guess i better represent - build thread

[vidler]

Gday all, thought i'd represent all the B4 owners out there, even though there isnt many on this site.

This thread had sprouted from pure boredom... at work, nightshift, IT have 99% of websites blocked, by chance this has slipped through the net so its the only forum i have access too. So i thought i'd shower you all in my writing about my gen 3 B4 build/repair project.

so i bought it from an insurance wholesaler mob about 18months back, wasnt a planned purchase, spotted it in the quokka (local classifieds newspaper) on a thursday morning at work, quick call to mrs to see if she liked them, called the sales yard, arranged a viewing that evening, paid deposit and picked up on the friday.

first month spent ripping it to bits, had taken a knock on the front passenger side, buggered the bumper, fender, headlight, bonnet, chassis rail bent and smashed LH timing cover, shattered exhuast pulley and belt slipped off, both airbags deployed. Rest of the car was in tip top shape apart from a scratched rear bumper.

got started on collecting bits, got lucky on ebay for the airbags etc etc, ended up buying new headlight, bonnet, fender and bumper direct from subaru for a small fortune.

got hold of a half cut from a local wreckers, in my haste i bought a 99 gen 3 model, which i later discovered has slightly different headlight surrounds and the version 2 headlights arent an easy fit.

Didnt realise this till after i'd unpicked/cut/grafted the front corner in, run into dramas squaring it up and getting all the panels to line up and sit correctly.

kind of gave up and it sat round for a good 12months and i never touched it.

bought and sold a couple of other subi's in that time, but now im subaru'less apart from the B4 so i've found some motiviation in the past couple of weeks, currently doing my best to track down a version 2 bare front cut, im slowly calling my way round australia not having much luck.

once i have my new front cut, ill be replacing both rails to the firewall and complete front, basically only leaving the original strut towers.

This is my first attempt at something like this and im damn determined to do it right. I cant post pics up at the moment as im at work, but keep your eyes peeled on this thread in the near future for a few pics of what i've done and where im up to...

after all, someones gotta post somethnig in here

Jay

[vidler]

forgot to mention, in process of taking apart, found its got and ecutek 2 tune on the computer. thats the only mod its got and getting

[Evil_b4]

Hey mate,

If yo need B4 headlights, I have a pair forsale.

[Resonate]

Although most people on this forum have gen4 libs, many of us started with gen3 or earlier. I still have a lot of fond memories of my my02.
Hope you continue to keep us updated and post some pics as it would be interesting to see your progression.

[vidler]

will do on tuesday.

[jdm rsk]

no updates what happening???

[Mano™]

not much by the look of it

[vidler]

sorry, been super busy, got my new forester XT:)

car is complete, just waiting on some dust seals for the timing belt cover to finish the engine. all the valves were knackered so gave it new valves/gaskets/seals etc etc while it was apart. getting close to licensing now.

Still havent loaded pics coz im a slacker:) will do it eventually. HAHA

[fatcat67]

Interested to know what the progress if this build is.

[vidler]

Got the engine back, have lifted the box in, will be dropping the engine in when i get back to perth next week. Then begins the mission of hooking up all the vacuum hoses etc etc. Will need the rear bumper/spoiler and side skirts repainted but will wait to get it licensed so i can drive it down there instead of removing it all myself.

[vidler]

engine is in, onto the fiddly bits like vacuum hoses etc etc now. exhaust and tail shaft still need to go in but thats not too hard.

[vidler]

She's alive again!!!

got stuck into it this break home and made great progress, all is sweet after i overcame a problem with brant.... running like new again. Just need to replace the clock spring and it'll be ready to take over the pits.

[SUB4RU]

If u don't care about insurance companies, should just rip the Brant out. Best thing i ever did to my B4!

[vidler]

If u don't care about insurance companies, should just rip the Brant out. Best thing i ever did to my B4!

I'll leave it in for now as its not playing up yet... I heard that the brant wasnt recognised by insurers anyway and subaru never presented the system to get australian standards approval.... probably BS anyway though