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1992 UZZ31 GT-L Toyota Soarer hardtop with 154,xxx kms on the clock (at time of purchase) late 2012. Originally 051 paint however has had a professional respray sometime in it's life to what resembles 057 Golden Pearl. Unfortunately I don't have much past history aside from what I have come across while maintaining & modifying it. However, it has been looked after during it's life & the kms 'appear' to be genuine.
It was not heavily optioned, however I have since made some changes to this area of the car:
* Non-EMV conversion, JZZ30 climate control replacement w/ new LCD screen & LEDs + 'Metra' double din fascia kit
* Rear wiper window conversion including appropriate combination switches
* Rear spoiler conversion added w/ OEM reverse camera
* Air suspension removed, all lines kept in place & converted to fully adjustable coilovers
* Leather heated/memory seats replaced w/ '96 electric JZZ30 fabric seats front & rear
The EMV had an attempted repair with new transistors & capacitors however the back-light was the issue. So I made the decision to convert as having no control over the climate control & sound quickly became unbearable. During that time I did the AUX mod to get me by. I have kept the EMV & do one day plan to pull it apart again & fix the problem, possibly even convert back despite the pig of a job it was to convert in the first place.
The rear spoiler was not optioned on this car, though a previous owner had fitted one (a fiberglass copy) so I just had to add 2 new holes for the brake light wiring & camera plug for the replacement spoiler. Prior to this I went to the trouble of converting to a rear wiper window as well, having always been fond of it on my last soarer. I managed to complete both conversion cheaply so neither were a hassle.
So where I have lost some options I have gained some back.
Future plans are to keep it. Selling it down the track would be a loss considering the devaluation of these cars here in AUS. I bought this '31 for what it is, a GT car. So forced induction isn't a high priority. My main focus will be added comfort, further reliability & drive-ability upgrades.
Modification/Maintenance List:
Exterior:
- Respray
- Brightx clean lens headlights [--/--/15]
- Personalized '1UZFE' plates [13/04/13]
- Series II front bumper [10/08/15]
- Series II glass high beams
- Series II tail lights tinted
- Series III OEM side skirts & moldings [--/04/14]
- Series III OEM rear bar
- SpoilerKing roof spoiler lip [30/12/15]
- Rear wiper window conversion with Forester arm retrofit [18/02/14]
- OEM reverse camera [22/05/14]
- D.speed clear side winkers [03/06/14]
- OEM '4.0GT-L' fender emblems [21/02/13]
Lighting:
- OSRAM Night Breaker Unlimited low beams [13/01/16]
- Konik Premium Gold 2500K fog lights [13/01/16]
- Philips Crystal Vision park lights
- Cree LED reverse & brake lights
- 5-SMD rear park lights (to break through the tint in daylight)
- COB LED license plate lights [07/01/16]
Interior:
- OEM black on tan interior conversion [14/10/15]
- Series III fabric front & rear seats [--/11/13]
- Air purification system [13/10/15]
- Black OEM carpet [16/05/15]
- New OEM black handbrake assembly & cover [31/07/15]
- New OEM gear shifter & flip-up cup holder [31/07/15]
- Black OEM stereo surround [31/07/15]
- Black OEM steering column cover [10/08/15
- JZA80 SRS steering wheel w/ cruise control retrofit & S2 airbag adapter plug [26/03/13]
- Cruise control 108 km limit removed [18/03/13]
- Non-EMV conversion replaced with a refurbished JZZ30 climate control unit + Pioneer 2-DIN headunit
- Rear wiper combination switches [18/02/14]
- Parcel shelf speakers re-trimmed black [30/04/14]
- Black restraint hook covers [12/05/14]
- JDM flare
Engine/Maintenance:
- Serviced every 5000km w/ Penrite semi syn 10W-40 oil
- OEM 200,000 km service @ 169025 [05/05/15]
- New OEM coil packs [23/11/15]
- New OEM igniters [11/12/15]
- Mine's ECU [16/05/15]
- BFI intake mod [18/11/12]
- Carbon intake lid [03/02/13]
- New OEM '97 coolant tank w/ deleted sensor [11/04/14]
- New OEM air filter [21/02/13]
- NGK Iridium plugs @ 141291 km [14/04/13]
