Skip to main content

Junkyard/craigslist finds part 1

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)
Click image for larger version. 

Name: IMG_3351[1].jpg 
Views: 7 
Size: 86.9 KB 
ID: 1824

After you unscrew those two, the mirror can slide out, but one more step:

Click image for larger version. 

Name: IMG_3353[1].jpg 
Views: 8 
Size: 95.6 KB 
ID: 1825

Unplug he wire and it is free.

Click image for larger version. 

Name: IMG_3349[1].jpg 
Views: 9 
Size: 97.6 KB 
ID: 1826
 
-------------------------------------------------

When I started to look for the captain chair lever, I knew that I would end up buying the whole seat, as I dont think anyone wanted to just sell the lever (couldn't find a junkyard that had a capt chair, but had the bench style instead).

I found a guy on craigslist that had a seat and was selling for $30. I went to his place (an hour away) and bought the seat. He had it sitting under a tarp, so the underside was rusty crusty. I have never messed with a capt's chair, but I was able to get that out of the way.

--------------------------------------------------
 Saw that a van was being parted at a local junkyard, a 95 previa like mine. I asked if they were open on Saturday and they said yes. Arrived that weekend and looked at the Previa, it was in the middle of being ripped apart. I saw the cruise control lever as the air bag was removed, couple screws and it was freed. I then saw the vinyl gray door panels and was amazed by their condition. Getting door panels to replace my driver side (horrible) was in the plan, but not priority... But when I saw it, I had to ask, they said $25 each panel, so I bought both driver side and passenger side panels (super great condition) and asked for the cruise control lever, which they gave to me for $15!!!

* I might go back and pick up the other van's panels as they were in good condition and well maintained. I hope it is still there.
--------------------------------------------------

Finally, the roof garnish. These were plastic covers on top of the van that would cover the roof rack bosses if you wanted to put on a roof rack. I looked at STEALERSHIP prices and they wanted $250!!!

I saw a van on craigslist being parted out at a ToyotaLexusScion scrap yard in Rancho Cordova. I drove the 1.5 hrs there and picked it up!!! both sides for $45


 --------------------------------------------------------

So all these were my major concern and now, I just wait for the van's motor to be put back together.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

EGR system Clean out and Code P0401

EGR system clean and Code P0401 This is another MUST DO on the previas, especially if you are having issues and code P0401 being thrown. P0401 is "Exhaust Gas Recirculation flow insufficient detected".  Parts: - EGR intake gasket - 25628-76010 - this is on the far right side next to the exhaust. - EGR valve gasket - 25627-76010 - used for the EGR valve to the intake manifold.  -Air inlet duct gasket - 22273-76010 - this is where the air goes into the intake manifold and where   the EGR port gets plugged. 1 container of coolant I did buy a set of crow's feet and Universal joints for the Exhaust pipe. I followed Zenseeker's photo's on every single detail. If you haven't visit his website (http://zenseeker.net/Previa/PreviaMaintenance.htm), it is a treasure trove of information!!!  Zenseeker gets the credit and this would have been impossible for me to do without those pictures! **The pictures are located at the bottom of this po

I GOT A COOLBOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found out that the previa had a "cool box", which is like tiny fridge under the dash in the middle, from Toyotavantech. I have seen them only in photos and in Canadian spec previas (unsure if they were in US spec). Even our owner's manual has some mention of them. Often times, I would look at CL in Vancouver BC in hopes someone wants to sell or part a van with it. Now, I've seen a few different versions, in which I don't have the ones that are pictured below. (note, these cool box images were found on the internet). A slanted shape one  This is a cool and hot box, 3 buttons on top ------------------------------------------------------------- I've kinda looked at the cool box as a Holy Grail. 9/12/15, Saturday. After volunteering my morning at the farmer's market making boxes and putting fruits and vegetables for low income families (Phat Beets Produce!) here in Oakland, I went to go fill up gas in

EGR, IAC Valve, Throttle body, black flakes in the coolant....

Before I get into this, let me give proper thanks for the info and pictures from zenseeker.net, toyotavantech (theMan) and Uri of Previadiaries.wordpress.com These sources really put pictures and what they did out there.. so now I 'm going to jumble them all together as I am going to do these cleans soon! ---------------------------------------------- After spending a pretty penny and 2 months having the motor rebuilt. I kept reading about the black flakes in the coolant.. I mentioned this to the shop that I had my van worked on. At on point, I asked for the throttle body  and IAC valve as it was just sitting there, but got the "dont worry about it, we'll take care of it". I even showed some blogs of that covered this issue. After getting the van back... boom, check engine light and the shop ran the code. In all honesty, I was kinda upset that they did not cover this part, even after I had mentioned it.  P0401 Error Code : "Exhaust Gas Recircul