Paperscale

So I have rust (of course) around my rear wheels. It's probably not worth patching and painting it, but I'd like to remove the rust, and put something over the area like fender flares, or something else to cover the area that doesn't look too out of place. Does someone make something like that? Or is there a good option people have used before? Oh yeah, this is on an 85 BRAT by the way

Sweet jesus what is going on with that Brat! Needs more lights.

Any good suggestions for rebuild kits, or good place to source parts?

How can you not use a 4wd Brat in the winter?

I've seen this making its rounds on the internet lately. It looks really well done.. but its just wrong.

I often look out my window at mine sitting in the driveway. I'm just too busy and the weather is just too awful to do much of anything with it at the moment. I need to get my friend over to help look at it to determine if its the head gaskets that are bad, or if it could be something else. Oh I also ordered some rocker panel replacements, so thats exciting.

I'd love to see pics of that. As well as how much rotted metal he had. Mines pretty bad. I just hope there's still enough to weld those pieces to.

Emailed as well. If the ones they sell can work without much extra needing done, it would work well enough for me. Though of course something that fits the hole better would be ideal.

Wow thanks! That's a really good price too. Did you have to modify them in any way to make them work properly?

Duplicate post

Duplicate post

I know this post is sort of ancient, but does anyone know if/ how much of the rocker panel area of a brat is structural? One of mine is.. nearly gone and the other looks about like the one pictured above. If not replaced, is my poor car going to rust in half? And is there anywhere still that sells those rocker panels to weld in its spot?

Ah I see. I'm not hugely concerned about the rust. It's old. It's been used, and I'd like to continue using it. I love pristine vehicles, but I'd love a fun looking car that I can also use, and learn to work on. I'll try to stop the rust best I can though so it doesn't go further.

You really don't think it's that great? Any specific reason?

Ok, so I've had a chance to look at the BRAT. The owner wasn't there so I couldn't start it or ask him questions, but he left it unlocked for me to look at. Now I have so many more questions! It's in worse shape than the ad would lead you to believe, but I kind of expected that. Its got spots of rust around the rear arches, a little under the doors and some on the front of the hood, but none of it is to the point of rotting, missing giant chunks, more like bubbling paint mostly. Not sure if anyone will check here again to reply to me, but I am curious about some more things. such as, how hard is it to get new seals for the T-tops? one side was missing a little towards the outside. I know T-tops leak, but I don't want rain pouring in either. Also, seals for the bed topper. One window seal is missing a chunk, and the whole rear window seal is gone. Are there any sites to locate those type of things? My local subie dealer says he can't even look up parts for a car this old so they are worthless. One last thing, this is my first time seeing the engine bay of a subaru, let alone one this old. is there a good picture somewhere or diagram of whats supposed to be where? I know A/C was optional on some, and it seems like there are some places that are missing belts, or there are random hoses apparently going no where. specifically towards the rear of the engine bay on the passenger side, there are about 4 hoses just sitting there, and there is a rubber.. something covering a hole back there. Is something important missing? Last big thing, there is what I'm pretty sure is the catalytic converter down in the back area, and it looks as though there is supposed to be a hose or something connected to it pointing upwards, sort of towards the front of the car because there is a hose clamp around the hole there, but I don't see what could even be going to it. EDIT- oh yeah I forgot to ask, I had heard the manual in the brat is pretty.. floppy? but just how floppy is normal? I swear I can put in in a gear, but it still wobbles back and forth as if its not in anywhere. is that normal, or a bit too bad? Thanks if you bothered to read though my short story, I'm new to subaru, but hopefully this could be a good project to learn with!

Well, apparently it IS the head gasket according to the guy. He's lowered the price to $950 now, but he seems to say it's less driveable than before now.

Well it wouldn't be a primary vehicle, so long as it's worth spending the time to fix I'm not too against doing so.

Is that a very costly/ hard job to do? Would I be able to do it with some buddies?

So, either I'm an idiot, or the brat is the hardest vehicle to find information on ever. Maybe both. So I've found an.. alright brat for sale near me, and I'm just having a hard time figuring out if its worth it. Its an 85 with ttops, a topper, and no rear seats. They say it has an overheating issue, though he can still drive it short trips to and from places. It has slight rust around rear wheels and door sills. its a manual with 178k miles. They are asking $1400. I can't find hardly any others for sale seemingly anywhere, and there is hardly ever any for sale near me. Right now there is just one other one for sale, its an 85 as well, automatic with 80k miles and they want $2500. My other problem is, I want to know how much it would be to get the jump seats, if anyone ever sells them. I can't find any for sale, except for a set in oregon. Thats literally the only set of rear seats i can find anywhere. If anyone could help, or send me in the right direction, that'd be great!