Here are some more pics of the project. Grinding down the back of the front hub plates, in prep to weld the lug studs in. The back done. 12" of ground clearance to the rear diff. A look into the future... what it should look like after the front lift is done. Front tires on. Looks pretty sweet to me. Definitely need to finish the lift now. Hmm... this could be an issue. Gonna have to do some fender trimming. So now the 6 lug conversion is done. Just need to finish the lift and get the front bumper put together. Then it will pretty much only be cosmetic stuff. FYI: a great write up on the 6 lug conversion can be found here: http://offroadingsubarus.com/6stud_conversion.html
WOA! it is done. at first I thought those were the pics that I took, but then noticed that you've got more than 2 lug studs holding them on. yea, definitely need to get that finished! :yumyum:
I took measurements for the knuckle and strut so I can start drawing up plans for the strut extensions. For the tranny part I think I am going to use a hole saw to punch through and removed the stock captive nuts. Then the only tricky part is making the steering extension which shouldnt be too hard.
I am kind of scared of Gilbert. I think it would be a total blast to go, but I fear that the Brat wont return in 1 piece. I think Chux is the only person to have seen the rustyness first hand (and the amount it bends when it is on jeck stands). Perhaps after I spend a couple months welding on it (reinforcing the unibody, frame rails, bed, floor, and maybe some rock sliders) it will see Gilbert.
it definitely is not as solid as it was from the factory. but that doesn't mean it can't come up or you won't have fun. there is an enormous range of trail difficulties. would be pretty easy to bring it home in one piece. it's substantially more solid than the PoopenVagon was/is (SUBSTANTIALLY!!!!!!!), and it's been up there dozens of times. lol @ ying yang 4runners :laugh: might be a good excuse to let the girls drive.
oh I dont doubt the fact that I will have fun there. The brat just hasnt earned my trust, to be able to go ~700 miles round trip and get abused on some trails. Perhaps after it has been to the much closer to home off roading place and I have some more miles on it, then it will go. I wouldnt mind having an EJ22E in there before Gilbert either. For some reason I have more confidence in the EJ22E than a EA81, mostly since I know the abuse that a EJ22E can take and how to work on them, or more fittingly how to make them work.
I would trust an EA81 more than an EJ22e :eek3::eek4: as long as you're content with doing the whole trip at 40mph :laugh: although you could still probably outrun Nate's Jeep. but in all reality, I totally understand. I would definitely get some more miles on it before taking off on the big ol' road trip. But the park itself isn't that bad.
ya like that one? Kelsey says we should swap drivers doors to make it official. And it makes perfect sense to test thing thing out for a while locally, Don't worry, I should be keeping this runner for more than 6 months.
just thought I'd quote this......:ugh: bumping for motivation pics of Mick's Brat. FYI...these wheels are 17x9s :eek3:
I like how he trimmed his fenders. I picked up some pipe yesterday for the strut extensions. I just need to test fit it in the knuckles before I weld them up. I also found a place that carries 1/2" by 6" grade 8 bolts
yea, forgot to mention. the wheels are 17x9. but the tires are 35x12.5. the same size that Nate is running on his Jeep :yumyum:
Well things are progressing again. I need 4 bolts (m10x1.25 7", or probably 3/8" x 7" in grade 8) which are kind of hard to find and then the steering extension piece and thats it for parts. Here is the drawing for the strut extension: Now here are the pictures of the actual piece. This was custom made, out of 2.5" 1018 cold rolled steel bar stock, for the Brat by FastMatt. Huge thanks for Matt for helping me out with this, this is a very important part of the lifting project and it wouldnt have gotten done with out his help. I dont have a shot of it completely assembled because I need to drop the engine crossmember before there is enough room to fit in these extensions. So this was just a test fit. These fit perfectly, took a little bit of sanding to get them on the struts and some tapping with the BFH but they fit nice and snug. The fit could not be better.
my dads got one in plymouth for now if you ever want to use it nate. I think you should buy it, but I think that so I dont have to help move it to rwf.
Well grainger fail me. they did not give me the right bolts. Anyway there was progress today. Jack and Tom helped me get some work done. We were able to drop the engine and transmission crossmembers, get the engine x-member blocks and bolts (custom made, since no place had the right ones) in as well as getting the strut extensions in. There is still quite a bit of work that will need to be done. Mainly finishing the trans x-member (need bolts), re-routing tons of vacuum lines so they reach the engine in it new location, and possibly making the brake lines longer. Here are a couple pics from today. the wheels are on and supporting it, so this is what it will look like finished. There is a solid 8" of fender gap in the front now. FYI: 1st pic is Jack being proud of his ratchet strap method of getting the suspension together.
^ yeah. I gave grainger a shot cause it was open and fast (already had an account). They ended up giving me 6" long bolts instead of 7". which was a large setback. Ended up having to make my own bolts out of 3/8" threaded rod. fastenal for sure next time. Also tractor supply lied to me saying that had 3/8X8" bolts in stock when they didnt. Grr...
very nice!! can't wait to see it out on the trails! I bet you'll still need to do some trimming/pounding to keep from rubbing on full compression.
Thanks! and Thanks a ton for helping me out with those extensions. The fit is perfect, and they will most definitely outlast many-o-lifted brat. Truly awesome stuff.
This is pretty cool,i wanted one of these pretty bad when i was in high school probably started my love for subies.
Thanks. I just want to interject that you can have a project like this and keep it on a tight budget. It should be pretty easy to find one and lift it for under 2k. although the condition (rust) may be an issue, as I found out the hard way. haha! I cant be banned ;-) You will get more pics tomorrow. Now I just need to figure out that 4wd issue...
I didn't even know cars like this were real. It's just like when my buddie was telling me about the "mighty max" truck with a dsm motor. Much props man!
^ Thanks! Here is a pic for you Chux. There are a few more in the COTM May '09 thread. BTW: I tore my first axle boot on the brat today.... Too much axle angle I am thinking...
Thanks! I hope I do too. Plans: Yes. Timeline: No. Down the line I would like to get a set of Swamper TSLs. However the current tires have an ok amount of tread left, so I will use them for atleast the next few months. The big question is how much trimming and bending can I do before I get the new tires. I would like to fit 30"s or bigger but some people say that it wont be possible. 33x12.5" TSLs would dominate.
