Tercel Turned Trailer?

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Abletobecain
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Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Abletobecain »

Hello all,

Well I've decided to turn my 83 into the full time dog car/commuter and my 86 into a trail/camping rig.

I've been browsing around and brainstorming ideas and a crazy one popped in my head.

What do you think the feasibility of turning a rolling T4 shell into a camper would be? Pull everything in front of the firewall, modify the frame and attach a coupler, keep the glass and deck out the inside into a little "teardrop"-ish trailer? Would it be light enough? The T4s are rated to pull 1k lbs right?

I'm thinking about something like you see sometimes where a truck is pulling a trailer made out of the same truck bed as the truck pulling it. What do y'all think?
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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Petros
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Petros »

it would be a good use for one wrecked in the front. cut ff everything forward of the fire wall. interesting idea, but it would have rather limited space (enough to lay down in, but not much room for anything else.

Likely too heavy to be practical to pull with a tercel. Not likely worth the work it would take, even if done nicely (meaning you spend a lot of time and money on it), it would have almost no resale value. You can use and enjoy it of course, but you would likely spend more time making it than actually using it. that time could be spend on getting decent ones running again and get them into the hands of an other enthusiast.

I thought if someone gave me a wrecked or rusty one it would make a better Gambler candidate, or for one of those long distance ralleys where the car gets left in some remote village.
'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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Abletobecain
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Abletobecain »

I just laid down in the back of mine and with my feet at the rear hatch, my head barely clears the b-pillar. With the front seats and dash out and everything behind it there's still plenty of room for "stuff." I was thinking too of using some of the space of where the engine was (which would be on the tongue) to build some storage or a little kitchen with a propane tank. Space could be had on top as well with a cargo basket or even a rooftop tent.

I'm definitely not concerned with resale value and once it was made, I'd use it quite a bit. Of course, this idea would be a long way off. My main concern at this point is if it would be too heavy. You think it would be more than 1,000 lbs with the whole front clip, engine, tranny, seats and everything behind the dash out?
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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Petros
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Petros »

the car empty is about 2400 lbs? Engine is about 400 lbs, trans perhaps 150. hard to tell, you have to leave the rear axle in it, which is heavy, as is all the glass.

I would think you would not want it to weight more than 1000 lbs total weight (including cargo/gear/water, etc) it would not likely get that light.
'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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splatterdog
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by splatterdog »

A rusted out shell that has EVERYTHING but the paint(and windshield) harvested is already over the Tercels 500lb towing limit. viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3474&p=26392&hilit=carcass#p26392
The Professor
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by The Professor »

Petros wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:10 pm...you have to leave the rear axle in it, which is heavy, as is all the glass.
I bet the 2WD rear suspension would save a few pounds if swapped in (at least on my precious Subarus both 2WD/4WD models had the captive nuts in the chassis for both suspensions.
1975 Subaru SuperStar wagon
1984 Subaru Turbo-Traction wagon & hardtop
1987 Subaru RX 3-door
1987 Subaru RX Type-RA 3-door
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Abletobecain
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Abletobecain »

Man you really stripped that rig splatterdog!

The manual says we have 1,000 lb towing capacity and 100 lb tongue weight...just checked it. Also just checked the vehicle capacity weight (cargo and passengers)...775 lbs! I'd be over that with a couple friends and my dog in the car!

So if your completely stripped rig was 690 lbs... adding the doors, glass, and rear axle/wheels back on while pulling the fenders and wheelwells...it'd likely not clear under 1k.

2wd suspension sounds like a good idea to shave weight Prof...no differential in the axle either.

I'm thinking if this has any chance of becoming a reality that a 2wd, automatic with a wrecked front end is where to start.
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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irowiki
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by irowiki »

The Professor wrote: Thu Jan 17, 2019 7:38 am
Petros wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:10 pm...you have to leave the rear axle in it, which is heavy, as is all the glass.
I bet the 2WD rear suspension would save a few pounds if swapped in (at least on my precious Subarus both 2WD/4WD models had the captive nuts in the chassis for both suspensions.

Ah the floor pans are completely different in the FWD and 4WD Tercels!
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Petros
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Petros »

the 2wd suspension can not be installed in a 4wd body. the floor pan is completely different.

OTOH, if you can find a 2wd wagon for your conversion, you are all set. They look the same, but are mechanistically different. the bare body is lighter, and there is more room inside since there is no tunnel to accommodate the rear drive train. That would be a suitable use for an otherwise obsolete econo box wagon.
'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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Abletobecain
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Abletobecain »

Abletobecain wrote: Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:42 am I'm thinking if this has any chance of becoming a reality that a 2wd, automatic with a wrecked front end is where to start.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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BaileySims
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by BaileySims »

Cut it in half?
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Abletobecain
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Abletobecain »

Oh man...I found one. Same color too!

https://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/d/spr ... 23887.html
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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LowBuckCanuck
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by LowBuckCanuck »

I so wanna see this become a reality.
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Abletobecain
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Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Abletobecain »

So do I! It's been consuming my thoughts but the reality is still well off.

No way I'm paying $600 for that car though. I emailed the guy and told him I'd give him a couple hundred before he sends it to the junk yard. He declined but I don't think he's gonna have much luck selling an automatic, FWD, with 300k, and all that mess in the engine.
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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Abletobecain
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Posts: 415
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2018 9:18 am
My tercel:: 1983 4WD DLX, 1986 4WD SR5, 1985 4WD SR5, 1983 4WD SR5
Location: Kitsap County
Contact:

Re: Tercel Turned Trailer?

Post by Abletobecain »

Bailey...You mean like cut it in half at the b pillar? I think that would be too much work to seal it up again. I wanna keep the box...just pull everything in front of the firewall, modify the frame into a coupler, and gut/customize the interior for sleeping and gear.
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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