s'ko

Fosters and Columbia

Relay is there to prevent the switch from frying. There is a wiring diagram in this site http://www.carcentral.net/content/guides/HowToInstallAuxiliaryLights.php I love Google BW

Here is a really good site in regards to what is legal in California. http://www.sidekickoffroad.com/offroadlites.htm I have found some good deals through Harbor Freight. I took a pair of these http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3029 and put them above my cab where the headrest mounts go. After reading the Ca rules about aux lights being between 12-42 inches, I may need to re-mount them. The Harborfreight kit should come w/a a set of wires to use. BW

How many of up have started out that way... w/a "parts car"? BW

I just found out about a site called techinfo.subaru.com They have the factory service manuals for all subarus from 1993 to present. The cost is 19.95 for a 72 hour download right. The limit is you can only download 20 docs an hour. So far I have the complete wiring diagrams for my 2k OBS. BW

the last set of tires I bought was from America's Tire. They were the Roadhugger tires. Spent 40 bucks each for them. They are incredible. Handled a lot better than the stock BF's that my OBS came with. I currently have a set of 2002 WRX wheels w/Blow-tenza tires. They are horrible. I can't wait to smoke them so I can justify getting a better set BW

That would make the shifter shorter but not change the leverage. A short throw shifter moves the shift linkage connecting point so that it takes less travel of the shifter to change gears. It makes a huge difference in the crispness of shifting.

I also got mine from E-bay about 2 years ago. It was less than 30 bucks total. took my 30 mins to put in and haven't had any problems with it. IMO get the cheaper one. The concept of a short throw shifter and I don't see the advantage of paying more for a "name brand" shifter. BW

HEre is the problem. I had a CEL from cleaning my car. Went to Autozone to get the OBD II code and it ends up being a loose fuel cap. I turn the engine on and the CEL goes out. . I go to pull out of Autozone. Look left, look right and then I look at my dash and I realize that my RPM is dead. I turn the engine off and turn the key on and NOTHING is lit. No oil light, no air bag light, no brake light, nada. Drive home and I don't have speedo and turn light either. Pull home and pull the fuse box. There are no fuses marked dashboard Hazard lights, high beam and door lights work. Dash illumination bulbs work, From what I gather fuel gauge also works. Temp gauge I am not sure of since I didn't run it long enough to get it hot. Anyone have this happen to them and what is the likely cause of it? I really need the help b/c I have to SMOG the car soon and I wont pass if my CEL doesnt gome come on. Thanks BW

Don't be too anxious. Let the guy call you. Give him the attitude that you are helping him out for even contacting him in the first place. That should help you in getting it for next to nothing

Try looking at the BYB site. They probably have lifted one Or ask Mudrat

The Honda Prelude system was mechanical and active. It was set up on a hinge of sorts that would first go parallel and then counter turn. Depending on steering wheel input. Turn the wheel a little, the rear would go parallel, turn it a lot, wheel would go counter. Good idea since most high speed lane changing requires slight steering wheel inputs and parallel parking and such require lots of steering wheel input. Now the question at hand is how do we graft this into a BRAT ? BW

Wahoo, Any luck with the fuse. I just cleaned my car the other day and now I am blowing fuses like candy. BW

WORD.... People were looking all confused when I showed up at the off-road play ground in my BRAT. First question that you should ask is what do you want (Hatch, sedan, Wagon, BRAT) Once you have that down, you need to see what's available in your area. And how far you are willing to drive to get it. Too bad you are not on the West Coast or Cali, I could help you get a BRAT. re: HP, Older Soobs are pretty anemic. They lack a lot of HP. An EA82T is rated at 119 Hp or so stock Downright wimpy compared to some of the other off-road rigs out there. But then it weighs less than 3000 pounds. The key to making a off-road Soob is imagination and creativity. If it looks like it can work, make it work. If it looks like it won't work, take a big hammer to it and make it work. Lot's of support here. Lurk around and see what catches your eye. BTW how close are you to Paragon Park? Will be there this winter for x-mas w/my family. BW

I am originally from Fairfax VA. I use to wheel my Jeep a few miles away from my house in this huge wooded lot. The last time I was home it was turned into an apartment and a shopping center. My bro knows of some powerline trails in Chantilly VA near Dulles. Then there is The George Washington forest in VA near Harrisonburg and Paragon park in PA. Next time I am in town will probably be X-mas. May end up hi-jacking my brothers Jeep. Want to go wheeling?

What did you find out about the sawp. What is needed to make it happen? BW

Find a Soob that has a dual range 4X4 tranny. There are lift kits available from various board members. That will give you a suspension lift. Then you get larger rims and bigger tires. In terms of differentials, you are limited to stock open diff, finding a rare LSD diff or welding it. Welding has problems all in itself, but I have heard really make the vehicle very capable. There are various other ideas in terms of having a seperate transfer case, (divorced T-CASE) there is even a solid axle BRAT w/a 10 inch lift. Surf around the Older Gen forum for more tips and ideas. Good luck.

