club.liberty.asn.au

Hey guys,

Finally got chance to post the new Steering Wheel that was put on a couple of month ago.
So got my Gen 5 wagon just before Xmas, and ordered the DAMD D Wheel with Red Stitching from PhatGT.
Found an afternoon and drove to the beloved Garage88 in late March (bloody traffic).



so here goes the pics
DAMD D - red unboxed:



Imprints on the Metal Frame and at the bottom.



Taking off the stock Wheel:


Stock Wheel off, next to it is the airbag unit:



Hey dude, where is your wheel?!




To be Continued...

Continues...

first thing to put back is the Back cover and the buttons, they were a good fit onto the DAMD:



Next need to put the bolt back on.
Since DAMD is not orginal Subaru manufacturer, the teeth isn't an exact match.
Need to have a Wheel alignment a bit later. it wasn't off by much though.



Then comes the tricky Airbag.
make sure you disconnect the battery if you are attempting it by yourself.
Smart Ming @ Garage 88 knows a way to work around it



And there you have a lovely DAMD D wheel!!!




So some comments on the look and feel.
Have been driving it for about 2 month, really love the new DAMD.
the two curved slots at 3o'clock position and 9o'clock position is just right to fit bottom part of your thumb.
it gives you very a very comfortable and firm grip.
you can feel the edge of the curved slots sticking out at the bottom end of your palm, which stops your hand from slipping down.
Essentially, you can just press on the wheel to control it rather than grab hold of it with your entire hand.
This is very useful and comfortable when making > 180 degree truns.

The D shape takes a little bit of getting use to especially when doing >540 degree turns since it's not perfectly circular anymore.
After a few days, it's totally unnoticable.

PhatGT says the whole wheel is thiner than the Gen 4 DAMD wheel, so one can grab hold of it better.
I've never had one before so i'll put my money on his experience.


Material:
The leather surface feels good, softer than the stock wheel. (always think the stock wheel is too hard, like dead with no soul)
yet it's firm and doesn't sink in if you poke it with your finger.
mini puched holes cover the 2.5-4 and 8-9.5 o'clock region.
The durability of the surface material can only be tested over time.

Looks:
The red stitching is a perfect match to the red ambient lights from the panels and center console and the buttons on the wheel.
I'll try to upload some more night shots later.


Overall: Looooving it!!

It give you more confidence on top of the already gripping Subaru. hence more excuse to press down the gas when the appropriate occassion arises.
Holding it with both hands kinda doubles that feel.

Have read before: The driving Wheel is the most frequently used input interface between man and his ride.
so why not make that user friendly and comfortable for your daily drive.

OK, besides the Wheel, I also ordered a Subaru rear skirt, which cost quite some more than the DAMD wheel.
The behind of the Liberty has always been an eye sore. After adding on the rear skirt with twin (flat type) exhaust point, I think it looks a lot better.


Goodie unboxed:






Before: ugly ugly butt


The guys hard at work. the tow bar took a lot of work to be taken off.


And vola!!




That's all folks. please feel free to comment.

very nice on both counts

Nice wheel, it looks very nice and comfortable.

Skirt does improve the rear end too, I still don't like the Gen V rear but it does look better

I've got one of these wheels on my Gen IV .. great grip, thicker than the stock MOMO wheel and obviously smaller ... love it ...

Loving the DAMD wheel....... add that to the mod list!

That style of rear skirt (twin flat-ish outlets) looks much better on the wagon than it does on the sedan!

Very nicely done

ferret89 wrote:Nice wheel, it looks very nice and comfortable.

Skirt does improve the rear end too, I still don't like the Gen V rear but it does look better

Everyone has his own taste i guess.
dont' get me wrong, i love the shape of the GenIV.
but considering intereior and leg room, i had to pick GenV. (blaming my long legs)

Remembered heard from a Dealer fella saying the previous Designer is Italian and the new Designer is an American. No wonder.

Yep, looks great and nice write up.

DAMD would feel really good and I want.

Hotttness!

Nice mods, man! That DAMD wheel, oh goddd.. Adding that to my list too, the stock one feels contourless and not natural at all..

Why did you choose these parts to mod first(?) I just find it unusual that that you would mod the steering wheel and rear bumper first.

SYM wrote:Loving the DAMD wheel....... add that to the mod list!

That style of rear skirt (twin flat-ish outlets) looks much better on the wagon than it does on the sedan!

Very nicely done

Changing the wheel is a MUST for any serious GT.

DAMD skirt is just a flat piece, too bland.
another alternative is to go for Tommy Kaira.
The standard rear skirt version looks better than the RR version.
Personally, the RR is just too outstanding, you loose the subtlety element and feels like you are trying too hard. it's a Liberty right.
but maybe it could be your dish~~


Another thing is the Spoiler, I was originally planning on adding it.
But mine is only a 2.5NA, in the end, i decided not to put in too much on the modding. a good driving wheel is good enough
DAMD has one that looks sharper than the Subaru addon Spoiler.
you gotta pick that over the official Subaru one.

found someone in Taiwan put both of these on, definately looks better afterwards:
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/r120457368/674634
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/r120457368/696813

http://www.wretch.cc/blog/r120457368/696813

That looks really good, much better than stock

Gen5is wrote:Nice mods, man! That DAMD wheel, oh goddd.. Adding that to my list too, the stock one feels contourless and not natural at all..

Why did you choose these parts to mod first(?) I just find it unusual that that you would mod the steering wheel and rear bumper first.

Dude, believe me i HAD a list. Gotta face it, i didn't pick a GT, so no performance mods.

was planning to put on:
DAMD Rear Spoiler
"Expand Metal" front grill
Stock front skirt, ( to cover the fog lights, which will make it completely white from the front)
Door Visors
White color mud flaps (which doesn't fit anymore after putting on the rear body kit.)
Stainless Cargo Step Panel

Was thinking putting some sort of white color wheel set but couldn't find any that looks good without mention that will cost at least 5K+


So for the time being (before baby coming out), a driving wheel and the "fake twin exhaust" will have to do.

What is the red button on the outside of the cluster in the 6th and 8th pictures?
Start?