ZAV (Zombie Avoidance Vehicle) acquired!

I think it can run from zombies, but it sits a little too low to run them over. Its a 1995 Subaru Legacy Wagon. A Brighton, so it's got manual windows, locks, no cruise control, and doesn't even have a roof rack. 160K miles, but seems to run just fine. The shifter bushings are toast, so parts are already on order to replace them. I've heard its not the most fun job, so if anyone's got any advice, let me know. Its also in dire need of a cleaning - dog hair everywhere.

Here it is in all its banged up glory:

I've got a set of bosch driving lights from a trade a ways back, will need to make a light bar for the front end for them. After fixing the shifter, and giving it a good shakedown (and probably at least one rallycross), I'm thinking of getting a skidplate and diff protector. At that point, it should be great for rallycross, junkyard runs, and winter driving.

The stock 14" wheels will probably get a set of snow tires on them, so it'll need new wheels for the other three seasons. My first impulse is to pick up a set of Subaru 15" alloy wheels from the junkyard and get some all season tires for non-winter driving. Are there any non-subie wheels that look good on these that are pretty easy to come by?

So, what else does it need?

More lights and a bumper made of steel spikes. Maybe a SAW mounted to the roof.

Ok, but really, Check out the project Subaru Wagon and that should give you some Ideas. Take one good look at my truck and you know I want to put lights on and around everything I can.

15 inch subie rims should not be hard to come by. Always the first thing the kids replace.

Now I finally know what ZAV stands for. All this time I'd thought there was some sort of Communist era vehicle that everyone was comparing vehicles to and calling them ZAVs

I have a set of BBS in 15" from a Jetta that I might sell if they don't fit over the calipers on my WRX.

Actually the accepted GRM meaning is Zombie Apocalypse Vehicle.

The lack of roof rack will be good for zombie avoidance, but I would think power windows and locks could be useful.

I have a few ZAV stickers left for sale...

Joey

Maybe I am a little more proactive but ZAV for me stands for Zombie Assault Vehicle. Nice Boobaro, neads more B.F. Goodies All-terrains

RossD wrote: Maybe I am a little more proactive but ZAV for me stands for Zombie Assault Vehicle. Nice Boobaro, neads more B.F. Goodies All-terrains

I think Apocalypse was the usual, but Assault works pretty well

Hmm, if I weren't going for Stock class, maybe a set of Forester springs and BFG AT tires would be pretty cool

Id replace the underhood fuel lines (really easy to do), see if the front cvs will still come out of the hubs and put anti-seize on them and reassemble if they do, and replace the bushings at the front of the rear trailing arms if they arent in good shape (if they need replacing it will make it much nicer to drive to have good ones).

RossD wrote: Maybe I am a little more proactive but ZAV for me stands for Zombie Assault Vehicle. Nice Boobaro, neads more B.F. Goodies All-terrains

When I suggested Zombie Attack Vehicle, I was advised the above, it was Osterkraut who is alleged to have coined the phrase.

eastsidemav wrote:

RossD wrote: Maybe I am a little more proactive but ZAV for me stands for Zombie Assault Vehicle. Nice Boobaro, neads more B.F. Goodies All-terrains

I think Apocalypse was the usual, but Assault works pretty well Hmm, if I weren't going for Stock class, maybe a set of Forester springs and BFG AT tires would be pretty cool

I like assault. Apocalypse sounds like your just surviving. I'm more preemptive then that.

Joey

aussiesmg wrote:

RossD wrote: Maybe I am a little more proactive but ZAV for me stands for Zombie Assault Vehicle. Nice Boobaro, neads more B.F. Goodies All-terrains

When I suggested Zombie Attack Vehicle, I was advised the above, it was Osterkraut who is alleged to have coined the phrase.

The wife and I use "attack" as the middle initial as well.

I want a vehicle that I escape from zombies with, but also mow them down in cacophony of noise, blood and brains.

z31maniac wrote:

aussiesmg wrote:

RossD wrote: Maybe I am a little more proactive but ZAV for me stands for Zombie Assault Vehicle. Nice Boobaro, neads more B.F. Goodies All-terrains

When I suggested Zombie Attack Vehicle, I was advised the above, it was Osterkraut who is alleged to have coined the phrase.

The wife and I use "attack" as the middle initial as well. I want a vehicle that I escape from zombies with, but also mow them down in cacophony of noise, blood and brains.

And urine. Letters not forget about zombie liquid and solid waste matter getting all over the place.

Speaking of. I may end up with my FILs 300K mile crusty GM W/T1500 4.3L manual 4wd long box.

Re-death to all Zombies.

^I know this sounds terrible, but I'm just waiting for gas to spike hardcore again this summer.

I'm hoping it will push nice trucks very far south of the $10k mark like it was back in '08.

^ You mean gas hasn't spiked at $4.19 (as I passed the cheap gas station this morning)

Light Bar:

1. Get two pieces of thick flat stock (I used parts of an old piece for a garage door opener).

2. Remove grille

3. Drill holes directly through the part that the grille sits above and about 1" behind.

4. Get some bolts with a couple of big fender washers.

5. Bolt flat stock through bumper. With the grille out you can reach under the bumper easily.

6. Trim bottom of gille to suit. Re-install grille.

7. Bolt light bar across the two pieces of flat stock.

I did this on my 97 Outback and the mounts are so strong I can stand on them. (I am a BIG guy!)

John Brown wrote: ^ You mean gas hasn't spiked at $4.19 (as I passed the cheap gas station this morning)

It is $3.79 down here. At least it was yesterday.

In reply to NGTD:

I would love to see a pic of the the rig.

Edit: your ESPN is working. Purdy.

In reply to N Sperlo:

I will try to take the grille out tonight and take a pic of the actual mount that I did up.

It was simple and cheap - fits with the theme here. Cost my about $1.25 in bolts and nuts.

In fact I have less than $100 into the whole set-up. Picked up the light bar a couple of year ago with two almost brand new Hella 700FF's and two Bosch fogs (upgraded to 100W bulbs) for $87.50.

In reply to NGTD:

I usually upgrade the harbor freight lamps, but they rusted on the truck. Light the world up, though.

93EXCivic wrote:

John Brown wrote: ^ You mean gas hasn't spiked at $4.19 (as I passed the cheap gas station this morning)

It is $3.79 down here. At least it was yesterday.

I think premium is around $3.75 right now, not sure, as I really don't pay attention to the price.