Overlanding in Colorado is a whole different experience. Every 1000 feet (305 meters) of elevation about 3% horsepower is lost. So, without a low range, would a Subaru be able to summit Imogene pass at 13,114 feet?
I don’t want to lure you into watching my 43 minute video, so I’ll just let you know of the results. Rebelle rally competitor Carey Lando team# 204 completed 96% of the climb in her 2014 Subaru Outback 2.5.
Her Subaru was upgraded with a transmission cooler. She monitored her temperatures with a Scangauge 2. She ran stock size tires to maintain as much crawl ratio as possible. Her outback had a light load out. She had an autolocking rear differential to maintain momentum during the steep climbs. She also used octane booster. It was a valiant effort and she was just 1/8 of a mile from making it to the top.
We mad sure she had a good support group consisting of a 3.5” lifted 2021 Honda Ridgeline scouting for head on traffic and a 2018 Ford F-150 to help tow her up. The Subaru was in the center of our 5 vehicle convoy. I was positioned behind to video-graph this attempt in my 3.5” lifted 2019 Honda Passport, and a 3rd Gen Tacoma, lifted, regeared with a winch was in the rear as secondary support. Her attempt was thoroughly documented, with 4 action cameras.
(In case you are wondering about the Hondas. They are equipped with the German made ZF9 transmission with aggressive gearing. 1st gear is similar to a 3rd Gen Tacoma in 4LO 2nd gear.)
