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1978 Subaru Brat. From death to life and everything in-between

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Does anyone have any locations that might have the connector I can buy?

 

Narva do a complete range of plugs that you can directly swap over ( pins are similar size ) – You can either cut the old ones off & replace with new or  more tedious - swap the pins over, which can be difficult to get the old ones out, as you may have to cut the old plug up … L

 

More here : http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/quick-connect

 

Cheers, Bantum …

 

 

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  • spicypeanut
    spicypeanut

    Okay, so here is my big surprise update.     I recently picked up a factory ea71 air cleaner assembly (two actually) from 2 fellow members. The better one I left un-touched and pristine. The air cl

  • spicypeanut
    spicypeanut

    This just in. The Brat has passed CA Smog test. No more paper number in the window! 

  • spicypeanut
    spicypeanut

    Just received some trim rings in the mail. I think they actually make the steel wheels look great! What do you guys think?   Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr   Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

  • Author

 

Narva do a complete range of plugs that you can directly swap over ( pins are similar size ) – You can either cut the old ones off & replace with new or  more tedious - swap the pins over, which can be difficult to get the old ones out, as you may have to cut the old plug up … L

 

More here : http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/quick-connect

 

Cheers, Bantum …

 

Nice! That looks like exactly what we would need. Although I'm a bit worried as its only rated for 20A. The FSM calls for some of the fuses to be 25A.

There are other higher rated connectors out there too !

 

I'd rewire the High Beam to a new circuit from a dedicated relay - as it stops the heat building up / reduces current draw in the cabin.

 

P.S. - If your after the larger Connector, you could try the local wreckers to see if the have something similar.

 

Cheers, Bantum ...

Edited by Bantum

  • Author

Thanks Bantum! I'll be looking more into swapping out the bad harness plug into something that is safer.

 

Today I actually took the Brat out to an unknown dirt road right off the main road. I wanted to go exploring but I didn't have any protection, or assistance in-case something were to happen. I tried out my new video camera so I'll be posting a new video shortly.

  • 2 weeks later...

Why not do both ... :)
 

Alloys for show & on road + Jackmans for going off road = win !

 

Cheers, Bantum ...

Are you sure those are 14's? Are they marked that size or do they measure that, from lip to lip?

  • Author

Why not do both ... :)

 

Alloys for show & on road + Jackmans for going off road = win !

 

Cheers, Bantum ...

 

Haha, yeah I think I'm going to mount tires on the Alloy wheels and use those. I would use the Jackmans but I was surprised at how much they actually weigh! Steel vs Aluminum I guess.

 

In a few weeks is JCCS. Should I go with the factory steelies with caps or the Accessory Aluminum wheels?

 

Are you sure those are 14's? Are they marked that size or do they measure that, from lip to lip?

 

Well glancing at them, I didn't see any dimensions stamped into them but they measure 14 1/4 across by 6 1/4 wide.

Yeah those are 13" wheels. If they were 14's, they'd measure 15" across the face.

I know our conversation about it kinda died out, but I do still have all that brand new air conditioning stuff (evaporator, etc) if you want it. You could probably source the rest of the parts from a junkyard car. 

  • Author

I know our conversation about it kinda died out, but I do still have all that brand new air conditioning stuff (evaporator, etc) if you want it. You could probably source the rest of the parts from a junkyard car. 

PM'd you.

 

@Demon Brat    (his wiring thread can be found here     http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/148961-upgraded-headlight-wiring/ )

Thanks to demon brat, I ordered this to alleivate my headlight wiring issue.

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/331214602226

 

Looking forward to getting this installed so I can reliably use my high beams!

 

Edited by spicypeanut

  • Author

Just installed the wiring harness from my last post and it works! I checked my fuses for residual heat and they are not even warm! I can't wait to angle the high beams down and drive around town with all 4 lights on. :)

 

Also, this Saturday is JCCS 2014. I'm signed up and will be taking the car this year. I've been to many concour'd elegance with some of my family's other vehicles.

1907 Baker Electric

1909 Pierce Arrow

1907 Cylinder Oldsmobile

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Author

Once I get back from my trip I'll have some suprises to share with you all but for now I've got a small update. I attended this years Japanese Classic Car Show 2014 with my girl friend. By the time I got home at midnight we only had a few hours to clean the Brat, fall asleep and wake up at 6:30am for the drive to the show. My girl friend asked how she could help. Well honey, this is how you wax the car. So she wiped it down and waxed the Brat! :)

 

Proof:

15292915717_3c4c514414_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Took a couple pictures with the sun shining early in the morning:

15476340241_fcae7648a9_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

15292905607_26c4fffcfa_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

15476334341_59c7c860af_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Once we got to the show and parked on the grass it turns out there were only 3 Subaru's!

