Corolla All-Trac

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Hiro
Advanced Member
Posts: 52
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2016 4:42 pm
My tercel:: 1986 Toyota Tercel FWD 5spd

Corolla All-Trac

Post by Hiro »

Well, folks! I'm back for more...

Naturally I can't help myself. I've kept shopping around. The Tercel is doing wonderful, but it's only FWD. I've got the AWD itch. I came across a '92 Corolla All-Trac wagon and am thinking about making the plunge... These Tercel's and Corolla All-Tracs are really hard to find information on outside these forums, but I'm liking what I'm reading so far on the All-Trac...

Maybe I'll have my 4th stablemate? Stay tuned...

Looks like the drivetrain is pretty bulletproof and the suspension is easy to work on/upgrade. About to work on lifting my 2WD Tercel about ~2 inches, so stay tuned. Been away from home on business since January :/
'86 T2 DLX (114,000 miles and counting)
'90 EE4 RT4WD
'92 EG VX Hatch
'95 YJ 4.0L
'05 C6 Z51 (460rwhp)
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Mattel
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Posts: 1788
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:11 am
My tercel:: 1988 Corolla 4wd Wagon (AKA Corolla All-trac) 5speed, AC, Power Sunroof, Windows, Mirrors, Steering, Locking, Diff Lock, 14" Corolla SX Alloys with Silica Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, 210,000kms
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by Mattel »

they are great cars. not as rugged or as capable off road (although some have made off road machines out or theirs.) but more powerful and quieter. we have a small forum on alltracwagons.net and also ae95 Group on facebook. Greater range of engines can be changed into as well 20v 4age without modifications needed.
Previous: 83 Tercel SR5 4wd, 84 Tercel SR5 4wd
88 Corolla 4wd Wagon 5speed, All power options, Fact Sunroof, Diff Lock, 14" SX Alloys, Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, Tow Bar, 210,000kms
jimcrazy
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Posts: 515
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:33 pm
My tercel:: 1985 4wd 1986fwd 1983 4wd

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by jimcrazy »

they are great I owned 3 of them 2 were auto 1 was 5 speed,,the 5 speed was like driving a race car compared to the autos
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helipilot77
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Posts: 382
Joined: Tue May 03, 2016 9:03 pm
My tercel:: 1984 SR5 wagon
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by helipilot77 »

Hiro wrote:Well, folks! I'm back for more...

These Tercel's and Corolla All-Tracs are really hard to find information on outside these forums, but I'm liking what I'm reading so far on the All-Trac...
:/
For the Corolla all-trac wagon a good forum with lots of good info is Alltrac.net
. / TOYOTA
./_| |/|/ |]
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Petros
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Posts: 11930
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by Petros »

I have owned both, and have done extensive work on both the all-trac and the Tercel4wd.

they are very different cars, I got the all trac for my wife to drive, rebuilt the engine, installed a clutch, tires, etc. it was a nice car, quire and comfortable. Modern 16 valve EFI engine, which Iove (powerful, quiet and reliable, great torque curve too). The visibility was not as good, and it seemed to have less ground clearance. I also did not like the soft ride of the heavier all-trac. Though it did seem to get similar fuel econmy as the Tercel4wd.

My wife drove it for a while, but liked the larger 4wd minivan because she was higher and could see better in traffic since she was higher. So I drove it for almost a year when my Tercel needed some major repairs, once I fixed the Tercel and went back to driving it, I had to decide to sell one and keep the other, or not.

I decided, despite the problems with the Tercel4wd, to sell the all-trac and keep the Tercel4wd. IT is more fun to drive, I like the size and visibility, and decided I can "fix" the short comings. I put a 4ac engine in my Tercel4wd, MR2 seats, and MR2 front brake up grade. A few other tweaks I am working on as well.

Now, if I can get the 16 valve EFI engine into a Tercel4wd, it would be perfect.

