BRAT Sandrail
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:09 pm
Hello!
I received a poor condition 1978 Subaru Brat recently..
It took me an entire day just to vacuum out all the packrat debris from the engine bay alone (You could not even see the engine!).
It has been sitting in the harsh High Desert of California for 20 years, unattended, no windows (Passenger window is there, but wasn't rolled up. All other windows smashed out!) or gas cap.
So.. Looking at this dented old hunk of metal, I was at a loss with what to do with it. I made a reasonable effort (Flushed gas tank and filler line, flushes gas line, replaced filter, oil change, dissassembled and cleaned carb) to get it started-and it started right up! WOW!!
As I examined it more, I found that it had an advanced independant suspesnion, both front and rear.. I like the small 4 banger for gas mileage..
So a still small voice inside me said one day-weld a tube frame for it and make it an AWD sandrail.
I am going to make it a plated sandrail, which means I can also drive it on the highway. I plan on using the Subaru driveline in it's entirety, but with my own "body".
I keep reading online that this powertrain is advanced, even compared to some vehicles today.
How is this so? Does it use limited slip differentials? I do like the 4wd on the fly transfer case, that is a plus.
Anything you guys can tell me about this vehicle is appreciated!
I received a poor condition 1978 Subaru Brat recently..
It took me an entire day just to vacuum out all the packrat debris from the engine bay alone (You could not even see the engine!).
It has been sitting in the harsh High Desert of California for 20 years, unattended, no windows (Passenger window is there, but wasn't rolled up. All other windows smashed out!) or gas cap.
So.. Looking at this dented old hunk of metal, I was at a loss with what to do with it. I made a reasonable effort (Flushed gas tank and filler line, flushes gas line, replaced filter, oil change, dissassembled and cleaned carb) to get it started-and it started right up! WOW!!
As I examined it more, I found that it had an advanced independant suspesnion, both front and rear.. I like the small 4 banger for gas mileage..
So a still small voice inside me said one day-weld a tube frame for it and make it an AWD sandrail.
I am going to make it a plated sandrail, which means I can also drive it on the highway. I plan on using the Subaru driveline in it's entirety, but with my own "body".
I keep reading online that this powertrain is advanced, even compared to some vehicles today.
How is this so? Does it use limited slip differentials? I do like the 4wd on the fly transfer case, that is a plus.
Anything you guys can tell me about this vehicle is appreciated!