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Post by Volktales on Sept 25, 2019 21:17:10 GMT -8
You could redrill the hubs and go for a set of repro Fuchs just for fun! That would certainly be different. But unfortunately a tad too expensive. I am very quickly approaching the maximum amount of moola that I could possible justify spending on this project. The wheel and tire combination alone will total almost $1700, which is chump change for the average hot-rodder, but a big chunk-O-cash, for someone like me to spend all at once... Good thing this car is a permanent fixture in the collection... I sure hope I like driving it once it is done...
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Post by Brenticon on Sept 29, 2019 16:50:07 GMT -8
DANG !!!! Had a quick lil visit today from "the project", and man did it look cleeeeeeeeeean up close and personal. Good job buddy Now for the cosmetics, rims, rubber and stereo
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Post by Volktales on Sept 29, 2019 19:43:49 GMT -8
Sooo, time to pull that thumb out, and get this project to completion... We are now at the stage, where it is time to get that front end back together. But before the fender liners could be reinstalled, some cleaning was in order. Ever wonder why the bottom of the front fenders on most vehicles are a common rot spot? Because the cowl drains dump water into this area, along with all the leaves and pine needles that make their way into the cowl. This stuff builds up, rots, plugs the drains, and before you know it, RUST forms! We can't have that... Ah, much better. A good vacuuming, blowing out with an air-line, then cleaning with soap and water, and everything is OK now... Next was reinstalling the front bumper and lights, then it was on to dealing with the front lower control arms. I was fighting with surface rust on these for years, and constantly touched them up with spray paint every time I changed the oil. It was time to deal with this problem once and for all. Note those rubber plugs in some of the holes... Both control arms were given a good clean in Dad's blasting cabinet. This revealed that the arms were not as solid as I hoped in places. Note that the left arm in the photo has a much larger hole in it then the one on the right. They both started off as the same size when new... As mentioned earlier in this article, Toyota had a problem in the first generation of Tercels, with the rear lower control arms rotting out and collapsing. This was due to the pressed steel box section control arms rotting out from the inside. Obviously Toyota didn't learn their lesson that well, because the front control arms on my car have the same general design fault. In theory, a perfectly sealed box section won't rot internally, because moisture won't get in. The problem is, it ALWAYS does eventually, as the rubber sealing plugs rot, and the seam sealer in the various gaps fails. Both of my control arms are internally rusted to some extent. Toyota surely knew this would happen eventually, but likely did an analysis to determine if the car would be scrapped due to old age before the arms failed... Maybe... These arms are still listed at Toyota for only $176.28. Each... Continued...
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Post by Volktales on Sept 29, 2019 20:07:01 GMT -8
Reinstalling the arms was very simple, and this picture shows the new sway bar links being installed to connect the sway bar to the control arm. These parts are made by MOOG, as Toyota only lists every single part of the link kit separately, and for stupid prices. This is dumb, given that the links are ALWAYS replaced in their entirety. The other significant thing here, is that Tercels of this era NEVER had sway bars installed. Yet the floor pan and control arms have all the drillings necessary to install the Paseo parts, so that is what I did... Then after moving what seemed like tons of crap out of the way, it was time to finally get the Tercel outside. The final job was to paint the heat shield over the exhaust manifold with high temp paint, and then install it and take it for a long drive to bake the paint to cure it... And after all that time (1 year), expense ($3000 at the moment), and sometimes frustration, was it worth it? Did it drive alright? Adequate power??? The answer was yes to all of it! While certainly not a powerhouse by any standard, it is MUCH better then it was before. Very smooth, lots of torque, and easy to rev. Believe it or not, it will happily chirp those front tires in first in the dry! No it is not as fun as a Honda with VTEC, but it is much more fun than my current daily driver Civic EX. The five speed trans shifts nicely, and that expensive Toyota clutch really does feel buttery smooth. And so far no funny noises, leaks, or running issues at all. While out test driving it today, I did have one issue however. I stopped at my friend Steve's place, and checked the fluid levels. For a brief moment I freaked out, as there was no engine oil showing on the dipstick!!! Turns out it was so clean, that it was pretty much invisible! The only other "problem", is the engine is so quiet that you can't hear it at all while idling... So what is next? Now that I know that the conversion is a success, I can go ahead and order up my new rims and tires. I have decided that lowering is NOT in the future, due to the extreme cost of doing it. Only one company appears to currently make coil-over struts for Tercels, and the cost is over $1000 US plus shipping of course and lots of other incidental charges. Not going to happen... The amp and subwoofer might still happen however... Currently the next step on this project is to clean out the garage, and throw out stuff that I will never use/need/reinstall on the car. Then a thorough wax and detail job, and then cleaning/servicing/repainting the brakes which will be visible through the new rims... The end of this project is definitely in sight. Finally!
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Post by PICTUP on Sept 29, 2019 20:27:43 GMT -8
Not quite a sleeper, but nice to hear it is fun! Maybe a "snoozer"?? LOL! Good job, great to see out of the garage!!
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Post by owdlvr on Sept 30, 2019 13:48:07 GMT -8
And the worlds only restored 1991 Toyota Tercel reaches completion!
Nicely done!
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Post by tony on Oct 1, 2019 17:45:30 GMT -8
WHAT!!!!! After all that work it's still an elderly Toyota! Nice job Russ......
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Post by magikbus on Oct 2, 2019 7:19:08 GMT -8
I'd disagree Tony. After all that work, care and expertise that Russ put into that project, I'd hazard a very clear opinion that that particular Toyota is better than any mass produced Toyota constructed in a factory. And I have experience with Toyota to prove it. I'll tell my Toyota woes to anyone that will submit to being tied down for an hour or so to listen.
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Post by Volktales on Oct 2, 2019 20:35:53 GMT -8
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Post by tony on Oct 2, 2019 21:10:26 GMT -8
WOW!!! 20 years ago you coulda' bought 100 of them for that price!
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Post by Brenticon on Oct 3, 2019 10:22:50 GMT -8
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Post by magikbus on Oct 3, 2019 13:13:53 GMT -8
We really liked out 90s Sentra. Gave us almost 400,000 Kms. It took whacking a really big Muley at high speed to bring on it's old age. Cracked auto tranny case that wouldn't let it shift until it warmed up was the kiss of death. Damn deer.
Stan
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Post by Volktales on Oct 6, 2019 19:52:10 GMT -8
Sooo, most of the project this week was trying to clean up the garage and organize the leftover parts. I was determined to be ruthless, and get rid of anything that would never find its way back onto the Tercel. To no-ones surprise, the discard pile was distressingly small. I re-organized all the spare and saved components into five large totes, to be put away for just in case. Now if only I had somewhere to put the totes... I also checked the control arms still attached to the Paseo, to see if they were any better than the Tercel's originals. One looked promising, and was removed with some difficulty. Once out on the ground, a few whacks with the hammer revealed it was nicely rotten as well. Shouldn't have been surprised, really. I did accomplish the useful task of finally siphoning the remaining fuel out of the Paseo's tank. You really didn't think I was going to waste that, did you??? And I while pondering finally ordering some rims and tires, I spotted another rim I like... The Enkei J-speed. Kinda doing it for me at the moment... Not a Tercel, but you get the idea. Depending on what site you visit, these wheels might not be available as they are not currently produced. Hmmm...
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Post by owdlvr on Oct 8, 2019 8:44:57 GMT -8
I was going to suggest some Enkei's...
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Post by Volktales on Oct 8, 2019 11:27:24 GMT -8
Bad news. J-Speeds are no longer available. Damn.
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