projectcar
Project car but don’t have any knowledge on building cars
This is my godfather’s that’s laying in my backyard it’s a mr2 I forgot what year but he gave it to me and I really wanna start on it but the thing is I have no clue about cars can someone give ideas of where I can gain this knowledge I really wanna start on it no matter how long or how much $ it’s going to take (M17)
Discussion
Im in a very similar situation to you. What ive been doing, and what i reccomend, is just reading forums and lots of googling and YouTube. Just go down the list making sure everything works off of online sources and just figuring out how it all works.
This is the way. Old forums are the best for older cars. And bonus points if you can find a youtuber who is building a similar car/drivetrain setup. That way you can figure out all the little hidden frustrating stuff that would make any normal person bang their head against a wall. The info is out there somewhere.
you will be very familiar with welding when this is finished.
old rule of projects was :
"buy the best you can afford "
Welding is very labour intensive and can cost hundreds. Its not just 'welding' but prep work before you start. Sometimes you need to strip interior out before starting as the heat can set in on fire etc.
keeping a car on grassy soil is usually the worst possible way to store a car . (as moisture never rests and rusting begins)
and the amount of rust usually kills even the best projects.
People always get upset when I give them a high number for weld repairs on their vehicles. I have to be the weldor/fabricator, mechanic, body/frame guy, and sometimes even paint guy (to a lesser extent).
Would definitely second the recommendation of OP learning to weld for this project, will save hundreds if not thousands.
I’ve tried to get out of the mindset that welding is hard/labour intensive/challenging.
Welding is quick and easy, I can weld something up lickety split.
The prep, fuck me, fit and prep, and more prep. It’s unending, but the only way to get good welding is really tight fit and properly clean surroundings and access.
the car has been there for years is there a certain point where rust can get so bad that the cars unfixable?
everything is 'fixable' but not economically viable. like spending $50k for $10k of car.
You’ll want to get underneath it and look for any significant rot in suspension components and where they mount. If old cars have bad window seals, they may have water pool in the footwell which would also speed up rust.
the window seals of the car aren’t actually bad surprisingly
That's entirely a question of, is the damage past what you specifically are willing and able to fix. There are certain parts you might be perfectly able to do a workable repair to. Floors and other flat surfaces are relatively easy for the average person to do. But anything complex like suspension fittings or weird shapes, those present lots of additional challenges that may be beyond what you'll be able to do with basically no welding experience.
ah i see well that sucks
Hey no guarantees it's trashed. It you can get a few pictures of the underside, especially the forward side of the rear wheel wells/quarter panel area, that will help give a better picture of what you're working with. You can also take a metal tool like a screwdriver or something to tap on everything and you can determine via sound and feel if that metal is still metal or if it has rusted to bits.
Plus if this bodyshell is fucked but it has a workable motor, you could always hunt down another shell. And you can always use this as just a fun project! My first project looked a whole lot like this. It was a 1991 Honda Prelude. It was just as ugly and worn out looking and had 300 something thousand miles on it. And it taught me a whole hell of a lot about how to be a mechanic. I only owned the car for a few months and that's alright, it was cheap and broken, so the stakes were low. I just picked broken stuff and fixed it and learned. So even if this thing will never go on the road again, it could still be a good project. For example if the engine is complete, but hasn't run in years, that's an AMAZING project. Getting a motor running that's sat is great practice. You'll basically change the battery, put fresh oil and fuel in, and probably try to rotate the motor with a breaker bar a few rotations to make sure it spins over. Maybe also pull out the spark plugs to be sure they still have some spark. And maybe a half dozen other fun tasks if it needs it. And you'll probably curse the machine and hate it a few times in the process and that's okay. When it does finally fire off it'll be worth it and you'll have learned a lot.
The main point I wanna make for you is that this car could offer you a great chance to learn even if you don't end up turning it back into a street car. It can still always just serve as a broken thing you can wrench on and learn with. And the skills to troubleshoot, understand a system, and work with your hands, those skills don't just apply to this. Those brain pathways can be effective for lots of other tasks. It's just good brain exercise.
thanks man i appreciate it
Be sure to join the aw11 Facebook groups! There are a lot of experts and parts there.
just joined thanks i will for sure use this
Aw11s only Facebook group is super helpful, Neil Jones is the man for alot of parts but he's based in the UK so sometimes shipping is killer. There's lots of good people in the mr2 scene. Good luck with it, had my 86 for 5 years now its been good to me, very reliable.
