I am going to do your build with it. My son worked with the owner of Subi Tek. The guy is very very good at what he does. The car will be good to build. Might be interesting. He has a few more if you ever want to do a build again.

[jeremysmall]

dude thank you. i JUST BOUGHT A 2010 FORESTER and am about to start with offroad mods. This is awesome

[davidshanaman]

I own 3 foresters 2010, 2012, and 2014. I wish you still had yours

[tpseeker]

Do miss the Forester, butt still Enjoying every Adventure you take us on Donald.

[mercurials]

Perfect timing, eyeing one of this for the fuel economy and awd capabilities

[johngifford]

Dang man! I'm glad I found this! We just purchased our second 2010 Forester, and I'm about to start prepping the X for overland duty. Her XT plus whatever is going to stay stock so that she can enjoy a comfortable commuter that can handle the Midwest winters. I can't wait to watch this.

[pixelshark]

Such a fun car. Thanks for breaking this all down! I have a 2004 Highlander and I’m always tempted to do this. It’s FWD, but some beefier tires and a roof rack would be fun additions.

[colinsohl]

Thanks! Your videos give me lots of ideas for modifying my Forester