Driving to WCSS6 from Los Angeles, what is a good gauge of reliability?

[s'ko]

I plan to go to WCSS6. Will be bringing my OBS and the 82 BRAT. I have no doubts about the OBS making the 15 hour drive. But the BRAT I have some concerns.

 

What is a good determination of reliability? I have had the car since Feb, the previous owner drove it as a delivery truck so it probably ran all day. Since I bought it, there has been no issues with the engine. Front axles have been repacked and re-booted. Both rear wheel bearings have been replaced. Since it drives a lot quieter, I can now hear that there is a slight whine coming from the tranny. Increases in pitch w/speed. The gears feel solid. Clutch is a little weak.

 

What is a a good way of stretching it's legs? Would doing a 3-4 hour drive give me a sense of reliability? What preventative measure can I take before the trip?

 

BW

[JParuBob]

I plan to go to WCSS6. Will be bringing my OBS and the 82 BRAT. I have no doubts about the OBS making the 15 hour drive. But the BRAT I have some concerns.

 

What is a good determination of reliability? I have had the car since Feb' date=' the previous owner drove it as a delivery truck so it probably ran all day. Since I bought it, there has been no issues with the engine. Front axles have been repacked and re-booted. Both rear wheel bearings have been replaced. Since it drives a lot quieter, I can now hear that there is a slight whine coming from the tranny. Increases in pitch w/speed. The gears feel solid. Clutch is a little weak.

 

What is a a good way of stretching it's legs? Would doing a 3-4 hour drive give me a sense of reliability? What preventative measure can I take before the trip?

 

BW[/quote']I drove my 85 GL wagon (ea82) from Texas about 14 hours, and that was with 290k on it.

 

I also drove the Black Diamond (ea81 wagon) 6 or 8 hours home from Chef Tim's house when I bought it. It had like 150k or so...

 

I'd say do a basic tune up (plugs, wires, disty). Check all fluids. That would be the main things. Change the oil, probably change most of the fluids. Check the radiator.

 

Basically check preventative type stuff.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Since you have the rear bearings done, and front CV's, that should probably be enough. But you may want to check the front bearings and ball joints. They're not hard to do, and easier in your garage rather than on the road.

 

Old EA81 Tranny's whine. Ive been driving my EJ22T for the past couple months, and just yesterday got back in my Wagon again for the 1st time. The 1st thing I noticed was the tranny whining. But my tranny is dying as well... so I guess that doesnt say much. If you want to stretch the life of it, i'd recommend draining the gear oil, and replace it. That should help alittle.

 

-Brian

[GeneralDisorder]

It will make it. And if it has a problem, then you will be able to fix it. If you can't, then you shouldn't own it. It is, after all, a 20+ year old truck. Breakdowns are expected. That being said, my wagon has only left me stranded one time, and that was for a broken clutch cable. It was getting tight, and I should have listened to it's complaint - my fualt really. I've beat the hell out of that car off road, and it still gets me home every time. That's not to say I've never broken anything on it, just that I was able to fix it, or still drive it that way. Always carry spares of whatever you can. Hoses (upper and lower radaitor, and some lengths of heater core, and vacuum hose), all the belts, at least one front axle (usually a used one from the JY). Fuses, oil, water, coolant, carb cleaner, WD40, rags, etc etc....

 

GD

[ezapar]

How about this?

 

 

I've sold several lifted Soobs over the last few years. From Seattle, they've made it to:

Texas, Idaho, So. Cal and back, Utah, and Idaho. All made with no problems, the one to Texas stopped for bumper upgrade and wheel bearings at Mudrat's in Eugene on the way. It left with 201 on the clock, got there with 203.

 

With good axles, radiator/hoses, tires, maybe a spare of each and a spare alternator and disty. You should be fine. Keep water and oil a plenty on board incase of emergency.

[calebz]

It will make it. And if it has a problem, then you will be able to fix it. If you can't, then you shouldn't own it. It is, after all, a 20+ year old truck. Breakdowns are expected. GD

Time cut down on the caffiene rick. The guy was looking for pointers not attitude.

 

The brat should make it if you aren't having any current issues.. Do the regular maintenance, think about dealing with the clutch.

 

I drove my 87 wagon from seattle to dallas about 2 weeks after I put it together:)

[GeneralDisorder]

I did give pointers.... but that is still my opinion. For what it's worth anyway. There's not many EA81's on the road that aren't worked on by their owners. To have a simple axle change done would cost half what the vehicle is worth many times.... it's just not practical for a non-mechanic to own. Of course I'm not talking about completely restored cars, or original low-miles rigs. I'm just talking about 200k+ mile cars in general.

 

Not saying he's not a mechanic, just that he shouldn't worry about it so much. If it's going to happen, then likely there's nothing he can do about it till it breaks. All you can do is be prepared, and know as much about your rig and how to work on it as possible....

 

GD

[s'ko]

I am being a little paranoid. I'd just hate to be somewhere on the 5 between LA and OR and have something go FUBAR.

 

Will do an oil change and a fluid change before my trip. Will also find an excuse to drive it to San Diego or Mexico before Aug.

 

Re: being a mechanic. I can take things apart pretty well. Previous projects was a 85 XT FWD and a 87 XT 4X$, both had blown head gaskets, both were taken apart and neither was resurrected. ended up going to the boneyard.

I would call myself a fledging mechanic, as I managed to do the front axles and the rear bearing myself . Have yet to tackle engine/tranny work but the clutch job might be next.

 

Thanks for the tips.

