How-To convert from three post spoiler to two post with raiser blocks Options

[beno]

Hi

Not knowing much about the 6 generation Celicas I found it hard to find decent write up/info about the two post spoiler + raiser block conversion on a 1995+ Celica. I thought this write up would have been done a long time ago but it doesnt seem to have been so I decided to write this. I know that alot of people do the three post to two post+ raiser block conversion so hopefully this will help someone out i know this would have helped me alot

If there is anything that I havent explained properly or clearly could you please tell me and ill edit it so that maybe it could become a sticky. Tell me what you think. If anyone can upload pictures on this topic I can add them in the right places (I dont have any pictures myself)

Heres what I did:

What you need
Firstly I brought a 1994-1995 two post st202 spoiler. The spoiler has to be the two post style! Then I found some custom replica GT4 WRC raiser blocks for US$155 including shipping.

Sellers of the raiser blocks
Doggy (who I got them from)
Chrisc also sells them on ebay (If I remember correctly)

To attach the raiser blocks to the spoiler
The spoiler is designed to take the raiser blocks and has two little indents (on the underside) that mark the spot where screws are to be placed in the future. Very convenient! Firstly I drilled a small hole through the two indents on each post of the spoiler. I then screwed the self tapping screws in the four holes that I drilled in the spoiler posts. This makes a clean thread and makes it easy to attach the raiser block to the spoiler-at a later time.
NOTE: As these screws are self tapping, they make their own thread, so be gentle with it or you will make a rugged thread. With the drill hole that I did I made sure the drill-bit diameter was smaller than the diameter of the self tapping screw, otherwise you wont make a thread, also make sure the drill hole is at 90 degrees to surface.

Then I attached the raiser blocks onto the spoiler. Its very easy to do now you have threaded screw holes in the spoiler. To attach the raiser blocks I turned the spoiler over so the spoiler posts were facing upwards. Then I placed the raiser blocks on top of the posts in their correct mounting position. I then placed a strong magnet on my ratchet, this made the ratchet magnetic so it would hold the screw in the ratchet when it was in a vertical position. I then moved the screw and ratchet inside the raiser block and screwed it down.
NOTE: I also glued the raiser blocks to the spoiler as well as using the screws. I also got the spoiler gaskets from Toyota

Removing the three post spoiler
Firstly I removed the inside plastic panel at the top of the boot, only one panel has to be removed- its easy to tell that one. The panel that has to be removed is the big one that covers the boot break light. This is attached by a series of clips, I removed this panel with a long screw driver covered in a cloth. This was so that nothing got scratched and so the clips in the centre could be popped off without bending the plastic cover. There are 16 clips on the cover. Once this cover is removed it is very clear as to what spoiler bolts need to be removed. Theres a total of seven screws, one for the middle post, and three screws at each of the outer posts. Then I got a piece of fishing nylon string and ran it under as much of the spoiler posts as possible. This separates most of the sticky material that is holding the spoiler to the boot lid. I did this for each spoiler post, the middle post didnt have anything sticky holding it down. After I had done that I just pulled of the spoiler by hand and with minimal force.
Once the spoiler is removed there is a sticky material on the boot lid and a lot if grime. Firstly I gently cleaned where the three posts had been so that there wasnt any grim or dirt. I did this so that I didnt scratch the paint when removing the sticky material. This sticky material takes a lot of elbow grease to get off. I used some liquid wax and a screw driver covered heavily in rags to remove the sticky material. The boot lid came up perfect and I didnt scratch the paint at all.
NOTE: it might me a lot easier to find out from a panel-beaters a substance that is designed to remove this sticky material but also doesnt harm the paint.

Fitting the spoiler and raiser blocks on a 1996 + Celica
There is one factory hole (on each side of the boot lid) already in the boot that lines up perfectly with the mounting hole in the raiser block. So there is only one hole on each side to the boot that needs to be drilled. To do this you need to place the spoiler with joint raiser blocks onto the boot lid and loosely bolt (just for a guide) in the two screws that fit (one on each side). Then with a vivid you need to mark where the screw hole need to be placed by slightly tilting the spoiler on the boot lid. Blue tack might help. When the spoiler was loosely bolted on the car with the two screws I placed lots of twink on the raiser blocks (where the other screws will be placed) and pressed the spoiler down on the car. This transferred the twink onto the boot lid so I knew where the other screw holes needed to be drilled. Then I checked and rechecked and measured with a tape measure. Then remove the spoiler and drill the holes (use a punch to mark/indent the centre of where the hole will be so the drill bit doesnt move off centre). The holes that you are to drill need to go through the top metal and then though the bottom metal. (i.e. through metal then air gap then metal). The screws will be visible from the under side but they dont effect the boot from shutting. Then get stainless steels screws and stainless steel big washers and screw the spoiler on. Finally put the plastic cover back on the underside on the boot lid.
NOTE: The spoiler block ends fit about 4mm in from the end of the boot, this helps with knowing what hole on each side gets used for the two post spoiler conversion.

There are five holes that do not get used in the conversion. These holes need to be filled up- there are a few options available but the best thing to do is ring up a panel-beater and talk to them. I got my holes welded from the underside then bogged and then the boot repainted.


Beno

This post has been edited by doGGy: Nov 2, 2007 - 3:55 AM