1987 Subaru BRAT

[JamesHenry]

I picked up a 1987 Subaru BRAT. The Subaru BRAT had one crucial design flaw that made them go to the junk yard well before they had to – rear strut mount welds. The rear struts mounts are welded onto an L shaped bracket that sadly allowed water/salt to sit behind the welds. This in turn rotted the fender wells in the bed. My BRAT is no different. I consider it the most damaged part on the vehicle.


However, that isn’t all the rust. The driver side door has been completely rusted out on the lower corner. A new door is a must. There is also a little frame rot that needs to be replaced. It’s just something that with time and hard work, it can be fixed.


After running into a little bit of a fiasco with the title, I managed to track down the original owner and get the title signed. He told me some history about the truck. It’s been across the U.S. four times, lived most of its life in Mississippi, had the rear chrome piece broke off by kids on Halloween, leaks some oil and just had a new exhaust, catalytic convertor, rotor/distributor and wires put on it before he sold it. The one fender is darker than the rest and he said that’s how he purchased it from the dealer – he guesses it was damaged prior to him getting it.


Sadly, the project has been on hold for the last 6-7 months. I just got married and moved into a house so I now have a place to store and work on the BRAT – under a carport. The first thing I did was checkout the rust and underneath the vehicle – I was surprised that it wasn’t worse. I also dropped a battery in it to check for leaks. After letting it idle for a good 20-30 minutes, I looked under the car – NOTHING. Not as so much as a little drop. I then drove the car back and forth in the parking lot – in and out of 4WD and everything went smoothly. It runs/idle’s great for being a year and a half old gas.


I also wanted to take notice of the oil pressure, RPM’s at idle, and engine temperature before ripping the engine out. While it was running, I rinsed out the engine bay. It had a ton of pine needles, leaves, etc – great for allowing rust to start eating away at the metal. I washed it, but the clear coat is so far gone its beyond help. It will get repainted the original color it was from factory.


Another reason it sat for so long was because I was debating what I wanted to do with it. Drop a WRX drivetrain in it? Lift it and create an off-road beast? After a long 6-7 months thinking about – I decided to pretty much keep it how it was from factory. For one, it’s the cheapest. Two, it’s the easiest. Three, it’s much more badass. It’s not often you see you a BRAT and when you do, it’s usually lifted or it has a STi drivetrain in it so I decided to keep it as it is since 4WD lo and hi works and the engine runs fantastic.


I don’t plan on restoring this to show-room quality but I also don’t plan on driving it every day. If there is a truck show in the area, I’ll enter it to represent Subaru. If there is a Subaru show in the area, I’ll enter it just because I’m sure I’d be the only one and I’m sure a lot of people would ask questions about it.





Typical rust in the bed.


Little bit of rust on the passenger side.


There shouldn't be a hole there...


Shouldn't be a hole here either...


Door cancer.


I'd say something about the seat, but every time I think about it I can just taste cigarettes from the original owner.


Oil pressure is around 25-28psi. It runs on the warmer side, though.


5 Speed Manual with Dual Range (hi/low) transfercase for 4WD-sweetness.


Is there anymore more American than a Subaru Brat, a Subaru Impreza WRX, and an American flag? I think not.


Here is the short list for getting it back up to speed. It doesn't include new hoses/new fluids/metal for repairing rust.

Axle & Driveshaft
C.V. Joint Boot Kit

Belts
Timing Belt

Brake Components & Wheels
Front Brake Disc
Rear Brake Hose
Rear Brake Shoe Set
Rear Brake Hose

Clutch Components
Clutch Kit
Release Bearing

Cooling Components
Radiator Cap
Lower Radiator Hose
Thermostat
Thermostat Gasket
Water Pump

Electrical
Alternator Belt
Spark Plug

Engine
Air Filter
Intake Manifold Gasket
Complete Engine Gasket Set
Cylinder Head Gasket Set

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[JamesHenry]

On a side note: if anyone knows of a door (GL wagon doors fit) or the rear chrome piece, let me know!

