backwoodsboy

Its funny you should say that...because I DO have hydro lifters, but I have gotten the distinct impression that the ea-81s wear out oil pumps around the 100k mark....and it is this lack of oil pressure that causes the hydro lifters to "go flat" slightly and click all the time. Am I right...or do I have some bad info?

Hi folks, I recently got me an 86 brat with 145k on it. Im lovin it...but I am also experiencing that famous old TICK OF DEATH:rolleyes: . Judging from my symptoms and searches of the board....I need a new oil pump . The local subie dealer has no clue :-\ ... but I have found complete oil pumps on the net at places such as Autohaus and Autopartspeople.com for 50 to 65 dollars. Is there any brands/vendors I should stay away from? Is there a rebuild kit avail for less $$ that would do the same job? Anybody have a part #? Thanks in advance!

Theyre comin man! ...but oil pump, brakes, and paint come 1st....then some tires & lift for sure!!

Well, Im not sure if its EXACTLY the same, but on my old '93 wagon, the rear wiper did the same thing. The motor itself was fine, but when the japanese build things, they usually do so with VERY tight tolerances. What Im trying to say is if you get even the smallest amount of rust in between the motor shaft and the tube it rides in....it will seize up, and bog that motor right down. I pulled mine apart, drilled it out ever so slightly (but not so much as to add slop to the shaft) and greased 'er good. Never again had a problem, and she's still goin today!

Im just outside of Oneonta, off I-88 exit 13 I think I talked to you a while ago?

Submitted for your approval, and with many MANY thanks to Jon (75 subie)..... MY NEW RIDE!! (shes lovin the country life!) 1986 Brat, 4spd EA-81

I have seen someone make one of these (just down the road from me actually -gotta get some pics!) out of 2 justys -emblems and everything! They look pretty cool!

Okay....just an off the wall story I gotta share. As we speak, I am currently looking into adding to my subaru fleet. Well, of course, I get the 10th degree "you dont need another one" "subarus dont last" blah blah blah. Well, we have an 83 gl wagon that has sat in our backyard since it failed inspection due to rust 13 years ago, and I never seem to live it down. Well..... subes ROCK, and I was gonna prove it. Drove out to the '83, popped the hood, hooked up the jumper cables, and primed the carb with gas. Sat down in the moldy drivers seat, and pushed the weeds aside to get my foot to the gas pedal. Turned 'er over and she started on the first try! You shoulda seen the looks on their faces:eek: There was nothing more to say.

THANK YOU GUYS!!! I just downloaded the file....awesome explanations of all things from A-Z ...I know I'm gonna put this one to good use:headbang:

We had a '92 loyale that used to leak water in the back, and through the floor.... We called it THE SWAMP WAGON. The carpet held it in big puddles and it wouldnt drain out. We finally drilled redneck drain holes in the floor, and ran 'er for years till death did we part.

WOW.... Youre tempting me.... I live 20 mins from new berlin (im in otsego county just off route 51) 700 bucks sounds like a rockin price... lemme sleep on it.:cool: U dont have a pic do you?

HEY MAN, Thanks for the quick info.... I'm runnin as we speak!

My fellow sube lovers, Down the road from me, theyre sellin a 1990 loyale wagon for 225.00! It runs with a good manual trans...but is suffering from rear strut rustout, and theyve come up through the rear floor.:-\ Im trying for a cheap baja wagon to jack up, and not really lookin for a parts car..... is there an easy fix for this kinda rustout? Should I buy it? Lemme know -John

Hello all, I know that this sounds too strange....but has anyone else out there had a problem with constant, unavoidable not-your-fault fender benders? My family has had subes for years and they always seemed to be getting into small ($1000 or less) mishaps with em. So I thought....ok....my folks are just bad drivers. Then I bought my OWN sube. -now, mind you, Id never had an accident in the 5 years before. :-\ So far, in the 2 years of ownership....Ive had 2 people back into me, a tree limb crush in my roof, another limb fall right in front of me and take out my front fog light and bumper cover, a horse kick in my fender, plus multiple dents and scrapes from.....well, you all get the idea. Since then, Ive met some other sube owners that complain of the same types of strange events! I wouldnt be so confused except all of us own other types of vehicles too....that are driven to all the same places....and never a scratch! Are we just cursed? Anybody got a story?

