I bought this van for $1400 from a man who abused it by hauling tires in it. This caused awful stains on the carpet along with a bad odor. Replaced the carpet.
The speedometer/odometer was broken when I bought it. This was due to the cable socket being worn out. Fixed by inserting the cut off end of a small zip tie in with the cable. The mileage is probably at least 15,000 mile off.
The previous owner had replaced the engine with a used one of unknown mileage.
The gas quantity indicator never worked when I got it due to the sending unit being broken. Replaced it.
The fuel pump went out. Replaced it.
The engine is under the front seats and it would get hot due to the air coming in through the cable holes which didn't have grommets installed. Sealed with high temp silicone RTV.
Only the high beams worked when I bought it. Found broken solder joint on turn signal wire terminal.
The front air conditioner never got cool. Found the temp control panel to have all of the plastic levers broken behind the dash so the heat was always on. Replaced.
The front brakes and rotors had to be replaced.
The steering wheel had excessive play in it. Found the steering arm had a worn out ball joint. Replaced. Also had to adjust the steering gear box adjustment screw. This made it turn on a dime.
Although the drivers seat is torn in the center, the upholstery is holding up well for it being almost 20 years old.
The power steering pump had oil seeping into the alternator which caused me to replace the alternator. Since it didn't even leak enough from the "MAX" to the "MIN" on the dipstick in 3 months, I just fabricated a catch for the oil which diverts it away from the alternator.
There is some body corrosion around the right rear window frame.
There are other smaller things that have gone wrong, but were easy to fix. These are too numerous to list.
I never wanted a min van until we had our first baby. I bought this van and when I brought it home, my wife wanted to cry because it looked so awful. I worked very hard on scrubbing it up and cleaning it while I also fixed the broken items. Once I got all these things fixed up the van looked almost like new and my wife has been well pleased with it.
This van seems to have more cargo room than any of the new ones and it gets great gas mileage! I look at vans every where I go and I can't understand why they don't make these vans any more. In my opinion, this is the best vehicle I've ever owned. It's totally reliable! When I don't use it a van I use it like a truck. I've loaded it up with my heavy 1,000 lb toolbox plus tools, helped people move their furniture, loaded up more people than it's supposed to carry, used the rear seats which fold into a bed to sleep on, used it as a nursery with our baby (just remove the rear seats and close the doors-but don't go leaving the baby), and the list goes on.
Every time I see one of these vehicles for sale, I'm tempted to buy another one. I've thought of selling my Tercel and just have two of these awesome vans.
When other people who own newer mini vans ride in it, they always remark how nice it looks and especially how roomy it is. It's also very nice that when you sit in it, you sit about the level of these SUV's that you see all over the place.
I hope to keep this thing running for the rest of my life if I can. It has no equal (not even the Nissan or Mitsubishi look-a-likes). I remember seeing these all over the place back when I lived in Germany for 3 years, but I didn't remember until I bought one. I sure wish I would have bought a new one back then.
If you are looking for vehicle that is a good people mover, a good hauler, and is very economical, this is it.
I don't have anything negative to say about this van. It's one of the first one's made of this model and is 20 years old (it was built in 1983 and sold as an 84' model), it was abused by other owners, but despite this it does everything and more that these newer gas guzzling, overpriced vans do, but without the payments!
I couldn't have written it better myself.
The review was like hearing myself talk.
I love my 1986 van, I have used it for all the same reasons including driving my 2 children in it. We still take it on trips even though my wife has a newer vehicle
(a nissan wagon).
Amen to that. Love those Vans
We hve two Toyota 86 Van 5 speeds. Engine in one blew a gasket. Looking for deal on replacement engine.
Local shop imports them and does install for about $2500. Tempting .Time for reality check. This car has
302,000 miles on it. Put Slick 50 in tranny and diff way back when. Will it go for ever??
Tony
Alex Va.
I had a 1984 Toyota Van, featuring.
Like new interior
like new exterior
gold color
it looks like a futuristic model, maybe 2020
awesome van!
LE Limited Edition Model
interior has stereo, ac, air fans, vents
all guages are like new
all turn signals, and switches work
the previous owner took excellent care of the van
this van cost over 13,000.- when new in 1984
becasue it has every high end feature that was available
including a small refridgerator in front of the shift lever in the front cabin
it has a front sunroof
it has a giant 40 inch by 30 inch automatic sunroof in the mid section of the van
the sunroof, opens by pressing and holding a button on the
interior roof in between the two sunroofs
the rear has a double seat set with fold down arm rests, and a triple seat at the extreme rear.
The seats fold into a bed and also come out when needed fro extra space
the rear has small compartments, trash bins, light switches,
and extra cigarette lighter plugs for your laptop
this van really had every available option
awesome van!
I love the sliding windows in the mid section. Two on each side of the van,
slide by hand and lock in place when closed.
Not to forget, the giant sliding door on the passenger side mid section of the van.
The rear trunk door opens vertically and has the windshield wiper
powered automatically with fluid from the front driver control. Again, this one had every option.
Th front main access doors closed with a firm, strong thud. Very solid doors, like new, everything.
Automatic Windows, front, and automatic door locks opened all door locks at once,
and closed at the push of a button
Nice seats all around with burgundy on tan and a nice mid-brown color.
Headliner and interior in pristime shape with light beige tan interior, luxury.
Double headlights, one set for standard lights and one set for the high beams.
Standard Most Expensive Stainless Steel Wheels.
It is a little slow on the acceleration, and cars tend to want to pass you, sometimes they do. It is a van of course, designed to move cargo and people, and carry weight surely, not to go fast. The accelleration takes time, with a smooth feel, and since you are sitting, m as the driver near the absolute front of the vehicle, you get a 3d view of the road, almost like a hyperspace view.
In the movie Back to the Future part one, there is a shot near the end, where we see a movie theater beside the street, there is MY VAN parked in front of the theater, the gold van, 2 shots are visible.
I bought it as a mobile movie studio and project van, and it was awesome. I was hanging out everywhere, looking out of the sunroof, and just sitting back there in the luxury seats.
I had to sell it because I needed to switch to a normal car to commute to work and school,
but now I am kind of sad that I don't have it any more. I sold it for just 800.-, I bought it for 2,400.-
it really was worth at least 5,000.- but with a van like that one, it's really worth a million, or priceless, because they are so awesome, and they don't make them any more like that. I would like to get another one in the future, or even two. The problem for me was space, I had no place to park the van. I would love to have a garage or some space to park cars someday.
If you have any vans like this, or any other vans I would like to buy them from you.
Michael
michaelortiz01@hotmai.com
ESCstudios.com.
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