subarubrat

I JUST did that coil over. The tires DID fit with the stock size struts. The coil overs were done to add long travel 14 inch coils instead of the stock springs. It had nothing to do with clearance. The ranchos are in parallel with the stock struts which are still in place, mind you with different cartridges and springs. But I assure all reading that the 33x16 will clear on 15x10 wheels in 2.5 inch backspacing. Now body clearance is another issue. At 12 inches lift and very enlarged wheel wells I have lock to lock steering clearance. At less 10 inches or less clearance would get hairy but that is body clearance, again, the strut clears. Now the above photo shows the 30x12s, the 33x16s are closer but DO clear.

Next year will rule. I learned a great deal about getting something like this to happen so expect all sorts of good stuff next year.

I am not running any custom suspension that changes the width of wheel/tire possible as my parallel shocks still fit in the same area. The wheel I use is a 15x10 and in standard 2.5inch toyota backspacing. I understand you might guess this is not a good idea but practical experience has proven it works wonderfully.

I'd rather fill the trophy with beer and pass it around to all who do what we do. I am working on a thank you page to all who have helped me build this. A friend at work says it looks just like a Tmaxx R/C truck. "you need to try again and get some nice action shots for us." Those are darn hard to do on your own. I will get some next time I go out with a group.

"I was refering to OEM struts. Plenty of room to go wide with different coil overs upfront. I didnt see any verbage on what was done to the front suspension so I assumed they were still OEM struts up front in which case width is limited." The same 33x16s that fit with my coil overs DID fit with the OEM struts. You have to go up to the high 30's to get much wider than the 33x16s. My point is that since there isn't anything wider than that in any size that will fit our rigs the struts are not a width limiting factor.

About 12 Mpg on average.

Here's mine:

"does that thing wobble down the highway like a lifted ford on thornbirds would?" Give me a break, comparing a ford to this.... "you drove that brat to work! you don't use that brat as your daily driver do you???" 1 hour commute, and while I don't drive it every day I have no hesitation in taking it.

These were a pain to work out. The hardes thing was to find a 1 1/2 subaru logo to fit the standard 1 1/2 logo area on domestic hub covers. The lugs are internal spline tuner lugs, matching blue.

They did allot of bulldozing at the hole and given the rain being light it was more of a dirtpile so I played around for a while on the way to work.

I liken the H6 swap to dropping a big block in a domestic that came with a small block. As I said, with some changes to the sheet metal like they did on the XT6 they could have fit the H6 in the BRAT from the factory. I came so close to going with the Cummins turbo deisel, following sort of the same reasoning as the Jeep folks. But two things stopped me. First, I already have more than enough power to do the job, it was honestly more for the sound and smoke than anything practical. And second, one of the most common questions I get after someone sees it run and hears the dual sidepipes is asking if that is a V8 in it. I love telling them that it is all Subaru power they are hearing/seeing. I have to admit that a fair ammount of my choice in modifications is influenced by not allowing someone the luxury of saying "The only reason it can do this or that is because it has the Subaru stuff taken out."

Subaru flags and banners are cheap and pleantiful on Ebay.

I wouldn't say that they eat them like candy, I have never broken one and that is with pretty harsh use. The secret is not to shock load them and they will stand up to a great deal. Experience and rig configuration impact the axle change time. I can do one on my truck in just a few min. and not even think about it. It takes more time on a stock BRAT.

It is called a 4/3 because it lifts 4 in the front, 3 in the rear, to level off the rake.

"Width is a more limiting factor then height with the struts up front." Not so. Struts (now coil overs) fit just fine with 33x16s and a full turn radius. They did clear just as well with the full size springs. No problems there. You can't go much wider than that. As far as the whole when is it not a sube argument, here is my two cents. Everyone has a line that they draw, a modification that they count as unnaceptable or going too far. Some would say that a BRAT body on a CJ7 chassis is still a BRAT, others say it looses sube status at the T case mod. I personally liked to be able to tell people I was 100% subaru for the engine, drivetrain and suspension. It took me a while to come around to the Tcase mod and view that as OK. I realized if I wanted to go from 8 to 12 I had to go that route. In the end, I came to accept it as adding to and not replacement of the subaru core design. As for the ER27 swap, that engine could have very well been installed in that truck with some sheetmetal changes like the XT6 recieved. It is also about trade offs. In my opinion the 4 wheel independant is an upgrade from solid axle, and I love showing the suspension to other off roaders. It is capable of a great deal when given some help. That said, there is no arguing with the end to breakage problems in the rear end. On the flip side it does move the failure somewhere else (as does any mod of this sort) and with the IRS you can replace a stub in moments and it is an easily accesable weak link. I have not broken one stub yet because I back off and go easy rather than trying to grudge it up, now I did nuke a tranny in reverse though. In short, to each his own. I could not go solid axle but there are pleanty of people who will not go Tcase as I did. A solid axle is not the route for me but it is definatly a major mechanical modification that takes allot of work. I respect it as I would like to have my own work respected. Although it has let up in most regards allot of people nay sayed and crapped on my work as I progressed. I can recall posting some news of a mod and having as many detractors as supporters. I didn't care for that when it was done to me and I won't do it to others. "I(we) didn't build it for you." Oh man have I used that line. When someone (usually someone who just got passed on the trail by the BRAT) gives some comment about "why a BRAT" or "it's still just a Subaru" I usually use that line. What is scarry is where it comes from..... A true Rocky Horror Picture Show fan will recall this one, Dr. Frankenfurter just made Rocky and ...... SOMEONE complete this, I know I can't be the only RHPS fan here!