 

15288786347_569f542d67_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Mine:

15474998792_184c41180c_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

15288464239_3a8cd3d827_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

A Fellow Board Members Brat (which won a trophy by the way  @scole665 ):

15452265196_d99625b6f4_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

15475356625_fc37a82eff_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

15472219931_4caf532dc6_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

I wish I had taken more pictures. But until next time...


 

Edited by spicypeanut

I checked out your Brat while I was there. It is a real nice ride. What do you mean only 3 Subarus there, that was probably a record. I hope to have my 73' coupe ready for next year, but then I thought that 3 years ago........... I had my freshly restored 66' Datsun pickup there this year. It was the grabber blue one out in the asphalt area.

 

Mark

  • Author

I checked out your Brat while I was there. It is a real nice ride. What do you mean only 3 Subarus there, that was probably a record. I hope to have my 73' coupe ready for next year, but then I thought that 3 years ago........... I had my freshly restored 66' Datsun pickup there this year. It was the grabber blue one out in the asphalt area.

 

Mark

 

Thanks for the kind words. I've really enjoyed bringing the Brat back to life. I guess I never realized how rare these older Subaru's are. Everyone always talks about the Z cars, and the Datsun 510s being so "rare" but at JCCS you would never know that. The entire show (some 400 cars) were practically all those "rare" Datsun cars. I hope you can get the 73 up and running. If you ever need a hand let me know and I'll do what I can to assist. Have any pictures of the pickup? I think I remember it but not sure, I forgot to take more than 6-7 pictures lol.

 

 

So I've got 3 sets of wheels for the Brat. The factory steel wheels, the optional aluminum mag wheels, and now 13" Jackman wheels. I recently came across a set of 5 Jackman center caps.... :)

 

15358513060_36cfc95bc5_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Now, which wheels should I put tires on?!

Tyres on both the Jackmans (for the dirt roads) and the alloys (for the street)!

  • 2 weeks later...

Just installed the wiring harness from my last post and it works! I checked my fuses for residual heat and they are not even warm! I can't wait to angle the high beams down and drive around town with all 4 lights on. :)

 

Also, this Saturday is JCCS 2014. I'm signed up and will be taking the car this year. I've been to many concour'd elegance with some of my family's other vehicles.

1907 Baker Electric

1909 Pierce Arrow

1907 Cylinder Oldsmobile

 

Thinking about getting that harness. My headlights have 3 terminals on the outer lights and 2 on the inner lights. Do I have to replace all my lights to 3 terminal or just leave it be and go ahead and plug them in as is?

 

  • Author

Thinking about getting that harness. My headlights have 3 terminals on the outer lights and 2 on the inner lights. Do I have to replace all my lights to 3 terminal or just leave it be and go ahead and plug them in as is?

 

You should be able to use the harness as is. 2 of the plugs in the harness have 2 wires and 2 of the plugs in the harness have 3 wires. So it should be good to go.

Looks good man! It's come a long way. Gives me hope :) I love coming to this forum. Makes me wana work more on my 79' Bratticus. You just inspired me to keep working on it instead of spending the money to buy another cheap runner ;)

  • Author

In my quest to install working AC in the Brat, I recently got a shipment of parts in. A few of them appear to be un-used (never installed :) )

 

Fan Shroud/Hand gaurd:

15521666628_491e27710b_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Window Sticker :)

15521197869_11233caefa_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

MISC Parts:

15707069785_3597f6911c_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Thermostat/Fan Speed Controller:

15683349306_9fccd68dbf_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

MISC Hoses:

15522229220_8c43607e20_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

MISC Trim Pieces:

15521661268_f129f05b36_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Condenser:

15521660248_775d2b280a_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Huge AC Compressor Bracket:

15087111564_9599ddd6c6_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Blower:

15708638472_d86848f64b_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Brand New OEM Clock:

15683341936_e23606fb82_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Spare 4WD Rear Passenger Side Flap:

15683340636_99f53cc2ed_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

1 Gauge Cluster for parts, 1 Working/Very nice Gauge Cluster:

15705151091_67e05d8ec0_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Brand New Never Used AC exchanger (the one that goes inside the car):

15521185249_ac69d7a0c5_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Spare Turn Signal stalk WITH Hazard Button:

15521184149_745b1b7cf3_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

Spare set of Rough side trim:

15521183019_8580dd525d_b.jpgUntitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

 

That's all for now...

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