I have to say love my wifes forester, but infant car seat behind passenger seat makes is so far forward I have to always drive when in her car may want to play with possible seat combos and check everything installed.
I have had a codriver dropout. working on second. possible I will be alone, I can do it alone if needed did so last year, but if have open seat anyones welcome.
To me total loss of power over 4000 rpm is fuel pressure or volume too low, camshaft timing off, plugged cat... Can't remember all you said have been done to car, generally speaking these are things I would verify.
Does your car have factory anti theft? Possible u changed something related and now car not allow start. I'm more familiar with vw and audi systems (if u replace a cluster they need to be adapted or car will not be allowed to start on vw).
So far my primary co driver has backed out. trying to get my wife to come. But if no sitter can't have her. May be looking for codriver if anyone on the fence. Or worst case I will co drive or do it alone like last year.
As low as the power is in my car a little loosness from gravels may be more fun. But with recent weather expecting possible snow or mud.
Didn't see ya in the a.m. Probably was tired with my blinders on
I'm excited. Just need to swap on gravels if no snow (if I can get front calipers shaved enough for the 15"s). Poor snows had a rough one last time out. Had to help an innocent bystander change a flat on their mazda ( they were totally unprepared)
Most new axle joints (outers) are extremely stiff, especially if were rebuilt joint. Sometimes will click slightly until grease worked in and driven. (even brand new vw axles at 700 a pop)