Was paying 112.00 a month for my Impreza, added the BRAT and it went to 118. a month, there is a multicar discount that offsets allot of the actual insurance cost.

Take care of business and kill'em over there so they don't kill us over here. Watch your butt and trust your brothers!

1. Chongo 2. Joe 3. Stupidru's 4. Akira 5. Dennis's 6. 360 van 7. Moosen's 8. Mike's 9. Subafreaks 10. Moosen's 11. Subarubrat's 12. Ben's tonka 13. Hocrest's brat 14. legacy 15. skip's 16. skip's 17. forresterXT 18. XT6 19. XT6 20. 21. Skip 22. 23. Hocrest's 24. Subarubrat 25. Mike's 26. Luis the bringer of the Brat go cart 27. Mike 28. Someone who want's to keep that sunroof bag.

We WILL do it again and next year and do it up even bigger.

Pics are up! http://www.subarubrat.com/carslile.htm Here are a few quick ones.

Chongo has offered a get together at his place that includes some off roading. That might be something to do for an off road event. PICS are up in the after Carlsisle review thread in the Meet and greet forum.

Well, back home from Carlisle and I have to say I have never attended a better Subaru event. First things first, let's thank the people who stepped up and made it what it was. I cannot remember everyone who did everything so if I ommit you raise your hand and remind us of your part. -The table crew, we passed the hat to rent a food table at the rather steep price of $18 a piece and dollar after dollar was donated by everyone asked. Interesting side note, we also made allot of friends with our hospitality and enthusiasm. Next year, a fellow we offered a cold beer and burger to who is a past Subaru owner, is providing whatever tables we need FREE. Further, thanks to our hospitality to the restroom attendant he dipped into the secret closet to produce soap and towles for a few members who forgot theirs. Several memebers of other clubs spent their social time in the evenings at our tent rather than their own club. -Ice men. Skip and the other fellow who flies Citation jets (sorry I forgot the name) were pasing me 10 spots in thanks for the keg, not neccessary but what we did is roll it into the ice fund to keep beer and food ice cold. Add to the list, Mike Domminisi and Beerheart who made a good number of trips to the ice machine out of their own pockets. -Dinner donors. Although we had tons of buns and snacks and all that good stuff other than Hocrest who whipped up some of the most tender and flavorfull ribs know to man none of the meat folks made it or remembered their meat so again, we took up a collection. With just the few folks standing around we had $5's $10's and singles coming in hand faster than they could be counted. We had great food for everyone. Lets also thank Joe who made the errand to the store. -Skip's BRAT. Skip made the adults feel like kids and the kids feel like adults by offering up rides on his ultra rare collectors item BRAT go-cart that he could have very understandably not done given the rarity of the item. Lots of ear to ear grins there. For many present that will be a once in a lifetime chance. -Clean up crew. Hocrest, LeakingOil, Beerheart, my son and I know there were a few others who pitched in and left it like we found it. -Dennis. All those hats, pens and other Subaru goodies that you took home came from him as well as that big bright SUBARU banner that will be at next years show as well. Dennis made it LOOK like a Subaru event. -LeakingOil, who made up all the professional name tags so we knew who each other were, I am sure she will do just as well next year. I know there is more, and I wish I could recall all the others who spent as much time making it enjoyable for others as they spent enjoying it themselves. As for next year, I imagine everyone present this year will return next year as well as some new recruits. I have already gotten the dates and paperwork for next year from carlisle show officials and we will let everyone know when it is time to register. Give me a few hours to get the pics up, LINKS will be added here.

Mike, Autozone has a universal one for about $5 that looks just right for the BRAT. It may need a different hole drilled but I am 95% certain it will fit. The dealer has to order one and it runs almost $70. Autozone opens at 8:00 and it is in the HELP brand packages. That should get you out of there by 9:00. Call me or PM me and keep me in the loop. The 12:00 time is not written in stone so if it looks like you are on the way sometime reasonable we can wait for you.

Those of you who are due a hat, PLEASE remind us. Weather is looking clearer!

Well, I like to see everyone push the limits, it just ensures we will have to go further on the next one. I do wish we could get more technical collaboration on these mega projects going. However, let me say this, my current project, when complete, will be a whole new level of performance that will go beyond old and new school's current limits. Let me promise this, it will be Diablo fast. Nay say if you will, but people nay sayed me before and I delivered.