The battle wagon

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Tercel__jon
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Posts: 465
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:44 pm
My tercel:: 1983 4wd Wagon

The battle wagon

Post by Tercel__jon »

Instead of clogging the general forum with my updates, Im just gonna do em all in this thread like Im supposed to.

Little bit of back story. My neighbors gave me a 87 tercel as a graduation gift mostly cause they wanted it out of their yard. Well, got it going, had it for a month and then got t-boned by a minivan. During the month I had it I did some research and found out about the 4wd wagons. I told myself Id have to get one eventually. So after the wreck I was looking for another hatch and stumbled upon my 83 on craigslist. $500 no brakes. SOLD!

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The first little adventure ended up like this and was my first offroad experience. I learned about bottoming out and highsiding on the frame.

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Then added a roof rack and made the doors removable. Well...still kinda never finished em. The passenger side lifts off and the drivers side has pins you gotta pull. But it works. I think it was around this time I swapped the front seats with ones from a 2wd. Almost like sr5 seats but not quite.

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Then the Hurst shifter. That was pretty easy to adapt.

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Then came that ungodly deer-catcher bumper guard thing. Funny thing is that I actually sideswiped two deer with it in the first week. None since.

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Than came the deer skull, and the 14" rims off an MR2.

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Outfitted for summer fishing trips.

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Moving on to this year. I acquired a box, a 10" sub and a 1200w amp. Decided I wanted more space inside so I built the tire carrier. I also finished the lift. The cutting board spacers and the pathfinder springs.

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Then I stumbled upon this bumper in the junkyard on a 79 jeep grand wagoneer that was painted olive drab and had "DA TANK" stenciled on the doors. Couldnt leave without it.

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And now tonight I have added the piece de resistance to the bumper.

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Still have to cut the angle iron to use as filler and get some better lights for it. But those will come in time. I also have some 15" rims off a saturn that fit, they are just awaiting the right tires.
Last edited by Tercel__jon on Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
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dlb
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My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
Location: bc, canada

Re: The battle wagon

Post by dlb »

wicked, nice progression, TJ. it's looking so mad max, super burly. you're going to have to start wearing strictly black leather and carry a shot gun at all times.

what is the winch mounted to? did you just cut a hole in the bumper for it? now i understand the german brochure reference.
Tercel__jon
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Posts: 465
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:44 pm
My tercel:: 1983 4wd Wagon

Re: The battle wagon

Post by Tercel__jon »

The winch is mounted to the plate that came with it, and thats welded/bolted to the bumper. Ill add reinforcing to it before I actually try anything where Ill REALLY need it. But I hooked it to my truck and it drug the car across the yard and then across the driveway with the brakes on. Had a buddy hitting the brakes in the truck to keep it from moving. Ever since I saw that german brochure I KNEW I had to have one! :mrgreen:

As for the mad max and carrying a shotgun, Way ahead of you! lol picked up a old double barrel a month ago and Ill be taking it to a gunsmith soon to get it checked out, repaired and cut down properly. Id love to walk around with a shotgun leg holster, but I dont think people would appreciate it. lol

I have a source in VA that tells me there is a wagon close by and the gentleman might be willing to sell. Well see what I can come up with after taxes come back. If its in good shape, I can have a nice wagon, and then the battle wagon.
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Petros
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My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: The battle wagon

Post by Petros »

Interesting roof rack, looks like you can carry your CD collection there, or perhaps stretch and dry bacon there on a hot summer day.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
danzo
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My tercel:: '86 SR5 6 speed
Location: The Colony, TX

Re: The battle wagon

Post by danzo »

Nice area you live in TJ, must have some pretty damn tolerant neighbors and an HOA that doesn't exist! Love the hood ornament - it's what "Boss Hog" would have had if he were "Hashimoto Hog" and drove a T4.
It's a scientific fact that in a twin engine aircraft, when one engine fails there is always enough power in the remaining engine to make it all the way to the crash site.
Tercel__jon
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Posts: 465
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:44 pm
My tercel:: 1983 4wd Wagon

Re: The battle wagon

Post by Tercel__jon »

lol. Yeah the roof rack is just some interior shelving painted black. It works for the usual stuff I throw up there, nothing heavy.

As for a HOA, that doesnt exist. We have restrictive covenants, but nothing in them covers what I do. :) I actually have another skull, with antlers I may or may or may not replace that one with.
Escarbo70
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My tercel:: Still looking, 1995 nissan 200sx, 1976 Chevy El Camino
Location: Athens, GA

Re: The battle wagon

Post by Escarbo70 »

You definitely should've showed the "lift" you used in one of your youtube videos. I think alot of people would love to know the technology behind that
TURTCEL
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Posts: 662
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:42 am
My tercel:: 1985 4WD SR5 Wagon, Brown (TURTCEL)
Location: Everett, WA

Re: The battle wagon

Post by TURTCEL »

I always got kick out of Boss Hog's steer horns on his car in the Dukes of Hazard. Now that would make for a bitchin hood ornament on a Terc.

