![]() 01/01/2018 at 16:19 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
So I recently became the owner of a lovely 500$ 1998 corolla as a winter daily. Looking for some fun cheaper mods I can do for fun. I’m changing the valve cover gasket this week and giving her an oil change. I also have to fix the passengers side door handle once the part comes in but that should be very easy. Was thinking about buying headers but I’m not sure how easy that is to DIY. Also considering trying to wrap it myself as the paint looks like shit especially on the hood. Any ideas?
Bonus pic from a drive I took with a friend before Philly froze over
![]() 01/01/2018 at 16:31 |
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Big obtrusive, almost rally, fog lights.
A bull bar?
Cobble together a roof rack out of cheap conduit to troll the Cherokee bros?
Hey, if you have the 4-cylinder, check/keep an eye on the dogbone mount from passenger strut tower to the motor. Damn things get old and loose and allow movement causing damage to exhaust and motor mounts even before they actually clunk and you notice it.
![]() 01/01/2018 at 16:32 |
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maybe get one of those headlamp cleaning/polishing kits
![]() 01/01/2018 at 16:45 |
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Tint, rims, big subs, a gigantic spoiler. Cut the coils, put it on low pros and camber the fuck out of it with some wheel spacers and flare out the fenders.
![]() 01/01/2018 at 17:01 |
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I would go with the classic low rider look.
![]() 01/01/2018 at 17:04 |
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Wrapping materials are surprisingly expensive. Since it’s a winter beater I’d probably just roll with it.
![]() 01/01/2018 at 17:21 |
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YES.
![]() 01/01/2018 at 17:27 |
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Rattle can, even paint by a roller, doesn’t look that bad with proper prep and finishing. Give it a shot.
![]() 01/01/2018 at 17:49 |
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I found some not that expensive that I’ve been looking at
![]() 01/01/2018 at 17:54 |
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Do a 2ZZ swap! It’ll have more power and drink less oil! The engine mounts are nearly identical (except for the far left one) and there. https://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/tech-celica-gt-2zz-swap/
![]() 01/01/2018 at 18:17 |
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Use a chemical paint stripper on all exterior surfaces, then allow the entire car to patina naturally for a true winter beater motif.
![]() 01/01/2018 at 19:53 |
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Is it this one? Any idea how involved it would be for someone who’s never changed a motor mount before?
![]() 01/01/2018 at 20:12 |
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Preserve the patina: Liberally apply clear coat. Alternately: Sand & prime the hood, and cover it in paint-on chalkboard material. Go crazy writing disused Toyota slogans on there, like “grounded to the ground” or “moving forward”.
If you’re rolling on steelies, spray them black or body-color. Wheel covers optional.
Sand & polish the headlamps.
Convert the lighting to LED for safety and functionality.
![]() 01/01/2018 at 20:26 |
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holy cow i bought a $500 95 Corolla as my winter beater. 5spd. It actually sucks when there is snow out but i have the 4x4 truck for that.
![]() 01/02/2018 at 08:08 |
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Mine was actually pretty solid in the snow the other day. Didn’t realize it didn’t have abs tho . I can’t wait to get my clownshoe fixed this spring because I really miss driving manual.
![]() 01/02/2018 at 10:08 |
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The one I’m talking about looks like a barbell twisted 90°. Less than a foot long. You check it by putting the car in drive with foot on the brake and watch how far the motor moves. Do reverse also. You can prob find a video showing how much movement is ok
The mount you pictured is either front or rear main mount-my guess is rear
ETA: the one I’m talking about is easily visible: its at the passenger strut tower
![]() 01/02/2018 at 18:07 |
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It’s called a torque strut mount:
Btw, do NOT cheap out on motor mounts. Only time I did, it lasted only 3ish months and was way more of a pain to change than the $20(?) bucks I ‘saved’
Then again, this is a $500 winter beater... maybe research brands and just not buy the rock-bottom one?
![]() 01/03/2018 at 03:37 |
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yea mine is the tires on it are not very good. Im glad i got a manual. My truck is booring after driving it all the time. I cant wait for spring because of the bike, miata, and rx7 can come out
![]() 01/04/2018 at 05:54 |
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Yeah I usually always shop around a lot when I order parts to find a quality part. I hate high prices but I also beat on my cars so I prefer to put in quality parts
![]() 01/04/2018 at 05:56 |
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If I’d had the choice i absolutely would’ve gone manual. Every other car I’ve ever bought was manual, this was just a situation where I needed a car after mine broke and the kid was gonna trade it in for 500 but I just gave him cash right there instead lol. It was too perfect