Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

My 88 Hatch "Monster"


88HatchMonster
 Share

Recommended Posts

Back after many years away... I'm totally nuts for subies again!

 

Thought I'd say hi and show off my ride.

 

post-3495-0-51433900-1381802908.jpg

 

88 Hatchback

4" Lift

EJ22

29" TSLs

Rear LSD/Discs

+ Lots More

 

Someday I'll do a build thread... it's been pretty epic.

 

It's been my DD all Summer but is about to be put up for the winter. Chances are it's the last hatch in the state... I'm not taking any chances with the salt.

 

Back in the day this was one of the first (if not the first) EJ hatches in the US. Some may remember I used to sell adapter plates.

 

In more recent news, my girlfriend just bought me an 84 Brat! Planning a nice build/up restore... can't wait to dig into it.

post-3495-0-51433900-1381802908_thumb.jpg

Edited by 88HatchMonster
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

now that is one mighty clean soob. i soo wish brat looked anywhere close to that clean

 

Well it could someday! Your brat has lots of potential.

 

My hatch was rusted, rotted and rolled over when I started...

 

Here are some before and during shots of the build:

 

post-3495-0-01131700-1381804885.jpg

 

post-3495-0-40791100-1381804886.jpg

 

post-3495-0-64021600-1381804887.jpg

 

post-3495-0-04164600-1381804889.jpg

 

post-3495-0-27362700-1381804890.jpg

 

post-3495-0-53039300-1381804891.jpg

 

post-3495-0-84567500-1381804892.jpg

 

post-3495-0-23880000-1381804894.jpg

 

post-3495-0-54403800-1381804895.jpg

 

post-3495-0-98378200-1381804896.jpg

post-3495-0-01131700-1381804885_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-40791100-1381804886_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-64021600-1381804887_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-04164600-1381804889_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-27362700-1381804890_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-53039300-1381804891_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-84567500-1381804892_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-23880000-1381804894_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-54403800-1381804895_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-98378200-1381804896_thumb.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's some dedication and nice work.  Do you have any more pics or description of how you did your rad support?  When I build up my Hatch I am planning on making a custom one with angle iron similar to what you have there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys!

 

It will be fun to do a build thread or just post a few more pics to this one.

 

Going through all my old pics gets me all fired up to work on subies again.

 

The radiator support was super easy as I recall. Pretty much a straight shot across.

 

I made sure to weld nuts in underneath to mount a skid plate to later on.

 

post-3495-0-88070700-1382061185.jpg

post-3495-0-88070700-1382061185_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice, thanks for the extra pic.  Makes me wish I could start building right now.  I see some reinforcements around the strut tops too that drop down to the unibody frame (?).  If you have any old photos of that hanging around I would be really interested in seeing those as well.  You've pretty much done almost exactly what I want to do with my hatch, except that I am going with the donor Legacy suspension and auto trans, but still, looks amazing and looks like it's a blast to drive.  I am totally jealous, I wish I could start building, but my house has other plans for my time.  Definitely inspiring.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rather than use strut top adapters of some kind, I basically lowered the strut towers 4" and slotted the holes for camber adjustment.

 

I then reinforced the towers with angle iron down to the main rails of the unibody.

 

I do love this car! It is really fun to drive with the EJ and has an amazing ride and feel with how overbuilt the chassis is.

 

I know what you mean about itching to get on your build! I'm not going to be able to do much all winter, but I'm hoping to do a few indoor things like prepping a harness for my next swap...

 

post-3495-0-45902600-1382069372.jpg

post-3495-0-45902600-1382069372_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks again!

 

Since everyone seems to be enjoying the pics, I think I'll make it my de facto build thread and roll out a a few pics at a time in semi-chronological order.

 

Oldest digital pic I have:

post-3495-0-54455200-1382209245.jpg

 

Always-trusty old EA81 pulled:

post-3495-0-51788900-1382209276.jpg

 

It starts! Floor repair:

post-3495-0-29887000-1382209603.jpg

 

post-3495-0-63768100-1382209604.jpg

 

Floor paint:

post-3495-0-91371200-1382209881.jpg

 

Bed-liner goes down (this stuff was awesome):

post-3495-0-72778100-1382210500.jpg

 

post-3495-0-63984600-1382210530.jpg

 

post-3495-0-85101400-1382210502.jpg

 

post-3495-0-16866800-1382210504.jpg

 

That's it for now! Stay-tuned!

post-3495-0-54455200-1382209245_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-51788900-1382209276_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-29887000-1382209603_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-63768100-1382209604_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-91371200-1382209881_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-72778100-1382210500_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-85101400-1382210502_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-16866800-1382210504_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-63984600-1382210530_thumb.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Continuing on!

 

After all rust was removed from the floor and underbody, and new metal welded in, I sealed the seams with Por-15 sealant and painted with Rust Bullet. Then the underbody was sprayed with rubberized undercoating.

post-3495-0-43170700-1382750296.jpg

 

I built the basic lift kit around 1999 when I was still in high school. I tied the front and back together to make it a frame after I got out of college at least five or six years later. It got a few coats of Por-15 before it was bolted into place. You can see where my inner fenders were bashed in to clear the swampers.

post-3495-0-05785500-1382750715.jpg

 

Probably goes without saying that this kit is sturdy.

post-3495-0-52953200-1382750723.jpg

 

Towing capability is awesome with the frame and EJ22.

post-3495-0-49015700-1382751005.jpg

 

Last shot for now:

post-3495-0-31035200-1382751176.jpg

post-3495-0-43170700-1382750296_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-05785500-1382750715_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-52953200-1382750723_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-49015700-1382751005_thumb.jpg

post-3495-0-31035200-1382751176_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah more pics!  I am planning on doing a frame like that too.  I thought I would have to buy a tubing bender for some dom like VaporTrails brat build, but looking at your square tube frame I'm thinking that maybe that would be overkill for my puropses since it's already got a unibody "frame" and I'm not going with solid axles.  Square tube would be easier.  I think my build just got a lot less expensive and easier...in my mind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about building a DOM frame if you are using stock running gear. This frame is by far the strongest thing on the car. I did beef up my stock gear a bit, though.

 

Radius rods were sleeved with 1.25x1.25 square and control arms were reinforced with square tube underneath from the pivot to ball joint then plated over the whole bottom. (wish I had pics of that process)

 

post-3495-0-74624100-1382757100.jpg

post-3495-0-74624100-1382757100_thumb.jpg

Edited by 88HatchMonster
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...