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Welcome to Saab92x.com! |
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UPDATE (2014/04/15): One of the forum members has gone and gotten "measured" for all us. Things are currently looking good. There is a current build that we can get on, follow the link below to make your deposit.
Here is the latest post from GOCO:
In short, everything went very well and we do not see anything that will be an issue with our standard 02-07 Impreza design. In fact, there might even be a little more room between the top hoop of the bar and the bumper - which is always good news for the sake of having more flexible lighting options.
This is how we will move forward. I will create a link for the Saab and add it here:
http://www.gorillaoffroadcompany.com/_a … 2014Q2.htm
We'll take deposits on this and treat everything as a 100% go. When we start production, we'll build a 02-07 Impreza bar first and call john_matrix back in for a final test fit. Should all go well, production on the Saab orders will move forward as planned. If it doesn't we'll either determine how much needs to be done and save that for the end of the run just in case we need more time to make modifications (to ensure regular production is not held up). Or, if for some reason its going to be much more than we expected - we will refund all deposits and final payments if that's what it comes to.
This is a summary page that explains build dates/schedule: http://www.gorillaoffroadcompany.com/_a … 2014Q2.htm
You can follow this link to make your deposit: http://www.gorillaoffroadcompany.com/_b … r-saab.cfm
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UPDATE (2014/03/03): Looks like we should be able to get in on the run in April. Let's start a list of all those willing to make a deposit by the end of March (more info on actual payment later). Pricing info is a few lines down, right here.
1. ralphjjr
2. BlkSaabaru4Me
3. eurocoffee
Latest Update from Derek @ GOCO (Mar 3, 2014):
Here is the update ... I'm going to contact both the local Saabaru owners and see if I can get at least one to stop by before the end of next week. My fabricator and I spend an hour looking at 92x photos and as I mentioned before, he also feels the 06-07 Impreza Offroad Bar is should be a very close fit with little or no modifications. By having one of those two guys swing by, we'll take a look at the bumper and take a few measurements and within an hour we'll have a good idea what we'll need to do. Then, we'll try to get one of the two to drop their car off for one full day in the first or second week of April where we'll do the actual confirmation fit.
This means, when we do our next build at the end of April, the Saab will be available. So, that's something you can communicate to the community. We'll likely make the production run schedule announcement next week. We will limit the build to 20 bars and there is a good chance we'll fill up. If you can point people to this page:
http://www.gorillaoffroadcompany.com/faqs.cfm
to get pricing information and then in the original post of that thread start a list of people willing to make a $200 before the end of March. That will help me see how many folks are possibly serious and will let me know if the chance the build will fill up faster is higher.
Hello all, it's been a few weeks since I've had a chance to peruse the forums - or do anything auto related. Work, the weather... blah. I actually have a long list of new parts waiting for warmth and time (rebuilt TD04-19T, aluminum radiator, gates timing belt kit, a few belts, just ordered a new powering steering pump [thanks ixiz], and the list is growing).
In searching for an aluminum skid plate, I stumbled across a company (Gorilla Off Road Company - "GOCO") that makes what we can call "custom" offroad bars for several Subarus. This might be a time warp for some, there are several posts about light bars. One in particular regarding a user and a company called 247 Motoring that allegedly were researching making one for our beloved Saabarus, but that died a slow death, or at least the post itself died (for reference: https://saab92x.com/viewtopic.php?pid=377377).
I want to revive that idea. This is really a two fold request, the first is, we need to see how well any of their existing models fit, or if they need to fabricate one. Given all the reading I have done, I am almost 100% sure that one will need to be fabricated. But then again, you can't believe everything on the internets.
Is anyone in the Chicago Area willing to stop by their shop (specifically in New Lenox, IL) for some measuring and testing?. It's too long a drive for me - but, because I really want this, I will offer some in the form of $25 paypal'd to you with 0 fees. To be delivered upon successful completion of either 1) Gorilla confirming that one of their models fits, or 2) Gorilla specs out building one that will fit (if this requires more than one visit, I shall up the ante).
From Gorilla's website, for the impreza version (~$480 + shipping) http://www.gorillaoffroadcompany.com/pr … prd_key/27:
Treat yourself to the all new Gorilla Offroad Bar - a multi-functional bar that can mount up to 8 lights, a skid plate, tow hook, or winch mount.