I have the good pleasure of coming from a Jeep family. My older brother has a 83 CJ built up and a 2003 Rubicon. My little sister just got a Rubi, my Pop drives a 89 Wrangler, my mom drove a 91 Cherokee until the tranny grenaded itself. My younger brother is working on a 91 Wrangler w/my bro and pop. I use to have a 84 CJ. BUT.... I love my OBS and my BRAT. Wouldn't trade them in for anything that Jeep makes. Too bad they are all in the East Coast and I am in the West Coast of else I would show them true Subaru power. The only thing I miss w/a Jeep is the open air when driving top down. I guess that's why they invented Saw-alls and beater cars. For now my BRAT has an aftermarket top so that will have to do. HEY... what if I put BRAT fun-tops on my OBS??? (hmmm...... getting out the measuring tape.)

Took it wheeling this weekend. Total time the engine was working at almost 4 hours or so. 1 hour to get to the site, 1 1/2 to 2 hours of driving and 1 hour to get home. Temp was stable, tranny held up fine (except when I tried to plot up this really steep hill in 2WD Funny thing is the motor was leaking oil before I went, then when I got home, the oil leak stopped. . I guess all the BRAT needed was some mud in it's fenders. For what I can tell, this is the first time it's been off-roaded. The hood didn't have any mud/dirt specks on it when I got it. Ren-man. Caravan idea sounds like a plan. Will shoot you an e-mail around end of July/early August. Thanks for all of the stories, tips and the vote of confidence BW

Not sure how similar the 87 brat is to the 82 brat but I just did the rear wheel bearing on mine and it took a little bit of work but I managed to get it done. Bearing was 51 bucks at Kragen. Tools needed are: Punch, Hammer, wrench or socket to remove the castle nut, plies, for the cotter pin. Haven't done the front bearings yet, but front what I can see it's no more difficult than a CV boot job. Since you live in Washington, it may not be a bad idea to get someone to help you and learn to do it yourself. Or do a search and see if that is within your skills as a wrencher. BW

Nicky.. Older soobs are really cheap to lift and mod. New gen soobs are really expensive to lift and mod. Only two lift are avaliable for the OBS. One is by Scorpion and the other is made by Mudrat. Both run in the 700-1000 range depending on what you do with them. Then you have bigger tires and armor. You could easily hit 2500.00 for a well lifted OBS. That's including safari rack and other things. If you don't mind bumper skin trimming, some of the parts made for a Cherokee bumper will work. The only weak part is that the bumper beam is really pathetic. I personally would stick to wheeling on fireroads and maybe the beach, mud and more hard-core stuff I would use my BRAT BW

woo hoo.. Sounds like you had fun. What I love about the OBS is it handles GREAT on road and it handles good off-road. On fire roads, sand, small bumpy stuff, (basically rally stuff) it can out drive a jeep anyday. It's the big ruts that you have to watch out for. That's where finese takes over. Jeeps and lifted Soob can just plod on through. In a stock OBS, you need to be more sensitive.

Bob meets Dirt/mud/water Took my BRAT to the local OHV park. It handled great. Only got stuck twice. Once b/c I tried to go through some deep ruts and the other time when my friend backed into a rock. Here are some pics. One final word. I need a LIFT!!!! 13 inch M/S tires and stock lift = lots of banging around.

I am being a little paranoid. I'd just hate to be somewhere on the 5 between LA and OR and have something go FUBAR. Will do an oil change and a fluid change before my trip. Will also find an excuse to drive it to San Diego or Mexico before Aug. Re: being a mechanic. I can take things apart pretty well. Previous projects was a 85 XT FWD and a 87 XT 4X$, both had blown head gaskets, both were taken apart and neither was resurrected. ended up going to the boneyard. I would call myself a fledging mechanic, as I managed to do the front axles and the rear bearing myself . Have yet to tackle engine/tranny work but the clutch job might be next. Thanks for the tips. BW

I plan to go to WCSS6. Will be bringing my OBS and the 82 BRAT. I have no doubts about the OBS making the 15 hour drive. But the BRAT I have some concerns. What is a good determination of reliability? I have had the car since Feb, the previous owner drove it as a delivery truck so it probably ran all day. Since I bought it, there has been no issues with the engine. Front axles have been repacked and re-booted. Both rear wheel bearings have been replaced. Since it drives a lot quieter, I can now hear that there is a slight whine coming from the tranny. Increases in pitch w/speed. The gears feel solid. Clutch is a little weak. What is a a good way of stretching it's legs? Would doing a 3-4 hour drive give me a sense of reliability? What preventative measure can I take before the trip? BW