Intro Post & Project: 1988 (June) Camry Wagon/ ES250 Nose ("ES200")

[G-type]

First off, this'll be my first post. Figure I'd introduce myself. A friend of mine (can't remember his username on this forum, but he'll probably post) told me to come here and post a log of my current project.

I'm in Sandy, Utah. I DD a 1988 Camry DLX.

The ultimate goal with the car (at the moment) is to build myself a cruiser. One, for me, that showcases my tastes in car styling. Or at least the more extreme, non-functional side. It's also to prove that anything is worth building, so long as fitting in isn't your goal. But mostly I want to roll in a Bosozoku ride, but in a classy way, without caring about haters. I feel in this way I can focus more on what I personally enjoy, and be more creative.

There are talks of a change in motivating forces, such as the engine, kind of engine, and what wheels it motivates. But I'm gonna keep those here until I feel it's going to happen soon.

Car:
1988 Camry DLX (SV21)

I picked up the car almost a year ago now. Bought it out of necessity. Needed a car within the week. A friend (who has a username on this forum, but I forgot what it was. He'll more than likely post here) had referred me to a few cool possibilities. Originally I was planning to get an s30, and after 4 prospects (in a row) fell through, I ended up needing to take plan B. For $500 I picked up a very clean Camry. Considering that it's of one of the first made (Jun of 88) and still has the original 2 liter in it, it was extremely clean. Although we ran into more problems than the original seller mentioned, for $500, I can't complain.

The only major problem with the car at the moment is it's clutch (Around 270000 miles on the original equipment) But I did go through 2 passenger-side axles, an alternator, and a battery before getting insurance.

Relevant mods include:

Exterior:
Lexus ES250 nose conversion (without corner lamps at the moment)

Interior:
Proper+ 230mm bubble shift knob
Broadway Wideview mirror
200w "Sound System" (The car came with 3x3 speakers, that are mounted behind steel plates, with an old Tape stereo system, So it at least sounds good now)

Suspension:
Tanabe 210 Springs (Front)
Tanabe 208 Springs (Rear)
ES250 front strut bar
Cheapo Megan Racing (?) rear strut bar (From my old Civic)

She's not the prettiest at the moment, but unique. Definitely incomplete, but the look so far just needs wheels, and could be complete. It won't be, but I've seen featured show cars with less work.

Pictures:

(Trying to get a hold of some "Then" pictures)

Interior:



Exterior:


[URL="http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/7830/imag0126p.jpg"]

[blu_91_cam]

Nice bro I like where your going with this. I really like the es250 front on your wagon, the lines flow really well together. Now a nice teak deck in the rear and some baller wheels and your set!

[G-type]

Thanks man! Wheels are in the works. Sadly the mods will come slowly for a bit, but I'm working on it as best as I can.

[AnimatedMechanic]

Nice car man!! That's very unique. You're the only guy running around with an ES250 wagon haha

[91_ToYoTa_CaMrY]

that looks wicked nice job

[90camry5speed]

That is a really nice camry , I really like the ES250 front clip.

[91 Camry]

how did you get the tanabe lowering springs? seems like the lower the rear more than the intrax springs i got

[ninja771]

Im really looking forward to the development of this...being one of the few wagon owners on here.

Which springs do you have on there? I looked on their website and they dont carry anything for Camry's.

[G-type]

Thanks for all the compliments guys.

To answer the suspension question:

http://www.tanabe-usa.com/pro210.asp?id=10

Now, I bought my springs second hand (they were originally on an FC RX-7) I don't have the dimensions for you at the moment. I also don't know exactly how the process goes with Tanabe, but the usual process here is to remove your stock spring (Or find one) get the diameter and length. Having the weight of your car, and what you plan to use it for is also good. If you can, get the spring rate. A little research should get that for you.

Normally one could contact Tanabe (or just about any spring manufacturer that offers custom springs) with this information, and they could suggest to you a spring. However since this is a unique setup, I will mention that the springs I currently have, do not match the perches. In fact they're quite a great deal smaller than the perches. However this doesn't hinder the cars ability to do anything. In fact the ride is quite nice, considering I've brought the car down about 5 inches. On 10k and 8k springs (front to rear respectively) no less. Also note that these springs are meant for coilovers. However it wont hurt anything being without them.


Also, I'm trying to get interior pictures for you, as well as the picture of the Kilometer Scale cluster I forgot to mention in the original post. I have them, but can't seem to host them. My usual medium is failing me at the moment.

[G-type]

Interior Picture on OP.

Also, thought it looked real good in a gas station on the way to a show, so I thought I would take a picture for you guys.



By the way, forgot to mention. I've had this for a while. Shigen actually spotted this beauty in the junkyard, and screamed from across the place. Upon arrival to a very clean, later model, 2nd gen Camry, you can imagine my amazement when I spotted this. It's been in my dash for a few months now and works perfectly. Much better, and brighter, than the original.

['88 All-Trac]

Did you swap out the speedos to keep your odometer right?

There are a ton of Camrys in the junkyard I use. Shoulda let me know, I coulda gotten you a tach cluster for price of cluster and shipping.

[G-type]

Nope. Kept it all in kliks. The car is mileage exempt, and I'm well aware of the mileage, and all other necessary schedules that go along with that.

I paid a total of $40 for the cluster. Not really out of my price range. It was just a real lucky find for a junkyard. And a cool addition.

['88 All-Trac]

Woah, totally didn't notice it was in kph. Yeah, that's pretty nifty. Maybe hook it up to a drill and get the odometer right, though. I almost got in a bunch of trouble once for mine being off...

[G-type]

Well remember, I'm mileage exempt. The speedo can say whatever, as most cars that have been around for this many years could have rebuilt or brand new motors, and rarely has odometer been turned to reflect that. So as a response, Utah exemplifies the mileage on certain cars after a certain number of years.

['88 All-Trac]

oooh.... That's neat. I don't know that New Mexico does that, but we only have to smog up in Bernalillo county, and nobody lives there save for those silly Albuquerque folk.

This was in SoCal- My dad and I did a cluster/engine/etc. swap in my sister's Samurai and it apparently matched the description of a vehicle used in some bank robbery or some madness. Kind of a slow getaway car... But when they learned the odometer was inaccurate, we almost got nailed with a big fine.