I've been around the shop for a while (72+) and noticed the Brats when they showed up in the late '70s. Thought of them as a pretty neat truck. In recent years, I saw fewer and fewer Brats on the road.

 

Several years ago, I studies up on the Subaru engines and developed an appreciation for their engineering and general reliability. I even salvaged a Legacy engine for a Vanagon convertion (that I never got around to). Still have it.

 

In retirement, I began specializing in Geo Metro and have nearly a dozen of them. Buy/fix/Sell. I seem to do more of the first.

 

Last friday, while scanning Craigslist, I noted an ad for a running '79 Brat in Portland OR. area, about 150 miles away. The price was good and the seller expressed some urgency to sell. He also was throwing in 2 extra engines. I drove down there the next day and started it up. The exhaust was open and the engine ran at a fast(er) idle but ran and we were able to make a deal and drive it onto my dolly. Got it home and after charging the battery, I started it and drove it off the dolly and around my 1 acre lot. There are many missing. off engine, components and the ignition switch won't turn to the off position so that is why the engine can only be stopped by stalling it or removing the battery cable. All the wiring and vacuum hoses are "jury-rigged".

 

Still I think I got a good deal and think I will be happy with my new little truck. Once fixed up and reliable, I will get rid of my old '88 S-10 4x4. The Brat appears to be easier to work on at least.

 

As you may have noted, my Posts tend to 'long-winded' and I apologize for that.

 

Thanks for this web site. I'll be around a lot.

 

Steve

Your post wasn't too long.

 

Welcome aboard, although I too just joined.

 

What configuration is your Brat? 4WD with manual?

welcome!

Welcome and you found a great site .... yup.. I think you said it right that they will be easy to work on but yes they have their "quirks".

 

Youre "Search" topic will be your friend...

also start with a fresh cut key and some spray on that ignition switch, I believe you will find the Master Key #'s on your passenger side door lock..that's how my 84 Brat was and ignition switch worked great after... others are just worn out... do a search on that and other topics located on your task bar above...

 

enjoy... and yes we like to see pics here...

Welcome, cool read.

 

 

 

What configuration is your Brat? 4WD with manual?

 

 

 

In a 79 Brat? Only one answer to that. Yes.