"Restoring" a 100 series, curious if the interior bits are as pricey as an 80 series....

[Francis K]

Hi guys, can't believe I'm considering doing this again but I guess I just can't help myself. My current 80 I bought because it was rust free and mechanically sound, it just needed pretty much everything cosmetic. It was death by a million cuts replacing all the little bits I obsessed over.

My question is if it's the same for the 100 series, are all the little interior bits like knobs, handles, panels and things like that pricey as they are on the 80 series?

Thank you!

 

[Bisho]

You should go to Partsouq and you can check out what they have available. It think the prices are reasonable for the parts that are available. Nice thing on the 100 is all of the rubber seals are available.

 

[Exiled]

Short answer is YES, they're likely to be death by a thousand cuts just as with an 80. Maybe worse, since the 100 series sold in lower numbers than the 80 series in NA and there are already a lot of parts that are no longer available from Toyota.

The other part of the answer is that, frankly, the 100 series isn't that rare and there are lots of nice ones out there to purchase, so you need to weight the cost of "restoring" one because it's rust-free, or going out and buying another one that is in much better condition (and also rust free).

Finding 100s being parted-out or in junk yards isn't super common but they ARE out there, that might be an alternative to secure some of the interior odds and ends that would make a restoration cost-prohibitive.

 

[ranma21]

Yup, pretty much same.

 

[MongooseGA]

I'd also be considerate of more expensive/ complicated electronics. The 80 isn't ancient, and the 100 isn't cutting edge, but I wonder if the more modern systems of the 100 may be trickier.

 

[ranma21]

I'd also be considerate of more expensive/ complicated electronics. The 80 isn't ancient, and the 100 isn't cutting edge, but I wonder if the more modern systems of the 100 may be trickier.

Yup more complicated and expensive on the electronic part. Underhood main fusebox, master/brake booster assembly, later model HVAC integrated unit, later model speedometer issues are some of the common electronics failures.

 

[Francis K]

Thank you for the replies gentlemen, I passed on her. I still have PTSD from replacing/refurbishing every tiny little thing in my 80 so I'm just going to be patient and pay more for one in better shape to start with. I don't know if I'm just a glutton for punishment or I just got high off the sense of accomplishment from doing my 80 up but yea going to try and avoid that route again...