Start small. Don’t fall for the “while I’m in there” trap. Get it running and drivable first.
Its more fun to take an ugly project car to the parts store than to stare at a pretty pile of shit dreaming of the day.
I’ve made this mistake plenty of times lol
well that’s the plan!
Now worries, just have huge urge to learn and don't give up, cuz it will be shitty..
Start from asking yourself what you want to know, what you actually know and.. How much you've ever done with any vehicle/mechanical things.
Then Google part by part, or look for books about it 😉 If you literally have no clue about cars/vehicles, like no no and you call anything on car in style "that round thingy", start from most basic technical books (maybe something like school books on tech, you know these used at manual classes or whatever they have in first practical lessons), if you have a bit of knowledge about "wrenching in general" you can jump up to car construction naming.. In most, libraries are your friends, mostly school libraries or these with broad science and tech stuff 😉
so the library has some good books thanks
Good one should have.. But honestly.. When I'm thinking about it.. Ain't your Godfather a carguy?
yeah he is but the thing is he sorta lives 3hrs away from me and I can’t be calling him 24/7 for tips and help because he’ll be busy
Oh you don't have to, but you may actually ask him for "first clues" what you actually need and where to go with increasing knowledge. You have curiosity and will, which is key, but in terms of guidance, you at least need someone who knows a bit about your skills and knowledge 😉
You know, just to avoid stuff like "you have to know x" when you already know it 😉
Some reading material to help you fall asleep at night:
https://archive.org/details/1988TOYOTAMR2Aw11REPAIRMANUALW
Buy a manual, watch some YouTube
I didn't have YouTube back in the day but I did have manuals and they were useful guides.
Watch all the ChrisFix videos on youtube
Hell yeah: his tutorials are the best (literally me learning about cars from scratch watching all of his videos)!
Do yourself a favor and invest in tools! You have the world's information in your hand. YouTube can teach you lots. I recommend starting with fundamentals of how everything works that way you have a base knowledge of mechanical engineering. It will help you greatly in coming up with solutions and diagnosing issues. I recommend Eric the car guy and engineering explained on YouTube. They will get your gears turning and help you spark up a hopefully life long passion
this is a major thing i’m going to do but I have a friend who recently built his project car he told me he’ll let me borrow all of his tools because he has like everything
This friend sounds like a guy you should plan on buying beer for until your project is completed. If he is a really good friend maybe he will help you through the harder repairs.
No yeah he even has an engine holster he’s willing to let me borrow but yeah trust me he’s my best friend i’ve asked him if he would be willing to help me and he said yeah enthusiastically
Beer and a good bottle of whiskey when the project is complete. Sounds like a good friend.
That's great for getting started. I'd recommend taking trips to harbor freight whenever you've got extra cash.
Well, start with does it run? Do the brakes and steering work? Youtube and the internet are your friends here. The first thing I would do is go over the basics and start making a list of things you know need to be done. Check the oil. It might tell you why the car was parked in the first place.
Cool ride! I love the mid engine on these and had one many years ago. Was like a go-kart on steroids.
honestly it’s been there for like years years i don’t think any of that works. but you see I’m motivated to get this running atleast that’s the main goal and thanks!
If doesn't run first things first as others have mentioned get it off the grass and inspect for rust underneath. If you are in the US car-part.com is going to be your friend if you can't find a parts car in a local junk yard.
I think this is going to be a fun one. I'd start by seeing what it needs to start. Find out why it doesn't start from your godfather if he knows. Then go from there. It's gotta run before you make it pretty. And there's nothing wrong with taking it to a mechanic for a diagnosis or for help when you get in over your head.
To save money at first only buy the tools as you need them. And rent the ones you might only need once if you can. But start with a good low profile jack and a set of jack stands. A basic metric set and of sockets and box end wrenches, a t25 and a #2 Philips screwdriver.
you picked a hell of a car to learn on. Start looking for forums. figure out the year, figure out the engine (most likely a 4age but they also came with a 4agze) and then start asking questions on the correct forums. little by little nice members of the community will help you diagnose the problems, fix said problems and one day you can help another do the same. it takes time and i wish you luck!
Don't feel bad you are not alone, LOL!
Outstanding! MR-2 are very cool and this one has a lot of potential and so do you!
- 1. You already own the car!
