1985 Toyota Tercel Wagon Grey 4WD Manual SR5

1985 Toyota Tercel SR5 Description

About this vehicleThis 1985 Toyota Tercel is an original with updates to the exterior, interior and drivetrain. The owner has had it for 2 years. The vehicle runs great and is used as a daily driver.Seller's Notes1985 Toyota Tercel SR5 4WD (AL25) Thank you for checking out this auction listing for my 1985 Toyota Tercel SR5 4WD. This vehicle has been my daily driver for the last two years. It has carried my family up and over the Cascade mountains, to the beach, and through the woods. It has been reliable, economical, and amazingly capable in inclement weather.Purchased in 2018 with 123,000 miles from its prior owner on craigslist. The car has lived on the west coast for its whole life and is free of any serious rust. These cars are increasingly rare and have an active community of owners for support and resources. Finding missing pieces and incrementally improving this car has been my hobby. Few come up for sale in this shape; please ask any questions you have.Videos

ExteriorI was attracted to this car for its boxy 1980’s style. The argyle seat ('85 only) and geometric headliner patterns give it some unironic uniqueness. Any modifications that I have made can be undone in an afternoon or two.Decals: I worked with Upper Left Coast Wraps to design and install the decals. They are quality automotive vinyl and look as good today as they did when installed. The decals are one of the things people have most commented on and enjoyed, and personally they make me smile. I removed the round sticker from the roof rack; the P/N/W decal from the rear hatch; and the club sticker from the rear window.LED Lighting: Philips Ultinon LED light bulbs were installed in the dome lights, turn signals, running lights, brakes lights, reverse light, and side marker light indicators in 2018.Yellow LED Fog lights have mounted on the front bumper. On/Off button located near center console.Cline-o-meter: Also called an “Inclinometer” was scavenged and installed from a 1983. Mounted on the center of the dash, this auxiliary instrument was standard in SR5’s for the 83 and 84 production years but found itself removed from the 1985 SR5. Cluster informs the driver of both the side-to-side and front-to-back angle of the vehicle; additionally there is an indicator light for when 4WD is engaged. Roof Rack: Gutter mount towers includes keys. Cheap cargo basket has been useful for my kids bikes. All season wheels: 14” alloy ‘Triangles’ 4x100 bolt pattern from a 1980s Toyota MR2 (AW11). Kumho Solus 195/70R14 tires that were installed new in Spring 2020. Due to their size there is minor inner fender rubbing at full lock turn; I just don't (could be hammered out).Winter/snow wheels: 13” alloy ‘Waffles’ 4x100 bolt pattern. These are the optional factory alloy for the car. Mounted new in Fall 2019 are Nokian Nordman 175/70R13 studdable (un-studded at this time).Backup/Dirt wheels: Stock factory 13” steel wheels with unmatched tires that hold air but should be replaced.Roof rack – Winter 2018Roof basket – Winter 2018New hatch hydraulic lifters – Winter 2018Inclinometer – Winter 2018LED exterior lights – Winter 2018Fog lights – Spring 2020Detailed 2018 & 2020 (ceramic coating)InteriorInterior: 9/10All trim and parts accounted for, clean, serviceableSplit/crack down center of inclinometer hood vinylBoth sun visors have their vinyl loosening and saggingExterior: 7/10Paint hazing with sun damage on the hood and roof35 years of small dings, dents and discolorations (circled in photos).Paint pock marks on front driver’s fender and driver’s door sill; fender likely not original.2 chips in front windshield center; near inclinometer Mechanical:Leaks some oil at transmission and rear drive shaft. After having driven a few thousand miles on the 4AC that hasn't been rebuilt, it appears to consume some oil. Runs well, but would consider checking out the rings and valve guide seals and watching levels.Vehicle will sometimes diesel (run/sputter out) for a 1-3 seconds after being turned off. Common for these tercels.Air Conditioning equipped; non-operational. Leak test revealed leaks at both the evaporator and compressor.Back-up light – non-operationalTrip odometer – non-operationalEngineThe car has broken down on me once in my 15,000 miles of commuting; I lost compression on my way home from work. I had always intended to get a more powerful engine swapped into the vehicle and used this failure as an excuse to do so. The 4WD system engages and works well, lacking an additional differential the Tercel puts equal power to all four wheels. The transmission features a 6th extra-low gear that can only be engaged when in 4WD and brings the gear down to a 'try and stop me' 17.6:1 final drive ratio. Current Engine: Toyota 4AC, 71HP; from a mid-80’s Toyota Corolla. Intended to rebuild this engine, however I needed it back on the road so in it went. The engines mileage is unknown. The HP gain was VERY noticeable in the performance of the car. Direct swap with 3AC, oil pan/pickup and everything from original block.Original Engine: Factory Toyota 3AC, 63HP: Original to car; lost compression at 132k miles. Block is complete and has not been diagnosed or rebuilt; included in sale.Carburation: Authentic Weber 32/36 electronic choke carburetor installed new 2020. Several non-essential emissions related components were removed/bypassed at this time. The original carburetor and air cleaner are included with the sale.Front spacer lift: Machined 1” aluminum strut spacers from a fellow Tercel owner in Canada provide 1". Spacers require no modification and can easily be removed if you would like to return to factory height.Rear shock lift: Monroe MA700 air shocks in rear of the vehicle. With no cargo or rear seat passengers I keep it the shocks at 20-25 pounds and have observed a lift of 1 ½” from stock. No modifications were required; return to factory is equally easy.Air Shock Control: The air shocks are kept at pressure and adjusted as needed by an Airlift 25804 on-board compressor. Compressor is located in jack storage; controller mounted under glove box. New rear wheel bearings – Fall 2018New muffler – Winter 2018New catalytic converter – Winter 20184AC engine – Installed Spring 2020Shifter seat/boot/bushing – Winter 2019Weber 32/36 carburetor – Spring 2020New radiator – Spring 2020New water pump – Spring 2020New clutch – Spring 2020New plugs/wires – Spring 2020Front wheel bearings/seals – Spring 2020New CV drive axles/seals – Spring 2020New battery – Spring 2020New lower ball joints – Spring 2020New KYB front struts – Fall 2018Aluminum strut spacers – Spring 2020MA700 air shocks – Summer 2020Airlift compressor – Summer 2020New front brake pads – Spring 2020New front brake rotors – Spring 2020New rear brake shoes – Spring 2020Rear brake wheel cylinders – Spring 2020Front brake hydraulic hoses – Spring 2020Alignment – Spring 2020 No warranties expressed or implied. This Tercel is sold as-is / where-is. Available to see/drive in Portland OR area for duration of auction.This is a 35-year-old daily driver economy car; I have attempted to be very thorough in my description and encourage you to ask any questions that you have. I am a hobbyist first and foremost not a mechanic, I made no attempt to complete work I was unsure of. I worked with an off-duty mechanic and Toyota enthusiast whom I have befriended or need be took the vehicle to an area shop.I have enjoyed building this car out, and I hope you like it. Pickup or ship at your cost from 98607, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it 750 miles or more tomorrow. Payment accepted through ebay's escrow.com partnership (buyer fee approx 150 at reserve price.)It is currently registered and insured in the state of Washington; Includes a clean Washington State Vehicle title with no lien/loans and Bill of Sale.Created on the eBay Motors app