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ZeroDark:30

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    http://www.zerodark30.com

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  • Location
    Albany, Oregon
  • Interests
    IT-Teacher-Subaru-mods-swim
  • Occupation
    IT Business Owner by way of HP & EMS
  • Biography
    ( please stand by )

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  1. Guess I lucked out - have it all. Now Maple's motor . . . is an amalgam of three different motors with extra add-ons. Cheers, - Carrick
  2. LOL - Thanks for the humor! In my trollings of USMB and elsewhere, I've seen a number of lift solutions. I noticed a clearance difference between the Outback and Legacy - and have also learned that other factors, such as handling, may have to be taken into consideration when lifting a Roo. Cheers!
  3. LOL - I really enjoyed your post - I *SO KNOW* about what I call the "Fever Fandango!" One of the most excellent things about time and "progress" is that what is new is soon to become departed to an afterthought. The 2002 Outback Limited Wagon I lusted after years ago is now this year the prior version, ergo, it's value is falling into my target hairs. As a small business owner providing technology consulting services to small businesses, I've learned that a lot of yesteryear's technology still serves very well and affordably, especially if it was made well to begin with. A good case in point for me is "Maple," my '87 GL-10. She's an amalgam of three motors and donor parts from who-knows-where. And yet, for 2500$ she's a fully working business driver that has already paid for herself in mileage. As a school debt survivor, I truly appreciate this whole concept of "paid for." As a dreamer, I keep my peripheral vision open to the approaching Outback. I know it takes courage to just walk away - did the same with the Outback. But, funny thing . . . . While newer is more refined, certainly, "Maple" is an old battle-tested friend. And, there's somethink about this spirit of discovery in working with the older Roos that I see resonating throughout the USMB. Maple will still be here in the morning . . . . Cheers! - Carrick
  4. While I see several arcs in this thread, I will throw in my dime ( inflation ) regarding the most germaine topic. I've done/doing/finishing the student loan routine - they're *not* a solution, unless absolutely necessary - for directly related school tithings ( tuition, fees, books).The overlooked and unstated variables in this dialog include the *bite me* BIG one: gainful employment post graduation. I'm on "the other side," so this situation is res ipsa loquitor - loans, whether government or personal or private - have "hidden costs" - you pay for the others' piece of your actions. I'm going to extrapolate the assumption that you've done your undergrad work, and are working on your J.D. - which puts you somewhere 2-3 years downrange in the 4-year process. And that's the challenge for those of us here: we don't know your full fiscals, both actual and potential. Hence, whatever opinion we render can be, in various degrees, flawed. From what I *do* know then, my own experience post "ivory towers" through the shoal waters of divorce, unemployment, corporate downsizing, encountering the barriers of "Too Old, Too Educated/Qualified, White Middle Aged Male, etc., " is that there is wisdom in keeping what you have and know unless it becomes truly brain-dead, as in slurping a third of your monthly cost-of-living income. For some, this amount can be 100$ per month. For others, it can be closer to $1000. Keep what you have ( a known quantity ), resuscitate/respect it as needed, get through this early barrister challenge of finding a way to deal with the tinting issue, get through your ever-more-challenging studies and navigate around any possible MRS diversions, and go from there. In summary terms, this can be wrapped up in the acronym of warriors everywhere, FIDO. Grasp this challenge and render it mitigated. BTW: Bajas look kewl - waiting for market also. Of course, I'm quietly waiting for this really kewl prey, an early 2000-2004 Outback Wagon Limited . . . . . < drool > OK, check out Dr. William Dyer's work on "The Power of Intention," develop your target mantra of the Baja, pay your dues in the meantime, and celebrate when you can *afford* the Baja. Cheers, Carrick
  5. I'd buy it - looks like you're thinking along lines of having additional 1000$ on hand. I wouldn't worry about doing a head overhaul ASAP. I'd: 1. Get it tuned up. 2. Marvel Mystery oil in gas and oil 3. Change the oil. 4. Run premium, as least for a while ( yes, you can use 87, but, I've noticed cleaner, more powerful running in my Subes ) 5. Monitor operation. I think while you're doing these and other simple tasks, you'll get to know your 96, and be able to identify and prioritize potential projects. Oh, have you considered getting a CarFax report? Of course, I haven't seen it first-hand: of course, if I did, I might be drooling . . . . . "Mine? Mine? Mine? . . . " :-0 Cheers! - Carrick
  6. The "ticking" can be indicative of lifter noise - Marvel Mystery Oil or some such can maybe work - junkyard engines = know your stuff! Two of my Subes were "composite" projects, especially Maple, and they turned out great. On Sput1, I did a rebuild, 'cause I/we knew what we were working with. On Maple, we blended three different motors along with contributions from a parade of donors. The question for me was . . . money/budget/time. What can you spend? "Just swapping out the motor" can have hidden surprises - other responses here have gone into the gory details already - I'm bugging your brain cells asking what you can spend, and defining is this a project car, daily driver, or . . . ? For me, each of the three Subes had to be daily drivers for my small business operations, so compromises had to be considered. On the other hand, my '70 Jag was a pure project car - and a major budget drain; beautiful, but . . . owwwww. Last night, my associate adopted an 86 GL Wagon that was lovingly cared for, and wow, it's nice to have some issues already taken care of.( She got stung with a poor Sube sedan from used car dealer that has a sizeable portion of issues, and, 2WD. Her new "child" was living with a compassionate family - it just has this healthy glow . . . ) My 86 Sput1 had a . . . healthy dose of issues and history, and, well, taught me a lot - great project car, work-in-progress for business vehicle. Some random thoughts - I've been drooling over my next target of Outback Legacy Wagon in the late '90's/early 2000's vintage to develop into a long-distance touring/response vehicle, so you perked my attention and realization that when I go to South Dakota next June, I'm going to cast about for Sube's there - you're right, Sube sightings dropped dramatically after Billings, Montana. Cheers!
  7. Hello Dave! Thanks for the response! Been buried running my small business. I'll send a post your way for our voyage of next year - it'll be around first part of June, so we can climb the Crazy Horse project. Cheers! - Carrick
  8. Ryan, I'll cast my vote to a 'zine that would include and profile older generations. Call it the "lasting benefit of legacy ( ! ) Subaru products" or such. While I wonder, maybe dream of someday owning a later model (2000ish) decked-out Outback/Legacy Wagon to use for cross-country touring, I'm so impressed at the use we get out of our "more mature" Subies. Having put similar-in-scope projects together in the past, I can begin to realize all the variables you're probably facing, from target market to "the look." I'll keep an eye out for your premier/comp issue! - Carrick
  9. Wow - kewl! Thanks! Small world, indeed! Dennis of Dennis Automotive is one of my IT Clients, and he is guilty of infecting me with the Sube Bug. BTW: First One/Sput2 came back OK, no meth cooking went on, just impounded for "transportation of an illegal substance." Lots of paper garbage, etc., will just take elbow grease and time to clean up from. BTW2: A lesson learned is that identity thieves and drug traffickers "test drive" vehicles for temporary use, then dump them, with the Registered Owner ( RO ) left to pick up, recover, clean up, etc. If the car is involved with a fatality, a warrant is issued for the RO. Make sure ALL vehicle registration is removed, and only give out VIN. Transfer the Title yourself. I'm really glad that the worst didn't happen - we were in South Dakota at the time Sput2 was stolen, and houswatcher got notice from police. Cheers! Carrick ZeroDark:30
  10. ZeroDark:30

