SubiPilot

Hmmm... I've had my mechanic look at the Subi and we found some holes in the frame crossmember he said we could mount something to, or perhaps even attach to the tie-down hooks... was gonna run it under the bumper. The mounting tube has the tongue that fits into the receiver. The tube would go in front of the bumper to hold the pole. Would prefer not to cut anything if possible. On this site there are some pics of solutions people have found to mounting this on smaller cars if anyone is curious. Scroll down about mid-page. http://pilotpole.com Thanks, Mal

OH... no.. sorry.. I should've posted a pic. A high pole set up on a pilot car is essentially mounting a pole on the front in order to check low clearances... no towing involved. Similar to this pic: The max weight the receiver hitch would hold is 10 lbs. which is just the weight of the pole itself. Thanks, Mal

Howdy folks, I'm in process of trying to get Subi3 back on the road working again once I have my new CCR motor fully broken-in, and was wanting to install some sort of a mount for a high pole set up. Several people have suggested I install a front receiver hitch as I can readily get everything else I need for the set up to fit a 1 1/4" or a 2" receiver hitch...anyone every done this or know if the hitch made for the rear will fit the front? The pole itself only weighs ten pounds, my mechanic cautioned me that some Subis air bags deployed if the tie-down hooks hit the ground... is this something I should worry about? Any advice or suggestions are much appreciated. Mal

Thanks for the replies! I've got a motor on order from the good folks at CCR. I'm relieved actually, I had dreaded the thought of finding another good quality wagon and then setting it up for escort duty. Thanks again, Mal pilotcar.tv

Thanks Gary, I really appreciate your input. Having spent the past few days researching remanufactured motors I feel confident CCR is the best choice. I also did some searching for used motors in my area and wasn't too impressed... seemed many were over 100k miles (some even NOT TESTED) or just way too expensive for a used motor ($1800). To top it all off, the used car dealer/subi graveyard where I bought Subi 3 has the most motors in my area. I even saw they have a wagon similar to mine advertised, 'new motor, new clutch'..making me wonder if it isn't the same thing all over again. LOL Once I'm done with Subi 3 with the new CCR motor and components I feel confident I'll have something I can put to work. My mechanic suggested I go with a fully prepped motor too, partly because I think it makes his job easier. LOL I'll be chatting with the good folks at CCR Monday. Thanks again, Mal pilotcar.tv p.s. my philosopy with vehicle maintenance is, "Not fixing the small problems is the cause of big problems". Subi 3 has already been gone thru and many of the additional things you've mentioned have already been repaired.

Thanks Gary, for some reason after having a used motor die on me I'm shying away from used aka mystery motor, and was considering going with a remanufactured motor that has a warranty. I can find another wagon for what the remanufactured motor would cost me...but then I have to repair and prepare it for pilot car duty...which is a pain in itself LOL Subi 3 has a good body and chassis and is fully set up to work...she's got leather interior too which is hard to find. I'll have to weigh costs/benefits and decide soon. Thanks, Mal pilotcar.tv

Howdy folks, Well it's come the time when I need to replace the motor on Subi 3. On my post http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?p=795083#post795083 I had oil light issues but now it's a moot point. I need to replace the motor and was wondering what the recommendations of the forum were. I've read good things about CCR but always like to check out my options. Any advice is most appreciated. Mal pilotcar.tv

Thanks for all the replies... but it's a done matter now. Subi 3's motor gave up the ghost Feb 5. Oil levels were fine, I'd added some Lucas to hopefully help with oil pressure, but at the beginning of the second day on a run from Warwick RI to PA after a painful grinding sound it died. When I had purchased Subi 3 it had a used motor in it that supposedly only had 100k miles. Now it's dead at 140k. My mechanic is suspicious that it really only had 100k miles on it to begin with... oh well. I find it interesting since Subi 2 was purchased with 140k miles on it and now over 2 years later has 287, 600 and aside from parts rusting apart (MA car and they love road salt) she's still running like a bear. So now on to my next problem... replacing the motor. Any advice is most appreciated. Mal pilotcar.tv

Howdy Dave, The motor now has 134k on it, got it with 100k on the motor... seemed to occasionally flash the oil light when I first got the wagon (but rarely), which got progressively worse before I had the oil pump work done. When they tested it they found low oil pressure which led them to believe it was the oil pump. It seemed fine for awhile after the work, but then started again...when I took it in for the last oil change the light wouldn't go out and there was a tapping...the light eventually went out. Next day fine, no issues, no light no tapping. Now it's starting to become more frequent again...2k miles after the last oil change. Mal

Thanks nipper will do that. I'm using Amsoil 5W30 so I don't think the oil viscosity is an issue, it's also got a new alternator... sorta suspect bad bearings myself. I'll have my shop run the tests for me...thanks again. Mal