I agree....grew up in the snow belts of upstate ny. My wheel wells are ALWAYS packed with snow and ice....never had any damage....just that irritating sound of crunching -nothin to worry about in my experience.

sorry...double post:burnout:

Darian, Hey -John here. I have an '03 baja (should be identical) and I took my tailgate off for the fun of it. Here goes.... First you remove the inner plastic tailgate bedliner....(I think its 8 or 10 torx bolts) ...then you have to remove the hinge bolts for the tailgate (2 on each side) Then you remove the tailgate cables. You WILL need to cut the wire that leads to the lights for your tailgate. It is 2 wires together, and runs all the tailgate lamps (red running lights, and the plate lights) -You might want to put weatherproof connectors on both ends for easy re-assembly later....but not necessary- Anyways....once you cut that wire, you can lift your gate free. Obviously, to make 'er legal....youll have to fab a plate bracket (and hook your wires up to a light for it if youll drive @ night.) Heres a shot of mine all done....I think it gives it more of an off road look! Lemme know what u think.http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/medium/100_1261.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/medium/100_1270.JPG

Darian, Hey -John here. I have an '03 baja (should be identical) and I took my tailgate off for the fun of it. Here goes.... First you remove the inner plastic tailgate bedliner....(I think its 8 or 10 torx bolts) ...then you have to remove the hinge bolts for the tailgate (2 on each side) Then you remove the tailgate cables. You WILL need to cut the wire that leads to the lights for your tailgate. It is 2 wires together, and runs all the tailgate lamps (red running lights, and the plate lights) -You might want to put weatherproof connectors on both ends for easy re-assembly later....but not necessary- Anyways....once you cut that wire, you can lift your gate free. Obviously, to make 'er legal....youll have to fab a plate bracket (and hook your wires up to a light for it if youll drive @ night.) Heres a shot of mine all done....I think it gives it more of an off road look! Lemme know what u think.http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/medium/100_1261.JPG

Hey Derrick.... -John here. I'm near Oneonta, NY (exit 13 off I88) Nice to meet you too. I see a lot of subes around here....but few people on the board??? Nice to hear from an upstate ny'er!

Hello all. As a new member, I just wanted to officially say hi to everybody on the board, (lovin it!) and introduce myself. I come from a slightly redneck family filled with sube owners ....and grew up riding in my parent's old 83. I love my baja....and would love to say hey to any and all sube owners (especially in the upstate NY vicinity) I'm looking to get an allied lift when my taxes come back (hopefully) ....and will be doing all the offroading I can in the meantime with the limited clearance I have. Thanks for reading.... Lemme know!

I ran Firestone winterforce 225/60/16 last winter on my 03 BAJA and they were awesome!!! Good on road/off road. Also, I was wondering, for all you baja owners out there....have you ever used anything other than the stock tire size on your sube? I am looking to maybe go up ONE size (better off road tire availability)...but am unsure of clearance (doesnt look like much extra room to me) Any feedback?

Well, heres my attempt at "posing" with a baja....since I dont ever carry much in the bed during winter months, (and got a tailgate net real cheap) I thought Id be a little different and stash my tailgate in the basement till summer. I think im saving a little gas, and I sure do get a lot of looks. What'd yall think? :cool: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/medium/tailgate1.JPG

I think that every sube owner has there own cool rescue story......heres mine. One of my buddies had just purchased a new(er) heep wrangler, and he thought he was all big and bad. Always pickin on me and my sube.....sayin it has NO off road ability. Well, he just had to prove it to me I guess...and to make a long story short, he got it stuck WAY out there on the state land.....and I mean STUCK.....-all 4 wheels off the ground with the center skid plates up on a pile of mud- stuck. Well, after an hour of digging and pushing on it, and a couple hours walk back to civilization....we arrived at his house cold and tired. Not to fear, however......BAJA to the rescue! Threw a chain in the bed, and slid the hitch in, and we were ready to go! Drove BACK up into the state land......BACK through the SAME trails....the SAME mud.....you get the idea. Pulled his sorry jeep out with minimal tire spinning....and drove away with ALL the bragging rights!!!!!!

hey man, welcome! fellow baja owner here. (2003) arent they sweeet? keep us posted.

Hey....well, I am also new to the site, but I can sure tell you some things about MY baja! First of all....GREAT VEHICLE!!! I would say youve gotta get the 5 speed for the most power & versatility...but thats just me. Also, if you get the trailer hitch its worth it. Ive pulled everything from campers to hay wagons, (empty) .... and it always got the job done. If you arent hung up on lots of interior STORAGE room....and seating for 4 is OK....then you'll love it. I have a hinged lid tub strapped in the cargo bed of mine, which works good as a "trunk", and still leaves me room for plenty in the rest of the bed - especially with the bed extender! Bikes DO fit nicely if you turn the front wheel sideways. I never went anywhere without 'em all summer! The 2.5 liter IS a little underpowered, but you can make it work if you shift it right. The reliability has been great so far (almost 80K on mine now with nothing but prev. maint. work) Have been mudding with it a few times, and while its nothing like a fullsize truck, I havent been able to get it stuck yet! In short, a fun vehicle that'll turn heads, save gas, and take you all over the place.