6G Celicas Forums

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

YESSSS. Now it just needs some awesome mudflaps to finish it off.

Plenty of more work to do; front hubs have to be converted with the Rav4 pieces, Camry rotor and two pot calipers. The front might need sheet metal work to properly fit the tires, possibly a strut top spacer along with spacing the subframe and engine/tranny down an equal amount to not stress the axles. Hopefully all four corners will be fitted with the 5x114.3 hubs by the end of this next weekend.

Really cool. I agree with Daniel, I think if I kept mine forever and said YOLO I'd do the same. Some of my favorite driving moments were sliding on dirt.

Love a lifted rear!!

This change -


Made this change possible -

Looking awesome! Can't wait to see when the front is done so we can see the whole car.

And now it's on the road again...
I call this one "Coffee Time"

All I see is a vape shop and PT, no coffee.

Jokes aside it's coming along nicely. Now it just needs some kind of rally car livery, and mudflaps.

ugh I wish I were closer to do a photoshoot. that looks great

Are you seeing any issues with axle length/CV angle?

I love this different build. Makes me wish I had the funds to do a UZ/RWD drift build.

How about this, my last dual sport build, lifted SC400, 1UZ-FE, Lexus quality...

No axle binding or length issues.

that looks awesome!

what's next? mudflaps, bull bar, and WRC color scheme? lol

Make it brighter... ROOF LIGHTS

#TeamMudflaps

That's so coooooooooolllll!!!!

I'm wanting to chop up a 6GC for that V8/RWD drift machine though. Can you imagine the sound of a cammed LS coming out of a slammed 6g? I want to do it, just to mess with people.

Thinking along these lines, the Safari rally cars had extra spot lights on the front wings/fenders just in front of the mirrors, the bracket looks simple enough to make.

Also the snorkel, it would be interesting to see how you tackled that, thought about making one once, gave up, found a genuine one for sale, would have cost more than 2 GT4S.

I would love to see a snorkel, wouldn't use a genuine one for fear of damage. I really like this build:

I feel like the car wouldn't complete the WRC Safari Celica without a snorkle. I've got a few ideas about how to make it and make it work, but we'll see. It's probably one of the later pieces I'll tackle, as it isn't needed right away. That Porsche is looking BA!! I think it was used to run the NORRA 1000 in Mexico if memory serves me right. I took the car to do a little off roading this weekend, easy does it at first, to find more fender clearance issues, see where to trim or completely cut away. I don't want to cut too much off yet, as I still plan on correcting suspension geometry to help with some of the fitment and clearance. I'll post a few nice pics of the adventure later.

This car is coming along nicely. This was something I thought about doing but didn't have the guts or knowledge so now I'll live my dream through you lol