Howdy, I'm running a '96 Legacy L wagon with a used motor. All seals were done on the motor, water pump etc... and after I had an issue with the oil light coming on I replaced the oil pump and sensors and some of the rollers for the timing belt that weren't rolliing freely. All seemed fine for a little bit, but now the oil light won't go out until the car is fully warmed up. Occasionally the oil light will flicker, or come on when I'm slowing down and push the clutch in. At crusing rpm no light, just seems to come on when I depress the clutch and the engine speed drops. No strange noises and the car seems to be running fine other than the oil light. When the light comes on if I rev the motor it goes out... then back on as the rpm drops... then out again once it's idling. Any ideas? Thanks, Mal

CONGRATS! 300k is a good milestone... nearly there with Subi 2 a '97 with 285k and still working every day, original motor and tranny altho I had to replace a driveshaft. Got Subi 3 a '96 in March this year with 165k on the chasis and 100k motor... 23k on it so far this year. Just located Subi 4 a '99 Brighton with only 83k. Looking at getting at least 300k out of each before retirement... maybe more.

OOOPS:confused:

Just found a nice Brighton wagon with 83k miles for only $2k. Need to install a roof rack so we can put it to work. Any tips or tricks we should consider when installing it?

Just found a nice Brighton wagon with 83k miles for only $2k. Need to install a roof rack so we can put it to work. Any tips or tricks we should consider when installing it?

CBs are part of the required equipment for my work... have Cobra 29 NW LTDs in both... Subi 2 - Cobra 29 LTD WX NW ST peaked and tuned with Galaxy finals, and a Wilson 5000 mounted on the rear just behind the crossmember of the roof rack. Subi 3 - Cobra 29 LTD NW ST (no WX 'cos I can't hear the CB during a weather alert) peaked and tuned by Clay's Radio Shop from TX with a noise filter and a green light for the meter. Wilson 1000 with the loaded whip (shipping on the long whip is as much as the whole damn antenna) mounted same location as above. I'll take some pics as I have each mounted differently. I use Turner Roadking RK 56 mics for each.

Has anyone tried mounting a JottoDesk or RAM mount in a Legacy wagon? No one makes anything specifically for the Legacy wagons but both RAM and JottoDesk have universal no holes models that they claim will work...anyone try either yet, or find a better solution? Thanks, Mal

Thanks for the replies. yup John... figured this out on my own... also discovered that if I make sure the laptop is good and charged it's less likely... I've been able to manage so far but am thinking of hooking up some cams to my laptop for some life-casting video and wasn't sure how much more power I'm gonna need... Working in NYC in the middle of winter at night it's hard not to use the blower or heater, lights I'm required to have on while working. Haven't decided if I'm gonna try this one out yet or not... but it's only $90 more after core refund than what my local shop charged me for a brand new standard output alternator. Mal

Well???? EVOthis did you go for it? I'd really like to know since I have a need for more juice as well... While working I'm running my lightbar, CB, lights and if I have my lappy with me an inverter too powering my lappy and possibly recharging my cellphone. At idle my inverter beeps at me. Any new info would be great. Thanks, Mal

My Subi 2 (97 Legacy L wagon) is at 273,500 and still working every day... bought it just over two years ago with 140k on it. My original goal was 300k but now I'm hoping for 350k. Original motor and tranny (5MT)... been using Amsoil since 140k miles. Mal

Howdy thanks for the replies! Subis are great for this line of work... really can't complain. You kinda have to be a self-starter to get into the oversize load escorting field... easy enough to start but hard to keep busy until you get a client base. Email me if you're interested in learning more and I'll send some links. YUP... Subi 2 (270k) has the original motor and trans, altho I did have to replace a driveshaft this past year (worn out U Joint). I run Amsoil 5W30 in both and both are Manual Trans. Malcom Black Patriot Certified Pilot Cars LLC http://PatriotCPC.com

Well it may not be a big fleet, but at least I have more than one. hehe Subi 2 (background) 1997 Legacy L, 270k, Subi 3 (foreground) 1996 Legacy L, 165k chasis, 100k on motor. Malcom Black Patriot Certified Pilot Cars LLC http://PatriotCPC.com

Howdy folks! Now that I've found the forum again I wanted to post an update. It's now been 2 years and 125k since I replaced the radiator, thermo and cap and still no probs.... 265k on my Subi now and still running strong! No further issues with temp or headgasket. This board ROCKS! Subarus are the ultimate vehicle for pilot car work IMHO! Malcom Black Patriot Certified Pilot Cars LLC Sandy Hook, CT info@PatriotCPC.com http://PatriotCPC.com

Howdy group...been away for a year and a half and great to be back! I guess I missed the move and couldn't remember which email addy I used... then today I get a Happy Birthday wish from Shawn and I'm back! Glad to be back as this is one of the best (friendliest, most informative) Subaru forums I have found! Malcom Black Patriot Certified Pilot Cars LLC Sandy Hook, CT info@PatriotCPC.com http://PatriotCPC.com

A buddy of mine offered me his alloys off his 94 GT wagon that got munched in a wreck. Would these fit my 97 Legacy wagon? Got 4 brand new Michelins on em. Thanks, Mal