In 2022, we bought a Subaru Crosstrek with a simple mission: Create a reliable, capable daily driver for cross-country trips without heavy modifications. That plan lasted about four years—or rather, it evolved into something much more capable. From suspension upgrades and armor to roof racks and recovery gear, here’s how our stock Crosstrek transformed into a rally-ready adventure rig while remaining dependable for daily duty.
Daily (Dirt) Driver: A Modified 2022 Subaru Crosstrek That Broke Some Promises
In June of 2022, we bought a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium with the six-speed manual. The plan was simple: leave it mostly stock and use it as a reliable daily driver for cross-country travel. Four years later, that promise has gone completely out the window.
What started as a practical commuter and road-trip vehicle has evolved into a modified Subaru Crosstrek build complete with off-road tires, skid plates, recovery gear, suspension upgrades, and rally-inspired accessories.
This is the story of how our Crosstrek build happened—despite our best intentions.
With elderly family in the Midwest, we needed a reliable, capable vehicle we could take on year-round road trips without worrying about whether our 25-plus-year-old JDM 4WD turbodiesels would start—or break down.
Our slammed Toyota Yaris hatchback also wasn’t exactly the epitome of comfort, nor was it the vehicle we wanted to drive over mountain passes in winter. My wife, Mercedes, and I agreed we wouldn’t modify the Crosstrek much.
We’d limit upgrades to an axle-back muffler, custom wheels and tires, and maybe some LED lights. Now, four years later, I’d like to welcome you to my autobiography, I’m Leaving My New Car Stock and Other Lies I Tell Myself.
Fortunately, every modification has made the Crosstrek more capable without compromising the reliability that made us buy it in the first place.
Our First Subaru Crosstrek Upgrades
Every build starts somewhere. Ours began with a few simple performance and appearance upgrades.
Less than a month after buying the Crosstrek, we installed a Nameless Performance Executive Axleback setup. It was a quick, easy installation and sounded fantastic. Four years later, it still does.
We also added Nameless Performance’s strut tower bar for a bit of additional chassis rigidity. Whether you notice the difference every day or not, that red powder-coated bar certainly looks good under the hood.
An AEM Dryflow air filter rounded out the first round of upgrades. If it added a few horsepower, great. If not, at least it’s washable and reusable, which means never having to buy another filter.
Wheels, Tires, and Off-Road Capability
Still operating within our self-imposed “few mods only” rule, we swapped the factory 17-inch wheels and tires for lightweight, flow-formed Reika R15 Seeker wheels with a +15 offset—a popular choice within the Crosstrek community.
Initially, we wrapped them in 215/75R15 BFGoodrich KO2 tires. Those have since been replaced by BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3s.
The combination transformed the Crosstrek’s off-road capability. Gravel roads, muddy trails, snow-covered mountain passes, and rough rally stages suddenly felt far less intimidating.
The whole point of owning the vehicle was to travel confidently in all conditions, and the wheel-and-tire package helped deliver exactly that.
To help protect the paint from gravel and road debris, we installed Rally Armor mudflaps.
A set of Husky Liners took care of protecting the interior from muddy boots, snow, and everything else adventure travel tends to bring inside.
Lighting and Protection
Our final planned modification—or so we thought—was a Rally Innovations light bar mount.
Mounted to it were a pair of Lightforce Venom LED driving lights left over from our 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, which we used during the 2022 Alcan 5000 Rally. The setup dramatically improved nighttime visibility on remote roads and rally stages.
We also relocated the front license plate using a CravenSpeed Platypus mount and had the front end wrapped in clear paint protection film.
That last modification might not be exciting, but it has proven invaluable. After countless highway miles, gravel roads, and winter trips, the film has helped protect the paint from chips caused by sand, rocks, and road debris.
We drove the Crosstrek this way for several months. Then, like so many daily drivers before it, the project began to snowball.
Skid Plates, Recovery Gear, and Rally Preparation
As we started participating in more time-speed-distance rallies, it became obvious that additional protection would be a smart investment.
