Subaru BRAT rescue
Discussion
Neil has declared himself finished. Hopefully this means all holes are done, rather than he never wants sight of this truck again.
Final pieces in the bay were straight forward.
But what we thought was surface rust behind the spare Wheel also needed a patch cutting in. 30 years of rubbing had worn through.
Meanwhile I clean up the fuel tank and gave it a coat of primer. There’s a couple of small holes, but the seam looks ok.
It drove out of the garage into the sunshine. Plenty of bodywork to do, but excited for this phase.
Final pieces in the bay were straight forward.
But what we thought was surface rust behind the spare Wheel also needed a patch cutting in. 30 years of rubbing had worn through.
Meanwhile I clean up the fuel tank and gave it a coat of primer. There’s a couple of small holes, but the seam looks ok.
It drove out of the garage into the sunshine. Plenty of bodywork to do, but excited for this phase.
Thanks.
It will be sprayed in red, but with the NAS wider white stripe from front to rear. I have sourced some Brat decals for the B post too.
Due to the poor condition and rarity of the body side trim, I’m going to delete it all and go for a smoother OEM+ look, complimented by wider tyres (but not mud terrain).
Currently debating a bee sting aerial, but that might make the roof too busy.
It will be sprayed in red, but with the NAS wider white stripe from front to rear. I have sourced some Brat decals for the B post too.
Due to the poor condition and rarity of the body side trim, I’m going to delete it all and go for a smoother OEM+ look, complimented by wider tyres (but not mud terrain).
Currently debating a bee sting aerial, but that might make the roof too busy.
I see a Brat has appeared on Facebook Market place.
Interestingly, the owners name is also Dave?
Project abandoned due to ill health.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/68700915...
Interestingly, the owners name is also Dave?
Project abandoned due to ill health.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/68700915...
Thanks for the interesting comments and photos. It’s got me inspired again.
Long term readers may recall I purchased a full set of bushes, but was struggling to remove the lower control arm. Luckily, I received a message from a fellow Subaru fan who knows a trick or two, and in a couple of hours work we had the NS control arm off.
I will paint it, replace the bushes and reassemble.
We have progress again!
Long term readers may recall I purchased a full set of bushes, but was struggling to remove the lower control arm. Luckily, I received a message from a fellow Subaru fan who knows a trick or two, and in a couple of hours work we had the NS control arm off.
I will paint it, replace the bushes and reassemble.
We have progress again!
Near side completed, and made a good start getting offside stripped in much less time thanks to lessons learned on the first go.
The notorious knuckle retaining bolt came loose easily…
This time I cut the ball join off. I think the heat and vibration from the grinder helped work the stud loose, as it drifted out easily.
Now repainting and rebushing control arm.
The notorious knuckle retaining bolt came loose easily…
This time I cut the ball join off. I think the heat and vibration from the grinder helped work the stud loose, as it drifted out easily.
Now repainting and rebushing control arm.
I’m not surprised by the lack of comments on recent posts. It’s not the most exciting phase.
Here’s a photo of a painted control arm with new bush to liven things up a little.
I’m also spending a lot of time lying under the car with paint and sealant. I’ll spare you this level of boredom, but promise a photo when she’s next out of the garage!
Here’s a photo of a painted control arm with new bush to liven things up a little.
I’m also spending a lot of time lying under the car with paint and sealant. I’ll spare you this level of boredom, but promise a photo when she’s next out of the garage!
Nik Gnashers said:
Thank you for the update.
I know it might seem like nobody is interested, but I'm sure there are many like me, who don't post on the forum that often, yet love reading about stuff like this.
Really impressive work, and I cannot wait to see it progressing further.
Yep, can't put it better than that. Looking forward to seeing it finished.I know it might seem like nobody is interested, but I'm sure there are many like me, who don't post on the forum that often, yet love reading about stuff like this.
Really impressive work, and I cannot wait to see it progressing further.
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