shortbus

My '85. Pics are a bit older but other than the Brat stripe being a little more faded she looks about the same.

I met one guy several years ago but I can't remember his board name. Unfortunately there aren't a whole lot of us in Florida. If any Floridians happen to see this PM me, I'd be up for a meet sometime.

I used to get cards asking if I wanted to sell the Brat. Haven't gotten anything other than smiles and strange looks lately (people down here don't see Soobs very often, much less Brats).

Awesome story and photos! Be thankful you have areas like that to explore relatively close. The only place to get 100 miles away from anything in the wasteland of a state that FL has become is to go east, west or south and you need a boat, not a Soob. I've always dreamt of moving out West but with an upcoming wedding (next weekend!) and a house in a sinking market it doesn't look like it'll happen soon. One bright note is that springs like those in your pics are all over down here. They are usually surrounded by "campgrounds" for the RV folks but beautiful nonetheless.

Not many of us here from FL. I'm just east of Tampa in Valrico.

Put me third in line for those Brat seatbelts. If there are multiple radiators and they are EA81 I'd be interested in one of those as well. Thanks!

Right, I just figured that out. Glad I thought about that before hitting the one-click button

I've looked through hundreds of amazon results to no avail; anyone have a link? I need a few of these for the Brat. Edit - Nevermind, just searched using the part number in the first post and it came right up. Yippee!!

Definitely off, they just look goofy to me with toppers. I made an impulse purchase of one at a u-pull it yard awhile back and I'm at the point where I'm ready to tear the thing apart and throw it away because I'll never put it on and I'm tired of it lying on the side of the house.

I see plenty of "higher end" stuff out there. Last time I saw a '99 Acura CL, 3000GT, Porsche 914, Jaguar XJ12 (the pre-Ford long sexy body style), lots of Volvos, Fiats & Alfas over the years, a few 4th gen Preludes and plenty of late 90's early 2000's Kias, Hyundais & Daewoos (not high end but late model). I also run across lots of Z's, 240 & 280 mostly but sometimes an older 300. My past few trips though I only saw one EA81 Soob (a hatch) and it didn't really have anything I needed on it.

Man, we have the opposite problem down here, Loyales are the only thing I ever find anymore. On any given trip I'd say there are probably at least 5 in the yard and most of them in pretty decent shape from what I can tell. I rarely find the EA81 stuff I need anymore though and the only brats I find are the whiny kids at the fast food joint on the way home.

Nope, it's a 4-speed manual. The red fluid was leaking from 3 small bolts at the rear of the transmission. It is apparently a very slow leak though as it mostly sat for close to two years and I never saw anything on the floor. As for the axle seal it is apparently fine; I drove the car around all last week and so far nothing appears to be leaking from there.

Man, what I wouldn't give to pack it up and move out west; if there is anywhere that most definitely is not Subie country that place is Florida. Good luck with the move.

I'm a Honda guy too. My '06 Element is my 5th and certainly not my last. I actually have found them all incredibly easy to work on once you are familiar with them. To tell you the truth I find them easier than the Brat; all the vacuum lines and hoses under its hood terrify me not to mention I have never been good with carbs.

I think I may have lucked out. When I pulled the axle last night I cleaned out the area around the stub and everything looked intact. I think what I saw dripping was just built up old axle grease that had melted from the heat. I assume anything actually leaking from that seal would be trans. fluid (red) of which there was none. Either way I'm gonna keep an eye on it once I get her back on the road which (God willing) should be today when I get a new battery. I'm pretty excited about the prospect of being able to drive her again. My goal was to have it roadworthy by the beginning of tailgating season which starts Saturday for us and it looks like I'm gonna make it! :clap::banana::headbang: