About my Previa and Sienna

So my front bumper has a crack and mangled from lip.  Found a good condition bumper and front lip and picked those up. While searching, i wandered to the cars section, trying to find a bumper lip that would be similar. Found a few es300 and yanked the fog lights out of one.

The snag was these addition gaskets.  updated - the 2 big gaskets are the timing chain cover gaskets. The figure 8 looking gasket is for the oil filter mount.

In the early to mid 2000's, there was so many parts available, even cheap knock off stuff, everywhere!!! Companies were making something for everything. Even cars that didnt have a huge mod list, at least got clear corners. When I got the Previa, I remember some dope previa stuff.  I go searching for stuff and there is literally NOTHING!!! Tsunami made a body kit and that company is no longer around (at least not able to contact them). Which now forces people to go the JDM route. Anyways, it really sucks see that there is nothing available now. end Vent

This was the sticker we would put on our cars. I personally tried to organize and build the team. But since I was in constant project mode, some people started to let ego get in the way. I was happy to find one in my storage unit!!! I was a part of this team when we were just a few guys talking about cars and tricking them out... we soon became a powerhouse team (IMO) as we showed up at the street races, shows and street races and cruising. I was so proud of this name, I was able to build it in Japan! I build this team through friendship and understanding. We had humble beginnings. Then some members felt we needed to "All be done". What they failed to realize is that this was always about fun and a hobby. It was not a life, but a lifestyle. My priorities were family and academically focused. But that was not good enough for my teammates and soon after, it disintegrated. Yes, most people are still around, but really dont run the sticker or officially...

As I mentioned, I decided to go all out. I mean replace and hit all the issues that have been common to all Previas! Here is the van with the motor taken out:  -Cruise control lever (original was broken) -Passenger vanity mirror (original was cracked) -Grey vinyl door panels for both driver and passenger (excellent condition)(possibly get the other panels) -SADS couplers - 04374-28011 -Chain tensioner gasket - 13552-75010 -Engine mount - 12361-76042 -Engine mount - 12362-76012 -Timing chain tensioner - 13540-75020 -Timing chain - 13506-75010 -Time chain cover gaskets - 11328-75010 and 11329-75010 -Timing guide rail - 13561-76020 -Timing guide rail - 13559-76010 -Timing gear kit - CDK-014C -Oil filter mount gasket - 15692-76010 -Cylinder head gasket kit HS5890 (Victor Reinz) -rear engine oil seal - 90311-8803 -thermostat - 90916-03120 -thermostat gasket - 16325-62010 -water outlet o ring - 96761-24010 -Aisin water pump - WPT - 014 -Piston ring set ...

So I had a few components that needed to be replace. - Cruise control lever broken - Passenger side vanity mirror broken - Capt chair lever for seat adjustment broken - Roof top garnish broken ------------------------------------------------- These annoyed the hell out of me! I didnt notice that the cruise control lever was broken until after I paid for the van, or I would have bargained for it (they a previa parts van in the lot). But I was able to get the vanity mirror taken cared of. I just went to that parts van and ripped it out. I cut the wires and put it in my van. I finally got a chance to take it apart and realized it was easier than I thought!!! When you open the flap, pop the cover the light cover with a flat head. This will expose the fuse type bulb and 2 screws (philips type) After you unscrew those two, the mirror can slide out, but one more step: Unplug he wire and it is free.   ------------------------------------------------- When I s...

What is unique to the Previa is the SADS (Separate Auxiliary Drive Shaft). The motor is mid ship, in the middle of the van. The accessories, such as all belt driven components, Supercharger, power steering, alternator.. are located upfront under the hood. The SADS connects these. One of the main issues for wear and tear is the SADS couplers, couplers in rubber, goes out. This will lead to a ticking noise.   I started to ask people about options and everyone suggested OEM Toyota parts. I asked because I saw some cheap stuff on Ebay and even those reviews showed that they only lasted 2yrs. While at a junkyard, I was snapped a picture of a worn out SADS. This ticking noise is harmonic (from what I read) and has a bit of a vibration to it. Definitely felt when those belts up front are being stressed (A/C on, turning while stopped). So I bought the original Toyota for $230.  There is also a TSB  (technical service bulletin) for these since ever...

The van was dropped off to the shop I have been going through for my Mitsubishi Outlander repairs. I asked about getting a quote and 2 weeks later, I get one. $5600. Including parts. When I looked at some of the prices, they were just outrageous. Now, I like the shop and mechanics there. I like the work they have done, but I was really looking at the prices of many of the parts, which made up about half of the total quote. I then was thinking of swapping in a low mileage JDM motor. But the motor had to have official paperwork, either saying it had low miles or that it had been tested...  anyways, nobody that had one could offer this certificate or paperwork, which to me is a must. Even talking with people on forums were just saying swap it and what not. While I do want to tinker with this van, one of the biggest and main factor is, I want to make it reliable. I dont have a time or space to work on this motor alone. This is not a typical pop the hood motor, it is under...

I went down to the the place that was selling the van. I looked it over and my wife liked it (very important part). $1500 Blown head gasket. Body was clean. Small dings here and there. On top, the sliding door side, the roof rack garnish was missing. Interior, all the pieces were there, cloth seats with no rips, driver side door panel cloth was trashed with ironed on patch. Cruise control lever was broken (didnt see until after I bought the van), passenger side vanity mirror was cracked (found a parts van there and got the vanity mirror), one captain's chair has a broke seat adjusting lever. Besides that, everything seemed to be good. I had them hook up some power, checked the lights, gauges and even A/C. The best thing was that the A/C was still blowing cold. One of the issues was the A/C controllers break and also there was a TSB on the A/C expansion valve corroding leaving rear A/C in operational.(Found out later that it was replaced.) An addition plus was that they p...

I have always admired the Previa. My cousin had one back in the early 90's and I liked it, but never really understood it. We would diss each other and I would say his van looked like an egg. In Osaka next to a Toyota Hiace, 2004 Of course being into Japanese imports, I was really digging the Vanning scene when I went to Japan. I was a huge fan of the wild build of the Toyota Hiace and those slammed VIP styled vans. Even, when I went around Osaka with my other friend, Nobuo, I saw many vans build up and I had to stop by and take pictures! When my good friend Megesan, Nao, Camo and Takashi brought me to various spots, I talked to a club that did Dress up Vans. Dress up Club Honey - I am holding their logo, which they gave me! Of course, I got caught up with my FC rx7, my 89 240sx, 93 and 2k civic hatches and my F31 infiniti M30. The M30 being my favorite and of course, my identity since it was different and I was able to help build f31club.com I am al...