New member from Portland, OR - '86 Tercel Wagon DLX

[GotToyota?]

Hi guys, my name is Matt and I hail from Portland, Oregon. I am not new to Toyotas however this is my 2nd Tercel (used to have a 95 coupe) but this is my first wagon and carb Toyota car. I needed a new daily driver after my Datsun was being unreliable so I have decided to pick this up. I've always been a big fan of the wagons and I'm psyched to be able to have all this room and utility! This is a 2WD DLX model unfortunately but I'm happy to have gotten a 5 speed. Interior is pretty mint, exterior paint has some oxidation but honestly it doesn't concern me.

Mileage is 226XXX which concerned me at first but previous owner had recently done the timing belt and water pump. Not sure how much longer it will last but for the money I paid I can't complain. Here's what I've done so far.

- New master cylinder
- Front brake pads
- Brake fluid flush
- Oil change
- NGK spark plugs and wires
- Painted grille and headlight surrounds semi-gloss black (removed Toyota badge)







To do list
- Transmission fluid (looking for a guide on here for drain/fill plugs)
- KYB struts all around
- New speakers

I'm pretty excited to be here. TercelOnline doesn't seem to be very helpful about the 2nd gen Tercels. Hope to learn some good info here and see some other new Tercels.

-Matt

[irowiki]

That is a really sharp looking wagon! I came here as well with my 1st gen sedan after finding tercelonline first.

[dlb]

welcome, matt. the engine and carb between the 2wd and 4wd wagons are identical, as well as many other parts so this forum should prove pretty helpful to you.

regarding trans oil, there is a FSM available for download here

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8103

that covers both the 2wd and 4wd wagons so check it on how to change the trans oil. the 4wd transmissions are different so i'm not sure where the drain and fill plugs are on yours. they are most likely 24 mm though. also, make sure to thoroughly clean debris away from the fill plug and crack it open first before draining the gear oil—the last thing you want to is drain it only to find the fill plug is stripped or something.

if the 2wd wagons have the same front sway bar setup as the 4wd's, i strongly recommend you remove yours ASAP to check the ends of the bars. they are prone to rusting out and can snap, which is super dangerous. i posted a guide on how to check them here.

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7481

[irowiki]

Oh, right. I think he has the same transmission I do!

There was a fill plug for the diff and a fill plug about midway on the transmission itself. Both were 19mm I think. I took both of those off first to make sure they weren't gonna strip.

There's two 24mm drain plugs and one 19mm drain plug (extension housing?). Undo the 19mm drain plug about half way, then drain from the diff and transmission, I drained the extension housing last.

How does she up and down shift? If everything is smooth, refill with proper gear oil. If the synchros seem worn or the fluid you drain out is really dirty, fill with half ATF, half gear oil, drive it gently at highway speeds for 30-60 minutes. Drain, refill with proper gear oil.

When you fill it, you'll leave the extension housing plug halfway out until it is filled.

6 sided sockets and wrenches are your friend!


How much did you buy her for?

[GotToyota?]

I was actually looking at your thread about the fluid change last night.

Already so much more helpful than the other place. Thanks fellas!

[ARCHINSTL]

Welcome! Lots of friendly and astute peeps here.
Your car looks pretty nice - you PacNWST peeps are lucky - no salt!
I belong to Tercel Online as well as Toyota Nation, but rarely check in on them for the same reasons. It seems both are frequented 99% by Gen III, IV, and V fellows who are interested primarily in audio/raising/slamming/neon. Many offer less than interesting tech tips for their cars - and don't like to do a Search before asking questions.
Tom M.

[GotToyota?]

Another quick pic from today.



Finally got a new window regulator and replaced it. The drivers side front door wasn't rolling up all the way. I also took off the carb filter and plate and cleaned up the entire carb. It was gunked with oil and various fluid all over the linkage and what not, causing things to stick. But now it's all clean and throttle no longer sticks or takes another jab of the pedal to throttle.

[GotToyota?]

Another pic after I parked it for the day.

[TURTCEL]

Lots of friendly and astute peeps here.
you PacNWST peeps are lucky
Tom M.

Brings up a funny memory...my Dad loves there silly things.


www.marshmallowpeeps.com

Peace

[TURTCEL]

Here's what I've done so far.

- New master cylinder
- Front brake pads
- Brake fluid flush
-Matt

Welcome, I noticed that you mentioned you did some brake work to you new ride. Did you do the job yourself or did you take it to a shop? I and another member are having brake bleeding issues that we can't seem to figure out.

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9521

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9539

If you did your own work, any tips would be appreciated. My car has been on jack stands for a week and I need it back for work Monday.

Peace

[GotToyota?]

I actually read your thread. I did not bleed the master cylinder prior to installing it and my brakes have a very stiff pedal. I flushed the system of all the old fluid from the passenger rear, drivers rear, passenger front then drivers front. Strange issue you're having there.

[scrapz253]

welcome. I'm only a few hours away here in the tri cities. just north of hermiston

[GotToyota?]

Tinkering with TP and carb settings from the manual today. Went ahead and replaced a bunch of old rubber hoses. This covered the front half of the carb now I need another 4-5 feet to do all the back rubber lines.



15" steelies from a Scion. 15x6, so almost 2 inches wider than stock. Gonna get some tires soon then paint them. Car is also getting lowered soon.

[dlb]

those wheels are huge. you might want to take some measurements between the stock tires and inner and outer fenders, and then compare those with the new wheels and tires you are looking at. you may have to go a little smaller to avoid hard rubbing while turning.

[GotToyota?]

Yep, I've already figured out the calculations with a tire calculator.

It's all good to go.