85 Toyota Van

Weasellee · Feb 7, 2024

So my lifelong friend whom we call Scoobe purchased on a whim an 85 Toyota Van in Ft Lauderdale off EBay two weeks ago.
Fast forward to this morning he and I took a 6:15 out of LaGuardia (NY) to Ft Lauderdale and got picked up by Miguel in a right hand drive Toyota Skyline. Saweeeet.

We have since driven to Jensen Beach and had tacos with my cousin and now in Daytona at a Best Western for the night.

We plan to drive all the way north to the Hudson Valley NY area where we are from in the next few days.

We’ve filled the rear Dif with 90w
Repaired 1 taillight

And tomorrow plan to replace the thermostat before heading north again.

The gauge is running cold and we have no heat at all. Gonna need that tomorrow and onward.

Wish us luck.

First shot is Miguel and I

LukesfirstJeep · Feb 7, 2024

Is this another episode of Roadkill Garage? Have fun and enjoy the ride.

Does the van have AC? Drain the freon and run the heater hoses through the AC core for heat.

Weasellee · Feb 7, 2024

LukesfirstJeep said:
Is this another episode of Roadkill Garage? Have fun and enjoy the ride.

Does the van have AC? Drain the freon and run the heater hoses through the AC core for heat.

We aren’t afraid to pull the water neck and see. Auto zone has a t stat and gasket in stock. They will loan tools. We are old hacks at making the trip.

Rickyd · Feb 7, 2024

Weasellee said:
We aren’t afraid to pull the water neck and see. Auto zone has a t stat and gasket in stock. They will loan tools. We are old hacks at making the trip.

Supercharged slant 4?

Weasellee · Feb 8, 2024

Rickyd said:
Supercharged slant 4?

No. I believe it’s a 2.0. Small motor. I’m not a Toyota guy. Scoob is

Rickyd · Feb 8, 2024

Weasellee said:
No. I believe it’s a 2.0. Small motor. I’m not a Toyota guy. Scoob is

It might be the later model van that has the supercharged slant 4.

Paradiddle · Feb 8, 2024

Those gen 1 Toyota vans are super cool. Modern throwback to the mid engine 60's american vans. RWD also.

Weasellee · Feb 8, 2024

Rickyd said:
It might be the later model van that has the supercharged slant 4.

No. It’s a 2.0. The 3YEA. It’s slow. 4 speed auto.

Weasellee · Feb 8, 2024

Made it to Wilson NC. Took it real slow. No heat. Heater core is not doing its job. We tried. Ran great. Besides getting chilly in the last stretch no problems at all. Stopped at Buccees If you haven’t been you should try.

Weasellee · Feb 11, 2024

Was a wild and fun trip. Stopped through Norfolk and bought a few sailors wings and beer. Got a flat headed out of Norfolk but VA DOT saved the day. Had air for our flat spare and a 4 way lug wrench for the win. Drove late through the night in to Jersey, slept a few hours and got home by 10am.
Another road trip for the books.

Last photo is smiles of victory. The flag/bridge is the Mid Hudson bridge that drops us in to PKNY which we call home.