danrenfroe2016

Ya, Took it all apart... I could move the shifter about 1/2" to the right before the rod will actually start to turn... someone previously had put a little bolt in where the little spring pin goes. The bolt is wore severely... Also the bolt was two small in the first place it looks like. So I ordered all the parts from Subaru on Saturday, they will get here Thursday. Its bad in Dallas, always takes like forever to get parts as they dont stock any of them for the older Cars. I am looking at the alternate Methods... I am going to try this first, and see how this does... The one good thing is that my shaft leaks a lot of trans oil, so the pin will stay wet, so hopefully it wont wear to fast. :-\ -Daniel

Thanks! -Daniel

Thanks. Business Is slow, SO got lots of time... -Daniel

Cool, Tomorrow morning (when its cool, was 105 today) I will pull it all apart and goto the hardware store and tighten that guy up. Thanks for the info. I hop this clears it up. -Daniel

Well Darn, They said someone is buying both of the Brats! This is getting frustrating.... Oh well. Keep looking! -Daniel

OK, I need help with some of the terminology: What is the Coupler? Is that the little fork that bolts to the Shifter Shaft? The bolt through he shifter shaft is VERY loose, I can twist the shaft and move it side to side without the the little fork even moving... Thanks for any help. I will give int to good look over tonight... Its so frustrating, reverse works fine, just cant get to it! -Daniel

Dynapar, did you ever figure this out? This is exactly what is happening to my 1980 Brat almost impossible to get into reverse! The bolt that goes through the shifter handle is actually rubbing on the Tranny housing. So frustrating! -Daniel

Ok, Late Entry, Nothing special on the engine or trans. 1980 Brat Oh and that Battle Wagon is sweet! Also like the paint on rat finks...

OK, Much better was really getting hot (took out the head liner for more head room) I am almost done! Just need to mount the other tool box. -Daniel

Toolman, Did you ever get some sketches of the lift kit? Thanks. Still very interested in having a set made. I think there are others that would like to make some kits as well. -Daniel

Brad, Thanks so much. I just called him. They said they have them. We have very few Older Subaru's down here in Texas. Todd is my only good source down here! will I need the top rubber? mine are probably bad? I am so tired of my Subaru looking funny with bad camber on one side. Also kills one tire way faster! -Daniel

I have posted to the wanted section, got no replies... Does anyone have any front struts for a GEN I Brat? I have one that is bent and it eats a tire quickly. Thanks. -Daniel

Great, I will convert these to CAD if that would be alright.

I am a CAD draftsman by day, I was wondering if you had any dimensions or sketches, I could make some drawings that folks could use to get a local fab shops to build from. Of if you could fab a identical set and send to me, I would make drawings. I am very interested in a set just like yours. And as far as I know there is no commercially available lift kit for the 70's. And my BRAT definitely needs a lift... -Daniel

Ya, I am going to paint the door jambs, But I am going to brush that area, Also I am going to paint the Roof white so It not so hot... -Daniel

I would be interested as well... Mine are very bad... -Daniel

Any chance of making a second pair of these fancy parts? This is exactly what I want to do with my little EA71. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=74369 <-- Pics in last post... -Daniel

Ok, Here are some pics... Need to wet sand the hood and top, but other than that looks pretty good, Already got it a little dirty... I still have a lot of parts to put back on.... Also had to take out the head liner for more head room with the 02 WRX seats (and yes I need to take off one of the seat belts...). But I get a lot of long looks by people... Most people are like "what the hell is it?" Oh and thanks to Todd for all the good parts and others that shipped parts all the way down to Dallas... Here is what it used to look like: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69378 (bout half way down -Daniel

Hello, I got a windsheild from Todd and bought one of the new window gaskets. I just painted my car over the past two weeks. I removed the old windsheild before painting. It had all that black selant on the glass (the really sticky stuff) Did you use any of that to reinstall or just reinstall dry? Thanks. -Daniel

OK, Well over the last two weeks I finally painted it. (only took ONE year for me to actually start doing it.) I went with ultra flat green (green camo paint but with out the camo patterns) OK Questions... The truck bed... SHould I just paint it the same or actually try to do some sort of bed liner?? I will put up pics some day, I think it looks pretty good. -Daniel

Crabman I do know that that is not the way the clutch should be.... The clutch should grab and hold on (except under extreme circumstances). The clutch friction needed to move the car increases each gear. 4th puts most stress on clutch... 1st is the least. My clutch still grabs fine for daily driving, but it is weak when put under high stress and will slip alot. I have seen the centerforce clutches used in the borg warner for F cars. I didnt know (until yesterday) that they made clutches that would fit the subarus.... Scott, Good advice... about the clutch. I have this extremely mean hill i want to get up, Can get up about 3/4 the way up Its about 30' tall pile of dirt about 300 feet long on the trinity river authority land. its a very steep angle nearly a 45. The subaru looses momentum....IF i rev and drop clutch, I slip... I bet you guys that have a low range could scale it pretty easily.... I am still not used to small engines. I have had all my life V8s. The last one I had was my favorite... 94 Caprice 9C1 (police package) has a LT1, I installed 3.73 gears, limited slip differential, racing clutches, kevlar bands, 2200 stall and some good rubber. That car athough very heavy could accelerate in any gear at any engine speed very quickly and would do about 140 MPH. Then I sold it (12/21.5 MPG) and got a ford focus 4 banger. was totally uninspiring.... Then I got intrested in Subarus, sold Focus for money. Bought 1980 BRAT for $800. I am getting used to 80 FT pounds of torque instead of 330 and having a ball doing it. I am still suprised by how much low end grunt my little 1600 has, Its so much fun to mud in, all the looks and questions I get living around Dallas. most people here have never seen a BRAT. Its funny the first subaru I actually noticed was a WRX with some loud pipes... I heard this car in the parking lot and was like ?what? sounds like a VW beetle on steroids. Then I saw the rear differential.... the rest is history, now myself and my dad both have Subarus. damn, i just babel on and on.... later -Daniel

EA71, the Starter is on Top of the engine, center. centerforce DF... will have to check that out. Thanks. -Daniel

Great! OK, Now here is the hard part for me. I live in Dallas, Texas. (there is not many here.) My Brat is the only one I have ever seen. How would I go about finding one of these transmissions? Thanks.

Hello, Went offroading. Does very well. But I am pretty sure I need a new clutch... I have a 1980 BRAT with PUG Wheels. Does very well offroad, had a great time, But It became edivent that my clutch is not holding very well under stress. (especially after its warm.) On VERY steep hills I can get stuck (i.e. engine reving, all wheels not spinning at all. Clutch slipping... clutch works fine for normal driving, just when i ask it to hold on during hard situations. What is the best way to go about getting a clutch? Thanks. Also, I know this has been discussed before, but its very dificult to find the FInal answer. Can i get a dual range for this car? Thanks.

WOW. Ok they do have them available. but at $198!!!! Does any one have a ignition cylinder / switch for a 1980 brat? Thanks. -Daniel