1989 JDM TownAce 5sp 2C-T Turbo Diesel 4x4 5spd - 112K miles - OR

[89TownAce]

Just an update here. Driveline clunk seems to be fixed. There is a zerk fitting just behind the first U-joint on the axle. Pump grease into it until you see it oozing out of the slip joint on the axle. It took nearly a whole tube of grease on mine so it must have been really dry.

The new fuel filter seems to have resolved my hard starting issue. I also discovered my water indicator was disconnected from the bottom of the filter. Plugged that back in. BTW, if you have a really old fuel filter prepare for it to be really stuck on there. There's not enough room to get a tool on the filter so I had to use 2 hands and a very ackward stance to remove it. My back has been killing me for the last few days after removing it.

Oil change was super easy, no jacks or ramps required. I put in 4.3 liters of Rotella T6.

I still have the random dash lights, I was hoping to have that resolved before my big road trip up the coast this weekend, but I'm not too worried about it.

I had an alarm installed with keyless entry, so no more worries about broken keys. I'm getting a new exhaust system tomorrow (old one was falling apart). After my trip I will be installing a custom trailer hitch and then it's on to the audio system. I already have a 2-din Pioneer installed with BT, but the factory speakers need to be replaced with good quality ones.

[89TownAce]

Big update here (I'm using this thread as a journal for my van in case you didn't notice ).

Soooo. As I've mentioned in other threads I went on my epic road trip and it really shook out the gremlins on this van. Turns out my fuel adjustment was way too aggressive. My EGT's must have been really hot because I got an exhaust leak during my trip. I had the exhaust manifold resurfaced and I had to machine .032" off of the face to get it flat again. I turned my fuel screw back to slightly above stock (1/4 turn inward).

The stock turbo developed an oil leak on the exhaust side. Instead of having it rebuilt I swapped in a new turbo. Kept the old one just in case I want to rebuild it someday. So far the new turbo is working great! It has slightly more turbo whistle to it which actually sounds really cool. Now that I have no exhaust leaks the van runs really, really good. Even with the fuel pump dialed back down it's way more powerful than when I received it and it just runs much smoother.

I also had new brake pads installed all around, new rear shocks all around, new General Grabber AT2 tires, powder coated the aluminum rims satin black, fixed all oil leaks (valve cover gasket, new oil lines, etc), repaired some damaged electrical connectors, new exhaust gaskets and probably a few more things I can't remember.

The most expensive thing I had to do was repair a fuel leak that had developed. The leak was causing fuel to puddle under the van overnight which was unacceptable. It was also allowing air to enter the fuel system which made morning starts difficult. It cost me $1,000 to have the pump removed, all leaks fixed, tuned and re-installed. All said and done, I've got over $3,500 into this van since I purchased it! However, this van deserves it. It's simply too nice, too rare (especially in Cali) to neglect. I'm still planning on having the entire van re-painted in Jeep Anvil grey next year. I'm also thinking about fabricating a custom headlight cover (that will be a whole other thread).

I also believe I've fixed my flashing dash light issue. I can't say for certain until I've driven it for a few more days, but when I got the van back the lights started flickering again, then the next time I went to start the van it wouldn't start and I noticed my dash lights didn't come on at all. Turned out the 7.5 amp IGN fuse was like halfway burnt out. It looked fine, but wasn't carrying enough current. I replaced this fuse and the van started right up and so far no xmas lights.

Anyways, the saga continues. I'm just so glad to have my van back. I've been driving my old Dodge diesel truck and it's a slow land barge.

[Gunflint]

Excellent. Thanks for the update!

Post up a photo of this bad rig, eh!!??

[89TownAce]

I plan on posting a pic soon, but there's a couple things I wanted to do before then. First, I'm going to try and remove a few small dents using the heat/cold method. I've had mixed success with this in the past. Most likely it will lessen the depth of the dents, but not remove them. When I paint the van all the dings will be removed, but that's next year. Secondly, I'm ditching all the chrome on my van...painting it all satin black. It's going to take a lot of masking, but it'll be worth it for sure. I was hoping to do that this weekend, but based on my schedule it will likely be next weekend (if weather permits).

[Gunflint]

Ah. Holding out till she real pretty eh?

[89TownAce]

Well I finally got around to painting all the chrome trim black and I washed her this morning so here's the picture as promised. I bought a new trucks a few days ago so I don't have to daily the Towny anymore. Going to stop putting so many miles on her. I also cleaned the vinyl graphics using 303 protectant. It came out really nice I think.

[JDM VANMAN]

BEEEAST, she looks awesome!


Love the TownAce sticker on the side. If you have the time can you post a close up of the sticker with length and height measurements I think I'm gonna have a couple of them made up for mine.

nice job!!

[89TownAce]

I'll totally take dims and close ups. If you could make reproductions I'd totally buy some off you for when I paint the van. The hardest part will be the stickers are actually like a reflective silver with a brushed metal texture. They look really hard to reproduce.

[JDM VANMAN]

My buddy makes the stickers for me, if you take a look at the "for sale" section of the forum there's a few examples of the stickers I've had made up. There is a couple with shiney silver finish but I'm not sure if that's the type your referring to, check'em out.

The toytavantect stickers are single layer and the 2WD & 4WD ones are 2 layer which cost a little more for material and time. That's explained more in the TVT 4WD thread.

[89TownAce]

I think this style is shiny enough. Mine have a brushed texture, but it's not necessary. The only other issue is there us a red stripe on mine so you'd need to make a 3 color sticker, but I don't know if that's possible.

[JDM VANMAN]

When you get a chance to post it I'll copy and email it to my buddy, I'm sure he can do it. That would be a 3 layer sticker, the 4WD is a 2 layer sticker.

After he takes a look at it and sizes it up he will give us a better idea on the cost.

[Danny]

Hey Guys!

Either of you have a source or PN for the 2CT timing belt?

Thanx!

-Danny-

[89TownAce]

Hey Guys!

Either of you have a source or PN for the 2CT timing belt?

Thanx!

-Danny-

Contact user "beno" on the IH8MUD.com forums. He can get ANYTHING for the 2-CT. He saved my butt big time recently.

[Gunflint]

Check out the sticky thread I started as an info dump for parts numbers. I got mine from toyotapartsdeal.com. I have also had success with Amayama.

Toyota p/n 13568-69066

Fit great. It was actually a fun little project.

Good luck!
Matt

[89TownAce]

Danny I just bought a new 2C-T timing belt then found out my belt was already replaced so I'll sell you it for $20 shipped. PM me your email address and I'll send you a PayPal invoice.