My 2001 Outback with 170k miles was in need of fresh front axles (torn boot on each side. Starting to click on tight turns), so I gave it a little front end resto!
Pre-loaded struts, axles, ball joints, fresh diff oil, sway bar bushings and end links.
The car drives, steers, and handles so much nicer now.
Without intending it, the front struts added 1-2" of ride height! I wasn't expecting it, so that's a guess, not an A-B measurement. Went looking at part numbers after the fact and all brands of pre-loaded struts seem to be the same between H4 and H6. So I'm guessing they just spec H6 springs for everyone?
Now that the back end of the car looks as saggy as it feels, I'll soon be doing a similar rear resto with new struts of the same (cheapo) brand.
Just to be sure I ditch the pre-runner looks, I'll be adding these 1/2" spacers from RalliTEK as well. I too dream of bigger lift kits and Insta worthy Sooby builds, but I think I'll save that for a younger H6 Outback in the future.
And here's my temporarily pre-runnered Soob doing what it loves in the Colorado mountains a couple days ago.