 

BW

[rallyruss]

well if you run into trouble near by me here in San Jo CA let me know.

 

I dont think I will be making it up to the show/event this time.

 

I have to be "on call" on most weekends this summer.

 

is it an Auto trans or manual?

 

a whine could be a bad thing or may just need a good fluid change.

[bajavwnsoobnut]

yeah change all fluids (including the rear diff's (alot of people forget about that)) and flush the rad and it should be fine and if you want to get a good gear oil additive to help keep the tranny working good

[dave valiant]

I drove my 84 Brat to the midwest meet which is about 500 miles each way.I did regular maintenence,plugs,wires,cap,rotor,fluid changes.While getting out of the gumbo we all got stuck in I overheated my tranny 3 times,and damaged an axle.I had absolutely no problems on the way home going between 75 and 80.These rigs are alot tougher than alot of people give them credit for just because they are small.Do your general maintenence and you should be just fine.

[RenaissanceMan]

Hey give me a PM closer to the meet and when you drive up. I am planning on making the trip too, and I am on the way in San Luis Obispo. Need an escort vehicle?

 

 

I am being a little paranoid. I'd just hate to be somewhere on the 5 between LA and OR and have something go FUBAR.

 

Will do an oil change and a fluid change before my trip. Will also find an excuse to drive it to San Diego or Mexico before Aug.

 

Re: being a mechanic. I can take things apart pretty well. Previous projects was a 85 XT FWD and a 87 XT 4X$' date=' both had blown head gaskets, both were taken apart and neither was resurrected. ended up going to the boneyard.

I would call myself a fledging mechanic, as I managed to do the front axles and the rear bearing myself . Have yet to tackle engine/tranny work but the clutch job might be next.

 

Thanks for the tips.

 

BW[/quote']

[northguy]

You'll be fine. Besides, there are a ton of board members along the way willing to lend a hand if the unforseen happens. Breaking down 50 miles from home is just as bad as 400 miles from home. It's just an inconvenience. Everything can be fixed. Don't sweat the little things (but prepare for them) or every creak and clack will ruin your trip. Enjoy yourself on the trip.

[MorganM]

I say if it drives 100 miles it will drive 10,000; rage it! I've helped Archemitis swap in a junkyard SPFI EA82 and watch him drive to Texas and back (from Minnesota) 5 days after the swap. His cousin drove a gen2 brat from MN, to Texas, and back to MN and this thing was JUNK. The only thing holding the body together was the drive train! I've driven mine 100 miles mixing coolant and oil the whole time when the headgasket blew. They are TOUGH!

 

Sounds like you have been under the hood plenty and have a good idea what shape it's in. I have faith that you can make that BRAT get to WCSS6 under its own power; all it takes is for you to have the same!

 

Good luck!

[s'ko]

Took it wheeling this weekend.

 

Total time the engine was working at almost 4 hours or so. 1 hour to get to the site, 1 1/2 to 2 hours of driving and 1 hour to get home. Temp was stable, tranny held up fine (except when I tried to plot up this really steep hill in 2WD

Funny thing is the motor was leaking oil before I went, then when I got home, the oil leak stopped. . I guess all the BRAT needed was some mud in it's fenders. For what I can tell, this is the first time it's been off-roaded. The hood didn't have any mud/dirt specks on it when I got it.

 

Ren-man. Caravan idea sounds like a plan. Will shoot you an e-mail around end of July/early August.

 

Thanks for all of the stories, tips and the vote of confidence

 

BW

[All_talk]

I’ve spent all my years driving old worn out cars that others threw away (I’m only 35 so not all that long), and for the last 9 years I’ve been using them for a 175 mile a day commute over a mountain pas (in the snow… barefoot… up hill… both ways), here’s a few things I’ve learned…

 

 

Consistent daily use will show the week points…

 

Make daily checks of all fluids and note there usage based on mileage (not days), this will become very important when you are logging hundreds of miles a day.

 

If there are leaks or even damp spots find out where its coming from, you may not need to fix it right away but knowing the source will help you decide if it’s a pending failure. Note on finding leaks on old cars with wet dirty bottoms: after a drive, park on a clean floor or sheet of cardboard, trace any spots straight up (gravity you know ), follow the path from there.

 

Make a note of gauges under various driving conditions, trends, quirks. Listen and feel, get to know the car, you’ll be better at detecting abnormal if you have a good sense of normal. Special note: if you sense something is amiss, turn down the stereo and listen!

 

SMELL, your nose can be your first indicator of impending doom.

 

Don’t ignore what you know, if there is something that need attention, get to it. Almost all of my on-the-road failures have been due to things I procrastinated on. Similarly, don’t make half-assed repairs, they will ALWAYS come back to bite you, and at the worst time. Emergences are excluded from the half-assed rule, but don’t let the roadside repair stand as permanent.

 

Take note of the tools you use when working on the car at home, take as many of then with you as is practical. Be careful using air tools and such in the shop, you may find yourself cursing that ½" drive impact gun when facing a stubborn lug nut or pulley bolt on the side of the road. Bring all the stuff GD mentioned plus a flashlight, manual, rags, some wire, duct tape, zip ties and a cell phone.

 

Have a good, REAL spare tire, a temp may be fine to get to the service station around the corner, but out on the highway 100 miles from anywhere it has no place.

 

Catastrophic failures are normally preceded buy ample warning.

Be prepared for what you can, deal the rest as it comes. And despite what some will tell you… Poop rarely just happens, its typically provoked.

Gary