Two Crosstreks, Two Visions: Same but Different

In the world of vehicle builds, every project tells its own story—and sometimes, those stories run in parallel. Sometimes they even run in circles. For those who know me, they’ll remember that while I’m no longer a stranger to all things off-road, it wasn’t always that way. It wasn’t that long ago that I found myself stuck on a dirt side road in Wrightwood, wondering how I was going to get out of 6 inches of mud, gravel, and slush. Fast forward almost seven years later, and what started as a casual conversation between two friends—Eric Dalcin and me—about buying Ford Mavericks turned into a dual-build adventure involving two identical Subaru Crosstrek Sports. These were vehicles I should have started with from the beginning.

The original appeal of the Maverick was its mix of load-carrying capacity and solid fuel economy—a welcome change from our gas-guzzling Jeep JKUs. But fate had different plans, and we both ended up with Crosstreks, purchased unknowingly within weeks of each other. That’s when we realized this needed to become something bigger, something that became known as Project Twobaru.

After realizing we both owned nearly identical Crosstreks, the idea of creating a project that reflected our personalities emerged. But we needed a hook. We knew that we’d be using a lot of the same partners, so there had to be areas where we stood apart. We leaned into who we are: I built my Crosstrek as a family adventure rig, focusing on simplicity, practicality, and bolt-on upgrades to suit family trips. Eric’s Crosstrek, on the other hand, evolved into a rally-inspired build, emphasizing performance with a technical suspension, steel armor, and advanced lighting.

Each build had its purpose. I wanted something versatile for road trips, camping, and off-grid adventures with my family. Eric’s vision revolved around high-speed dirt roads, rally-style precision, and robust handling—perfect for a man whose biggest responsibility was to his handsome and adventure-loving Doberman, Leroy. Mine retained many stock components to keep the weight down, while Eric’s featured steel bumpers, sliders, and a more complex suspension system.

The concept resonated with Kelly Nomura, then editor-in-chief of Tread magazine. She saw the potential to connect with a demographic of cost-conscious adventurers—people who want capability without the gas-guzzling financial hit of a full-size truck or Jeep. With her blessing, we moved forward, securing media support and the opportunity to document the builds through a video series.

And it doesn’t hurt that these vehicles are fun to drive right out of the box. Though the Sport’s upgraded 2.5L naturally aspirated engine feels like it’s missing about 100hp, it’s still a lot of fun on long stretches of fire roads and washes. The independent front and rear suspension barrels over terrain, fully aired up with Milestars, that would have normally shaken my fillings loose in the Jeep and forced me to air down to 15psi. The vehicles can take a hit or two at speed, which made for some interesting testing. How fast can we hit the same jump, get all four wheels off the ground, and maintain handling on the landing? I think we cut it around 55mph on the dirt road we were messing around on.

Our original plan was to complete both builds in time for SEMA. But as the deadline approached, we ran into scheduling conflicts and missed the application. Instead of dwelling on the loss, we pivoted toward other opportunities, showcasing the vehicles at SubieFest with Goose Gear and attending Overland Expo. Eric’s Crosstrek took center stage at ASFIR’s expo booth in Arizona, while mine was featured alongside far more capable rigs at the Goose Gear booth. I also had a chance to display at Off-Road Expo with TreadLightly!, and we hit several smaller events throughout the year, sometimes through Fast Friends Clothing Co. booths, to maintain momentum and give our partners the exposure they deserved.

However, balancing these builds with personal and professional lives proved difficult. Eric’s dating life took a backseat, and I found myself spending less time with my family. What started as a fun project became all-consuming, forcing both of us to take a step back once the builds were complete. Emptied of PTO, we didn’t have time left to do the things we had originally built these vehicles to help us do. We had to remind ourselves why we started in the first place—to have fun—and find that balance again.

These builds were successful thanks to the support and expertise of our partners. While many gave parts, others provided much-needed help. Friends like the team at Shock Surplus installed both suspension systems, with my Crosstrek receiving the Ironman 4×4 ATS Spec-C kit and Eric’s getting a Rallitek system built around Bilstein B6 shocks (supplied by Shock Surplus). The Rallitek setup also included adjustable control arms, trailing arms, lift spacers, and rock sliders. We installed other key components ourselves—like the ASFIR skid plates and Rallitek sliders—during long sessions at our friend Josh’s garage in San Diego. Front Runner Outfitters helped install the Slimsport II roof rack on my vehicle, which set the stage for us to install the same rack on Eric’s Crosstrek at my house with the help of our good friend Matt Lorenger.