- Eagle ignition leads @ 164109 km [12/11/2014]
- New Bosch distributor caps & rotor buttons @ 141291 km [14/04/13]
- New OEM PCV valve & grommet [08/09/14]
- '97 heater tap [16/11/14]
- New aftermarket fuel filter [15/09/15]
- New Denso 02 sensors [20/09/15]
- New Denso fuel pump [04/10/15]
- New 720 CCA battery [23/09/15]
- New OEM valve cover gaskets @ 170119 km [27/05/15]
- New OEM TB gasket [27/05/15]
- New OEM spark plug seals [27/05/15]
- New OEM oil cap & gasket [27/05/15]
- New OEM VSV [24/12/14]
- TT P/S ECU fitted (for slightly stiffer steering) [24/12/14]
- Carbing radiator cooling plate [24/12/14]
Exhaust:
- Hurricane headers into a 2 1/2" mandrel bent twin system, 100 CPI cats, X-pipe, 2 hot dogs & ending in UZZ31 ZEES rear mufflers [--/12/15]
Suspension:
- New BC V1 Coilovers [--/07/15]
- Whiteline H/Duty front sway bar links [09/01/16]
- Rebuilt steering rack w/ new OEM tie rod ends & bushes [02/02/16]
- Speed Works floor tunnel brace [14/05/13]
- Front UCA & LCA BRANZ rubber bushes [01/12/14]
- SuperPro front sway bar bushes [06/02/14]
Wheels/Tyres:
- Guards rolled [10/04/13]
- R34 GTR wheels 18 x 9" +30 235/40/18 F & 255/35/18 R [24/07/15]
- Alloy hub rings [03/08/15]
- Wheel well wiring harness relocation
Other Misc:
- Toyota Premium horns fitted [24/12/14]
- A/C re-gassed & converted to R134 [13/11/2014]
- Full transmission flush with genuine fluids [06/02/14]
- Temp sensors unplugged & removed [23/01/14]
- New OEM fuel pump ECU + relocated to the boot (OEM location kills them from heat) [27/06/13]
- New non-OEM standard fuel pump [03/07/13]
- New Windscreen & seals [27/11/12]
- New Radiator - performed by previous owner
As of December 2015:
Now fitted with a '97 rear bumper not shown.
See attached photos below from when I first picked it up as is [--/11/12]:
The plan this time around is to create a clean cruiser with a list of subtle & basic performance upgrades without going over the top. Also to decide to either keep the factory air suspension or save any common issues associated with them & settle with a set of well thought out coilovers.
I'm not chasing big power figures or forced induction anytime soon, so an aggressive sounding 1UZ with matching aesthetics is the direction I'm heading in.
At the moment or at least for another 2 weeks, modifications will be minimal until I get it ready for the roadworthy inspection. However this hasn't stopped me from accumulating parts!
As you can see I'm in need of replacing the drivers side indicator & also the rear spoiler, which someone has thrown on a fiberglass copy in poor condition. SC400 fender badges still have to go as well. The interior is in great condition apart from the usual bolster wear on the drivers seat & steering wheel, other than that it's seemingly had an easy life.
Curious about the radio/nav unit. Are the characters in Japanese?
Thanks a lot, I originally intended to replace the badges but now I'm thinking I'll keep it shaved. And you are correct, the buttons surrounding the EMV are in Japanese, though unfortunately the screen isn't functional (which I'm assuming the fluorescent tube has seen better days) I do have a print out of what each button reads though for when it's functional again.
Originally Posted by SC400slide
Change out the steel wheels and you have a keeper!
Haha the good old steel wheels are only on at the moment as the tryes are close to new which will see me through the roadworthy inspection, then they are straight off believe me!
Originally Posted by spoolxexo
Nice car!
I just experienced having a 1uz sc400, and for a daily driver, it was perfect.
Good power, beautiful 32 valve noise, and decent Miles per gallon at 20-21.
Enjoy it!
Certainly will! If I didn't let go of my JZZ30, I would have most definitely kept this one as a nicely kept daily drive.
Originally Posted by Axmily
Ur sc is begging for headers and full exhaust! Let that 1uz roar!
Believe me when I say the thought of a full twin system & headers is keeping me awake at night! Hopefully in the next coming months!
Originally Posted by Joey-E
Looks great, congrats
Thanks! I knew it wouldn't of been long before I owned another, well worth the wait.