tundrabrat

Tis true... Goofy as it may seem. ...and my Chime works:headbang:

Tis true... Goofy as it may seem.

This is one of the coolest "quirky" things about this car... The dials aren't back lit! Simply reach up to your dome light, spin the light so the spot light is facing forward and "tada!" your controls are perfectly lit up! I think this is one of the coolest/wierdest little things about the car. When I figured this out I had to bring my wife out to the car to check it out!

Finally got started on the body this weekend. Just grinding and exploring now more pics with rust issues to come. I'm happy to say that for a 26 year old Brat the wheel wells have very minor rust through as do the rockers... the car sitting for 5-6 years in a dry garage before I got is definitely a plus. Underbody looks very good as does front... I will be needing to address a few dents on the front apron, tail gate, fenders and passenger door. This should start seeing updates at least weekly... I want this thing ready for paint by late March!

Picked my 85 with a nice topper, minimal rust (great 15 footer), 2 complete set of wheels and 3 complete engines. $400... Spent nearly that much getting my jump seats up here. Drove it all summer and currently restoring it this winter (off the road currently)

"Older gen: 80s, XT, Loyals" I like SVXs and Legacys too... But not here.

Woke up this morning to 6.5" of snow and I have my Brat off the road this winter for restoration... Argh!!! Can't wait til next winter to enjoy this awesome little truck...err car:clap:

Very nice find.

This is a Domingo... They had a sliding metal roof... Very popular when I lived in Okinawa.

I found one ofe those, only the brat is black sitting in a yard about a mile from me. Scary place with "No Soliciting/Private Property" signs all over the place... Looks like that's where it'll die.

Definitely pull the code first. If you have to pull the plugs, google wrx spark plug change or go to NASIOC.com Yes, you need to pull the battery and air box. Germaine good extensions, deep socket and a swivel. The first time is a PITA but now I can doing in about 25min. Good luck... $400 is definitely too much.

Remember... Brats weren't sold over in Japan. It's like having a Ford Cosworth over here (American and yet nearly impossible to ger ahold of).

This was right after, right before boxing up. Zip Loc baggies (snack size are awesome) and a Sharpee Marker... that way you can stack'm in a box or buck after cleaning (while block and heads are at the shop) and you can get your bench back.

Finished tearing down the original engine... it was in the back of my Brat:D

Good to know... Those lifters were definitely trying to escape during disassembly. This gives me piece of mind... Thanks GD

I am tearing down 2 engines. My current engine (ran great and cool) is not the original. I am rebuilding the original 1985 EA81 and found that the water channels cast into the block where the water pump mounts up is very shallow compared to the block I just took out of the brat (from an 84 or older). Has anyone seen this before... is this normal? I just want to be sure. 1985 EA81 (original engine that I want to rebuild). 1984 or older EA81... just took out of the Brat, ran great and cool. ...Teach me Yodas

Take the seal off and take it to a body shop that restores older cars... They have lines on hundreds of hard to find types of weather stripping. Good luck.

Don't forget the rocket pack...

1985 Brat MFG: 04/85 787080

Size?

Brat is tucked away, ready for body work... engine (on the right) ready for tear down. The engine on the left is just a spare:D

^^^ Great... Thanks... Keep them coming!!! :clap:

PM sent... very interested in doing this!

I've done plenty of searches and while I have found advice (chances are you don't need to rebuild the bottom end) and tricks (port heads, use EA71 or 82 pistons etc), I have not found and actual build thread. I have built 4 EJ25 race engines and the Haynes manual for the ea81 looks pretty straight forward but I want to see if anyone has actually composed pics and a walk through to address any "tricks" and "shortcuts". Thanks for your help!