While many installs went smoothly, others presented unexpected challenges. Trimming both bumpers to fit the Warn semi-hidden bumpers and Axon 5S winches became a trial-and-error process due to Subaru’s 2023 factory bumper variations. The Vector Offroad accessory rails also required us to get creative, as no off-the-shelf solution existed for securely mounting phones and radios on the Crosstrek’s dash. Anyone watching the videos we made will definitely benefit from the lessons we learned along the way. One surprising success came from installing the TorqMasters Torq Lockers. Thanks to Premiere West Gears, the locker installs went smoothly, giving both vehicles the off-road traction we needed. We even got to show this off in a real-world scenario, comparing one vehicle locked and the other awaiting its own locker install.

Alongside building the Crosstreks, I was also building something bigger—my skillset in filming and editing. What started as simple footage captured on a phone evolved into a more professional setup, with the addition of a DJI mic system and, eventually, a Sony A7 IV-R prosumer camera. The journey became as much about refining my storytelling abilities as it was about building the vehicles. I spent countless hours sourcing music tracks, cutting footage, and editing each segment to tell the story properly. The process was the definition of burning the candle at both ends—but it was rewarding. These videos became a creative extension of the project, and I’m proud of the story they tell. I hope we’ll revisit the fun side of the project with the rigs in the future, but for now, this article will have to serve as the capstone to the entire experience.

These Crosstreks are more than just vehicles—they’re personal statements about who we are and how we live. Mine balances family and adventure, while Eric’s embraces speed and performance. Though, I would say we both drive like we rented our Subies with full insurance. Through the highs and lows—from missed deadlines to hours spent editing footage—we’ve built more than just cars. We’ve built memories, strengthened relationships with our partners, and documented a story worth sharing with the Tread community. Through our trials and errors, we hope others can find the inspiration to embark on their own build journey and develop the perfect getaway rig.

The Parts List

Here’s a detailed look at the components our partners provided:

Ironman 4×4: ATS Spec-C full suspension kit for my Crosstrek.
Rallitek: Eric’s rally suspension system, including Bilstein B6 shocks (supplied by Shock Surplus), rear subframe drop kit, control arms, trailing arms, sliders, and adjustable endlinks.
Shock Surplus: Installed both suspension systems and helped develop video content.
Rugged Radios: GMRS systems and custom light mounts (G1 In-Vehicle GMRS system & GMR2 GMRS Handhelds).
ASFIR Offroad: Skid plates for both builds, powder-coated for Eric’s.
Wired by Greg: Lighting systems and Rugged Radios GMRS setups.
KC HiLites: SlimLite LEDs, FLEX ERA lights, Rear Chase Bar, Cyclone v2 rock lights, and Gravity Pro6 light bars.
RIGd Supply: Ultra Swing, Ramble Rack, folding camp table, and jerry can holder.
Front Runner Outfitters: Slimsport II roof rack, Wolf Pack Pro cases, and bike carrier.
Vector Offroad: Dash-mounted accessory rails.
sPOD: Bantam units for auxiliary switches.
Premiere West Gears: Installed TorqMasters Torq Lockers.
Factor55: Ultrahooks for winch setups. Warn Industries: Semi-hidden bumpers and Axon 5S winches.
Milestar Tires: Patagonia AT/Pro tires.
Reika Wheels: Detour R25s for my Crosstrek, Seeker R15s for Eric’s.
Goose Gear: Park Series sleep platforms and storage solutions.
TemboTusk: Skottle camp cooking systems.
TRAILS by Grimmspeed: Overfenders, engine dress-up kits, and accessory mounts.
MULTICAM Pattern: Collaborated with us to develop and help wrap both vehicles.
Alive Wraps and Gatorwraps: Custom wraps, printed by Imagecraft AZ.
Rhino Adventure Gear: Lifesaver water filtration cans, ARB compressors, MaxTrax.
Dometic: CFX 25 fridges, chairs, and solar setups.
F44 Offroad: Supplied Eric’s rear bumper and swing-out.
Step22: Provided vehicle storage bags.