[IETVTS2]

Your patronage and your selection of cars are the same as mine.
2 Subis and a American Flag...LOL

It doesn't get any better than this...

[Flowmastered87GL]

are you SURE its a 5 speed.... its probably a 4 speed unless someone put in one of "Jerry's" kits

[TurboneX]

I wouldnt worry about the timing belt either.........it doesnt have one
But considering where the Brat is from, that rust isnt really bad and with some work can be repaired.
A good source of parts and info is over at http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/...isplay.php?f=2

IETVTS2 - Your patronage and your selection of cars are the same as mine.
2 Subis and a American Flag...LOL

It doesn't get any better than this...

Try 4 at the house and 4 more at a friends

[rexspeedworthy]

Nice, you're describing my Brat to a tee. I have an 85. Make sure you adjust the hill-holder properly, and you will really like it. My fender rot is worse than yours You also may wanna make sure the heat shield is on the exhaust by the passenger driver axle, or you'll replacing that inner boot more than you want. If you're fully warmed up, that does seem a little hot for it to be running. How's the rad? Mine is missing many fins, and runs that hot when fully loaded with 4 people trying to go up a hill. yeah and 4spd for sure. I guess the stock shift knobs sucked, because I have a 5 spd knob on mine, but it's only a 4 spd tranny. Good luck with it, keep us posted.
BTW, i still have many of these parts for sale
Not so much the bed rails
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1615160

[JamesHenry]

Originally Posted by TurboneX

I wouldnt worry about the timing belt either.........it doesnt have one
But considering where the Brat is from, that rust isnt really bad and with some work can be repaired.
A good source of parts and info is over at http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/...isplay.php?f=2

Try 4 at the house and 4 more at a friends

Haha that explains that. I'm still learning a lot about cars so this is somewhat of a learning vehicle to work on... heh.

Nice, you're describing my Brat to a tee. I have an 85. Make sure you adjust the hill-holder properly, and you will really like it. My fender rot is worse than yours You also may wanna make sure the heat shield is on the exhaust by the passenger driver axle, or you'll replacing that inner boot more than you want. If you're fully warmed up, that does seem a little hot for it to be running. How's the rad? Mine is missing many fins, and runs that hot when fully loaded with 4 people trying to go up a hill. yeah and 4spd for sure. I guess the stock shift knobs sucked, because I have a 5 spd knob on mine, but it's only a 4 spd tranny. Good luck with it, keep us posted.
BTW, i still have many of these parts for sale
Not so much the bed rails
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1615160

I don't have the slidest idea what the hill-holder is... lol. I'll have to google it. The passenger inner boot is torn .

I'm sure the rad is full of crap for being 22 years old and sitting for the last few years lol. I new radiator isn't out of the question, but not moving idling for a good 20-30 minutes it didn't jump any higher than that.

Its def. a four speed lol. I've only ever gone in first and reverse so I checked and there is no fifth gear .

I'll post more on my website about the work.

[rexspeedworthy]

Originally Posted by JamesHenry

Haha that explains that. I'm still learning a lot about cars so this is somewhat of a learning vehicle to work on... heh.




I don't have the slidest idea what the hill-holder is... lol. I'll have to google it. The passenger inner boot is torn .

I'm sure the rad is full of crap for being 22 years old and sitting for the last few years lol. I new radiator isn't out of the question, but not moving idling for a good 20-30 minutes it didn't jump any higher than that.

Its def. a four speed lol. I've only ever gone in first and reverse so I checked and there is no fifth gear .

I'll post more on my website about the work.

I have an awesome PDF file for you. It explains these older Subies great.
PM me your e-mail address, and I'll send to ya when I get home. I't like a chilton or what ever manual, but better, and with comedic interjections.

Ken

[TurboneX]

Originally Posted by rexspeedworthy

I have an awesome PDF file for you. It explains these older Subies great.
PM me your e-mail address, and I'll send to ya when I get home. I't like a chilton or what ever manual, but better, and with comedic interjections.

Ken

Its called "How to Keep Your Subaru Alive" and is a great manual for the Old School Subaru's.