Made from 4130 Chro-moly Tubing (all around) 1.25in .083 wall and 1in .083 wall the bar is 100% Tig welded and comes standard with these features:
* Oil pan and radiator protection
* Core support / reinforcement
* 8 Mounting locations to frame and sub-frame
* 8 Light mounting positions
* Skid plate (optional) tabs included
* Mesh grill (optional)
* All hardware included
Pricing Info (from their FAQs: http://www.gorillaoffroadcompany.com/faqs.cfm):
$465 - Gorilla Offroad Bar
FREE - Gorilla Black powder coat finish
FREE - Between 4 to 8 light tabs (model dependent)
$175 - Skid Plate (optional)
$150 - Winch Mount (optional - omits two inner bottom light tabs)
$125 - D-Ring Shackle Tabs
$145 to $225 - Shipping estimates depending on location and country
Some information from Derek @ GOCO specifically about GOCO's Off Road Bar vs Rally Innovation's Light Bar:
Here are a couple points of differentiation that I make (I've been meaning to put this in comparison table).
a.) RI mounts with two flat tabs to the subframe - already known to be the weaker part of the front end, hence the light bounce and eventual need for the RI bar to be supported by the license plate bracket. The GOCO bar, as you know, attaches in more places and to the body of the vehicle. It can an [sic - "take an"?] impact. The leading edge bar protects the bumper. The front cross bar is inline with the radiator support, protecting that. And the center back tube bi-secs the oil pan, giving it direct protection.
b.) Stand alone skid plates mount with three or four bolts and use 1in spacers so it clears the exhaust. That means those skid plates, when taking an impact, distribute the force across three to four square inches - and is why most people buy the heavier and thicker 3/16 plate. Our plate covers more area is an mounted flush with our bar. So any impact it takes is absorbed across the entire bar - over 12 square feet of space. This allows us to use the lighter 1/8in thick 6061 aluminum.
c.) We don't cut holes in the skid plate to make it easier to change oil. The hole weakens the metal and introduces the possibility of an object protruding into the engine - something completely contradictory to its purpose. Additionally, it is only attached with 6 bolts so removing it takes 2 to 3 minutes. And in our discussions internally and with customers, we feel that regardless of who is changing your oil, you would want that person to be inspecting the rest of the engine's roadside [sic - "underside"?] - we all know about Subaru and their head gaskets.
Regarding trying to test fit, he mentions:
But to respond to a couple specific points in the thread, I suspect the most likely bar to test fit would be the 06-07 Impreza bar. When Subaru refreshed the body, they made the bumper cover lower to the ground - so I would think there is a good possibility that bar may fit without an issue. When we do our next build, I'll try to see if we can squeak out an extra 06-07 bar that we'll keep in case we have the opportunity to have a 92x in the shop.
And I don't think its work [sic] "test fitting" the RI bar, it has extra flat and angle iron steel extension to accommodate various models - so I am pretty sure you'll be able to make that work one way or another.
Here are a few old posts on other sites with more comments and pictures:
http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/top … kid-plate/
http://www.scoobytruck.com/bb/viewtopic … amp;t=2019
Facebook page with tons of pictures: https://www.facebook.com/GorillaOffroad
Some pictures:
Disclaimer: I am aware of the existing "options". Search has yielded many results, even some DIY with no bar. I think that's cool, but I would love to get something that I can bolt on (bar of course, lights require work either way). I like this idea a lot, even if you personally don't . Yes it's more expensive, but it looks better than others I have seen. We'll see how good it looks on our front-end. Yes I could spend the money on other mods, all in due time...
I am hoping that there are a few others that would like this too. If you are interested in getting involved in the event we need a minimum order, let me know.
Last edited by ralphjjr (2014-04-15 13:03:35)
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Has anyone tried mounting Rally Innovation 06-07 wrx light bar?
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I spent of hours researching this several months ago. Our front-end is just different enough that the contours do not seem to work. That said, I don't remember mention of the 06-07. But, if someone has done it, they haven't shared it...
