RenaissanceMan

I'm in the middle of class right now, but I will post on my justy later today. -Mike

How much are you willing to spend? I know someone that has a bunch of ea81 parts and a big lathe. We could probably machine the heck out of one for you if you want a REALLY lightened flywheel -Mike

Ok guys, I talked with my boss and I can get you the strut cartriges at a slightly better than retail cost. $97 for a pair of sensa-trac cartriges, plus metric hardware stuff for around $2. If you want a pair made and you mail me a set of ea-81 4wd struts I will sell them for $160 ready to be shipped, bolt on. If you want me to go find and buy a set of used ea81 struts... then maybe more like $220 for a pair. As far as RX springs... those are kinda hard to find, but we can work something out if you want them. If anyone is interested. my email is renaissanceman132@go.com -Mike

People were yelling at me to slow down?? really? I dunno, I felt like I was going slow enough to not worry about breaking anything. So I will look into the cost of cartriges at work tomorrow, and come up with a price for you guys if you are seriously interested in having me make sets. As far as changing the ride height... yes... just a little bit. With RX springs on Id say I gained somewhere between 1/2 inch to 1 inch in the front. on the alignment machine I got about only 1 degree positive camber at the wheels, which for all intensive purposes, is ok by me. Thats not enough to create any signifigant tire wear. With regular EA81 springs I would guestimate the height to be pretty much the same as stock suspension. For performance, I dont know if jumping would be your main advantage with these without stiffer springs. The main advantages I noticed were in two situations. Going over whoop-de-doos these kick arse. Having that extra travel allows your suspension to oscillate more without also moving the whole dang car. The other circumstance is overall reach. on those narrow atv trails that we were all doing I think I was the only one that didnt have low gear except the impreza. pulling off some of that crazy angle stuff with open diffs proved to be quite a challenge, but just having that extra flex for the tires to reach the ground made things easier, when you have 1 tire up and 1 tire down, being able to pull forward, etc...

So what you do... Get a set of struts from an EA81 4wd... make a cut around the top of the strut and remove all the "guts".. rod, pistons.. etc... (everything) You get a set of strut cartriges from a 1973 VW superbeetle... 1973 and 73 only. they will be 8 inches of travel. Make some way of fastening the cartrige to the housing of the EA81 strut. (I made some flanges w/ bolts, they work top notch) The strut mount at the top will have to be drilled out because the new cartrige doesnt have a flat on the threads. You also need 4 14mm washers to use as spacers in order to tighten the nut down properly (the only way to tighten down this nut btw, is by holding the rod with a rag and using an impact gun.) For springs I just use the RX ones cause they are stiffer. to mount them up to the Gen 1 spindles you just need to cut off that tabby deal thing that the bolt goes thru, and move it over (I tacked it in place with the strut in the spindle) Finish up the weld and there ya go.. (Please keep this weld cold, lay a bet then drench it in water so it doesnt ruin your new cartrige you have in there) http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/000_0023.jpg http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/000_0028.jpg On an EA81 with stock height, the suspension does not stretch enough for the extra 3 inches. HOWEVER, a GEN 1 brat or wagon will fit these with a little persuasion. I'm thinking if you guys want me to make these, I can.

F-R-E-E

OK Guys, http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/100_0624.jpg http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/100_0623.jpg http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/100_0622.jpg http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/100_0621.jpg http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/100_0619.jpg http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/100_0618.jpg http://usmb.net/albums/albuo68/100_0615.jpg So the total round trip came to 800 miles. The trip being uneventfull would have been too easy. About 90 miles north of Sacramento, The tread on the rear wheels (which were riding on the road) separated and the belts fell apart, and all kinds of bad nasty stuff. RIGHT as my friend sam and I finished passing a Semi, The car started oscillating back and forth across the lane, till the point where it was flying around all over the place taking up both lanes & the shoulder (I-5) on the freeway. SCARY AS HELL. Because his truck was so heavy the rear end stayed mostly put and we were able to ease the truck, dolly, car and all to a stop on the shoulder. Getting out to asses the damage to find the rear tires on the wagon missing half the tread, the force had broken one of the dolly wheel straps. :-\ Luckily it was the one side that had 2 length hooks on it, so we just wrapped it back around the rest of it, and hooked both hooks to the dolly. For the wheels I had planned ahead and had an extra pair that I brought up that were from my brat. Nothing was damaged and no one was hurt thank goodness. (later when I looked at the hitch pin I noticed it had a gouge in it from the force the trailer had pulled on it). In Stockton we stopped at a gas station to get some water and use the can. Some lady followed us off the offramp into the gas station and was asking if we wanted to sell the car, and thought it was a Ford pinto wagon. First of all, arent Pinto wagons 2 door? and second of all, I told her I just got the thing. That lady was kinda creepy... Seemed a little too interested in either the car, sam, or myself. Other than that, the trip seemed to go smoothly. When we were up in hamilton city picking it up, all I had to do was connect the battery, and turn the key. The car fired right up. I was able to drive it right onto the dolly. After sitting since 1996-97, only a subaru could pull something like that off. (granted it didnt run WELL, but it RAN) -Mike

