What have you done to your wagon lately?

General discussion about our beloved Tercel 4WD cars
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BaileySims
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My tercel:: 1983 Tercel SR5 4WD
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by BaileySims »

This is a first for me! I've never broken an axle like this before. I'm just lucky that I am able to get the last one in the city.
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WAGON MAFIA.
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Petros
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My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by Petros »

seen it before, not sure why, perhaps defective mfg. process for after market parts? leaves a sharp stress riser cut in the threads that eventfully fatigue cracks and fails.
'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)
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seantp
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My tercel:: 1983 SR5 4WD Wagon
Location: White River Junction, VT

Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by seantp »

Head gasket replacement, spark plugs, wires and rotor, drums and brake cylinder, a caliper and front brake hoses, axle and rear transmission gasket, replaced interior and speedometer and undercoating. Lots of love for my 83!
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seantp
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My tercel:: 1983 SR5 4WD Wagon
Location: White River Junction, VT

Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by seantp »

Oh, and a one inch lift with a spacer on the front and MA700s on the rear.
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seantp
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My tercel:: 1983 SR5 4WD Wagon
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by seantp »

Repainted the lettering on my shift knob.
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Petros
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by Petros »

nice job! I have been considering doing that with mine as well.
'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)
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BaileySims
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My tercel:: 1983 Tercel SR5 4WD
Location: Texas
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by BaileySims »

Just got done pre wiring the car for a central locking system. Took me quite awhile but all looks and works well. Just waiting on the door lock controller to arrive this week and I'll have that sweet keyless entry.
WAGON MAFIA.
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Petros
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by Petros »

That is kind of cool.

you are going to a lot of trouble to try and "modernize" an old econo box. though I have to say I do enjoy the convenience of the auto locks with all of our newer cars. It is just they do require a lot more repairs/replacement than the old reliable and simple manual door locks on the Tercel. Mine all still work after 35 years and 400k miles.

On one or the other, or all of them, of our other cars, it seems there is always something to repair or replace on the auto lock or electric windows. so much so I just want to live with a non-operating window or just having to use the key to open the door. My wife's Lexus needs the auto lock servos replaced, they still work but unreliablely, my wife complains that she sometimes leaves the car unlocked because it. I find if I just double or tripple tape the auto lock they all will lock. Our extra civic (inherited from my mother in law when she lost her licence because she could not pass the eye test), the auto lock fob needs new batteries (I assume), so I just use the key lock. one of the electric windows on the honda will not open either, not a big deal but I hate to pull the door apart to track down the problem. both of these cars are half as old as my Tercel, and have about one fourth the miles on them.

While you are at it, there are aftermarket power window kits you can retrofit into your car. I think Amazon sells them.
'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)
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BaileySims
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My tercel:: 1983 Tercel SR5 4WD
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by BaileySims »

I think it's boredom more than anything for me. I have nothing else to add to the car so I just browse around until I find something I like. The system is really basic and the parts are ridiculously cheap, so if something were to go wrong, it wouldn't cost much to replace anything. I think everything cost me 40 dollars about, for all 4 actuators and the comouter to control everything.

The only thing I do not like is that it isn't like the newer locking systems. Whereas you press unlock once and only the driver side door unlocks. If you press it once either lock or unlock, they all function at the same time. I guess I could get used to that. Once I get my AC back up and running again, I think I will have to try out the power window kit. Looks very tempting. Haha.

Again, out of boredom today, I decided to add plugs to all the doors, just in case if I ever want to pull the door off, which I will be doing tomorrow anyhow. Going a different route with the paint.
2018-06-22 19.47.10.jpg
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BaileySims
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by BaileySims »

It's time to get serious this weekend. :)
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BaileySims
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by BaileySims »

https://youtu.be/xcXnpAX2rEc

Just have to finish the rear windows someday. Haha.
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LowBuckCanuck
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My tercel:: 1986 DLX 4wd Wagon "Jenny"

Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by LowBuckCanuck »

I discovered my car's breaks are mushy as dog **** and feel warped so $90 later on rock auto and I have 2 rotors, pads, and brake shoes in the mail. Can't wait to install!
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Petros
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My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by Petros »

did you go with the brake up grade? you should consider getting the vented rotors, and larger calipers as I outlined in my thread on the topic. parts cost are only a bit higher but the up grade greatly improves stopping power and warp resistance.
'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
BaileySims
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Posts: 626
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:52 pm
My tercel:: 1983 Tercel SR5 4WD
Location: Texas
Contact:

Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by BaileySims »

I acquired a hatch from an 86 auto 4wd dlx last weekend. Feels good to have my rear wiper back in action, as well as the third brake light for a bonus.
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The Professor
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My tercel:: 1987 Tercel SR5 4WD wagon
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Re: What have you done to your wagon lately?

Post by The Professor »

I replaced the failed OEM rear speakers with new 5 1/4 in. Kenwoods. Finally the stereo sounds decent!
1975 Subaru SuperStar wagon
1984 Subaru Turbo-Traction wagon & hardtop
1987 Subaru RX 3-door
1987 Subaru RX Type-RA 3-door
1987 Toyota Tercel SR5 wagon
1999 Subaru Forester S
2002 Subaru WRX sedan
2019 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited
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