Blaster88 shot these on a road trip the other day, sort of neat to see how it looks to others. I can't go anywhere without someone walking over and asking me about the truck. My number one joy in those things is when I explain that it is NOT a Toyota drivetrain or some other swap and that the core suspension is 100% Subaru. I also get asked about the engine allot, again, the pride is in explaining it is 100% Subaru.

 

 

Cool, glad to see it made it to the road. Looks good too. How'd the drivabilty turn out? Any issues come up?

Looks good! any other shots of it around? How does it handle with those huge meats on there?

 

Did you put power steering in there?

 

-Brian

I have tried to expain the handeling to people and they just can't wrap their minds around it that something that big can be that smooth or nimble. The handeling now FAR excedes stock. It is all fine and good to throw out theorys about tire tread block squirm etc. but the absolute truth is that it handles like a fair sports sedan. Off road handeling is even better. For example, today I was making a grocery run and took the BRAT for fun. There was a bumpkin that had gotten out of his truck at a intersection and was tying his shoes (I have no idea what that was about). So I just looked over at the muddy construction area to the right and didn't even bother to slow down, just rolled through at 30. When I weighed it at the gravel pit the fellow there let me have the run of the back slag lot. All I can do is offer a ride because that is the only thing that can explain it. Building the suspension as part of the whole makes a world of difference over just leaving it stock.

Oddly enough, my only real handeling anomoly is toruqe steer, something it never really had stock!

 

As for get up and go, it drops 2~3in. in the rear and rises as much in the front and it pulls hard all the way up to speed. I can turn the fronts over in 2wd with no problem. Braking will put you against the harnesses firmly.

 

Again, I offer a ride to any takers, those who have ridden in it have been pretty shocked at how it performs.

dude that looks good but you should get some front shots of it

nice job subarubrat.. truely a work of art. Ive been watching this brat for a while now. I love your idea of "custom" subaru

 

by the way.. how are those 31's treatin ya with the XT6 motor?

 

I know the 4 banger doesnt do too good with 30's

Alrighty... I'm going to put this on my list of projects to be completed at some point during my lifetime. That Brat is nothin' short of awe-inspiring...

you may have explained this already, but what have you done about the brakes, even with the 27's the brakes seem inadequate, so i can imagine that with 31's it would stop slowly but you said that it put you against the harnesess, so it gets me thinking what i can do to my brakes?

That is AWE-Some!

 

If there weren't pictures I probably wouldn't believe it!

Now I know I have to get mine done. :slobber: :burnout:

 

 

(Edited to change subject heading)

(Just trying to keep it clean)

Did not drive it, but I did go for a ride.

 

My estimate is that it is as high as a moderately jacked up Wrangler, but it rides significantly better than any Wrangler I've been in. The tire lugs make a lot of noise, but the WOT trhottle sound is something you have never heard from a Subaru before.

 

I woulda taken some front shots on the road, but my passenger was 2, not much of a photographer. And I have this thing about facing forward while driving.

I think the next east coast meet should include you no matter what.I'd go to VA for the day/weekend to check it out.

 

Outstanding!!!!

Wow, sure is wide. Looks good though. Last time I checked your website I didn't see any info on the suspention lift, gearing and beefed up axles. Is that there and I missed it or can you explain a bit if you have time. Thanks and nice work.

I am trying to put together an east coast meet in Orange VA at the first rally cross of the season (march-ish). Lets hope for lots of rain and lots of MUD.

 

The basics on the suspension: King springs, re-indexed rears. Rancho adjustables all around, adjustable tortion bars and cartridged front struts. DL strap mounts are on but I don't run the straps most of the time.

 

I need to get some details up on the axles and brakes, please bear with me.

 

The gearing is 3:9 diff and EA81 D/R tranny. Just overcome by more power!

SaWeeet! Glad to see forward motion! Looks good doing it. I'm still not gonna rest till I see it in photos or video off road. Good job. Now pack it up and move West.

 

 

Did you get to watch the Rubicon Video yet? ? ?

Never recieved it! I have been meaning to email you about it. I deleted the email with your addy in it so I was just going to send the cash using the return address, but nothing showed up. And as I said, I have been meaning to get back to you about it.

I too noticed crappy braking with 30" tires. I assumed my calipers were at fault.

 

NoahDL88 - dude, you have a pm.

Most people when they go for a ride with me expect the Brat to drive like any other big 4WD, but it doesn't. It's very stable, very manuvuerable, and handles like a dream. It's a little stiff in the rear with the coil overs, but not bad.

I hear ya on the take off. Mine is a little more so cause it's RWD on the street, I think that if I actually had tires with some real on road grip I could prolly pull the front tires off the ground. But for now, it's just breaking both the rear tires loose.

Breaking isn't a problem even with 30's if you have rear disc's. Also the big 6 helps a lot with the high compression, good for engine breaking (not to be confused with engine breaking).

Good to see it's up and running good enough for some good distance trips. You got all the computer issues worked out??

Originally posted by subarubrat

The basics on the suspension: King springs, re-indexed rears. Rancho adjustables all around, adjustable tortion bars and cartridged front struts. DL strap mounts are on but I don't run the straps most of the time.

 

So in the front suspension, you've added King Springs and cartriges to Subaru(?) struts, added torsion bars to each side, and added extra Rancho shocks? If that's about right, what kind of T-bars did you add and is that using EA81 control arms and hubs or have those been upgraded to Impreza or Legacy style

?

Sorry for all the questions. I guess I can wait until you get it up on your website but you've got me curious. Thanks. -MW

yeah, my lifted hatch really raises up in the front and squats in teh back off the line..

 

i freaked a guy in a honda out the other day, pulled up, reved the hatch, he laughed, i grinned. light turned green (had it in 4low) i pulled the front end 3-4" off the ground and took him through 2nd gear

 

wish i had a camera for the look on his face was priceless

 

 

we need to get together sometime and go find some mub Subarubrat.. March is a looooong ways off :boohoo:

What are you doing this weekend? I am headed to the gravel pit most probably.

i'm off thursday, friday, sat, and sunday.. saturday i might be goin to skips place to drop off his RX.. if not then i'll prolly be down at Mark's (lostwaters) so friday and sunday are open..

 

wheres the gravel pit? :eh:

There is one in Fredericksburg I am trying to arrange that right now. It is about 20 min. down the road from me. I will keep you posted, Sunday looks good for me.

cool... keep me posted.. could prolly meet at your place first then convoy over? or ?

Absolutly, come by and we'll have some breakfast pizza and play some Space Invaders or Galaga for a few.

 

Hey Tom60503 (I think that's right) come on out too if your not working.