About my Previa and Sienna

Okay. So while I like to keep grounded about getting things and don't really want to "wishfully think" about items, but I figure I mind as well put out my hit list or wish list. Recently I found a cool box... How in the world and all the sequence of events that led one from Canada to the Bay area, where it laid in a junkyard before I stumbled up on it... is beyond me. But the fact that I randomly found one blew my mind. It was one of those "wishful thinking" items. With that said, why not entertain this fantasy, yeah? First off, I like OEM options in my van or at least something that is meant for the Previa. While right now, I like my Previa how it is, I do wish I had some JDM goodies. Note: this list is in no particular order. 1. JDM body kits... Or any body kit for that matter! There are some pretty cool body kits, but that also entails of lowering the van. I am actually a body kit person and have always love the idea of making a vehicle look ...

Okay... so while my Previa is my wife's daily, I've decided to take some small steps to make it nicer! I've always loved the JDM stuff and decided it is now the time to get some upgrades. When I was going to the Nissan leopard meeting in Hamamatsu Garden Park, a stock white TCR10 Estima Aeras was there... It looked so clean being factory white with the kouki tail/head lights and that awesome roof rack! Anyways, I wanted to start gravitating towards that look and eventually get the bumpers or maybe the kit. So I jumped on yahoo auctions and found many pieces I wanted for GREAT PRICES! Shipping does suck, but you gotta pay to play. So far, these are the times I have: So I wanted to get the awesome tail lights and I had to piece the set together. But here are the center and trunk parts of the tail lights. I won these for $28. Now, I still needed the end/corner lights. So I found a guy selling them separately and for BUY NOW price of  $11 each ...

So I went to Japan in Oct. 2016. I went to the All Japan Estima Meeting, where I met tons of estima owners. I was hoping to see more Eminas and Lucidas.. but there were none! Tons of MCR and ACR estimas. Few TCR10 estimas. Here is part 1 https://youtu.be/M76otYIhRoM Here is part 2 Met a ton of good friends and IG famous Estimas!

I've been coming to Vancouver BC very often due to my family living here. I always search for things to do and I found Bridal Veil Falls in Chilliwack This was in 2015. On the way there, I saw a Pick a Part DIY junkyard on the way. I always told myself I would check it out and Today was that day (June 12, 2016) I went there just to check things out. I didn't have any tools and wasn't expecting much. If I saw a Mazda mx-6 digital gauge cluster, I would have bought it. After search the cars and finding nothing, I decided to look at the vans. I came upon a blue 91 previa (didn't know it was AWD too) and when I looked inside.... ICE MAKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now let me say this. I didn't have tools, I wasn't expecting to buy anything, I didn't have much time.. Well, after I saw the Ice maker, I went to the nearest store  (Canadian Superstore) and bought what was available, which was a half ass tool set! I immediately got to work on th...

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...

When I picked up the previa, the perspective of rebuild vs replace came to mind. With a blown head gasket, worn SADS couplers and unknown extent of possible damage to the internal of the motor, I decided to go all out and rebuild the whole motor. Since I could not do this at my apartment complex and if you understand the location and the amount of work this motor has, then you know that I would hate to change a head gasket on a high mileage motor and have something break down shortly after and have to go through the process again. When conversations about the rebuild vs replace come up, I always think like this: Time, Place, money (knowledge and resources as well). I dont have place, so I dont have the time. Knowledge on the previa motor, very low. I have novice mechanic skills, but not well versed. Resources, I feel I can be resourceful and have a way to get what I need (parts and services).But knowledge and resources can only take you so far if you are not working ...