i think this ? has been asked but i can not remember the reason.

 

can you lift a gen 1 brat (1981)? if not why?

 

just curious, i got a nice one, but since getting it, have fallen in love with the lifted soobs, and find myself only driving my lifted wagon...

 

has anyone done one or have any pics of one?

 

thanks for any input

Have you tried doing a search?

Sure - it can be done, but no one makes a "kit" for it. The problem area is the rear end. The torsion bars are mounted at funny angles and are difficult to install lift blocks under. The best method, as I understand it, is to fabricate in the torsion bar from a Gen 2 car.

 

GD

'81 isnt a first gen though is it?

Yes - 81 is Gen 1 for the Brat. Brat's didn't get the makeover that the other models did until 82.

 

GD

would 14" pugs fit on a lifted, say 3" gen 1 brat, or are there clearance problems?

14 pugs will fit without a lift at all.... just depends on what tire you put on them. 15's will fit too.

 

With a 3" lift, you could probably run 27's without a lot of trouble. Although I haven't lifted a Gen 1, and I'm not sure where or how much you would have to cut or beat.

 

GD

I've hesitated to post this, but....

Rick has come up with a lift kit that fits a Brat perfectly. We put one on ours, but I can't post pix yet because I don't have it on our website! :-\

 

It's a solid rail type that actually strengthens the the unibody...and very simple to install.

We have a guy who's been a welder for about 35 years who can fabricate them in a couple of days.

 

I have no idea what the pieces/parts (no offense intended) kits cost, but I think they may be offering this for around $500-650. Believe me, it's a very different kit from what I've seen before!

 

If anybody wants a picture of it, email me, and I'll send them along.

 

Emily

http://www.ccrengines.com

CCR's Kit looks Great. I saw it when I stopped in their shop in Denver. Larry

How much do you want to lift your gen1? and what kind of offroading are you planning on doing?

 

Are you thinking of something like this!

basically, i want to lift it 3" or so and get some 27" tires on it, on pug wheels. i really like your ride- do you have a bigger pic? it looks awesome.

 

i have to keep it realitively simple as i have no fabricating experience, and i dont know how to weld. i am looking for a bolt on type of thing, like the byb type of lifts.

 

i am going to email ccr and see what emily has got to offer.

 

i do not want to trim the wheel wells or anything, thats why i need to know if pugs with a 27 inch tire will clear the rear wheel wells on a gen 1 brat.

 

i thought i remember reading somewhere that they would not fit due to rubbing on the inside or something. although sometimes my mind plays tricks on me...

 

i like my gen 1 brat, but if i can not do a bolt on type of lift to it, i may sell it and look for a gen 2.

 

i do not plan on beating it up offroad, i like the looks of a lifted soob, and the way they drive. lifted soobs are great in the winter snow up here, both on and off road.

I have a '78 brat with a 3" lift. Running 205 70R 14's. They rub slightly in the front when turning.

 

I did not install the lift. But it looks well done. I think they rotated the back torsion bars a little, then they welded a new shock mount to the backing plate. I have wheeled this little monster all over Az.

 

When I get the digital camera a little more understood I will get some pictures.

thanks dave- pics would be great