Subaru BRAT rescue
Discussion
Hello.
After lurking on here for some time, attempting to buy a classic Peugeot, I’ve gone and bought a Subaru Brat Pickup.
Growing up in Mid Wales, Subarus were part of my extended family. GLF’s, Leones and pickups all featured in the 80/90’s, and my first car was a Justy mk1.
Some years later I stumbled upon a Forester Sport, and the passion was rekindled.
Why a Brat? I love the looks, the sound, and the dashboard.
Why this one? Under and hour from home, ten minutes from a mate with a trailer and the same money I happened to have spare.
What’s the plan?
Drop the back axle, get a fabricator mate to do the tricky parts, reassemble and enjoy. Eventually cosmetics will follow, with branding for my business.
I’ve followed a few Brat posts on here, so hope to meet fellow enthusiasts and hopefully learn along the way.
Cheers
Dave
After lurking on here for some time, attempting to buy a classic Peugeot, I’ve gone and bought a Subaru Brat Pickup.
Growing up in Mid Wales, Subarus were part of my extended family. GLF’s, Leones and pickups all featured in the 80/90’s, and my first car was a Justy mk1.
Some years later I stumbled upon a Forester Sport, and the passion was rekindled.
Why a Brat? I love the looks, the sound, and the dashboard.
Why this one? Under and hour from home, ten minutes from a mate with a trailer and the same money I happened to have spare.
What’s the plan?
Drop the back axle, get a fabricator mate to do the tricky parts, reassemble and enjoy. Eventually cosmetics will follow, with branding for my business.
I’ve followed a few Brat posts on here, so hope to meet fellow enthusiasts and hopefully learn along the way.
Cheers
Dave
Thanks for all the interest!
I know the EJ20 from a previous Forester ownership, and while I think the non turbo would make a great drive, I’d want to keep the full time 4wd. That needs extensive floor pan mods, so beyond this project.
The EA81 is a popular aviation engine with 100hp being a typical tune. Will have a look down that line and see what crosses over into the road going version.
Colourway will remain red and white, but I’ll complete the stripe to the rear as per the Californian Brat, with company name in the rear panel. There will be yellow KC Daylighter spots on the roll bar.
Wheels are an interesting question. I think the original white 8 spokes make its character, but are too thin. Maybe same style but wider, running mild off-road tyres? Certainly will not be putting 33” swampers on it. They go anywhere stock, ask any farmer over 50.
I’ll update after the jet wash and brush. Let’s see how much is left!
I know the EJ20 from a previous Forester ownership, and while I think the non turbo would make a great drive, I’d want to keep the full time 4wd. That needs extensive floor pan mods, so beyond this project.
The EA81 is a popular aviation engine with 100hp being a typical tune. Will have a look down that line and see what crosses over into the road going version.
Colourway will remain red and white, but I’ll complete the stripe to the rear as per the Californian Brat, with company name in the rear panel. There will be yellow KC Daylighter spots on the roll bar.
Wheels are an interesting question. I think the original white 8 spokes make its character, but are too thin. Maybe same style but wider, running mild off-road tyres? Certainly will not be putting 33” swampers on it. They go anywhere stock, ask any farmer over 50.
I’ll update after the jet wash and brush. Let’s see how much is left!
First day with it out of the garage!
Gave it a good jet wash and poke underneath. The job appears as expected - rear arches and inners, front wings, cills.
Also pulled the exhaust off and bodged a plate on the back box to keep the noise sensible while moving it around. I won’t be welding on the rest of the car!
Gave it a good jet wash and poke underneath. The job appears as expected - rear arches and inners, front wings, cills.
Also pulled the exhaust off and bodged a plate on the back box to keep the noise sensible while moving it around. I won’t be welding on the rest of the car!
Thanks for all the interest. I’ll try and update as we go along.
There’s some great examples out there. This is a favourite:
https://www.motortrend.com/news/subaru-brat-custom...
There’s some great examples out there. This is a favourite:
https://www.motortrend.com/news/subaru-brat-custom...
Minor update while waiting for parts and tools.
I’ve started stripping the back end down for welding. Roll bar is out, as are all access panels to the inner wings. This will be useful for access to some tight spots. Trying to be organised and place fixings in labelled freezer bags as I go along.
The roll bar definitely needs lights when refitted.
Also decided to drop the dashboard to replace blown bulbs. Hardly a priority you may think, but I like to start with a non-vital job to “get my eye in” and gain a feel of how the car is put together. Very simple in this case - lovely 1970’s exposed (or slightly hidden!) screws.
Finally, had a play around with the roll bar as a bike rack. I don’t want to just put a pad on the tailgate, as a modern 29er with long forks will touch its front wheel on the ground!
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/uuoSaf2K.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/gQW5t6rL" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/gQW5t6rL.jpg)
I’ve started stripping the back end down for welding. Roll bar is out, as are all access panels to the inner wings. This will be useful for access to some tight spots. Trying to be organised and place fixings in labelled freezer bags as I go along.
The roll bar definitely needs lights when refitted.
