s'ko

Anyone interested in going to Oceano Dunes SVRA for a run on May 22nd? Cost for Day use is $4.00. I will be going there from Santa Barbara. Expect to be there by 11:00 at the latest. Will probably wheel for a few hours. I also hope to get engaged on that day. At this point we will have a OBS and a BRAT. Anyone in the area or willing to take the drive are welcome. BW

here's a pic of a jeeper that is working on putting some Volvo Portal axles on his rig. It may help understand what is needed. http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=35

I read the topic about the 4 x 100mm swap. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14915&highlight=lug+conversion So the question is what are the pros and cons of doing a 5 lug conversion the same way. With XT6 parts becoming more scarce and the fact that I have an Impreza, I would like to be able to get a set Kumho r700s Rally tires that would fit both vehicles. I figure the cost of machining would equal the price of a pair of 14in-15 in pugs or converted toyota rims and a set of Kumhos. BW

depending on how much you want to spend a really good alternative is getting a set of OEM WRX rims. I got a pair from a guy on I-Club for 250.00 wheels and tires

Yes a Impreza Wagon can perform just as well, if not better than a OBS Look around for some RS or WRX guys who are selling their OEM stuff. Wheels are a direct swap, look for someone trying to get rid of their pre 02 anti-sway bar from an RS, that will give you stiffer handling that a Stock OBS package. If you are not interested in the height difference between the two look for the struts and springs from an RS. There are tons of companies out there that sell strut braces and other suspension handling components. For $2k purchase price and even another 1k put into it you will have a car that can probably out perform a Stock OBS in handling BW

You might want to clarify what you mean by the difference between the Outback and the Sport. Outback is commonly used to refer to the Legacy Wagon with the Outback Trim. Usually is has a 2.5l engine and is alot bigger since it is based on the Legacy model. The Outback Sport or Sport is based on the Impreza model. Engine size would be the 2.2L engine. In terms of difference between the OBW (Outback Wagon) vs. OBS the OBW has taller struts and is obviously larger. In terms of Sport vs. other Imprezas. Sport has better stock suspension and it has alittle more ground clearance. My 2k OBS has the hood with the vents and the scoop and it also has the luggage rack. Check out this site for more specific information http://www.cars101.com/subaru_new.html Hope that helps BW

That's where I got the tire from. It's just a outer part of the tire left. No bead or sidewall. Will try the sawzall idea. I think I will mount the tire to a piece wood to make it easier to work with. If that fails will go to the re-tread place. Thanks for the input

Ok so after trying to cut a tire to make rubber bump strips for my push bar, my right arm is shredded and right hand looks like I tried karate chop a cactus. The tin snips I am using are getting really dull and it's having a hard time cutting through the steel belts. Anyone have any tips on making this easier? I do plan to wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt on my next attempt.

Almost ready for a paint job. Now the question is.... what color should I paint it? Should I return it to stock color, I think it's Reef blue. Or should I paint it like my outback, with the two tone. Blue on top, gray on the bottom? Thoughts comments opinions? Thanks BW

Woohoo... Got the A bar on Had a little trouble b/c it was involved in an accident so the bar was pushed back alittle. Got the rear mount in place and then had to jack the rest in place. Home Depot supplied the brackets and bolts for the bumper mount. I used Rust-o-Leum Appliance Epoxy paint. Really goes on nice and has a good strong finish. Probably going to find an old tire and cut two strips to mount across both horizontal bars so I can push things w/o messing up my paint and to hide this dent in the bar Ohh also found some really nice seat from a 83 wagon and slapped it in there. All I need now for the interior is the vents. Anyone got vents for a 82 GL interior? BW BW

Any chance of a someone from LA joining on your next outing? Maybe even a place in between if we get enough interest. We really should plan a Southern West Coast Sub Show. maybe in Fresno or the middle of Nevada. BW

nice. I was thinking of something similar for my BRAT to match my OBS. How do you plan to clear coat it?, more Krylon? BW

to the best of my knowledge, the fuse is only for the AT cars. You can disconnect the AWD but I heard that you would up peeling out everytime you step on the gas hard b/c of the vehicles weight distribution. BW

hmm... didn't realize that it was that simple. So here is another question. I think that since I raised up the height adjustment all the way, that is why the tears happened. Since I am disconnecting the axle anyways, should I just replace all four boots. This should give me some time until I can get new axles.

