1982gl4 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 After the loss of my last brat, I've been looking for a solid replacement. Well a couple weeks ago my sister moved to portland and my parents took her out there, and while they were out there I contacted a forum member and arranged for them to bring home a new brat! Yesterday morning they arrived with it and I got my first look at it besides in photos, this thing is super solid, no rust which is all I care about, everything else I can fix. Ever since it arrived I have been working non stop (when I'm not actually at work) Last night I swapped on my alloys, changed the oil, I fixed the fuel pump wiring... and installed a new pump, and tonight new headlights, swapped my weber off my old wagon, it runs and sounds great (first time I have heard one of these cars with a mostly stock exhaust as they have all been rotted off when I purchase them) something is up with the clutch hopefully going to looking into that tomorrow and change the remaining fluids. Anyway, my plans are to keep this one pretty stock. I loved the ej swap, and coil overs and all the other stuff I had done to my last brat, but it took away some of the charm. I should be updating this pretty frequently as I'm working on it a lot right now! First photo my parents sent me. In South Dakota Home next to the ej swapped bus... Alloys off my old wagon (need to swap tires over, but these hold air) Swapped the headlights for some new ones I forgot to take photos of the weber, but I'm pretty sure everyone on here knows what that looks like haha. Still have some other parts off my old brat to swap over too... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbosubarubrat Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Glad you picked the old girl up i know you will take care of her. It originally came from the Gorge in Oregon if i remember right it was bought from The Dallas Subaru. A orchard farmer who was the first owner bought it and used it as a truck out toward Odell. It a sat a couple years ago since he couldn't drive anymore because of age besides his son using it for hauling fire wood. One time when he went to drive it, it started smoking bad so he brought it to his mechanic. This mechanic told him it needed a new engine so it sat at the shop for a year before going on craigslist where i found it. I bought for $350 put a battery in it, dumped a little fuel down the carb, and it start right up no problems. The only thing i found that caused the engine to smoke was the side plug on the radiator broke off which i just replaced with a bolt. That was only thing i found wrong with otherwise a road worthy brat besides a few minor things. Once i fixed it up i sold it to monstaru(Brian) who owned it a couple years and passed it on to you. Here's my facebook album on it https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.479459422189201.1073741839.100003754435547&type=3 Here's the old thread on it all pic links died but are the same as above http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/147552-1982-brat-350score/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982gl4 Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 I knew you had owned it at one point, I saw the photos linked to Facebook in Brian's for sale thread. I saw the radiator plug fix, seems to be holding up well! Engine seems great, I have no intentions of taking it out, I may be delating some more emissions stuff, but other than that its staying pretty much the way it is, It may get some new paint this winter however. Thanks for the little history run down, I always like to know where they come. I can't believe how solid this thing is. I was joking with my dad that I have never seen one of these cars with the factory rocker panels still intact. Its so nice to have one of these actually worth fixing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subarubrat Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 It looks GREAT! I would not be surprised if we are under 100 rust free Brats left, very good to see another great example on the road! I was talking with IloveDirt a few weeks ago and we both thought it was fantastic that these trucks are generating the same wow factor with the general public as they have had for us all this time! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbosubarubrat Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Its so nice i'm sad i sold it, but i needed money at the time for other projects and more cars. With out selling it i wouldn't have my 86 hatchback. If i kept it i would of defiantly taken off the hitachi with all the emission stuff. Besides the egr and cat then add a weber to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982gl4 Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 It looks GREAT! I would not be surprised if we are under 100 rust free Brats left, very good to see another great example on the road! I was talking with IloveDirt a few weeks ago and we both thought it was fantastic that these trucks are generating the same wow factor with the general public as they have had for us all this time! Its unreal how solid it is. And I agree the number of them left is probably pretty small. Everyone that has stopped into the shop has asked me about it while its around, its something you never see here. Its so nice i'm sad i sold it, but i needed money at the time for other projects and more cars. With out selling it i wouldn't have my 86 hatchback. If i kept it i would of defiantly taken off the hitachi with all the emission stuff. Besides the egr and cat then add a weber to it. I hear you, I've been in those same sort of situations. Got to let some go to make the other ones