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I scanned the Haynes book on water pump replacement, and they say it can be changed without removing the timing belt covers. Space looks tight, but if it can be done, I'd prefer that route. What is your guy's opinion? I'm not wanting to change the timing belts, as they were changed not that long ago.

Ok, I am in the process of buying a jet ski, and need to get a hitch on the subaru. Where do I look to get one?

Ok, so it looks like my water pump is on the way out. How difficult is this gonna be to get swapped? This is on a 1985 Dual Range Wagon, if it matters...

Not 56k friendly, but here are some pics of my last vacation. Most of the pictures we ended up getting were of the tame stuff, because once we got to the better stuff (that we didn't know was coming) it was raining and being nasty. At 12,000 feet, it isn't a lot of fun to play out in the rain. I think the only pics the begin to do justice is the rockbed in front of the Tin Cup pass sign, and the 3' space between the stump and rock... All of these pics are 4x4 trails in the collegiate peak area between Gunnison and Buena Vista, CO. Anyways, enjoy! http://www.beaterwagon.20megsfree.com/photo.html

One other thing: The desciption of the Hancock pass trail seems to end right where the trail pulls off of the smooth, gentle railroad grade into the actual pass. That area is WAY below the actual pass, and is very, very easy, to the point where virtually any vehicle can make it up to at least the bypassed railroad bridge. I'm not sure if that rating is even factoring in the pass section. In any case, the trail rating system seems to differ from book to book, person to person. I noticed Rampart Range on there with a 4, what? Thats a nicely graded 1 1/2 lane dirt road. Reading the description of ratings, I think Hancock pass realistically would be a 5, and tincup a 4. Both had frequent rocks and holes like those listed, and easily 15% grades in spots. I saw several books that listed Tin Cup as a 6 and Hancock a 5, as well as other even higher... Tomichi pass I would rate a 6. It's very dicey for a larger vehicle, has frequent large sidehills, a large bog crossing, and larger than 12" rocks. I wouldn't say the rocks were frequent, though. I guess what I am saying is that I trust the word of somebody that has been on the trail more than what the books say, as with the variance I've seen, a "3" trail can be anywhere from a 2 lane road with washboards to 3 foot tall rocks spaced with 3' mud bogs.

Honestly, Looking at that picture, I don't think my wagon would have an issue getting over that. If thats indicative of how the rest of the trail is, I wouldn't mind trying it. Suprisingly, on every trail I went on, the weaknesses of the wagon were not what I expected. I expected ground clearance and traction to be the weak points, but the wagon made it over some impressive obstacles without scraping. I also never really had a problem where the tires wouldn't grab, even in the mud after the rain. Of course, I never was in a position where I had tires off the ground, which would bring up the traction issue real quick with the open diffs. At least I think my rear is open, I guess I don't know.... The shortcoming I found was power. Even in 1st in 4 low, It would get very close to stalling out on the really steep stuff. Granted, I was asking a lot of an 87 HP 4 banger at 12,000 feet, but it's definitely the limiting factor.

I just got back from an AWESOME weekend with my little beaterwagon up in the Collegiate Peaks in Colorado. This was my first real off road experience in it, and let me say, OH MY GOD. I started in the Chalk cliffs area by St. Elmo, and started up hancock pass. My goal was to get around the other side of the divide to see the Alpine Tunnel Restoration, where one of the highest railroad crossings over the divide is located at 12,000 some feet. I had heard ugly things about Hancock pass, and it is rated 6-7 out of ten in most books. Still, I wanted to have fun, and see how far I could get. Well, the trail is not that well marked, and at one turn, I had to ask an ATV going the other way if I was on the right path. He told me I was, but I'd never make it in that... "Not to worry sir, this is a SUBARU." In 4 low and away we go! The subaru handled it with ease, climbing up some serious inclines, 8" shelves, tons of climbs covered in loose shale, and lot of other technical sections. Even funnier was the number of ATV and Toyota/Jeep vehicles that were passed along the way, most with an amazed look as the subaru scrambled right up the passages that caused them to pause and muster courage. I caught several shaking their heads, doubtlessly thinking they would be pulling me out further up. After reaching the descent on the far side, I took my first glance at Tomichi pass, and had to keep going. This is often referred to as an ATV only trail, as it is very narrow, and the mountain drops of a near vertical 1000' below the trail. Once again, the subaru kicked rump roast and took names. At one point, the leader of an ATV pack told me "Good thing we're here, so we can help you when you get that thing stuck!" I told him it was a good thing I was here too, So I could pull his group up the next hill. Heh. After Tomichi pass was over, and we had conquered to 12,000 foot 4x4 passes in one day, we proceeded to go over several smaller passes on better graded dirt roads till we got to the Pitkin area. We climbed up and back from the Alpine tunnel, and by this point, a solid late season rain/sleet was pouring down from the higher elevations. Not to stop us with the experience under our belt, we saddled up in the subaru again for a climb up cumberland pass to Tin, cup, another 12,000 foot ascent. From there, it was over Tin Cup pass back to St. Elmo, all in the pouring, pouring rain. Even with the rain, the subaru handled itselt wonderfully, although the stream crossings became a bit more "interesting" when swollen with rainwater. The puddles on the trail grew, until the trail was simply a pile of rocks with mud in between. So, after 80 straight miles on rough dirt trails, the subaru pulls in, with the only damage being a slight graze to the passenger side rocker panel. The beaterwagon clicked over 214,000 miles on the trip. Even funnier is that I drove 130 miles just to get there from colorado springs. How many people would even trust their 200k+ mile vehicle to take deep into the mountains, let alone on the areas most difficult 4x4 trails? I am most definitely a convert, as this is the most fun I have had in quite a while. Go subaru! Oh yeah, my vehicle is a 1985 Dual Range, with the only mods being a fuilly raised (stock) suspension and 185/80-13 all season tires. :headbang:

This weekend I spent getting my hands dirty on the subaru for the first time. This is a 1985 dual range wagon I picked up for free, a few months ago. Major score, aside from a few moderate side pockets of rust, it looks good and runs flawlessly, even the AC is ice cold, and it now has 214k sitting on the clock. Aside from a tuneup, I have just basically driven it. At first I hadn't decided if I was going to keep it, based on the miles, and wanting to see how it was holding up. But after several month, I have found it is a great useful car that makes a great parts hauler, and gives the Formula a bit more garage time. My other car is starting to ride the edge of what can be considered a fun daily driver. Anyways, this weekend, I adjusted the preload and raised the suspension as high as it will safely adjust. On both the front and the back, it is all the way on the lowest setting before. I got the better part of two additional inches of clearance. I also switched to a set of 185/80-13 tires, to replace the 7-8 year old rubber on the car. The car new sits MUCH higher. I eyballed in a bit of camber adjustment for now, as raising it did change the geomerty by quite a bit. But for some cheap easy work, the car is now much more off road capable. Next week, I'm taking it up camping in the Collegiate Peaks, which should be my first real off road experience. Should be fun times...