- 2. It's an old Toyota (and a cool one)
- 3. Palm trees mean you could get lucky with rust (fingers crossed)
- 4. You have space to put it up on blocks and under a tent with a permanent work-space, this is huge!
- 5. You have a strong connection to your Godfather through this car, that's awesome!
Before you get too excited, let me put something out there early that can turn into a dealbreaker: the title. When was it last registered, what state are you in, does it have a CAT, will it pass smog? Get the answers to these questions first. I have seen a lot of wonderful projects that owed more in DMV fees (CA) than the car/project is worth.
Couple more excellent youtube channels:
@TheCarCareNut and
Don’t get it right, get it running. It’s not a build yet.
IMO it’s always best to start doing your own maintenance on your daily car before / as you start to learn on a project car.
Think about it this way — if you have never seen a working (oil filter, manual trans, exhaust, coolant system, wiring harness), how will you know what to aim for when you’re fixing one that is totally fucked?
Some AW11 specific tips: all the plastic will be pretty brittle. Don’t force anything. Remove the interior to check for obvious rust on the floor —they all leak from the sunroof/t-tops [edit you have a hard top! Nice]
You need this video about getting a car running that's been sitting.
https://youtu.be/1BiFpSkMbNQ?si=nBrywt6C7cj3385t
All the ChrisFix videos are gold.
Get a baseline on it, fluids good? Will it start? Work backwards from there and learn as much as you can. These cars are a blast to drive and have plenty of aftermarket, enjoy the process
This is the best way to learn! Way back in the mid 2000s, I got my first car. It was a Datsun 240z project that when purchased was completely disassembled and upside down on a rotisserie. I was 15. It was when I was building that car that my grandfather taught me the best lesson/piece of advice I ever could've gotten. He told me to "just look at it".
By that he meant to break it down step by step. We didn't have the Internet like we do now back in 2005. Use it.
honestly I think this is a really good piece of advice that I will def be using
I love the patina look/color of this mr2.... super cool
Throw a new fuel pump in there and it will probably start lol.
Clear the shelves at harbour freight, find a copy of a factory service manual, get into an owners group.
Find yourself some chiltons or haynes manuals for this car. And mr2 forums.
Aaah, and so it begins...
Eh, at least We all have the internet now, just start watching videos about it, about the basics, how to get it to run (the right way aka safe way), and all service, maintenice, tuning etc.
Best is just to find a channel, who's restoring and working on the chassies you like/got/work on and You'll figure it out.
The rest?
Subs on Reddit, Google, other Youtube vids.
I’d start with the basics.
- Make sure you have a title
- Make sure you have key
- Pop “hood” and check for engine.
- If engine there put wrench on crank to see if motor locked
- If motor not locked check timing gear see if intact.
- Drain and replace fluids
- Battery, and possibly starter and fuel pump
Start buying tools if you don't have any.
Don't take the car apart. Identify what's wrong with it, and fix those parts. Don't need to go Pimp My Ride / Overhaulin' by completely taking it apart.
These are solid little drivers. I’ve had a few… I still have one in storage… lol.
Hard pass
Lots of time watching videos, reading forums, etc. You will make so many mistakes, you will waste money, you may even hurt yourself. It’s so worth it (just be careful with the full on death risks involved). Driving it the first time is so good.
Welcome to the madhouse brother
That thing better be a lot better underneath and inside than those pics, or you are in for a long road.
Starting from scratch, better to get something that runs and drives and do some maintenance and moderate fixes and upgrades.
You need to start with a LOT more detail for anyone to have any clue as to what is needed for it or cost.
yeahhh i live with grandparents and they sorta just used the inside as storage but im going to clean it out soon but first I need to find an engine as there is nothing in the back..
Cleaning it out is always a good first step on a project like this. Not having an engine levels up the difficulty of a first project, but it's not insurmountable. I'd recommend going to a junkyard/u-pull-it to find as many parts as you need. They're typically a lot cheaper and you get to "practice" taking things apart and removing parts on cars that aren't yours, so the stakes are relatively low if you break something.
Working on cars like this with any buddies who are also interested in cars is a great time at your age, even if the car never becomes anything spectacular.
yeah i don’t know if you were reading any other comments but i have a friend who has all the tools and even an engine holster who said he’ll like to help me
Look up MR2 engine swap videos on YouTube like this one. Not having an engine is not a major bummer when you can drop in a better and more common engine for not much money.
Post some details over at r/mr2