March 6, 200323 yr what are the differences between the 82 and 83-84 brats? i noticed that the later ones are a few inches longer with a longer wheelbase and a bit more ground clearence. anything else?
March 6, 200323 yr <span style="text-decoration:underline"><strong>78-81 "Gen1"</strong></span> same front end body style as other 78-79 subarus 78 had "4 wheel drive" spelled out on grille emblem 79-81 had "4WD" grille emblem 78-81 had jump seats all had ea71 1600 motor and single range tranny, except for '81 GL which had 1800 ea81 and dual range tranny door interchange with 2 door coupes sedans from 78-79 (maybe earlier ones too) no door glass interchange <span style="text-decoration:underline"><strong>82-87 "Gen2"</strong></span> All were same body style. 82 had chrome bumpers, and turn signals up next to the headlights 82 GL had Center Lamp 82-85 had Jump seats 82 had radio antenna on drivers side fender 83-87 had radio antenna on passenger fender 82-87 GL's had the Fun-Roof "T-Tops" 83-87 had quad headlight set-up with turn signals in the bumper 83-87 had black plastic bumper covers front and rear. 82 had the smaller 8" clutch 83-87 had 9" clutch 85-87 had hydraulic lifter motor 84 with auto tranny had hydraulic lifter motor 83-84 had Automatic tranny option 83-84 had Turbo Traction with Auto tranny model doors interchange with 80-84 2 door coupes and 80-89 hatchbacks no door glass interchange bigger bed than Gen1. more ground clearance I think all had ea81's, and a slightly different cam than the other 4WD's I'm sure I'm missing something. anybody else....
March 6, 200323 yr wow, that helps a lot! any mechanical differences? i want the best, most robust brat year.
March 6, 200323 yr Gen2's are much easier to get parts for. Gen1's are a little more simple in terms of wiring, etc... No tilt wheel in a Gen1, but tilt came on Gen2 GL's the 82 brat had a bigger 4th gear, so more power at highway speed than the 83-87, but not as much speed. 78-81 tailgates interchange 82-87 tailgates interchange Gen1's tended to rust out in the strut towers which could cause problems. Be sure to check the cab floor for softness at the seams. they like to rot out there in the salty winters. check frame rails and rockers too. no commercially available lift kits for Gen1's but there are people that can make one 78-82(maybe 83) Brats had solid rotors 83(maybe 84)-87 Brats had vented rotors if you're lifting a Brat, the 82 is good because of the better 4th gearing for travel with big tires, and the turn signals are not in the bumper, so you can easily switch to a custom bumper and not worry about mounting turn signals. the bad thing about that is they are out in the open more, and not protected by the bumper so then you need a brush guard....
March 6, 200323 yr but if i swap in a 5 speed manual, the 4th gear issue goes away. what would you suggest if i was going to do that?
March 6, 200323 yr This very fine job done by the Mickster <strong> is </strong> going in the archives, it should also be in the reference manual if it isn't already. Mick let me say "Thanks for the work, very well done"
March 7, 200323 yr :rollin: you replace enough stuff on the 5 speed swap that it really shouldn't matter.... Thanks guys. I enjoy learning things, and if it's something I like, I usually try to learn as I can about it. I retain lots of things that I usually wish I didn't. I don't have a very good memory flush function when I joined this board, I had never even change my own oil before!!!
March 7, 200323 yr Being the proud new owner of a Brat I find this VERY helpful, thanks:D Subaru called the four wheel drive turbos in '83 and '84 "Turbo Traction" models, I believe they all had auto tranny's?
March 7, 200323 yr Mick just has a driveway full of cheat sheets. Right now he has an 86, 84, 82 and 78 Brat. He had the "turbo traction" brat that I now own. Get him an 80 and hed have a flush. Mtn Grizz and the "Joker" sedan he has will have to be wild cards.
March 7, 200323 yr Here's a question ? what years of brats had the cyclops eye and what is the original name for the light , And what is it's purpose? Brad
March 7, 200323 yr yep. only 82 stock. Shawn has one in his 87.... looks good. here's the <a href="http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/Literature/brochures/1982-brat-g.jpg" target="top">page</a> from the 82 brat sales brochure. The switch in the car says "Passing Light" but the brochure says "Off Road Running Light"
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