Of course, the gorilla off-road bar is a bit more "bar" - that's why I am attracted to it. I don't think I would put a winch on it (definitely overkill for my lifestyle), but I like that a skid plate can be part of it, and that it mounts in more places than just two.
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Subscribed. My light mounting solution works, but is inelegant.
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racerjim wrote:
Subscribed. My light mounting solution works, but is inelegant.
FWIW, your solution was my fallback. But, yea, if this works out, it will be elegant.
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I'm in for something like this.
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i can get the 06 wrx bar for used $160...If I can a few donations I will buy it to see if it fits.
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From what I've seen Rally Innovations has "partners" that sell their products? It might be easier to just go to one and test it out? This way no one is out of any $$ if it doesn't work.
Also, that is only a light bar. The Gorilla Bar is more than that.
No Chicagoans out there? I'll get what exact neighborhood/town their shop is in. I'm sure Chicago is a big place. Probably like asking someone from the Bronx to go to Tottenville, Staten Island.
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The Gorilla one you posted is beastly and does not compare to the RI light bar.
I also have a Primative Racing skid that I will putting on too so can confim that fitment later this spring.
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You are right - it is beastly. Definitely a distinction. The RI bar is a light bar, the Gorilla one is much more than just a light bar.
I think there is some value in both. Someone might not want to spend more than a couple hundred, so the RI bar might be good. The MSRP looks to be $270+shipping.
How far is the seller of the used one? Maybe they'll let you just come by and try it on.
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Derek @ Gorilla shared some additional info with me (he's reviewing vendor rules for our forum so he can follow any rules about posting).
I've edited the first post with that - more on pricing and also his take on their offroad bar vs the rally innovations light bar.
He's at the 100 Acre Woods Rally this weekend. Maybe there will be a 92x there... Here's to wishing...
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I'm in for this as well. Its exactly what I was looking for. I don't give a shit about a light bar. I want something sturdy that could actually protect my front end.
I'm also willing to put my money where my mouth is. $5 via Paypal to the person that goes for the test fit. Now you only need to put down $20 ralph.
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Bar/Skid plate combo!?
I'm totally in if this ever goes anywhere.
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I'm in for the gorilla!
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There has to be someone in Chicago who would do this for us!?
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I am less than 20 miles from New Lenox.
I own a 2005 Aero.
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john_matrix wrote:
I am less than 20 miles from New Lenox.
I own a 2005 Aero.
Would you be cool with taking a drive there?
I'm waiting to hear back from them on how long the process would take, testing their existing models and/or measuring for something new. They're at the Rally in 100 Acre Woods this weekend, so we probably won't hear from them till Sunday or Monday. Once he gets back to me I can PM/Email you their info so you can work out details about exactly when you might be able to go.
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I can probably get out there later next week. Could they change my oil for me? I'm due and that would make it worth it for me. Just a suggestion.
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Yeah but you only get paid if something actually comes out of it.
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I'm going to update the main post with this too.
Derek @ GOCO found a 92x at the Rally at 100 Acre Woods. He's trying to make contact with that owner today. S/he may or may not be "more" local.
Anyway, here are the details on going to their shop:
The initial visit will be 2 hours. That's what will be needed to test any of their existing ones. (john_matrix (Pat): I didn't ask yet about the oil change. I'll send you a PM with the guys email address so you can reach out. Of course, if that other 92x owner pans out than we may not need someone.
If none fit, and one needs to be fabricated, they will need 4 days with the car. Consecutive, or two weekends.
I have to think through my offer, since the second part is clearly more inconvenient.
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I can do 2 hours, but yeah, 4 days is a little much. I need to drive to work, live my life, etc.
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john_matrix wrote:
I can do 2 hours, but yeah, 4 days is a little much. I need to drive to work, live my life, etc.
I'm with you. I'm waiting to hear back from Derek @ GOCO. We'll see if he made contact with the owner and if they are willing. I'll PM you his email just so you have it.
I still feel like the 4 day thing will require me driving up there. I wonder what other marvels exist in Chicago...
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Bump. Cause I want this.
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I've been going back and forth with Derek @ GOCO, asking questions, figuring stuff out. In the next few days I'll update this thread. I've been swamped with work - trying to get stuff done before the weekend. Too many deadlines converging
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