Sweet82

My pan gasket was the first to go... Replace the pan and the valve covers. Isn't a clean driveway worth the price of 3 gaskets?

Way funny, I did the same thing looking for the design I wanted. I made a pickup version which was cool, but it was a two seater. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=13320 The reason I made the XTerra roof line was because the rear passengers heads will sit above the stock roof line with no protection. The rear XTerra braces must be almost vertical to allow passenger room in the back without stretching the chassis. The stock slope angle will not work. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=13322 The final Photo shop proto type. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=13321 I'd recomend dropping the front nose 8" for better visibility. (snoop nose) The very front area your looking at chopping will not make any difference in your angle of attack and cause major structural revisions. I cut/angled it slightly different at the bottom from the plans. The firewall area can't be shortened. THere are some hidden problems with that. You'll run into clearance problems with your motor/radiator, tires/chassis. I'd recomemd (STRONGLY!) putting an extra 2" in that exact spot to allow for tire travel. I've had to revise that area twice! In the rear cab area lengthening or shortening is easy and will not cause any major problems. If your planning on 4 seats lengthen it exactly where you put the lines to make a comfortable rear seating area. If you decide to shorten it you'll have to do it further back where all the tubes are parallel. I would not make the Bandit any shorter than it already is. If it gets too short, I think you'll loose stability on steep and sideways angles. Rock Crawler frames are long not short. One more note, I'd put the gas tank back to it's original location (above the diff). It will fit fine and still be out of harms way. Doing this will allow easier adapting & using the stock filler tube & gas cap. It will also give you 8-9" more depth for storage in the back. Keep going!

That should really do the trick. I second ESH.

Your mileage will always go down when the cold weather hits? How long ago was this 18? Was it cold then? Around here they also change the blend of gas for the winter season?

I'm into Summer $1,600 as it stands. $500 tires & custom rims. $400 Steel. $600 Aluminum. Done. Some quick stats, Wheel base center to center 80" Wheel track center of tire to center of tire 62" ATV Wheel width outside measurement 73" ATV Overall Length 133" Floor height 20" Overall height 63" Angle of approach 45 Angle of departure 71 The only tire wear I have noticed is on the edge of the lugs from being up front. Typical front tire wear. I've been running my tires at around 30psi I have not experimented with lower pressures. I think the closest compable vehicle is one of the 2-4 person quads you mentioned. The biggest difference would be the cost...

My net was down all afternoon:mad:. Sorry about that. 1. Yes. I have had it over 25 but my speedo is now off by a wide margin. 22.5 tires VS 25.5 tires. I have indicated 25 mph on the speedo with ATV tires. Not really sure of my true speed. The most limiting factor in my land speed record attempts has been the vibration. I have armor plated Summer. This armor plating will vibrate and make noise. I'm slowly isolating the noises/rattles from the plating. The frame and running gear are rock solid. So it's only body panels that have kept me in check. The other reason I keep my speed down is the tires I purchased are real aggressive. They have 1 1/4 lugs and spaced way far apart. This is not a tread pattern that is condusive to quiet/smooth running. A less aggressive tire would no doubt allow a smoother ride at higher speeds. I'm fully aware I'm pushing the limits of an ATV tire and have no real desire to find out what that limit is. My tires are six ply and I have run them for 3 years now. They seem to behave as I expected. I have never been Stuck. 2. Yes. I have played with Quads. I can pretty much go where they go. My track is always the widest but will always fit in any twin tracks. The two vehicles have their differences. I can carry 4 people and all the gear I need. I can go all week on a tank of gas. There are places where I can do better, there are places a quad will do better. 3. I have no reservations on the suspension. More is always better but for the engine and power I have it seems to work. Suspension is just not an issue with this vehicle. The shortend wheel base takes care of so much of the problems of a limited suspension. I purchased the "on-road" tires to get me quickly down asphault roads with out vibrations. I have not had them off-road as much as the ATV's. From what I have seen they seem to do fine in most situations. I'm sure there will be a difference in snow and sand. You certainly have a better range of speed with a "on-road" tire. But you loose width with on-road tires. Substantial width! The speeds quoted by Rhinobuggies have got to be with regular tires. The way they explained it to me was. "It's the same car you had before, you have not done a thing to change it's speed". That is true. You have just put on a new "more off-road oriented" body. Everything else is just as it was with your old car. 4. Yes. I have always been inpressed by the climbing ability of my little Sub. However when you up the tire size you loose that ability. The bigger the tire, the less climbing ability you have. There is a positive trade-off with bigger tires. Clearance is it. The longer the vehicle the more you'll need. I took 15" out of Summer and don't need much clearance. My little Mad Max (84 GL Wagon) will make a much stronger attempt at a STEEP hill. Max will spin tires and stop. Summer will not spin a tire and if the hill is too steep it will power out. 5. If I replaced them, I might try a 25" or maybe even a 24" rather than the 26". Climbing is everything to me. Clearance is just not an issue with this body. 6. No. I used artistic license when I built the buggy. I changed a handful of things but one thing I would not change is the length. It already turns on a dime!!! Ask anyone who's riden in it. Shawn W, Caboobaru, Honda Sucks, Mudrat, Harpua... It will turn the rear wheels in a 9' loop. No need to shorten. The shortness allow you to bypass so many of the limitations of the old Subarus. 7. Nothing! I wanted a 4 place buggy for the family to putter around in the hills. That is what I use it for. That is what it does best. If I was looking for a different application I'd do many things different. I built it to my specks. It's exactly how I want it. I does what I want it to do. 8. Yes. The sway bar is gone and that made a difference. The diff is welded and that makes a difference. I enjoy the scenery going by because it's an open buggy and that makes it enjoyable. I have been able to put it on some incredible angles sideways with out the slightest bit of worry or rolling. My wheel width is well over six feet. You do sit higher than a stock Subie. This gives you a great drivers prospective for dealing with the trail. The other main driving difference you'd notice is from the gearing! It's not the same driving style as your stock gearing. You will use the clutch more and have less power. You don't sit inside the car like you do with a stock Subie. The rest of the driving is the same as the old Subaru. Hope I've answered all your questions. I have got to run. Let me know if I missed anything (spell check, grammer...) http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=584 Link to pics.