The_bard. THanks for the info. I called them and it's 55 a pair w/shipping. I am guessing that all said and done, it will be just about the same to but them from Kragens for 70 bucks. Now here is a question. I need to go scouting for my May trip this weekend and I need to have the BRAT to come with. So.... AS AT TEMPORARY FIX for the CV boots, could I repack the torn boots w/grease and take a whole roll of saran wrap and wrap it up. Then take Duct Tape and duct tape the whole thing together. I will also use foil tape for the inner boot to protect it from heat. I will need it for this weekend and probably May 22nd as well. But them I can take the time to do it proper. At this time there is no clicking or noises coming from the front axles. Thoughts comments, concerns? BW

not sure if this is what you need for sand but I was thinking of getting these for my BRAT Kumho Escta R700. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+R700 they have a 195-70-r13. for 69 bucks

Got it. Bobby it is.

Most of the soobs here are pavement queen Outback Wagons, Foresters and ricer Imprezas. I once showed up at a I-Club meet with my OBS all dirty and with my off-road lights mounted. Looked funny next to all those lower RS and WRXs. The best was when I went on a run w/some WRX up a twisty mountain road. Going up the road I was right up there with them. Coming down, my brakes got hot and overheated :-\ so I had to take it really easy. Long Live the SOOBS..

So I tackled a ton of problems yesterday Got the Speedo and back up lights working. Re-wired the radio to stop draining the battery. I poured some oil sealant to try and stop a minor valve cover gasket leak and poured in half a bottle of Duralube. (mmm... purrs like a kitten) So here is what I need help with. 1) I can't get the gas gauge/temp gauge to read accurately. I am not sure if the sensors are messed up or if the gauge is messed up. I tried to complete the circuit at the gas tank sensor with a wire to the pos terminal on the battery but it threw a spark and it freaked me out. (I may be a rookie wrencher, but I do know that spark + gas tank = KABOOM.) So what are some ways to isolate the problem. The gas gauge does go up when you key in. But with a full tank it doesn't read more than 1/2 full at most. The temp gauge barely rises above the first notch. 2) Defrost vents not working. The fan is blowing strong, and all of the other settings are working. But there is no flow going to the vents at the windshield. I guess another thing is the heater switch is rusted out. Should I just remove the entire heat and save some weight? Thanks BW

Ok so I cranked up the height adjustment on my front suspension and as I was crawling underneath yesterday I noticed the the p/s inner CV boot and the d/s outer boot have ripped all the way through. I am not sure how long the boots have been torn, but they are both completely torn all the way around and the d/s the grease is almost completely gone. Looks like I have to do a complete replacement of my front drive axles. There was a thread that someone mentioned you can get axles for 55 dollar each. Does anyone know where this place is? What is an average price for CVJs?

Nice videos. So let's talk. What mods have you done? BW

That would ROCK. I am going to see if I can get a HUGE SUBBY FLAG to mount on the back of the BRAT.

I just wanted to know who out there is willing to take their cars of the pavement and onto some dirt. I am interesting is seeing what mods were done to protect your car from damage. BW

Ok I made a mistake in the last post.... I am the farthest SOUTH....... I can hook up at Albany with you guys. I am sure that since we have plenty of time till WCSS6 we can work out when later. BW

Looks like I am the farthest north. Where is a good rally point to meet a bunch of people? I am planning to leave on the probably on the 26th and can meet people at a common rally point. Is anyone willing to put up three people for the night then we can all leave together on the 27th for WCSS6. Going to have to try some long distance runs before the trip. I am pretty confident that my OBS will make the trip but the BRATs are a question. BW