skapickle

I have one seat in my 1979 wagon that needs new material. It is the red / white / black plaid material. Anyone know if this material is available anywhere? I can provide pics of needed... Thanks, -Steve in Denver

Differences in the headlamps and center piece between them. I put a 99 Outback Impreza hood on my 93 Impreza and had to change the headlamps and center piece. Not sure what year they changed though...

I know this thread has been dead for awhile. Has anyone else replaced gen 1 rear brat shocks? Looks like I will order 33097's for my '78. Or would 5914's be better? I have bigger wheels and tires than stock... -Steve in Denver

Hello all! Been awhile since I have posted, but I need some help!! I have searched high and low for replacement strut mounts for my 1978 Brat. It seems that some of my searching shows that a 2nd gen brat strut mount (Part #902931 / or KYB #SM5365) would fit (it looks the same). But I am not sure because the manufacturers websites say that it will not fit 1978. Some websites say the it will fit 1981 Brat (same body style) but is this a different mount to the body? Searching through post on here didn't help much. The rubber is seperated on my old mounts. One posting mentioned that Gorilla gluing the seperated rubber would work? I don't know about this. It seems that the rubber on mine is quite brittle (probably original). If anyone that has a spare 2nd gen strut mount lying around, could you check the measurements and space between the bolts? I could compare to mine. Thanks!! -Steve in Denver

Edrach, Yup you got it. Bad gauge. Wow, so frustrating.. Swapped instrument clusters and everything is normal. Thanks for the help everyone. Hopefully this thread will help the next guy.

Edrach, I have a spare instrument cluster I can try to see if its the gauge itself.

Ivans, Crap at the bottom of the radiator. that sounds most logical at this point. Should I try a garden hose radiator/cooling system flush? I know there is a radiator drain plug below the thermo switch.

Yes, that's what I think too. Is it possible that I have two bad aftermarket thermo switches? I checked my local Subaru parts counter and they told me that a factory switch is no longer available. Anyone seen or heard anything like this? It's got me and a few people I know stumped.

On my EA81 transplanted '78 Brat, I was wondering what should be the proper operating temp? On the highway the temp gauge stays right near the lower dash mark. During idling or stop and go traffic the temp fluctuates quite a bit. Usually midway or closer to the top dash mark. I replaced the thermostat with an OEM. Replaced the themoswitch with a aftermarket four seasons 35942. Replaced the radiator cap with a 13lb aftermarket. I also tried another used temp sending unit I had laying around. The electric fan does kick on when the temp gauge gets close to the top dash mark right below "H" but shuts off again at about midway between the upper and lower dashes. Is this normal? I could be wrong, but I think I recall that my brat would always be around the lower dash mark, regardless of highway speeds, stop and go, or just idling. Some help please!! Maybe I'm just going crazy here. Thanks, -Steve in Denver

I see you have a '78 Brat as well.. I swapped a EA 81 with Weber carb and a d/r 5spd tranny into my '78

I've been an occasional poster to the USMB since '04. I will put some pics up as soon as I dig it out of the garage. It's kind of buried at the moment..

Ok, I have a '79 wagon that has been sitting in a garage for 10 years or so now. It has a running EA71. I've used some parts from the car for my '78 Brat, though it is mostly complete. I have always wanted to get this car on the road again. I'm considering a full motor/tranny swap. Maybe EJ22 or EJ205. Possibly suspension/brakes as well. Has anyone done this? I'm in the Denver area. It's just a thought at this time but it would be sweet. Maybe I'm crazy...

Maybe this has been brought up before but I was searching and couldn't find anthing. I am looking to get a small 4' X 8' trailer on my 1978 Brat. Searching and searching I haven't found any hitches available. I remember on a 1979 wagon that I had a long time ago had a hitch. Would this be the same mounting? Anyone have something available or know a good resource? Thanks for any info guys... -Steve in Dever

I ordered one through A BRA (a PPG dealer here in Denver) almost 2 weeks ago. They said they could get one and that they would call me when it was in. I'm going to call them Monday and check on the status.....

Anyone have or know anyone that has a gen 1 Brat topper? I'm in Denver and it seems like I've been looking for years..

Yeah I'll be calling PPG tomorrow for sure.

Is it a new windshield? Do you have a gasket for the rear window? I have a sliding rear window I want to install and my gasket now is very brittle and crumbling.

My 1978 Brat needs a windshield... Looking all over Denver I can't find one. None of the big name shops can find one. Any help? -Steve in Denver

Sounds like a good idea.. I sure could use my $600 back too

Whatever......

It's been 2 months now since I last tried to contact John and still he hasn't replied... My money is as good as gone....

skapickle.......I sent you a kit over a yr ago, I traced it to Denver From My end, I told you this, I then Offered to Build you a second Kit, But You would have to pay for CERTIFIED shipping so We could both trace it.....You then got into an accident with the car.....? After that, You were in contact sporadically, then dropped to nothing...? Most of your Kit is still sitting in a box in My shop....If you pay for CERTIFIED SHIPPING I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO SHIP IT TO YOU..... Dear John, How can you trace shipping without a tracking number? If the kit was undeliverable, it would of been returned to sender. I know this because I called the USPS. Now, where did you get the idea that I was in a accident with my Brat? It's sitting right here in my driveway just fine, awaiting a new 5spd D/R tranny conversion. I hope that you understand my skepticism when you tell me that you shipped it (and couldn't provide me with any kind of tracking number, even though you told me you would ship it via USPS priority mail) and you actually asked for me to pay for another kit at half price and you would "ship it right out" I belive your words were... There was no previous conversation about just paying shipping for another kit.... The reason I haven't brought this up with you lately is because I guessed that this was an isolated incident and that I had no way of proving anything (and I really still don't, except for my $650 money order recepit with your name printed on it). But now that others have stepped up and complained about deals that have gone wrong with you I really don't feel so lonely... How about sending some pics of this kit and we'll talk about somehow getting it to me.. trust me John I'm a forgiving person ... I'd like to right this.... Please don't let another 50 posts and multiple phone calls go by before you say something. PM me or something bro!! -Steve

Yet another?? damn

Ok, so I'll have my new EA81 next week. I'm putting it into my '78 Brat.... Exactly what tranny will work? I want a dual range for sure.. Some pepole are telling me that the D/R 4spd out of a '81 Brat is the only one that will work, on the other hand, some are telling me that any EA81 tranny will work.. I found a good 4spd D/R tranny in a '87 hatchback (EA81) at a yard here around Denver for only $125. Anyone know the exact variations of these trannys (ie. mounting locations, shifter locations, dimensions etc..) also I've gotten mixed answers about the driveshaft and rear diff. Are the diff gear ratios the same as my stock '78 compared to these new EA81 type trannys? Thanks!! -Steve

Yea yea he's a family man.. blah blah blah.. I have mouths to feed too and I don't make all that much, right now I really could use that money. I Paid $650 up front via money order. John wouldn't accept PayPal. I assume it's because they offer the buyer protection.. I wonder if he had plans for my money to begin with.... Please John please, follow through or refund me! -Steve in Denver