    lift kit

    I appreciated the quick response to this question by the West Coast Stompers guy - I went to their site and other links, and wow. I think a combination of pointers and "use search engine" helped me, a new user. While an FAQ would be nice - and I've trolled the Manuals, Brochures, and pictures sections - I know from direct experience how hard it is to run a website of this magnitude, with all the attendant inputs, considerations, et al ( was webmaster for http://www.safetyed.org ). So thank you, Charter Members, for patiently nudging us into the right directions, yet again I know. All this knowledge oozing from all these tomes of posts is a bit intimidating. Reminds me of I don't-know-how-many-times I've taught the same thing over the past 30 years - I still keep learning from my students. Thanks for a great place!
  11. Hello Mentis - Have 87 GL-10 Turbo Wagon, whose current motor is an amalgam of three motors and miscellaneous other pieces after original motor died. Learning a lot, and, she is my daily driver! The USMB is a good place for me to rummage around and pick up ideas to improve "Maple" and the rest of my Sube family. Thanks for asking the "dumb" questions - I've been meaning to myself. We pass through Billings to/from Sioux Falls, SD. Cheers, and, oh, btw, like your website - kewl manga - bit out of my medium, so I'll just point and "oh-ah"
  12. Hello Mentis: Could you list this mechanic? We're returning to Sioux Falls again next year, and it'd be great to have a just-in-case resource in Billings. If you don't wish to post in the open forum here, email is certainly welcome! Thanks, - Carrick
  13. Thanks for the info! The '91 Loyale 4WD Wagon was used on our recent ( 4000+mi ) trip back to the MidWest, and I was impressed with "Caboo's" performance, even for "just" the basic Sube! Other than the mechanic goofs that manifested during the trip, the Loyale is impressive. As for the mechanic goofs, well, I'm taking more interest in learning and doing much more the mechanic work. Thanks!
  14. Thanks for the update, Flash. I can relate to your adventure/misadventure, and likewise was thankful for cool mountain temperatures. 200 miles: oh yeah, know that feeling . . . Learned a lot, including now having extra hoses tucked away - got chided by mechanic for wanting so, but takes several days to get them, in a dealer-rich area, no less. Please continue to keep us informed! Thanks!
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