Ownership Verified: Restoration. How hard can it be? (1984 Toyota Tercel 4WD)

gaasc

Desperately looking for a title
Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Messages
9,818
Location
Honduras
Car(s)
3 of them
So. This is it. what $1k will buy you in Honduras with some really really careful searching.

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/08/28/28082011428.jpg

1984 Toyota Tercel 4WD DLX.

1.5L 3A Engine
6 Speed Gearbox
250k miles (4k more than the mitsu).

Now we're not that new to this kind of thing. The mitsu was turned from a moving BBQ to a perfectly reliable, new looking car. The Toyota being....an '80s Toyota takes the "Succeed where the engineers have failed" out of the equation so the list of things to do is pretty small.

Since it changed hands the tires have been replaced, as have been the windshield washers and anything that was liquid on it aswell as the rear shocks and Drums. That has been pretty much what it needed to be driven on a daily basis

Stuff to do:

-Everything on it that's made of rubber needs to be replaced
-It's stuck on 4WD mode (Mea Culpa)
-It needs indicators and a stoplight (Ordered)
-The right Headlight Bezel is broken
-The cargo area cover needs to be replaced
-SR5 dash with Rev counter,
-We'll install an inclinometer
-Get a radio (Unfortunately a Becker Mexico would be insanity)

-Paint it. At first we wanted a Red/Black color scheme but we've decided on merely restoring the original colors


Here it is on the hill of doom

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/08/28/28082011429.jpg



https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/08/28/28082011430.jpg


Some people liken the asymmetric rear door with an ATM, I don't see what they're on about.

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/08/28/28082011431.jpg

Simple
https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/08/28/25082011424.jpg


https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/08/28/28082011425.jpg

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/08/28/25082011423.jpg

Thoughts:
It has 40HP less than the mitsu and even less with the (Fully functioning) A/C on, makes hilly bits interesting, I'm used to quite a bit more torque from that 2.4L. Also, i've made it bottom out accidentally at least once. On the upside it's easier to park, it has A/C and it's surprisingly spacious (Folding seats? What is this sorcery!?)

Will update when we get shit done.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
6 speed gearbox in 1984???
 
yes.

http://img829.imageshack.**/img829/7757/newpicture2n.png
 
so whats the original color? :)
 
You need to get it out of 4WD mode ASAP as that will actually destroy the combination transmission/transfercase.

Per wiki:

The only part specifically designed for the new Tercel 4WD was the transfer case, built into the transmission. This gave the driver greater versatility than was possible on a purely front-wheel drive vehicle, as it provided three different power arrangements. When the driver pulled the 4WD selector lever back into four-wheel drive, or pressed a button on the gear selector for the automatic transmission, the power was split 50/50 between the front and rear axles via a direct mechanical coupling. There is no conventional center differential, so the four-wheel drive system could be used only on loose or slippery surfaces; otherwise the drivetrain would experience severe wear, and handling would be compromised. The third power option (which was only available on the six-speed manual) was low range. This isn't the same as the low-range power option found in a truck or conventional SUV, as the Tercel lacked a high-range/low-range transfer case. When the lever was placed in four-wheel drive mode it became possible to down shift the vehicle from first to EL (extra low).

Guess how much fun it is to try to locate a new Tercel 4WD trans, given how much fun you've had with other parts.
 
so whats the original color? :)

That 2-tone is the original color. it's just a lot worse for wear. here it is when it's maintained properly.
https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/08/29/5622386419_f2d60407fb.jpg

You need to get it out of 4WD mode ASAP as that will actually destroy the combination transmission/transfercase.

Guess how much fun it is to try to locate a new Tercel 4WD trans, given how much fun you've had with other parts.

I think that should it get down to the gearbox getting shot we'd just go Fuck that shit and ghetto an FWD one in.

However the Tercel Forums suggests that while it is madness that 4WD mode stays permanently on, it won't immediately grenade the car. Just and I quote:

"not a problem really, it just puts extra wear and tear on the u-joints, trans and cv axles, and tires too (I hear the tires scrubbing when I make a tight turn on hard surfaces). Just not a good idea to do it all the time, the drive train is light weight and it does not need any more strain on it."

That's not to say that getting it out of 4WD and more importantly, find out why it got stuck in there (ideas?) aren't Defcon 1 priority right now.
 
Wow...I have not seen one of those in years. YEARS. As per all 1980's Toyotas, they rusted out faster than their drivetrain gave out. If taken care of, any 1980's Toyota should get you at minimum 500,000 kilometers.
 
Wow, I had totally forgotten about those. They scream 1980's, but a fun beater I guess. :)
 
These things look pretty cool! Congrats :)
 
I think you should paint the grey bit in the back that looks like a strip the darker brown because it would be more interesting.
 
i've always loved those cars, i always had this idea in my head, it could be rebuilt with more engine, and better AWD, to make a fun sleeper.
 
Wow...I have not seen one of those in years. YEARS. As per all 1980's Toyotas, they rusted out faster than their drivetrain gave out. If taken care of, any 1980's Toyota should get you at minimum 500,000 kilometers.

Wow, I had totally forgotten about those. They scream 1980's, but a fun beater I guess. :)

Yeah, we don't have that problem, a quick check merely shows the bubbling on small sections of the tailgate.

i've always loved those cars, i always had this idea in my head, it could be rebuilt with more engine, and better AWD, to make a fun sleeper.

Hmmm....WRX STI drivetain.....


The project is on hold for now, will update when stuff happens
 
Aww, did the Mitsu finally die?

{ worries }


Also, 4WD? That's a rally car. DO EET. Besides, loose surfaces are better on your drivetrain, apparently.

This is more 80s than my Puffalump collection. w00t.
 
So that's 4WD with a low 1st? I approve! Doesn't look too bad to me, good luck with the rest of the work. :)
 
Somewhat alarmingly, I can't get the idea "Gaasc bought a cool car!" out of my head. Even more alarmingly, I can't come up with any reason why that thing ISN'T cool.
 
Aww, did the Mitsu finally die?

This is more 80s than my Puffalump collection. w00t.

No. I haven't reported on the mitsu because it hasn't given me anything to report except twenty thousand miles of reliability and fun RWD-ness. I think the Brown-Brown-Brown color scheme gives it a late 70's vibe actually

So that's 4WD with a low 1st? I approve! Doesn't look too bad to me, good luck with the rest of the work. :)

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Oh crap.

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/09/27/27092011087.jpg

Nah they didn't stole my gloveboox, however the A/C system conked out so we decided to check. not only it doesn't work but we suspect it leaked a lot of this to the cockpit.

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/09/27/27092011089.jpg


On other stuff we were cleaning the doors, something that turned out not at all bad.

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/09/27/24092011083.jpg

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/09/27/24092011084.jpg

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/09/27/24092011085.jpg

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/09/27/25092011086.jpg



also, replaced the broken taillight.

https://pic.armedcats.net/g/ga/gaasc/2011/09/27/27092011091.jpg
 
Last edited:
Nah they didn't stole my gloveboox, however the A/C system conked out so we decided to check. not only it doesn't work but we suspect it leaked a lot of this to the cockpit.

That isn't exactly life extending material there.
 
You could likely resurrect that AC system with fresh hoses and O rings, plus a new receiver dryer and a system flush.
 
That isn't exactly life extending material there.

I knew it, non toxic my arse. How not exactly life-extending.

You could likely resurrect that AC system with fresh hoses and O rings, plus a new receiver dryer and a system flush.

Working on it.
 
Top