Born_a_Brat

What newer seats will fit into my 85 Brat without modification (or without MUCH work? Also, my Tranny keeps slipping out of 3rd gear unless i put it into 3rd just right...feels like syncros are worn...where can i find a used tranny and how can i tell if it's any good before i put it in? Are there places to find re-built trannys? Since it drives great and never pops out by itself...is it worth dealing with it now? I assume it will get worse and worse so i'd really like to take care of it...but without spending a bunch of cash. This is 2WD/4WD with high and low range.

Please contact me re: this Brat. I have cash and will be in your area soon. Let's talk. marty

Looks like it may have been in a minor accident then pounded out prior to the current paint job. Anyone near me know where i can find a pristine replacement hood? thanks

I spoke with the guy....He was not in a mood to discuss details, but i would really like to know how he got 140 horses....and what has been done to it so far.I hope someone can get the story for all of us here. I tried to trade him my 48 suburban...but he wasn't interested.

Saw a little 360 two cylinder van listed for sale near me, wondering if anyone here has experience with this, or has any info. Are parts available? In good condition with 70,000 miles...whats it worth?

I was mis-remembering...it IS an 84. The guy claims no rust, good body, pretty good interior. It's an automatic with Air that may or may not be working. What is this worth?

I found an 87 turbo Brat. A mechanic friend tells me an older turbo Suburu with a head gasket leak (this one has water out the tail pipe but not in the oil yet) can be a real problem. He says all the turbos blow their gaskets when they get hot, and almost all of them crack the heads. Is this true? I want to purchase this Brat...but not if i will have to install a non-turbo engine. How tough is it to install a newer turbo, or at least a higher horsepower fuel injected motor?

Ok, My '85 brat has bald front tires, so...Does anyone know of an agressive 13 inch tire? I realize I'm not going to find serious knobby rock climbing mud swimming high performance rubber...but, as long as i am replacing tires, I'd like to get the best traction I can. I've heard i could get Pugeot 14" or 15" wheels, but then i think i'd need 4 of them, and then to purchase 4 tires, and then maybe need a lift kit or be out there with my sawzall trimming the fenders. For now, it would just be so much easier to find agressive 13" tires. I am using my Brat as a giant motorized wheelbarrow on steep muddy trails around my place. It just isn't cutting it to have to gun it up the steep stuff with spinning tires and a lot of sliding. thanks

WHAT is a 3rd eye? Does my '85 Brat have one??

Noah...I may need to get from Sacramento to Seattle, might be purchasing a Subie there and driving it back...any chance of getting a ride? You'll pass right through here on I-5. Marty 530-295-3769

has anyone done this? I have access to a motor and tranny from a xt6. OK...for those of us who know less than the rest of you, how large is that engine? horsepower? how difficult is this conversion? Any benefits other than more power? do mounts need to be changed? Thanks (got an 85 Brat)

Just off the phone with Les Schwab...they make a ribbed tractor tire in a 13"...the tires are not legal for pavement (he said they will not dissipate heat and will explode at higher speeds) Has anyone experimented with these tires off road? They make some VERY agressive tires that would go on the front of a 4-WD tractor. He said you'd need a lift kit and/or some fender modification to fit them on a brat.

I would be interested, but i am in california with all the smog requirements. I'd love to have 40 MPG. What color? any recent work done on it? Would it make the drive to Sacramento? Good Glass? Any pending major repairs? marty

I've got an '85 Brat with miles and miles of smog tube spagetti!...is there a California smog legal carb that will boost power? Not sure which engine I have, since it was replaced with an Attarco from Japan. I've heard i could put in a newer, larger, fuel injected engine if i am willing to suffer through the installation of a wiring harness and computer...but i am thinking the "Smog Police" would make this an un-do-able and expensive nightmare....any opinions? Another issue is a loss of power running up hill at high RPMs. It feels fuel starved, caughs and bucks, but is fine as soon as i back off on the throttle. I've been told the fuel pump will either work or fail, but not cause these symptoms. I have been told the Brat has 2 fuel filters, and that the rear one by the gas tank often is overlooked and has probably not been changed in years. Anyone familiar with this? Thanks

What are the main differences between Gen1 and Gen 2 Brats? I have just purchased an '85 Brat, and it seems to have a fuel shortage problem at high RPM when under a load (up hills). Some say the Brat has 2 fuel filters and that often the rear one by the gas tank never gets changed out. Anyone know about this? The thing runs great on the flat or downhill....and only has 40,000 miles on an Attarco import installed last year. thanks