YOu will have to decide what you like better, but they drive and feel very differently, and are really for different kinds of drivers.
'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)
Hiro
Advanced Member
Posts: 52
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2016 4:42 pm
My tercel:: 1986 Toyota Tercel FWD 5spd

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by Hiro »

I really appreciate all the feedback. This is awesome :) The owner did mention this issue, which I'm curious about:
Yes, she's driveable. Rear diff issue surfaces when taking sharp turns in parking lots - I will sometimes end up making a two point turn in smaller spaces because rear wheels seem to catch/drag. I have not noticed this in neighborhood driving or highway driving.
I thought the yota 6.7" was pretty bulletproof? It has some 240k+ miles on it, but I can't see the rear end giving out like that, especially an open diff? Any thoughts other than wheel bearing? Maybe it's got crazy body roll or it's more of a front end problem? I'll have to wait and see...


Thanks for the forum help too. I'll check out alltracwagons.net
'86 T2 DLX (114,000 miles and counting)
'90 EE4 RT4WD
'92 EG VX Hatch
'95 YJ 4.0L
'05 C6 Z51 (460rwhp)
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Mattel
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 1788
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:11 am
My tercel:: 1988 Corolla 4wd Wagon (AKA Corolla All-trac) 5speed, AC, Power Sunroof, Windows, Mirrors, Steering, Locking, Diff Lock, 14" Corolla SX Alloys with Silica Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, 210,000kms
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by Mattel »

I hope hes not leaving the center dif lock on. I'm pretty sure these rear diffs are similar to many other Toyotas. But you will have to check ratios etc. My rear suspension air shocks were meant to be for my Tercel but fitted straight onto the alltrac. I've fixed the soft suspension with some after market king springs new shocks and new bushes (all available on ebay)
Previous: 83 Tercel SR5 4wd, 84 Tercel SR5 4wd
88 Corolla 4wd Wagon 5speed, All power options, Fact Sunroof, Diff Lock, 14" SX Alloys, Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, Tow Bar, 210,000kms
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Petros
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Posts: 11930
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by Petros »

sounds like the center diff lock out is staying engaged. As I recall this is servo operated, so they either may not be aware they should turn off (or disengage) the center diff for normal driving, or it is malfunctioning. It is supposed to be AWD (three differentials, front, back and center), and you can lock out the center one for snow or icey road driving using a switch either on the dash, or on the auto trans shift lever. Replacing the switch, or even the solonoid is not a major problem, if that is what is wrong, it is an easy fix.

Yes, the rear axles/diffs are really robust, not much would damage those without a lot of abuse and a lot more power under the hood.
'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)
User avatar
Mattel
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 1788
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:11 am
My tercel:: 1988 Corolla 4wd Wagon (AKA Corolla All-trac) 5speed, AC, Power Sunroof, Windows, Mirrors, Steering, Locking, Diff Lock, 14" Corolla SX Alloys with Silica Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, 210,000kms
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by Mattel »

If he has been driving with the centre dif lock on I would look for play in the driveline and also the trans oil. they are very robust transmissions similar to the celica all trac and RAV4 but not industructible. These cars are a lot quieter on the freeway than the Tercel as well
Previous: 83 Tercel SR5 4wd, 84 Tercel SR5 4wd
88 Corolla 4wd Wagon 5speed, All power options, Fact Sunroof, Diff Lock, 14" SX Alloys, Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, Tow Bar, 210,000kms
Hiro
Advanced Member
Posts: 52
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2016 4:42 pm
My tercel:: 1986 Toyota Tercel FWD 5spd

Re: Corolla All-Trac

Post by Hiro »

Locked center diff. good to know! I'll see if that button or the solenoid is defective... Both oil cooling lines were replaced last July. a few other maintenance items were taken care of about 3-5 years ago... Probably due for another timing belt change. Brakes should be at about half life. Tires, oil, coolant, and suspension bits are all suspect... Plugs and distributor are relatively new. Will do a compression check and leakdown test to see the health of the motor. I'll check the driveline lash to see if it's been worn out from being 4wd engaged all the time... Thanks for the tips!
'86 T2 DLX (114,000 miles and counting)
'90 EE4 RT4WD
'92 EG VX Hatch
'95 YJ 4.0L
'05 C6 Z51 (460rwhp)
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