jmoss5723

Agreed. I think those grills always look better. I must have at least 5 of them...

We just turned it from something annoying to something useful!

Anyone...?

I'd choose a gen1 over gen2 for looks, ground clearance, and can easily be ej22 swapped if the engine craps out. I'm not a huge fan of the dohc engine, but if you get gaskets before they get you, its not a bad engine. Basically its just personal preference, I guess.

Any particular reason why you want the 00-04 over the previous generation? A first generation Outback Limited 5spd with timing belts and HGs done is my ideal Outback.

This kid is high school senior I know from helping out with the youth group at my church. He is in love with my BRAT, but doesn't really know much about old Subarus. He is the type to take good care of it and he is mentally prepared for the necessary maintenance, but would need my help to learn how to do it all. So, he isn't exactly a guru for old soobies, but he wants to be. And I won't let him bastardize or neglect it. How is the unibody, rockers, and rear wheel wells? Any rust?

Like AdventureSubaru said, EZ30 is awesome. I don't think I'd buy an OBW without one now that I've experienced it. If you can find one in budget, get it! Side note: I know you want to sell your Montero partially because you don't have time to take it off road, but if you want to have a vehicle with even moderate off road capability, you might want to consider any other generation of Outback or maybe a Forester. 00-04 Outbacks have terrible ground clearance in stock form. If that isn't at all a concern for you, then disregard. I love my wife's 02 OBW in every other way except off road ability.

Dang. If I wanted a second BRAT, this would be the one. I've been "mentoring" an aspiring subaru enthusiast who is in love with my BRAT. I've sent him the link.

Can anyone recommend seat covers for 1994-1999 Legacy or Outback front seats? I'm too cheap for custom fit covers, but I don't want terribly ill-fitting covers either. I know that covers range from vehicle specific to one-size fits-none. Does anyone have experience with affordable covers that can be made to fit reasonably well on these seats? The Outback seats I got for my BRAT are pretty stained and the color does NOT match the rest of the interior at all.

This should get you started in the right direction: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/153396-95-subaru-impreza-l-18-liter-more-power/?hl=%2Bej22+%2Bobdi+%2Bobdii&do=findComment&comment=1284413 I only mentioned this because I was doing some research of my own the other day and came across that thread. I haven't done it myself, but it sounds reasonable enough to me. If someone chimes in with different info, don't take this as the gospel.

I would never put my bikes on a hitch rack. The last thing I need is someone to rear-end me and total my car AND bikes I have never even come close to hitting my roof-mounted bikes on anything, but I have been close to being rear-ended! I suppose it is possible that I am more financially and emotionally invested in my bikes than most people. It's a problem... Plus, as you said, hitch racks are annoying if you want to open the hatch. And they scare me on steep driveways. They decrease your departure angle a lot and I'm afraid I'll bend a bike wheel. I know my dad drags his coming into the driveway at his house, but that rack sits lower than the bike wheels so it just beats up the rack and makes an awful noise. That was a bit of rambling, but it's food for thought anyways.

If you can find the parts for the right price, you could buy that motor and the manifold off of an OBDII car and swap it on.

Keep in mind that my thoughts are just based on specs and price. The Yakima LoadWarrior is the only roof basket I've ever owned. I can't really give any knowledgeable advice on the quality of these other baskets. However, they are pretty simple pieces of equipment. There isn't really much to screw up from a manufacturing standpoint and I think with Yakima, Thule, etc. you are mostly paying for the name. If I was getting a new basket, I'd look hard at the following list based on perceived quality, aesthetics, price, and height because I think really tall baskets look funny on fairly small Suabrus. http://www.discountramps.com/roof-cargo-rack/p/RB-1512/ http://www.amazon.com/Rola-59504-Vortex-Mounted-Basket/dp/B004R34HDC http://www.walmart.com/ip/Highland-UVenture-Rooftop-Cargo-Basket-Black/22018473 (a few questionable reviews, though) http://www.discountramps.com/luggage-basket/p/RB-COMPACTO/ Honestly I would be buying this basket. While it is not cheaper than the yakima, it is not as tall and includes bike racks, which is a huge plus to me because I currently have twice this price invested in my Yakima basket PLUS two bike trays. http://www.discountramps.com/kuat-vagabond-roof-cargo-carrier/p/V-101-Vagabond/

If you pass on the mega, you should check out some of them on discountramps.com or even Walmart before you spend a ton on the Yakima brand. I have a load warrior on my Forester and it is a nice rack, but there are some really good looking ones out there for like $100. If I were doing it over again, I'd get a cheaper one that isn't so tall.

Well I suppose that could be a problem worth fixing!

That looks like way too much work. I'd rather just be cold!

I would MUCH prefer that the spare gets hit first. In parking bumps, it might mean no damage done at all. In a bigger hit, it is another half foot of material between me and the car rear-ending me.

Fun fact: I used to work for a guy who makes those kits. Those things are magic. You can plug a tire that still has the air in it! I've seen 8 inch sidewall gashes fixed with the stuff. Magic I tell ya. http://barnespsp.com

I just installed the jump seats of death last week! The jump seats are one of the coolest parts about the BRAT. They're neat for cruising around town, but because they are so unsafe, no one rides in them on the highway.

Look for limited legacy outbacks and legacy GTs in the junkyard.

Double post.

Triple post. Stinkin mobile.

But my jump seats. And my wife...

Why not just buy a Baja and be done with it? If you want a project rather than a finished car, buy one wrecked or with a bad engine and fix it. Seems like an all-around better option to me. But I don't want to crush your creativity. I'd love to see the fabrication process if you build one. Could be cool.