Ratty2Austin

Well, after today with the Hatch Patrol and the xmas tree run, I have discovered a few more things that will be changed soon... along with a short hill climb I did after the tree run along the highway, and I re-decorated my exhaust by backing into the ground (ditch) You can see the tire tracks in the grass from where I went off course, and backed up into the ditch and rammed the muffler into the ground.... (behind the car) Oops! Yeah, it was scraping each time i hit a bump, all the way home- and it was pinched... so I went to the auto parts store, and hacked it off with a hack saw right in the parking lot.. so until i can figure out how to mount the new one (sidepipe?) it's open exhaust just forward of the x-member! and this is what's hanging out in the back seat for now... time to do some welding!

Had fun today, got to see some old friends, and take Waterwagon3 out for it's first actually challenging day off pavement (wouldn't have been if I had decent tires...) But anyway- here are all the photos - http://ratty2austin.smugmug.com/Cars/Hatch-Patrol-Tree-Hunt/14932972_5arSL#1114876940_v28EU Thanks for the fun time everyone! more pics in a little bit.... Oh, and along the way home I went offroad on a little hill climb, and sorta bent up my exhaust system... it was... uhh... dragging on the ground whenever I hit bumps or dips in the road all the way home, so when I got to my neighborhood auto parts store, I crawled under the car and hack-sawed the muffler right off and took it in to size up the pipe for a cherry bomb and adapter fittings! (although, need to re-arrange things under there so it fits without hanging down so low this time..) so I have open exhaust for now till its fixed! haha

Snow tested and approved! Ready to go

Well, the 27's aren't much bigger than the stock outback tires, so if you have the Outback AWD trans, it has the 4.11 (I think...) but the Brighton has a 3.9, just like the GLs... I rarley use the low range, as it is actually pretty low... the acceleration difference with the larger tires is noticeable, but not horrible... Chux- is the 1986 D/R trans really have a 1.6 to 1 ratio for the low? I thought it was only a 1.2:1

Well, like I just said- the DUAL RANGE tranny, meaning low range, for "crawling" is what I did to mine- it's the easiest way, although it only gets you a 1.2:1 reduction as far as I know... The other methods are slightly more involved, like changing the ring and pinion gear sets in the dual range (which is a 3.9) to the 4.1 or 4.44 gears, out of the newer subarus.... I have not ventured into that method, but I hear it's possible with enough time, money and tools Best way to find the info, read up all the threads in the offroad or subaru mods section on what other people are building on their rigs

A video of Waterwagon3 playing in the snow! (I need to do this in the day next time...)

Yep! I do.... Although, I actually made the trip in Waterwagon2, if you remember

My friend Matt gave it to me, I guess he knows someone who works at a place that sells that brand - "Spacecraft" snowboard and skate apparel- I would assume you could probably get the stickers at the mall, at a store that sells such clothing or accessories (Zumies, etc)

Welcome to the board! Dont forget to check out the FAQ for those common "how do I" questions, And also, since you are building a gen2 legacy wagon project- don't miss out on my "waterwagon3-SJR lift thread" in the offroad section, it shows all the hows and whats I have done to get my wagon all lifted, mud-tired and dual-ranged up!

You mean, like on my 98 legacy wagon? I have an entire build thread if you check in the "offroad" section of this forum- titled the "waterwagon3+SJR lift kit build thread" because these are in fact, 27x9.5R14 SSR swampers! (but good luck getting any, I tried to buy some new ones for my wagon, but they are on national back order till who knows when... ) the nice thing is, you already have an outback, which means you should already have the taller struts. you may not need to do anything more, except trim the fender wells or bang out the sheet metal on the inside to make more room My tires rub a bit when turning, but I also did not do any trimming or bending yet!

I have a couple new pics from my recent road trip to AZ and back... although nothing new so far on the wagon (although, I am shopping for new tires, and planning on installing a skid plate soon) I added a couple new stickers, and replaced the "AWD" emblem with a new one Hopefully I will have some snow pics very soon!

Yep, the Lynnwood yard! It was a few months back... Thanks Camera (s) DSLR= Canon 5DmkII with an assortment of lenses- (24-105mm F4 L IS, 70-200mm F4 L, and a 17-35mm F2.8 L, all Canon) P/S= Pentax Optio W80 In my photo gallery, you can click on photo info to see what photo was shot with what camera, and the settings too- I have had other cameras in the past, so that could help you figure out which photos are from my older cameras as well (previous cameras= Canon 40D, and Canon 300D (Rebel), Pentax Optio W10 and Nikon Coolpix2100)

Ruh roh! I wonder if I should dig up a set of chains for the swampers that are on Waterwagon3, they are pretty used tires, and if I remember right, Swampers don't work that well in the snow even when they are new? here is the "worn out" rear tire tread... enough to work in the snow? I've taken much worse to these events and done pretty well... (at least I have lots of experience to help )

Sounds like a great trip to "break" waterwagon3 in for the first time! And it would be great to see everyone again I can't promise anything, but I will put this on my calendar and try to make it..... Xmas tree run '03

