Project XV – Turning a Subaru XV into a Mild Off-Roader
Here at FFlatfour Performance, we love taking Subarus and giving them a bit of extra personality. Our latest adventure? A Subaru XV that’s getting a mild off-road makeover. Nothing crazy, just practical upgrades that make it tougher, more capable, and a lot more fun to drive.
What We’ve Done So Far
We’ve been busy ticking off some key upgrades:
Interior & Sound
Swapped in a Pioneer head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – now it’s fully connected.
Upgraded all the speakers to a full set of Kickers for a proper sound experience.
Added an STI gear knob for a little Subaru flair.
Fitted rubber mats and a rear boot liner to keep things clean and practical.
Lights & Visibility
Replaced the standard bulbs with LEDs in the driving lamps, side lights, and fog lights.
Added a front light bar and a smaller bonnet-mounted bar for off-road visibility when it’s dark out.
Exterior & Utility
Roof bars and a roof box for extra storage when heading off-grid.
Heko wind deflectors on the windows – keeping things breezy but dry.
Rear bumper protector to keep scratches at bay.
Suspension & Wheels
Pedders 1.5-inch lift springs on the front, and heavy-duty shocks with 1.5-inch lift springs at the rear.
Running the standard XV wheels with Toyo AT35 215/60R17 tyres, giving a nice balance between on-road comfort and off-road grip.
Custom Touches
The XV doesn’t have a temperature gauge, so we designed and 3D-printed a custom pod and fitted a ProSport water temp gauge. Now we can keep a proper eye on the engine.
What’s Coming Up
The fun doesn’t stop here – next on the list:
A few brake upgrades for better stopping power.
Underbody protection to keep the underside safe on rough trails.
This XV is shaping up nicely – a daily driver that’s ready to go a little further off the beaten track. We’ll keep you posted as the build continues, and we can’t wait to see it out on some trails soon!
