race_to_live Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 So I have a 1983 go wagon...340,000miles and love it. Lately I have been wanting to get a brat but I don't know what years had what or what different generations are what so some info would help. Some questions such as, Engines how the 4x4 engages (I want hi-lo, and fwd with the lever like my wagon) what years had the cool rumble seats how available small lifts are (2" is what I want for a neat little off roader) Ect... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 Star Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) 1981 and older are the first generation of the Brat. If you are looking for a dual range 4wd (hi and lo) I believe just the 1981 gl came with that. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong. These will be harder to find than a second generation Brat. 1982-1987 Is the second generation. ('82) ('83 & up) The gl trim levels all came with dual range 4wd if it was a 4 speed manual. Jumpseats were available up until 1985, '85 being the last year. The second gereration uses the 4wd lever just like your ea81 wagon. The first generation uses another shifter-like lever next to the gear selector (shifter). Edited January 8, 2012 by 6 Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
race_to_live Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Wow thanks for all the information! And great pictures as well, those are really clean brats! What engines came in those years? I assume the ea81 was the second gens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
91 subaru Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 All BRATs had four-wheel drive and the Subaru EA engine. Early models received a 1.6L EA-71 whereas 1981 and later models received a 1.8 L EA-81 engine. 1983 and 1984 models could be purchased with an optional 94***hp (70***kW) turbocharged engine. Manual transmissions were standard on all models and an automatic transmission was available on turbocharged BRATs. 1980 and earlier models had a single-range transfer case, while 1981 and later GL models had a dual range transfer case (DLs still had single range) and all turbocharged models were equipped with an automatic transmission with single range push-button four-wheel drive. Straight from wikipedia... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
race_to_live Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 Is there anything different to the 4x4/axles/struts...(other then the shifter like 4x4) because I have extra parts for the gl wagon, and if they fit on the gen 1 and gen 2 that would be awesome. Also difference in how to lift them (2"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Is there anything different to the 4x4/axles/struts...(other then the shifter like 4x4) because I have extra parts for the gl wagon, and if they fit on the gen 1 and gen 2 that would be awesome. Also difference in how to lift them (2"). Early EA81 wagons ('82 to '84) used the same axles (except for the turbo versions). '82 to '87 EA81 Hatch used many of the same parts (fenders, doors, engine, transmission and rear diff). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Is there anything different to the 4x4/axles/struts...(other then the shifter like 4x4) because I have extra parts for the gl wagon, and if they fit on the gen 1 and gen 2 that would be awesome. Also difference in how to lift them (2"). Early EA81 wagons ('82 to '84) used the same axles (except for the turbo versions). '82 to '87 EA81 Hatch used many of the same parts (fenders, doors, engine, wheels, transmission and rear diff). More parts are interchangeable. Just need to be specific and ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
race_to_live Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 Yet another question...what year brats came with an extra headlight right in the center of the grill? There is one for sale near me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tundrabrat Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Yet another question...what year brats came with an extra headlight right in the center of the grill? There is one for sale near me 82' only. The later models 83-87 (quad head light) did not. 85 was the last year of the jump seats and the first year of the hydro lifters and larger valve heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mugs Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 On this forum there used to be a Subies of the 80's data page with pics and specs...Tried searching and could not find it. That had a ton of info on it that would answer a lot of your questions.... anybody know where that portion of the forum went? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 http://www.indysworld.com/80s/ some links are broken some still fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mugs Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 http://www.indysworld.com/80s/ some links are broken some still fine. Ya thats the one...Thanks...its now bookmarked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
race_to_live Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 I looked at that site above, but it wont work real well for me because I only have the interweb on my phone...that being said I read understand the different lifters and valves in 85-87, so in 85-87 did the brats come fuel injected? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 Star Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 so in 85-87 did the brats come fuel injected? Nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
race_to_live Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 So out of all the years, which year is the best/recommended? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 Star Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Everyone has their own prefferences... I think it just comes down to finding one in good condition in your area. Try finding ones that are as rust-free as possible. A Brat is a Brat. If you find a good base you can always add a cyclops light or jumpseats later. Have you started hunting yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
race_to_live Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hunting is an understatement Haha. If brats were women I would have been thrown in jail months ago. I have been looking for 84-87 brats and have only found 3, but I have literally found tons of first gens (well around 15 id say). They are everywhere here in CO. Craigslist/newspaper/local deals...so I might just pick up a first gen and swap the 1.8 engine in... Also every single first gen that I have found is completly stock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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