Many of the Pacific Northwest’s premier TSD rally events take place on dirt, gravel, and snow-covered roads. Installing off-road armor seemed like cheap insurance.
We contacted Primitive Racing and installed its three-piece aluminum skid plate kit consisting of front, mid, and rear differential protection. The components fit perfectly, are exceptionally stout, and are proudly made in the USA.
A few months later, we added a Torklift Ecohitch with a removable 2-inch Class III receiver. It allowed us to tow our small camping trailer while also providing a mounting point for a Factor 55 HitchLink 2.0 recovery point.
That recovery setup paid for itself during the 2025 Thunderbird Rally when yours truly ran out of talent and put the Crosstrek into a snowy ditch.
A nearby Jeep team attached a winch line to the HitchLink and quickly pulled us back onto the road. The Primitive Racing skid plates also earned their keep that day.
Nothing validates a modification quite like needing it.
Roof Racks and Cargo Solutions
Early on, I confidently told myself, “I’m not putting a roof box on this vehicle.” That turned out to be another lie.
For a while we ran Thule 450R Crossroads feet, square load bars, and a Packasport Day Tripper roof box. It was a practical and durable setup that survived years of use.
More recently, we transitioned to an all-Thule arrangement featuring WingBar Edge crossbars and a Motion 3L roof box. The newer setup is lighter, quieter, and looks considerably sleeker.
The roof box carries tools, recovery gear from Factor 55 and WARN, MAXTRAX traction boards, and other equipment that comes with us during rallies and long-distance road trips.
After completing the TransAmerica Trail in a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness equipped with a RiG’D Supply UltraSwing Short Fit spare tire carrier, we decided our personal Crosstrek needed one too.
The UltraSwing was paired with RiG’D’s UltraTable and SideHack accessory mount, allowing us to carry a five-gallon fuel can.
The additional rear weight prompted us to install King Springs overload springs to maintain ride height and load-carrying capability.
Fortunately, the setup still allows us to use the Factor 55 HitchLink for recovery duties.
One of the smallest but most useful additions has been a Quad Lock phone mount. We relied heavily on the system during the TransAmerica Trail and quickly added one to our own Crosstrek.
It keeps a phone securely mounted regardless of road conditions, making navigation during rallies and backcountry travel far easier.
Breaking an Initial Promise: Installing a Crosstrek Lift Kit
The day we purchased the Crosstrek, we made a semi-serious promise not to lift it.
Technically, the overload springs didn’t count. Eventually, however, we gave in.
The Crosstrek suspension upgrade became the biggest modification of the entire build. We installed Bilstein B8 TerraSport struts and shocks along with heavier-duty King Springs overload coils in the rear.
To achieve the stance we wanted, we also swapped the factory front springs for a set of Impreza springs. The Bilstein kit includes subframe spacers as well, creating a complete and well-engineered package.
The result is improved ground clearance, better support for the vehicle’s added weight, and more confidence on rough roads without sacrificing daily-driver manners.
So yes, despite our promises, we installed a lift kit.
We’re just going to quietly pretend that part of the original agreement never happened.
Our Modified Subaru Crosstrek Today
Look, we’re trustworthy people who stick to our word. Maybe just not when it comes to vehicle modifications.
At this point, our modified 2022 Subaru Crosstrek build has evolved into a capable rally and adventure platform that still handles commuting duties with ease. It’s comfortable on long highway drives, capable on gravel and snow-covered roads, and ready for nearly any road trip we decide to throw at it.
Most importantly, it remains reliable.
Aside from the air filter, the engine is completely stock and will likely stay that way. Pinky swear.
The way this Subaru Crosstrek build has come together makes it excellent for TSD rally competition, cross-country travel, and everyday driving. It’s proof that you can create a capable adventure vehicle without sacrificing practicality.
Of course, if the Crosstrek had another 100 horsepower, it would be even more entertaining.
But I’d never install a turbocharger or attempt a WRX swap.
Absolutely not.
No way.
Never.
Then again…
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