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Showing posts from October, 2015

Rear AC disassembly and getting to the rear moon roof motor.

Someone on the toyota van tech forums asked about the rear moon roof motor since his was not working. 2 weeks prior, I was doing a video on taking out the moon roof and started on taking out the headliner. I stopped because the headliner is one big piece and when I got to the rear A/C unit, I decided stopped because I already took one apart for a video. When the topic was brought up, I wanted to know for myself as well. Luckily, the same van was still there and I was able to get it done. The headliner is one piece piece, but to get the rear out, you have to take out all the handles on the ceiling (4) plus the door light. Once that is done, you can start prying and pulling. When you have a dual moonroof model, there are additional screws to take care of around the opening. Open the moonroof and you will unscrew from the top. After that, they you will take apart the rear AC unit. This next video is when I complete went to the moon roof motor.

Comparison of the Estima (ACR), Estima Aeras (TCR) and Estima Emina..

I'm here in Vancouver BC and stopped by a shop called Velocity Cars. It is a car lot that sells some imported Japanese vehicles. Import laws are different in Canada. These are all legal. They had 5 Estimas. 2 ACR Estimas, 2 TCR Estimas (like the US previa) and One Estima Emina. Looked at all of them to see their differences. They are all 8 seaters as well. First I looked at the Estimas (TCR) that were the same body as the US Previa. Besides the awesome upgrades, one was lowered, but they are the kouki versions, so newer headlights, tail lights and one had the newer Aeras roof rack. Both were AWD. The side mirrors' top were extended like a sun guard. Obvious difference in the outside, but the inside, pretty much the same. There were some small differences. 1. Rear A/C had more buttons for adjusting flow. 2. The lower tray. US previas had a tray (some didn't). Of course some Canadian models had the cool box set up. The Estima has a tray, but it is raised. The to

Removing the rear moon roof

So when I was at the Junkyard, I decided to see how to remove the moon roof. After sliding the cover, you will see a plastic cover on each side toward the front of the moon roof. Move those and you will expose 2 10mm nuts. After you remove the nuts, you can either bend the bracket down or lift the moon roof to get the screws to get pass the brackets. Once you do that, you can move the moon roof manually. Remove the roof garnishes and it will come out like butter.

OEM roof racks for Dual sunroof Previas

Roof Racks on Previas are not uncommon. But on Dual sunroof Previas, SUPER RARE State side. While there are aftermarket options, the OEM Toyota ones were never offered in the US. I researched and there was never a reason why, possibly a safety reason? On dual sunroof previas, we have these black roof garnishes which looks sleek, but basically they are just covers. Corey, CMH1129 on youtube and toyotanation has gotten 2 sets from the UK. Apparently, roof racks were offered there with their previas!!! Again, this makes them super rare!!

Toyota Previa Running boards - late update

To be honest, I always thought that I would get aftermarket side skirts, which warranted me to forgo the running boards. The running boards are those steps on the side of the vehicle that people use to get inside. They are stylish and are functional. Only recently have I appreciated them more than I have before. I honestly thought that I would find running boards on previas, but that is not the case. I saw a pair at the junkyard, but how they had the previa set up rims, one running board was damaged, so I didn't even think of getting one. Now that I am looking for a set, it blows my mind that these are not as common as I thought. So the goal is to find a set. If I can find a cool box, I'm sure I can find a set somewhere!

Raised roof Estima Lucida

From http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/164207/1995-toyota-lucida-estima Owner - carlb1970 95 Toyota Estima Lucida diesel AWD. From what I understand, the Lucida and Emina are smaller or maybe narrower. this has the raised glass roof!!!! Super sexy!! this guy also lowered it, fixed and repainted it. Looks really good!