The wheel arches are one of the most rust-prone areas of the AE86, and a good repair is difficult. That is why I documented my repair approach here to show you how I’ve done it, and give you some inspiration. Read More
Review: TimeMachine AE86 Seat Covers
For my AE86, I decided to revert to the factory interior. Non-faded seats in maroon are impossible to find, so I went a different strategy: I bought the cheapest seat off yahoo auctions and replaced the fabric using the TimeMachine Read More
After 8 Years, my AE86 is Back on the Road
About 8 years ago, the previous owner of my Levin sold it to a shady car dealer. Rusty and worn out, it seemed that it would never hit the road again… until it did. Here’s the story of the revival Read More
AE86 Air Conditioner Knowledge Base
Note: This section applies to the JDM AE86 models only. The AC for the export markets were slightly different. My AE86 GT APEX originally came with AC, but it has been removed over the life of the car. I want Read More
Adjusting The AE86 4A-GE Idle RPM
On most AE86 the idle is too high. To properly adjust the idle to 800rpm, the idle air valve needs to be readjusted.
A Valve Stuck By Oil Slur Killed My 4A-GE
After my Levin finally passed inspection, and the issue with the leaking clutch was fixed, a friend an I went on a drive to Yokosuka, to eat some American burritos and enjoy the seaside. The 4A-GE engine in my AE86 Read More
How to Restore the AE86 Levin Zenki Headlights
The headlights on my Levin were in terrible condition. The adjustment screws didn’t work, the lights were not aligned, and the light yield was terrible. I decided to rebuild them. The headlight removed from the car, and superficially cleaned. My Read More
Replacement Gaskets for a Toyota AE86 Fujitsubo Legalis R Exhaust
Recently, I had to remove the Fujitsubo Legalis R catback exhaust from my AE86, and renew the gaskets. The original gaskets from Fujitsubo are hard to find, so I searched for suitable replacements. It took me some time to find Read More
My AE86 in Japan (3): A Long Way Home
I bought a rusty AE86 unseen of yahoo auctions. The car had been sitting for over eight years, has rust, faded paint, and an expired vehicle inspection. I plan to restore this car as my weekend car. My Japanese is Read More
My AE86 in Japan (2): Desperately Needed Maintenance
I bought a rusty AE86 unseen of yahoo auctions. The car had been sitting for over eight years, has rust, faded paint, and an expired vehicle inspection. I plan to restore this car as my weekend car. My Japanese is Read More
My AE86 in Japan (1): Buying A Car Unseen of Yahoo Auctions
I bought an AE86 shitbox off Yahoo Auctions in Japan, and plan to bring it home.
The Parking Lot of the Tokyo Mobility Show 2023
In today’s blog post, I would like to share my experiences from the Tokyo Mobility Show 2023. However, it may be different to what you may expect: if you are looking for impressions of brand-new concept cars, new BEV-powered vehicles Read More
An Unmolested Toyota AE85 Survivor Hidden in Downtown Tokyo
If you lived in Japan for a while, chances are high that you have been infected by the foodie obsession: you are constantly looking for new tasty restaurants to try, and topic no. 1 among your friend network becomes food Read More
Visiting the Largest AE86 Festival 2023 in Japan
Shortly after I moved to Japan in late 2022, I learned about Japans most famous AE86 meetup in Japan: the AE86 festival, held annually at the Okayama circuit. I decided that I need to take advantage of the first possible Read More