What about using starting fluid to get it running then the carb should be able to keep running?

The center could be 3/8? The guy assumed they were for a rock crawler. I don't know what they weigh. I've never really cared. They don't seem any heavier than any other rims?

I called American Racing, among many others, early on in my quest for custom Subaru rims. They wouldn't do it. I had these custom made by a company in Denver. My size, my width and my off-set and they did the rest. The center is around a 1/2 thick steel. They are exactly true. They were $380 for the set (4). That may have included shipping but I don't remember. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4967&cat=500&ppuser=584 I'd bet 14" or 15" could be produced at that price or less with a group buy? and they are "local". Just a thought:rolleyes: Glenn, 82 SubaruHummer--12" X 9" custom rims.

Update us on your adventure. It probably won't compare to any Mile Fox road trip but it may be fun. Librarys have free internet access.

Welcome to the board! http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=56518&highlight=outback+trailer+lights Try here first. This search feature is great. Good luck, Glenn

Been there done that! A good solid smack works wonders for fuel pumps. Smack it so you won't dent it but it needs to be a good solid hit. Saved me a bunch of money on my Trooper. If it's already broken what's the risk? Your not going to hurt it...it's broken! I've never done the Alcohol bit but everyone I know who has tried it, passed!

Welcome to the board, We need more Utah folks here. If your truly up in the Mountains you don't need emission testing? Only us Wasatch Front people need emission testing. Alcohol Keep us posted on the pump. Glenn, 82 SubaruHummer 84 GL Mad Max 01 Forester

The Toyotas Eat CV joints! That is their biggest/only weakness. Some folks are having them specially treated (heat/freeze) to make them stronger. The are still breaking these treated ones too!

Have you ever though about moving to Utah? Sounds like a great time is had by all. Only wish I was closer!

Why don't they have cool stuff like this around here:-\ I wanna go!

Way cool! I assume pictures don't really do it justice? Great pics though!

I've been driving my Subie for 24 years and have not got board yet. It's the car I want to drive. They are not fast but just plain fun to drive. I wish we (USA) could still get them with the old D/R tranny.... Never had a car that was so enjoyable to drive...

Been there done that! http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=9699&cat=500&ppuser=584 Put some kinda screen over the pipe. Mice will be all over the undercarrage looking for food or a way in. They will chew on wires and rubber tubing it will cause you nothing but greef. Put traps everywhere! Rather than stabilize the gas? Run the engine on a regular basis. Make sure it gets to operating temp. I'd move the car around to avoid flat spots on the tires. Good Luck

I'd do a basic tune-up first. I had something that sounds as though it may be the same thing. It turned out to be my wires. I'd do your basic cap, rotor, wires, filters...and then access the situation? Good luck, Glenn

I think it would look better with an Airplane on hood like GoldDiggerRoo?

Seems to me between RTV orange and muffler tape you should be able to quiet down most of those rattles. Part of my noise is cause by gravel that doesn't want to come out:mad: That will require a different approach. I'm trying the RTV next. ...yes I've done the nail thing too...

The sentance structure (or complete lack of same) indicates little in the way of formal schooling. I'm not perfect either, but I'm laughing on this one. Can't we all just get along.

I have to wonder if a low profile shell would make him more aerodynamic?

Seems like the Australlians have the best bumpers out there? The best ones I have seen are down under. What is Subarinos bumper made out of?