[rexspeedworthy]

Originally Posted by TurboneX

Its called "How to Keep Your Subaru Alive" and is a great manual for the Old School Subaru's.

That's the one. It explains the hill-holder good.

[Flowmastered87GL]

hill holder in a nutshell

Come to a stop facing uphill.

Press clutch and brake. Make sure you push brake all the way.

Let go of brake

if adjusted properly, the hill holder will maintain brake pressure so the car wont roll back until the clutch engages. It can be tricky to adjust it the first time.

[JamesHenry]

Originally Posted by Flowmastered87GL

hill holder in a nutshell

Come to a stop facing uphill.

Press clutch and brake. Make sure you push brake all the way.

Let go of brake

if adjusted properly, the hill holder will maintain brake pressure so the car wont roll back until the clutch engages. It can be tricky to adjust it the first time.

Ha, I think I may have encountered this today! I had the car up on ramps and as I was backing down I had the clutch and the brake pressed in. Then, whenever I tried to go, it was like instantaneous brakes. I was confused but it went away.

[JamesHenry]

YouTube - 1987 Subaru BRAT

YouTube - 1987 Subaru BRAT

Video of it running

[rexspeedworthy]

Originally Posted by JamesHenry

YouTube - 1987 Subaru BRAT Video of it running

Runs smooth. That belt sure is straight too. Now, if you gonna go through all that trouble, at least give us a good walk-around the car. You got the seats in the back?

[rexspeedworthy]

crap, Hotmail won't send a file bigger than what I'm trying to e-mail you. Any ideas?

[JamesHenry]

Originally Posted by rexspeedworthy

crap, Hotmail won't send a file bigger than what I'm trying to e-mail you. Any ideas?

I can give you temp guest access to my FTP so you can upload it to my server . It'll have to wait until I get out of work, though.

Runs smooth. That belt sure is straight too. Now, if you gonna go through all that trouble, at least give us a good walk-around the car. You got the seats in the back?

LOL. Sorry, something shiny or a rubber band got my attention. I took more pictures of it yesterday after I was done doing a rust inspection . I'll try to post them up tonight.

[rexspeedworthy]

It' Friday, I gotta remember to bring it to work monday (it's on an sd card)
I'm sure I can send it from my work address. What you suggested went over my head.

[JamesHenry]

Originally Posted by rexspeedworthy

It' Friday, I gotta remember to bring it to work monday (it's on an sd card)
I'm sure I can send it from my work address. What you suggested went over my head.

I'll PM you my work email.

[RallyBlue]

I got an 82 with the Cyclops eye! its a desert car so no rust in the usual places.

[rexspeedworthy]

Those cyclopseseses are great, I fabbed one into aa '79 DL

hey OP, you need to find one of these lights. They are a real attention getter...as if the Brat ain't already.

[JamesHenry]

Haha that sounds like a project. It does look funny as hell though LOL.

rexspeedworthy -- I never got the email

[STI-NKR]

Wow, I wish my brat was that clean, but mine's been sitting in a junkyard for 8 months, clean title though and it drove off the trailer into my shop. I'll get some pictures up by tonight. Oh yeah, no rust.

I love my lil 81 and im pretty sure its gonna be badass, oh yeah, on the twin stick 4x4s, since my knob is gone what is the pattern for the 2wd and 4wd modes?

[ninefourteener]

Been working on my 78 for nearly a year now..... LOTS of work.... lots of rust... but it'll be worth it in the long run. Bodywork is almost done.

9 pages long last time I checked.... so give yourself a few minutes:

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/engine...ss-thread.html

[TurboneX]

Originally Posted by STI-NKR

Wow, I wish my brat was that clean, but mine's been sitting in a junkyard for 8 months, clean title though and it drove off the trailer into my shop. I'll get some pictures up by tonight. Oh yeah, no rust.

I love my lil 81 and im pretty sure its gonna be badass, oh yeah, on the twin stick 4x4s, since my knob is gone what is the pattern for the 2wd and 4wd modes?

If its a dual range, it should be 2wd/4wdLow/4wdHi

[deathwagon]

brats are awesome