Adventure-Ready: Ryno Built’s 2024 Subaru Outback Transformation

Ryno Built’s 2024 Subaru Outback

We can all agree that building an adventure rig capable of long-term outings is our collective dream scenario. There’s nothing quite like suiting up for an extended trip into the great outdoors, but let’s face it—occasional weekend treks are most relatable for many of us. With that in mind, Ryno Lieberman of Ryno Built decided to build a dedicated off-road vehicle that can easily double as a comfortable daily driver too. After weighing out the options, Ryno selected a 2024 Subaru Outback to serve as the base vehicle for this endeavor. It fulfilled all the requests he placed at the forefront of the project and would be able to accommodate all the upgrades Ryno had in store while still having room to build upon in the future.

Once Ryno got his hands on a fresh Outback, he immediately began researching possible suspension upgrade options. While the amount of aftermarket packages available for Subaru models is generous, he landed on a 2-inch ATS (All Terrain Suspension) coilover lift kit from Ironman 4×4. This batch of Ironman’s military-grade parts include performance coils, extended travel twin-tube gas struts and fresh hardware to adjust the Outback’s ride height for the better. The amount of ground clearance with the kit installed nearly hit the 11-inch mark, which was more than enough room to mount larger-diameter 17-inch Method 314 wheels and 245/75/17 Toyo Open Country AT3 rubber. Now that the Outback was even more capable of conquering the trails, Ryno made the wise move of installing Asfir 4×4 aluminum skid plates to adequately protect the engine, transmission and rear differential.

Ryno’s Subaru was ready to rock but he fought back the urge to take it for a rip and proceeded with the build until it was truly ready to take on a proper weekend in the wild. Protecting the Outback from the elements was imperative, so to help combat unpredictable terrain conditions, a set of aFe rock sliders were bolted on for prime protection. In the case of an emergency, a CAtuned hidden winch mount was added, along with Warn synthetic rope and Factor 55 front and rear links to ensure the Subi can be easily recovered from any sticky situation. A Dirtcom trail swing spare tire carrier was then bolted into place to allow Ryno to pack a full-size spare, which is always much nicer to have than a weenie of a donut tire. To help pack more personal items and additional gear to assist in unforeseen events, a Prinsu roof rack was thrown into the mix. This rack makes carrying a Pelican case, traction boards, snowboard and mounting auxiliary lighting a breeze!

With enough must-have components now onboard, Ryno then focused his attention onto his set of specialized creature comforts to help sweeten the brief time spent off the grid. To help keep food and drinks cold without having to worry about melting ice, he picked up a Dometic CFX3 25-liter fridge/freezer that can either run off the Subaru’s power or an unlimited energy supply created by a Zamp solar portable panel. While Ryno was racking his brain for other things he didn’t want to do without while out on the prowl, he felt it important to wire up a booming sound system to boost his mood. While you might envision upgraded drop-in replacement speakers and maybe a mini sealed subwoofer as being what he chose to include inside the Outback—think again! Nothing less than two component speaker packages, three 8-inch MB Quart subwoofers positioned inside a custom enclosure where the factory spare tire once was, and a bridge of Hifonics amps and crossovers would do. This level of audio arsenal is not often seen in an adventure-centric vehicle, but it was an absolute must for this Subaru designed for an unforgettable good time while away from home.

Since its April 2024 debut at the Moore Overlanding Expo in Springfield, Missouri, Ryno’s Outback has also been on full display at Overland Expo West and Mountain West events, Big Iron Overland Rally, and numerous weekend runs to Ozark National Forest. As the year comes to an end, Ryno has also been making more tweaks to get it ready for its big unveiling at the SEMA show in early November. Ryno has enjoyed plenty of seat time in his personalized adventure rig, and he is sure anyone who sees it will also become enamored with his Outback’s highly adaptable nature that enhances everyday driving situations as well as exciting treks outside city limits.

Upgrades

 2024 Subaru Outback

Owner:

Ryno Lieberman

Carl Junction, MO

Engine & Drivetrain: Subaru 2.5L 4-cylinder, aFe Power Takeda air intake aFe Power 2.25-inch exhaust system, Rival 4×4 hood strut props, Heise LED pod controller for lighting, Subaru CVT transmission

Chassis & Suspension: Shop: Ryno Built Rod & Custom, Ironman 4×4 ATS suspension lift using coilover struts and Spec C springs, Custom spare tire carrier swing-out, Dometic CFX3 25L refrigerator, Zamp solar portable panel

Redarc Manager30 system, Asfir 4×4 engine, transmission, and rear diff skid plates 

Wheels & Tires: 17×7.5 Method 314 wheels, 245/75/17 Toyo Open Country AT3 tires

Body & Paint: Factory Autumn Green Metallic paint, CAtuned hidden winch mount w/ Warn synthetic rope, Factor 55 links front and rear, Diode Dynamics exterior lighting, Dirtcom trail swing spare tire carrier, Prinsu roof rack, ActionTrax recovery boards, aFe Power rock sliders, Pelican case, Kuat snowboard racks

Interior: Upholstery by Jeffery Trujillo and Ryno Built, MB-Quart / Hifonics audio system, 6.5-inch front and rear components, three 8-inch subwoofers in custom fiberglass enclosure, Custom bridge for amps, Metra wiring, XS Power battery in engine and AUX, Midland MTX275 GMRS radio and Ghost antenna