1985 Toyota Van LE review from North America

Replaced transmission. Not cheap, almost $1100.00.

Rebuilt alternator: did it myself for less than $30.

Blew a thermostat: major pain in the ass to fix, as bolts had rusted.

Blew a head gasket.

Head cracked, needed to be rebuilt. Re and Re'd myself for about $600.

Switches (power locks, etc) seemed frail. Most stopped working.

Brain box died ($900).

Fuseboxes: replaced this five times over the 5 years I had the van.

Tie rod ends.

I did like the van for most of the time I owned it. However, it did give me a fair amount of grief over the years.

The engine is a real pain to work on. When I fixed the thermostat, the bolts snapped off: I had to remove the seats, shifter, and console to get off the engine bay, then go throug major contortions to drill and tap a new stud in its place. All that to fix a broken thermostat?

Replacing the fuse box was easy after the first time, but got a bit tedious after the 4th time. Used ones hard to get, as fuse box was a design flaw, and new ones way too pricey, if you can get one.

Could never find a manual for it.

When I rebuilt the head and replaced it, a rubber line in the fuel injection broke, and the van subsequently caught on fire and burned to the ground. I was happy to see it go, even though it wasn't insured.

Good mileage, though, and quick and nimble around town. Was good when it ran.