james.michael Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 First post, please be kind. Right so I've developed a great interest in the Subaru Brat and am dead set in getting one and putting it through some major modifications. Such as putting the body on top a WRX drivetrain with the subframes then lifting it using Forester struts. Now I want a Gen 1 GL Brat because I love how it looks with it's BMW-esque headlights and subtle body lines. I thought that Gen 1's were available with t-tops however to my dismay I've found out that they aren't. Now the t-tops are half the reason why I've wanted a brat in the first place. All of my cars have t-tops... gotta love them t-tops So! My question is how difficult would it be or if it is even REMOTELY possible to put the Gen 2 t-tops on to the Gen 1? Are the roofs similar enough that I can just chop the roof off a Gen 2 and put it onto a Gen 1 or are the windshields and windows a different shape? If the glass will be a problem, then would it be possible to leave just the frames around the windshield and doors and put in the Gen 2 roof/t-tops? If none if that is possible then... how about swapping/grafting the body panels of the Gen 1 on to the Gen 2 frame... or would that best choice from the get go? To close, I repair, restore, and modify cars from mechanical to body to paint for a living and I love it. So no amount of wrenching, cutting, welding, etc is daunting to me. And thanks for taking the time to lend your knowledge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberoo Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) a gen 1 is narrower than a gen 2 brat by a good couple of inches.Im putting EA81(gen 2) suspension under my gen 1 and the gen 2 suspension sticks about 1/2" out of the fenders with stock wheels,that same suspension under a gen 2 sits the stock wheels inside the fenders by about an inch and a half.So you wouldnt be able to use gen 2 T tops.You might me able to fab in the gen 2 sun/moonroof though.However,I happen to have a gen 1 and gen 2 roof I could measure,once this torrential down pour stops. according to wikipedia a gen 1 is 59.1" wide and a gen 2 is 63.8". Edited January 11, 2014 by Uberoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbosubarubrat Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 There was a guy on craigslist who had a gen 1 with the t-tops on it that whete welded in. I would think you would have to cut the roof without pillars so basicly just cut the piece out a couple inches around the t-tops so it looks like a rectangle. The space between the glass would probably be to long still so you would have to cut out a chunk to make it in proportion for a gen 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberoo Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I measured the roofs on what I have and damned if I know but both roofs are pretty much 45" from drip rail to drip rail.It would be very doable to put the t tps in and use the factory headliner+ trim from the gen 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.michael Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 Awesome! Thanks to the two of you, that's all I need to know to try this out. Now to find a pair of brats... I suspect that'll be as challenging as the project itself, if not more so. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now