Peace
1985 Tercel 4wd SR5 Wagon, WEBER Carb, Brown (TURTCEL)
1988 Corolla DLX All-Trac Wagon, 4 speed AT, Silver (Wife's new car)
1993 Ford Escort Wagon LX, 5 Speed, Smurf Blue (Smurfette)...selling
Tercel__jon
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Posts: 465
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:44 pm
My tercel:: 1983 4wd Wagon

Re: The battle wagon

Post by Tercel__jon »

Escarbo70 wrote:You definitely should've showed the "lift" you used in one of your youtube videos. I think alot of people would love to know the technology behind that
Its just the bartos lift. The cutting boards up front and pathfinder springs in the rear. I believe he said he used six stacked to achieve 2? inches over stock. Ive actually been thinking about removing a few since I replaced the bumper with this one, it sits up a little higher than the rear. Heres some flex shots, I dont have the Thunderbird rear shocks yet so travel isnt what it can be in the rear.

Heres a shot of the spacers. Those bolts were just used to line everything up, I have grade 8 in there now.

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These shots were taken before the new bumper was found and built.

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Last edited by Tercel__jon on Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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ARCHINSTL
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My tercel:: Goldie is a 1986 SR5 attualmente con Weber/also owned the first T4WD in STL in late '82
Location: Kirkwood, a 'burb of St. Louis

Re: The battle wagon

Post by ARCHINSTL »

This is OT, but - I wonder the purpose of the plugged holes under the taillights? My '86 does not have them.
Tom M.
T4WD augury?
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dlb
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My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
Location: bc, canada

Re: The battle wagon

Post by dlb »

ARCHINSTL wrote:This is OT, but - I wonder the purpose of the plugged holes under the taillights? My '86 does not have them.
Tom M.
probably that stupid rust protection stuff offered by dealerships, no?
TURTCEL
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Posts: 662
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:42 am
My tercel:: 1985 4WD SR5 Wagon, Brown (TURTCEL)
Location: Everett, WA

Re: The battle wagon

Post by TURTCEL »

Hey Tercel_jon, I just saw your update video on YouTube yesterday. I had to laugh when you were explaining the 2 deer collisions that you already had with your mean from end.

Pretty cool all the additions you put on the 'ol girl...really a good idea on the rack and high mount lights. Do you have the lights wired since the video?

Nice to see you were able to do a little towing with the Terc. I have been considering a tow hitch for TURTCEL but I really like the rear tire mount you built so I might be looking into a custom rear hitch bumper and tire mount like yours.

Any other videos on YouTube of your ride?

Peace
1985 Tercel 4wd SR5 Wagon, WEBER Carb, Brown (TURTCEL)
1988 Corolla DLX All-Trac Wagon, 4 speed AT, Silver (Wife's new car)
1993 Ford Escort Wagon LX, 5 Speed, Smurf Blue (Smurfette)...selling
Tercel__jon
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Posts: 465
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:44 pm
My tercel:: 1983 4wd Wagon

Re: The battle wagon

Post by Tercel__jon »

Yeah the top lights are wired. All the videos I have are on my youtube channel. Jon Woods

So I went down a trail today and broke stuff. Crossed a few creeks, and eventually got stuck, on a hill. Had to be pulled out by a k5 blazer with boggers.

Heres some pictures.

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Then things got interesting. There was a hill, and I shouldnt have tried it because the blazer with the welded diff and boggers didnt make it, but I tried it anyway and actually got further up the hill! But I slid sideways and got stuck...

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So I decided to use the winch for its first time. Well, that didnt go to well. When I mounted the bumper, I used the stock mounts, just cut off of the stock bumper and welded to my new bumper. Well, that wasnt such a good Idea. Needless to say Ill be making new mounts.

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After breaking that we pushed the rear to the side (it was THAT slick) and backed down. Straight into a tree.

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Thats about all the pictures we got before it got dark. I MIGHT go back when it dries out and after I get better tires....just cause I want some pictures of crossing the creeks.


I did get the car out, its home, sitting in the driveway. Bumpers in the garage. Ill figure out the new mounts tomorrow when I get off work and hopefully have it back together thursday night.

Not even mad about breaking what broke. Just means I got to build it better. :mrgreen:
Last edited by Tercel__jon on Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
TURTCEL
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My tercel:: 1985 4WD SR5 Wagon, Brown (TURTCEL)
Location: Everett, WA

Re: The battle wagon

Post by TURTCEL »

Some wicked break there man. I am the same way when it comes to fixing things. If it breaks, make it better. Keep us posted on your progress.

A K5 pulling you out huh? I saw a vid of a Terc pulling a Dodge Dakota out of a high center situation. Guess we take our turns.

Peace
1985 Tercel 4wd SR5 Wagon, WEBER Carb, Brown (TURTCEL)
1988 Corolla DLX All-Trac Wagon, 4 speed AT, Silver (Wife's new car)
1993 Ford Escort Wagon LX, 5 Speed, Smurf Blue (Smurfette)...selling
Tercel__jon
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Posts: 465
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:44 pm
My tercel:: 1983 4wd Wagon

Re: The battle wagon

Post by Tercel__jon »

It started to rain while we were out there. So it went from slick to soup. The k5 had to pull me up the road that GOES to the trail. Kept sliding into ruts.
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