Funny I have been called a lot of things in my life. Chump is a new one for me. So anyway, ya I am back down in Atascadero, CA. Wreaking havoc on the locals and driving my justy like I stole it. My 78 brat needs a radiator which I have been waiting for because I blew up the old one out on the dunes. The important part is that it drove off the beach.. Didnt get stuck or nuthin like the rednecks that come here and break their trucks.

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know I went and got the 77 wagon today that was up in Hamilton City, California, near Chico. 6 hours up, 7 hours back. The amazing part is that it just fired right up and I was able to drive it on to the dolly. Pics tomorrow, its too darn late right now and I got work in the AM. -Mike

Greg, just eyeball it like you saw on mine. -Mike

The old chiltons manual for everything subaru from 1970 to 1988 has info on the justy. Once you start working on them you learn there really isnt much that needs to be looked up. everything is just so darn simple on these vehicles. Otherwise the only other thing I know of is buying one of those $10 cd's from ebay that has the manual for it. -Mike

The strongest drill bits commonly available right now are "Cobalt". Vermont American, Bosch, & Dewalt all make these bits I believe.. I have NEVER dulled a cobalt drill bit. Though I did break one once.

If its too much of a pain, dont worry about the fenders, It will just be more motivation for me to make fiberglass ones or something. Thanks tho -Mike

with only 16 miles on it?? OMG! that engine hasnt even broken in yet. If you restore that thing it will be worth a fortune. (in subaru value retrospect)

Volkswagons were common for having the problem of the studs that held the cylinders/heads on stripping out, so the aftermarket solution was to put in these threaded bushings very similar to a helicoil only solid, I think they were only 10 mm inside and 12 mm outside tho.

On mine the two are pretty close, I would check the motor mounts and rear tranny mounts. If the powertrain is out of position it will be rubbing that column shaft/flange/steering dampener -Mike

Ok thanks for looking, I'll have to find one locally -Mike

Uncoolperson, So I have a desperate update for parts I need. So I was out on the sand dunes again and cracked my brand new radiator.. IS the radiator still up for grabs? I REALLY REALLY want it if it is (and it holds water of course) also I am still interested in those fenders if they are in decent shape. -Mike Let me know how much for shipping to California, 93422

Dood!! glad to hear you went and looked at the brat and got some stuff from it. How are the fenders??? I really really really want a set of decent fenders. Dents are ok as long as its not rusted to all heck. I dont know when the next time I'll be in bellingham will be, but I'll definately compensate your time for shipping them if they are good. -Mike

OK Brian, tell me when and I'll drive my brat up with ya to alaska... (maybe I should fix the clogged heater core before I attempt that) -Mike

Ok so I just did some calculating out and my round trip total will be 2530 miles... in a GEN 1 BRAT. But I guess it doesnt really count cause I went all the way up to Bellingham, and Mount Baker and stuff... and back down along california 101 on the coast. if you took all that out and just had my distance from atascadero, ca to shelton, wa... it would be somewhat more like 1900 ish.. -Mike

Has anyone noticed that the timing cover on that is the EXACT same one that goes on the EF12 justy motor... gets me thinkin.... this motor is awesome... -Mike

What??? Like you mean hydraulic lifters?? if thats what you mean... no. There are 2 different styles that I have seen over the years of ea82's, but they are interchangeable

Just me, coming from Bellingham, (Well actually from california, but its been a long trip) In my brat...which amazingly made it this far.

I put XT seats in my 84subaru wagon with a little creativity and a little welding. Theres no reason it shouldent work for a wider later model, or a brat. -Mike