RalliTEK Subaru Control Arms & Skid Plates: Built for Lifted Subarus

Lifting a Subaru changes more than ride height.

Once you increase suspension travel and ground clearance, the suspension components that worked well at factory height are operating through different angles and seeing different loads. For serious off-road and overland builds, correcting that geometry becomes just as important as adding lift.

That is exactly why we developed the RalliTEK V2 Front Lower Control Arms.

The new V2 control arms build on the proven RalliTEK design with targeted structural reinforcement, corrected geometry for lifted applications, and the durability needed for demanding off-road use. We also developed matching RalliTEK Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates to protect the control arms from rocks, obstacles, and impacts on the trail.

Together, these products address two sides of the same problem:

Correct the suspension geometry, then protect the component that is doing the work.

Why Lifted Subarus Need Different Control Arms

A suspension lift changes the relationship between the chassis, control arm, ball joint, steering knuckle, and other suspension components.

The factory control arm was designed around the vehicle's original suspension geometry. As the vehicle is lifted, the control arm operates at a different angle, and the ball joint has to accommodate that change.

That can affect alignment, suspension articulation, ball joint operating angle, and overall suspension behavior.

This is particularly important on Subaru builds that combine suspension lift with larger tires and additional off-road equipment.

A lift kit gives the vehicle more clearance, but correcting the geometry is what helps the suspension work properly at that new ride height.

The RalliTEK V2 Front Lower Control Arms were designed specifically around this problem.

What Makes the RalliTEK V2 Control Arms Different?

The V2 design builds on the original RalliTEK control arm architecture rather than starting over.

We retained the proven geometry of the V1 design while making targeted changes in the areas that benefit most from additional reinforcement.

For the 2020 to 2025 Subaru Outback and Outback Wilderness application, the V2 arms are approximately 12 percent stiffer in the front-to-rear loading direction compared with the V1 design.

Additional material was concentrated in key areas of the control arm, increasing stiffness without adding unnecessary weight. The result is approximately 0.54 pounds of additional weight per arm.

That approach is intentional.

The goal was not simply to make the control arm heavier. The goal was to put material where it provides a meaningful structural benefit while retaining the lightweight advantages of the cast aluminum construction.

Corrected Geometry for Lifted Subaru Builds

One of the biggest reasons to run a purpose-built control arm on a lifted Subaru is geometry correction.

The RalliTEK V2 Front Lower Control Arms incorporate geometry designed around lifted applications, including correction of the front ball joint angle.

The additional bend in the control arm allows the ball joint to sit at a flatter operating angle compared with the factory configuration on a lifted vehicle.

That matters because lifting the vehicle changes the position of the control arm relative to the chassis and steering knuckle.

Rather than simply accepting the new angle created by a lift, the RalliTEK control arm is designed to work with the lifted suspension.

This makes the control arm an important part of a properly engineered lifted Subaru suspension system.

V1 vs V2: What Changed?

The V2 control arms are an evolution of the original RalliTEK design.

The primary goal was not to change everything. It was to identify where the original design could be improved and reinforce those areas.

Increased Structural Stiffness

The V2 design adds material to key areas of the control arm.

On the Outback application, testing showed approximately a 12 percent increase in stiffness in the front-to-rear loading direction compared with the V1 design.

Minimal Weight Increase

The additional reinforcement adds approximately 0.54 pounds per arm on the Outback application.

That keeps the weight increase low while providing additional structural support.

Proven Lifted Geometry

The V2 retains the proven geometry of the original RalliTEK control arm design.

The control arm incorporates additional bend and ball joint angle correction intended specifically for lifted applications.

Designed for Real Off-Road Use

RalliTEK develops and tests suspension components around the conditions our customers actually encounter.

These are not simply cosmetic upgrades.

The V2 arms were developed with lifted Subaru suspension geometry, off-road loading, impacts, articulation, and long-term durability in mind.

Why Cast Aluminum?

The RalliTEK V2 control arms use cast aluminum construction.

That provides a useful combination of strength and weight savings compared with heavier steel components.

Weight matters even more at the control arm because the control arm is part of the vehicle's unsprung mass.

Reducing unnecessary unsprung weight can help the suspension respond more effectively to changes in the terrain.

For an off-road Subaru, that means the goal is not simply maximum material.

It is putting the right material in the right places while maintaining the characteristics that make the suspension work well.

The Other Half of the Equation: Control Arm Protection

Strengthening the control arm addresses one concern.

Protecting it addresses another.

The front lower control arms are located underneath the vehicle and can become exposed to rocks, ledges, roots, and other obstacles during off-road driving.

Even a properly designed control arm can benefit from additional protection when a vehicle is regularly used on difficult terrain.