complete. Thats how I have it set up right now, cat and egr are still in place, and the weber is installed. Today I worked on this for a few hours after work. Replaced the heater fan, it was stuck. After I got the new fan back in however it still didn't run, turns out it had a bad ground at the switch. Added a new one, and everything works as it should. I also installed the rear seats, I welded nuts to the bottom side of the bed so I can remove them whenever I need to, not that I ever had to take them out of my last one, but I like the option. Up next I fitted the A bar from my last brat, surprisingly it survived the accident mostly intact, both fog lights broke, I modified it some to fit the 82 bumper, where it bolted on is just slightly different. Heater fan out of my 82 wagon (now a parts car) Weber installed, put my air cleaner I cut up to fit a weber, haven't decided if I like the paint, or if I'm going back to the stock color with this one. I had it on my wagon which was more fitting. Bits off from old blue Fully installed Starting to look pretty good! Clutch tomorrow... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dielinde Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Very cool car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88HatchMonster Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Way to go!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982gl4 Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Thanks guys really enjoying it so far. Tonight I worked on the clutch. That went pretty well, turns out it was new, just the disc had been installed backwards so I didn't even have to use the new one I had purchased. While I was doing the clutch work I replaced the trans mounts as the old ones were very weak/broken. Still needs some work, but it is drivable! And it even made it from work to home! Feels like the alignment is way out, steering wheel is off center, and it acts kind of twitchy to me. Also needs a ball joint, rear shocks. Fuel gage doesn't work all the time. The trans is weak as well, first and second synchros are weak and grind while downshifting. If I had know this I would have swapped in the other four speed out of my old brat, this winter I'll probably swap in a 5 speed d/r I have anyway, just need to find a driveshaft for it... Anyway its insured and registered as of today, forgot to put my temp plate on tonight, real plates should come in a while had special ones made up for it can't wait to get them! More work to come Filling up tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982gl4 Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 Got a lot more work done to this over the last few days. After my first ride home I decided it need an alignment really badly, glad I did it was way out, the rf tie rod end was slightly bent, I just adjusted it out for now, all seems good. Replaced the lf ball joint that had a small amount of play, swapped over the tires off from my wagon, cleaned the interior, swapped the kyb shocks off from my old brat, and ordered all the brake stuff, (going to be swapping it to vented fronts) also ordered sway bar bushings. I tried to take it to a car show, the fuel pump started to give me trouble (leaving me stranded on the side of the highway) I was able to bypass the relay on the side of the road, and smack it with a set of pliers I had. It was enough to get it going, luckily I made it home, grabbed the rx7 and took that to the show... Tonight I was able to swap out the fuel pump with one off from my old wagon, pretty rusty but it works well so no complaints. Turns out there was a couple more issues with it. First off I had a bad connection, that was easy fixed with a new connector. The other was the pre filter I took it off to inspect it, and it rattled. It had sugar in it. I would assume its been in there a while, the filter looked old, and I drained the bottom off the tank with no other signs of sugar so fingers crossed no more fuel pump issues... Interior to start with... yes thats an original bed carpet. Interior after swapping wagon carpets, and some trim over. still need to find a correctly colored radio surround that hasn't been cut... Also put a set of ea82 floor mats in Alignment before hard to tell but the right side was way out. after Also turned 150k! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 I know I have a few Tan consoles, have to see what shape they're in. Let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el_freddo Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Nice Brumby/BRAT - and a targa too! Love them! I've been driving my mother inlaw's for the last week and it's made me really miss mine Look after it, they're a piece of motoring history, even if it's not obvious to everyone!! Cheers Bennie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I have 2 radio surrounds, no radio in either. 1 missing the cubby. Will get pics if you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982gl4 Posted September 27, 2016 Author Share Posted September 27, 2016 I have 2 radio surrounds, no radio in either. 