The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

General discussion about our beloved Tercel 4WD cars
Hoodwagon
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My tercel:: 1985 Tercel SR5

Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by Hoodwagon »

Anyone seeing an issue with going the coil/hat from an 86 camry up front and the MA700 air shocks in the back?

I feel like that barto/abra add too much height in the back. I would like 2.5" all around and this seems about the right combo from reading these threads
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LowBuckCanuck
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My tercel:: 1986 DLX 4wd Wagon "Jenny"

Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by LowBuckCanuck »

I don't see why not. When I get around to lifting Jenny, I plan on a 1" cutting board spacer on the front struts and the air shocks in the rear.
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seantp
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My tercel:: 1983 SR5 4WD Wagon
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by seantp »

ission accomplished! 1inch spacer lift on the front and Monroe MA700s on the back.
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Hoodwagon
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My tercel:: 1985 Tercel SR5

Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by Hoodwagon »

Awesome Seantp!

Run into any issues that I might also run into? :D
1985 Toyota Tercel SR5
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LowBuckCanuck
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My tercel:: 1986 DLX 4wd Wagon "Jenny"

Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by LowBuckCanuck »

How did you route your airlines? Do all the necessary airlines and fittings come with the shocks?
jimcrazy
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My tercel:: 1985 4wd 1986fwd 1983 4wd

Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by jimcrazy »

all the lines and fittings come in the kit,,i mounted my valve stem under the back bumper easy to get to,,mine been sitting sence November and only lost 5 psi
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seantp
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My tercel:: 1983 SR5 4WD Wagon
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by seantp »

Just got the Monroe MA700s and that's a great place to put the air line! Thanks for the suggestion.
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seantp
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My tercel:: 1983 SR5 4WD Wagon
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by seantp »

The only issue was the camber on the front had to go to the max allowable when I had the front end alignment. The mechanic said one the struts are broken in that will reduce it. Other than that they had to knock the bolts out of the strut mount and tack weld in longer ones as jimcrazy said.
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Petros
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by Petros »

a common place to put the air shock filler valve is under the bumper. if you have a trailer hitch, next to that is a good place. IT should be protected from damage or you risk loosing your air pressure should the line get nicked or the valve body damaged. I have also seen them mounted inside the rear tire compartment, or side stowage compartment. you would have to lift the rear hatch to fill it, but seems like a good place out of harms way.
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SynthDesign
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My tercel:: The General, 85 SR5 w/ Sunroof,Olive Drab paint, Black Interior, custom steel bumpers, Barto BC lift, 1.67L BUILT 3AC w/ Weber Carb. 346,000 miles and counting since restoration
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by SynthDesign »

seantp wrote: Thu Mar 22, 2018 3:14 pm I would like to attempt lift #5 and have a question. I already have the strut mounts but the bolts are not long enough to accommodate a one inch spacer. That is where it goes right? What was done with the one in the picture?
If a welder isn't available, you can also order longer studs from rockauto or a local brick and mortar shops. I think they're less than $1 a piece in grade 12 hardware and press in pretty easy to the hat.
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C130
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My tercel:: 1984 SR5 280K Lift and 195 75 14.

Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by C130 »

I went with the ABRA-CADAVER myself and have been happy with the results.
The install was a bit sketchy because the coil spring size is nearly too large for the strut base. As a preventative measure I installed keepers where the lower coil met the strut support.
The car is definitely more darty than it was before (Even after the alignment) . That can be mitigated by throwing 80lb or more in the rear and adjusting the Monroe pressures. 28-35PSI is my sweet spot(The shocks are under-loaded and bouncy unless weight is added IMOP). Also, you can mount the Schrader valve inside the cargo area without too much issue. Ive attached some images. Just pull up your carpet and carefully drill some access holes to your rear fender wells and viola.

In Hind site I feel that a lift that doesn't involve coil spacers would be better in the rear. Also the fronts have a tendancy to hit theyre bump stops earlier than I would like. But all in all an economical and satisfying change to the attitude of the TERk.
About 5k miles on mine.
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Termell
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by Termell »

Awesome write up!
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seantp
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by seantp »

What is the maximum tire size that won't rub with the one inch lift?
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LowBuckCanuck
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by LowBuckCanuck »

seantp wrote: Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:18 pm What is the maximum tire size that won't rub with the one inch lift?
I'm pretty sure the max for 14 inch rims without lift is 195/75/14r, I personally wouldn't go much bigger even with the lift.
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seantp
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My tercel:: 1983 SR5 4WD Wagon
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Re: The Definitive List of Ways to Lift a Tercel 4wd

Post by seantp »

Thanks. I think that's what I'll go with!
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