Safari Rally inspired build, tall and off road capable 6G - GT Options

[Roodwerks]

I haven't ironed out all the plans, most project cars are open to constant change right. I will be converting this very cheap, high mileage car into another dual sport toy. If you dig around on the internet, you can find my other two Toyotas, 1984 Expedition Celica ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSNS9-qponY&t=16s ) and 1993 Lexus SC400 RX. This time around, pulling from my favorite sport of rallying, and favorite event, East African Safari Rally for all my inspiration, with maybe a little bit of Dakar thrown in. I purchased the car for $700, 278K miles on the clock but with a newer head installed not too long ago. With the help of this Forum, lots of research from various sources and encouragement from friends, the project is off to a good start. The red wheels, just not my style and 17" rims aren't going to cut it in the dirt...

Current work finished:
-Maintenance on fuel and ignition system
-debugged wiring to clean up the engine bay and get the cooling fans working properly
-built custom SS header with race CAT and 2-1/2" dump pipe (to pass emissions)
-tossed original struts and cut springs
-installed 1997 Avalon struts and springs for travel and lift (rears are bolt on, front not really at all, used Rav4 tops, etc..)
-2 of 4 custom engine mounts to replace broken OEM versions with Polyurethane

-Jon

[njccmd2002]

how much if you start selling those lamp pods, without lights?

[Roodwerks]

how much if you start selling those lamp pods, without lights?

Not really interested in trying to hand make these light pods. It's a time consuming, hand fitted process, so without a jig to form them to,
it would take too long and I'd have to use the nose of my own car to work from. So, unless it was something nearly EVERY 6G Celica owner
wanted, it just isn't worth the time. If it was for one person, the cost would be in the ballpark of $350-400.

Well, I finally got back to trying to fit the new wheels and tires. (after trying to get the engine back to shape, high-idle turned out to be a
crap handmade TB to manifold gasket leak, it was made out of a piece of thick paper, not gasket material.) I can confirm that the rear hub
assemblies I got from a '97 Avalon bolt into place, giving me bigger brakes and the 5x114.3 (4.5") bolt pattern I wanted. For my particular
suspension height, I did have to lengthen the trailing rod by 1" for now. This centered the tire back in the wheel well, caused by lifting so it
so high. This is a short-term solution, eventually the chassis side mount will get a custom dropped pivot point.