1 missing the cubby. Will get pics if you want. Either one would be fine, I have a factory tape deck, and a good radio to install, however, I'm going to hold off for a bit, I purchased a parts hatch sight unseen, with a tan interior, sounds super rough, but has super low milage... If that one is no good you will be hearing from me! As for updates Recently replaced the rear brakes, the factory shoes where nearly missing. Installed new wheel cylinders at the same time. Also found the rear brake hose have some pretty significant dry rotting. So called subaru again, I should have all 4 hoses by next week. I also installed new front pads, I was trying to do a vented front disc swap, but the calipers off from my old brat had seized up from sitting, so for now the pads will do, I may do the swap this winter. And I also found time to fix the dome light. The connectors under the carpet had corroded off from the end of the wires, took the door switches out of my old wagon and its working perfectly, I actually swapped the light over as well as it was in much better shape. Up next I need to address some of the oil leaks, valve cover gaskets for sure, and maybe an oil pump reseal by the looks of things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstaru Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 I am glad she is in good hands. I had full intentions to make her better, but alas life is rough sometimes. Sugar in the tank,hrrm. People have fucked with that car since I owned it. It makes since that the connection was bad at the fuel pump. I didn't get that far. Seriously! The disc was in backwards?!!jesus man. I must have been in a rush on that one. I could use to do an EA clutch in my sleep, evidently short on time in a rush does not help. Didn't get that far on that one either , because of the fuel pump going out.lol Once again, hope you are happy, and sorry about the damn clutch.lol cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvdrt Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Awesome Brat, and a great canvass to start with. I looked for almost 10 years before I found mine. I am almost scared to relocate it to the East Coast in the next few years. I guess Ill just preserve it every winter and stay away from the beaches. It has no rust anywhere, even the unpainted bed sides under the access panels are rust free. I take her off road, but mostly just down forest service access roads, nothing crazy. That will also come to an end once I move. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982gl4 Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 I am glad she is in good hands. I had full intentions to make her better, but alas life is rough sometimes. Sugar in the tank,hrrm. People have fucked with that car since I owned it. It makes since that the connection was bad at the fuel pump. I didn't get that far. Seriously! The disc was in backwards?!!jesus man. I must have been in a rush on that one. I could use to do an EA clutch in my sleep, evidently short on time in a rush does not help. Didn't get that far on that one either , because of the fuel pump going out.lol Once again, hope you are happy, and sorry about the damn clutch.lol cheers I honestly think the sugar had been in there a while, I'm thinking probably before you ever owned it, the fuel filter looked pretty old, not worried about it as its been running and driving great the last few weeks! No worries on the clutch, it happens easy fix, and I didn't have to buy a new one which was a bonus. And I am indeed very happy with it! Awesome Brat, and a great canvass to start with. I looked for almost 10 years before I found mine. I am almost scared to relocate it to the East Coast in the next few years. I guess Ill just preserve it every winter and stay away from the beaches. It has no rust anywhere, even the unpainted bed sides under the access panels are rust free. I take her off road, but mostly just down forest service access roads, nothing crazy. That will also come to an end once I move. Thanks! I really like your brat as well, its extremely well done. It really makes me want to lift mine, but I know how that road starts, and it never ends, it won't take me long to want to ej it and all sorts of other stuff. I think its best I keep it stock. Dealing with the northeast is a constant battle. I'm putting it up for the winter in a week or so. I may get some nice drives in, but snow is already in the forecast so the winter beater is out, and getting prepped. The brat will be staying in the garage all winter along with the legacy, rx7, and bus... Anyway here are some photos I have taken over the last couple of weeks. I plan on working on this some this winter, hopefully a repaint, but we will see, and I'll be rebuilding the 5 speed D/r I have to swap in before next summer, thinking I may swap in my 82 wagons engine that I just resealed as this one not only leaks oil, but it seems to burn a lot of it as well, thinking it probably has a stuck ring, or best case valve seals, I know the other engine runs great, and uses no oil so I think its the safer bet. The wagon's getting some upgrades this winter hopefully.... Oh forgot to post this as well, my new plates came in! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982gl4 Posted May 30, 2022 Author Share Posted May 30, 2022 (edited) Bump from the absolute dead. This car spent 5? years in body shop limbo. Last fall it was painted and I was able to get it back together enough to drive around. I felt like I should update this as I've been driving it a small amount and finally enjoying it. The paint is killer, It gets looks and complements everywhere I take it. I'm doing some mechanical repairs this summer, and I'm having a spare set of seats reupholstered. Overall its really close to where I want it now. Last year I found a crack free dash and installed that. I've also been using up my nos Subaru stash I've been collecting. This has receved new struts, many seals, and bushings, and brake parts, It feels great to be back in a Brat. Edited May 30, 2022 by 1982gl4 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grennick Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Good update about that nice ride. Is it me or the latest photos aren't working? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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