Undercar protection

Really depends on how you drive. Because the speed sign says 100km, does not mean you have to go at 100km/h. Spending the majority of my time on country roads, and just returned from 1,000k's on country roads, you see the fruit cakes doing 100k's or more on a road that is safe at 85k's. Even in the bush off-road, I travel at a speed suitable to the conditions. If there is a rock or obstruction that may not pass under my vehicle, I get out and do something about it. I don't rely on steel bash plates to do the work for me.

Depends on how much bush bashing you are going to do, and how intelligently you do it. You have to know when it is time to back off and say, 'this is far enough for my car to go and time to turn around'.

Rowena,

While you hope it would never be required on a touring trip a bash plate could well save you from sitting by the roadside somewhere with a cracked sump and it good insurance.

A company called SubaXtreme make strong aluminium sump guards for the Forester. Look up importers for them on the net.

Also, make sure that you have good tyres and shockies before you start. Bridgestone D693 A/T tyres will fit and I have seen a very favourable write up.

If you want to discuss things Subaru with a knowledgeable guy I can put you in touch with one. Mail me and let me know.

I live in the pilbara and can tell you first hand that there is EVERY chance that you will hit a roo or at very least be unable to avoid a carcass on the road because of oncoming traffic which will leave you stranded on roadside as previously pointed out. I would go for metal bash plate if I were you given the limited clearance. You really couldn't imagine how many people get stranded with kangaroo damaged vehicles.

Rowena,

E-mail me on joe@joemcdermott.com and I will pass on the contact address. I don't want to publish his e-mail address without his OK first.

Rowena - on roo bars, there is of course 2 points of view on these! I live in a area where roos are plentiful, (especially with the drought they come to roadside for feed) but I don't have a bar - I drive with extreme caution at night and have a good set of driving lights adjusted so the beams cross over to 'see around corners' and light the road side. If I could afford one I would have one that replaces existing plastic bar therefore maintaining or improving the approach angle. Naturally it is sensible not to drive at night in the North anyway. If you are travelling to the West contact the WA Subaru Club - http://www.subaclub.com/ - they have done trips to many of the popular places and you might be able to join in on a trip. Some trips I have done with WA are - Pilbara(incld. Rudal River NP east from Nullagine) - CSR (through Jigalong, Durba south to Well 5 and out via Carnarvon Ra.) Coffin Bay NP SA incld viewing eclipse from Lake Everard) They are also a Subaru ONLY Club and have many members with technical experience on all Subaru models - old and new.
There is also a Yahoo Group for Foresters - http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/subaruforester/
I am off on a 3 week trip to Tasie soon, then planning to do a Vic high Plains trip (probably Tom Groggin to Davies Plain)
If you would like some more details on modifying an older model Subaru sump guard drop me a line colin.johnson69@bigpond.com
Enjoy your trip - PS What part of Aus do you live?