That is why we developed the RalliTEK Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates.

RalliTEK Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates

The RalliTEK Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates are designed specifically around the lower control arm.

Instead of adding another large section of general underbody armor, these skid plates provide dedicated protection for one of the suspension components most exposed to trail obstacles.

The design gives rocks and other obstacles a smoother surface to contact rather than allowing the irregular shape of the control arm to become the primary impact point.

That distinction matters.

A suspension control arm needs to move through its operating range. A skid plate needs to protect it without interfering with that movement.

The RalliTEK design was developed around both requirements.

Why Protect the Control Arms?

If you regularly drive your Subaru off-road, you probably already think about protecting the engine, transmission, fuel tank, and differential.

The control arms deserve consideration too.

A rock that catches the control arm can create a concentrated impact in a vulnerable location.

A dedicated control arm skid plate helps distribute that impact across a larger area and gives the obstacle a surface designed to slide across it.

It also adds another layer of protection between the trail and the suspension component.

For a daily-driven Subaru that occasionally sees dirt roads, this may not be necessary.

For a lifted Subaru that regularly sees rocky trails, it can be a worthwhile addition to a complete armor package.

Built for Lifted Subaru Platforms

The RalliTEK V2 Front Lower Control Arms are available for multiple Subaru platforms, including:

• 2020-2025 Subaru Outback & Outback Wilderness
• 2019-2026 Subaru Forester & Forester Wilderness
• 2018-2023 Subaru Crosstrek
• 2024-2026 Subaru Crosstrek & Crosstrek Wilderness

RalliTEK currently offers dedicated Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates for the Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, and Legacy platforms as well.

A Better Approach to Building a Lifted Subaru

A suspension lift should not be viewed as a single component.

The best lifted Subaru builds consider the entire suspension system.

That can include:

• Lift springs or a complete lift kit
• Corrected front control arm geometry
• Lifted or adjustable sway bar endlinks
• Rear adjustable suspension arms
  
• Larger tires
• Underbody protection
• Control arm protection

Every change affects another part of the system.

Adding lift kits changes suspension geometry.

Larger tires increase the loads placed on the suspension.

Off-road driving introduces impacts and articulation that the vehicle may never experience on pavement.

The result is why we believe a serious Subaru off-road build should be engineered as a system rather than assembled from unrelated parts.

V2 Control Arms and Skid Plates: A Complete Front Suspension Upgrade

For customers building a Subaru specifically for off-road use, the V2 control arms and control arm skid plates complement each other.

The control arms address the suspension geometry and structural requirements created by lifting the vehicle.

The skid plates address the external environment those components operate in.

One improves how the suspension works.

The other helps protect it when the trail gets difficult.

That combination makes them a natural addition to a lifted Outback Wilderness, Forester Wilderness, or Crosstrek Wilderness build.

Designed, Tested, and Refined by RalliTEK

We do not consider a product finished simply because it fits the vehicle.

Our approach is to design around the actual conditions Subaru owners encounter.

That means looking at suspension geometry, component loading, ground clearance, articulation, installation, durability, and how the component interacts with the rest of the vehicle.

The V2 control arms are the result of that process.

The V2 design was developed using high-accuracy 3D measurements of the original geometry and evaluated using simulated impact loading. The result is a control arm that keeps the characteristics of the original design while adding reinforcement where it matters.

That is the difference between simply replacing a factory component and purpose-building a component for a lifted Subaru.

Is a V2 Control Arm Right for Your Subaru?

If your Subaru is at factory ride height and is primarily used on pavement, the factory control arms may be the better choice.

The RalliTEK V2 Front Lower Control Arms are intended for lifted applications where the corrected geometry provides a meaningful benefit.

They make the most sense for owners who have already invested in a suspension lift and want the front suspension geometry to work properly at the new ride height.

They are especially relevant for Subaru owners combining:

• Suspension lift
• Larger tires
• Off-road driving
• Overlanding
• Increased suspension articulation
• Rocky or technical terrain

If your vehicle fits that description, the control arms should be considered part of the overall suspension system rather than simply another aftermarket replacement part.

Build It. Protect It. Take It Further.

The purpose of a lifted Subaru is not to sit higher in the driveway.

It is to go further.

The RalliTEK V2 Front Lower Control Arms were designed to help your suspension work with the additional height while providing additional structural reinforcement where it matters.

The RalliTEK Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates were designed to protect those components when the trail gets rough.

Together, they provide a more complete approach to the front suspension of a lifted Subaru.

Correct the geometry. Reinforce the component. Protect it from the trail. Then go find somewhere worth driving.

Shop RalliTEK V2 Front Lower Control Arms and Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates to build your Subaru for the way you actually use it.