Also decided to drop the dashboard to replace blown bulbs. Hardly a priority you may think, but I like to start with a non-vital job to “get my eye in” and gain a feel of how the car is put together. Very simple in this case - lovely 1970’s exposed (or slightly hidden!) screws.
Finally, had a play around with the roll bar as a bike rack. I don’t want to just put a pad on the tailgate, as a modern 29er with long forks will touch its front wheel on the ground!
Hello again,
Pleased to say the dash has gone back in, and the seats and floor mats are out. Floor pan has one repair (done well), and few signs of water ingress. Will jet wash all parts.
I’ve also started about the rear aches with a wire-brush grinder. Cue lots of rust and filler flying out and feelings of “what have I done here”!
It’s going to get worse before it can get better.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/82bwq5qU.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/Q1gdiH1N" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Q1gdiH1N.jpg)
Pleased to say the dash has gone back in, and the seats and floor mats are out. Floor pan has one repair (done well), and few signs of water ingress. Will jet wash all parts.
I’ve also started about the rear aches with a wire-brush grinder. Cue lots of rust and filler flying out and feelings of “what have I done here”!
It’s going to get worse before it can get better.
I looked at a few others which were held together by air and hope.
This project shows a similar amount of work on an even rarer 3dr.
https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/100046/1983-s...
This project shows a similar amount of work on an even rarer 3dr.
https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/100046/1983-s...
More small steps.
Temporary fuel tank arrived, but pipe the wrong size to feed carb, so will need adapting. Luckily all pipes move freely and are not perished.
Can anyone confirm the carb make from these photos (believe it’s Hitachi), and also is the pipe being pointed at the fuel return line? (Front pipe is fuelfeed).
Thanks in advance.
Temporary fuel tank arrived, but pipe the wrong size to feed carb, so will need adapting. Luckily all pipes move freely and are not perished.
Can anyone confirm the carb make from these photos (believe it’s Hitachi), and also is the pipe being pointed at the fuel return line? (Front pipe is fuelfeed).
Thanks in advance.
First two days of welding have gone well. Neil addressed one of the crucial MOT fail points - the rear axle mounting point had dissolved due to water entry into the chassis rail from above. As the inner arches needed replacing anyway, he cut through to gain access then remade the rusted section.
Amazingly, the rear axle locating bolt actually came undone!
Before
After
I’ve been sticking to my skill level and sourced a new pair of seats (thank you Geoff Jones Motorsport).
Amazingly, the rear axle locating bolt actually came undone!
Before
After
I’ve been sticking to my skill level and sourced a new pair of seats (thank you Geoff Jones Motorsport).
Hello again.
The welder and I are comfortably talking in days of work, rather than hours! I realise this could be a money pit, but have a budget in mind… (cue Grand Designs “so, what did it really cost you?” later).
While the metalwork has been subbed out, I’ve sourced some window winders and an ashtray. The ashtray will be modified to house the modern electronics (Bluetooth phone link and USB sockets) without spoiling the retro interior.
New cylinder head gaskets have also arrived and my father has been persuaded to dust off his British Leyland apprentice skills and help me set the valve clearances.
The welder and I are comfortably talking in days of work, rather than hours! I realise this could be a money pit, but have a budget in mind… (cue Grand Designs “so, what did it really cost you?” later).
While the metalwork has been subbed out, I’ve sourced some window winders and an ashtray. The ashtray will be modified to house the modern electronics (Bluetooth phone link and USB sockets) without spoiling the retro interior.
New cylinder head gaskets have also arrived and my father has been persuaded to dust off his British Leyland apprentice skills and help me set the valve clearances.
Hi Spoodler -
Lovely truck you had there. Mine came via DW in Llanfyllyn, who seems well known in the scene. It’s clearly been loved (engine is great), but run on a “one more MOT” budget for the last few years. Hopefully I can put that right and make it a good classic.
Last week’s welding was cancelled due to snow and ice. Our 2014 Forester (on Cross Climates) didn’t bat and eyelid, but no one else wanted to brave our lane!
Undeterred, I settled by the fire and made serious decisions on audio. Modern Blaupunt? Too costly. Period Alpine? Not appropriate. A vehicle like this would have had audio from the market, or at best, Tandy. So to eBay…
Great example of a Goodmans tape deck…
With perfect night Time colour match!
Next step is to hide a Bluetooth FM adaptor in the ashtray.
Lovely truck you had there. Mine came via DW in Llanfyllyn, who seems well known in the scene. It’s clearly been loved (engine is great), but run on a “one more MOT” budget for the last few years. Hopefully I can put that right and make it a good classic.
Last week’s welding was cancelled due to snow and ice. Our 2014 Forester (on Cross Climates) didn’t bat and eyelid, but no one else wanted to brave our lane!
Undeterred, I settled by the fire and made serious decisions on audio. Modern Blaupunt? Too costly. Period Alpine? Not appropriate. A vehicle like this would have had audio from the market, or at best, Tandy. So to eBay…
Great example of a Goodmans tape deck…
With perfect night Time colour match!
Next step is to hide a Bluetooth FM adaptor in the ashtray.
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