Well, it's been a while since I have had any updates here- The most recent being my road trip to Arizona with Waterwagon, and it achieving an impressive 30mpg average overall (GPS verified!) and no trouble at all on the trip! Someone asked me about the "summary" of what has been done to the wagon, so here is a brief listing of the mods, to sum it up to date.... ~reseal engine, keep stock (removed timing covers) ~used 27x9.5 x r14 Superswampers ~3" SJR prototype lift kit (bolt in) ~outback strut swap (adds 1.25" lift over stock and room for larger tires) ~removal of sway bars (needed for lift and articulation benefits) ~5spd Dual Range Transmission swap (with SJR adapter and re-drilled EA82 flywheel) and custom Driveshaft (for length and making it one piece) and 2 Prodrive shift knobs, for awesomeness! ~rear disc brake conversion (from 91 legacy L, brighton did not have disc rear) ~outback instrument cluster swap (brighton lacked tachometer) ~entire suspension is from 91 parts wagon (original brighton parts were rusty, due to it being an east coast car) so that gave me the old style rear diff and axles as well... ~disconnected AC components and removed condenser (with intent on future use of compressor as an air compressor for tools or tires) ~CB antenna and mount, wired and ready, but still need a working CB! ~wide screen mirror (5panel) to replace the standard rear view that was a bit floppy

We went near Area 51 too..... lol... (instead of a traveling gnome, I have Beaker!!!) We also did about 40 miles or so? of dirt "highway" 445 and 447 over near Pyramid lake- this was a little crazy since it was night time- but that made it awesome! Beaker's window seat.... So yeah... a fun trip, no trouble at all with the wagon (reliable!) 30mpg consistent, even with the Swampers! although the hum of those tires was a bit much for 3000 miles....

Actually, it was the opening week of the bridge! It was closed when we were on our way down, so I took highway 95 (bypassing the whole mess) But on our way back, it was open! so we drove over it (in the night) Nice shiny and new... and def. a lot faster than the dam.... Anyway, since all the photos are up- here are a few of the trip! (photos of waterwagon) And to think, with long exposure, this was taken at 8pm (well after dark, with moonlight) I did get to go offroad a little bit! to watch some Baja truck racing!!! And since I am not used to the Soutwest's soupy sand, I got stuck... LOL Lucky for me, the people down here are friendly, and I did not feel bad for having a large truck pull me out of the sand... (this time, anyway- my bad for offroading alone) Ahh... the southwest is nice... (sunsets=awesome!)

I took almost that same route home- except I went on some back conutry dirt highway near Pyramid lake- bypassing Reno.... (and practicing some low speed night rally moves ) pics soon, I am uploading the rest from the trip...

Starting tomorrow, Kathryn and I will be heading out on a road trip to Phoenix! (gonna go visit gramma) (10-15-10 to 10-23-10) Today I changed the oil, and adjusted the shift linkage (so that 5th gear works again ) Aired up the tires, I will make a photo-gallery of this trip, so everyone can see where Waterwagon3 has taken me on this adventure! I know Superswampers aren't the best for highway travel, but this is a last minute trip and I had not enough time to prepare, nor enough extra money to just go buy tires on a whim (although in an emergency I should be ok with the CC) If anyone in the Phx area wants to meet up for a beer/coffee/lunch/whatever just leave a message on the thread! I will be in town hopefully between monday and thursday.... planning to hit the road thursday evening sometime- with intent to reach AZ/CA state line before Fri morning... then to head back via I-10 and I-5.... I will update this thread as I go along! (or at least when I get to Phx!) Anyway, if you see me along the highway wave me down for a chat! (or come help me fix the car ) Route plans- On the way south, taking I-90 to 97, south to Tri-cities, then south I-82 to I-84, then I-84 to Twin Falls, ID then south on 93 alllllll the way thru NV to Vegas, into AZ and following 93 all the way to Sun City, AZ On the way back, (changes possible) planning I-10 out of PHX towards Joshua Tree NP, then up thru Bakersfield and onto I-5/99 all the way up!

That is also the reason I did not take waterwagon3 into the mud... I remembered what horse poo and mud do when they dry on the underside of cars after all the WCSS's before... get out the hammer and chisel!

I had a great time, it was fun to meet/see everyone again/first time.... I put all my pics into my Smugmug gallery- only 280 pics this year, and I just dumped the camera's contents to the gallery so there are a bunch in there that might not be the greatest photos... Here is the gallery link- Here are a few photos... I lol'd at this one.... random photo of a kid giving me the glare... Wonderful sunset on Sat night! Anyway, more photos in the gallery- go check em out!! (and if you would like to re-post them or copy them to facebook, etc, then please leave my name in the corner! if you don't like my name in the corner, there is a purchase photo button, your prints will be nameless ) Thanks!

What about me who is stuck half way between? I get to go to the show... BUt for some reason, someone decided to plan my 10 year reunion on the same freaking day in Seattle! (yeah, I know, I could just skip that... but......) So I get to pack up and leave right after the car show, and not stick around for the free food from Subaru, or the awards! :-\ (and not to mention the whole party I will be missing on Sat night!) I will take good pics for ya guys who can't go...

My opinion if you don't mind- I would say repair your 97 Legacy- the engine should be cheaper/easier to repair than anything in an old GL and the parts will be easier to find. I have had many GL (pre-90 subarus) and the older they are the harder they are to get stuff for... and, the newer stuff is actually a lot easier to repair and keep tuned- I have learned to love fuel injection and coil pack ignition (hate distributors) since it is all "self tuning" thats just from my own experience though.. I have had a lot of EA82, EA81, and EJ22 powered cars, and I have also worked on EJ25, and other subaru engines as well, and I definately prefer working on the EJ vrs the EA cars.. anyway, good luck with whatever you end up finding for your next project- just dont forget to ask questions like this