Sunday, October 29, 2006

I stickered my Toyota Wish!



Today, I finally put stickers on my car. Or rather, it's the chrome emblems that's been lying around for a while and the new TRD emblem. Justin and Lim help me put them up. Wonder how long they will last on the car before falling off or get ripped off. Anyway, here's one of the new emblems being applied on the car.







Cheers,

Saturday, October 28, 2006

TRD Blue brake pad



TRD produces 3 types of brake pads. Black for high performance street racing pad. Red for circuit racing pads. Blue for street performance and comfort. Obviously for Toyota Wish, I'm going to use the blue ones.

Here's a performance spider diagram to how well each of them perform against the stock pads.





As can be seen, TRD Blue brake pads' anti wear and the noise level is same as the stock brake pads. However, it produces less brake dust, is more durable, better control, strong anti fade characteristics and has almost 2 times better braking force.



Got mine installed today!!! Cost JPY 13600. From TRD Japan.

Cheers,

It's out of the box

Ok. The guys could not take it any more so it's out of the box.




The floor was wet with drool and so many pairs of hands were caressing it's youthful smoothness, admiring it's exotic color.....slurp!!!!!!!!!!



Amazing workmanship on this set. The interesting thing it looks black during the night and brighter during the day. Here's a day time picture for comparison.



Cheers,

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Toyota Wish in Japan

Surprising, Toyota Wish don't seem to be that popular in Japan. Plenty of Toyota Estima and Honda Odessey instead. Even in their car magazines, Toyota Wish hardly make an appearance. Mostly Estima and Alphard. Even Voxy and Noah seems more popular. Toyota Alphard is also used as Taxis in Tokyo and Toyota Estima is used as police cars.



The new Toyota Estima... a really common sight.



Anyway, here are a few snapshots of the few Toyota Wish that I manage to see on the roads of Tokyo.



White new face lift X Aerosports with stock rims. Not a common sight as there is a surcharge on this color.



Pre face lift X model. Fully stock. Still with hub caps and no fog lights.



This one might be of interest to Justin. Black new face lift Z model, partially accessorized with rear scuff plate and window visor. Stock 17" sports rim. Wide fender kits will look nice if done properly, even for black rides.

Very difficult to see the Toyota Wish X'E model on the roads. More on the Toyota Amulux later.

Cheers,

It has arrived!

Fresh from the land of the rising sun....



Will the owner please claim it by this weekend? Otherwise, my wife complaining already. Can't wait to see it on the new owner's sexy black ride.

Cheers,

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Mud Guard Part Number

Original Toyota Mud Guard set part number. 76095-68010



Obviously, the set I ordered from Novaol were missing the Original Screws. In addition, front retainer and the nut spring were also not there. The instruction sheet with the packing list, part numbers and installation guide were obviously not there too.




If John is looking for a set, he should seriously considering ordering from Ric Tat. It will be faster and cheaper, not to mention definitely complete.

I also have the part number for the individual mud guard. Will update later.

Cheers,

Monday, October 23, 2006

Rear Spoiler Part Number



For those who needs it, the part number for ordering the Original Toyota Rear Spoiler..

76085-68010

Cheers,

LED Side Mirror Cover Part Number



Original Part number for Original Toyota LED side Mirror Cover!

08411-68020

Seems like the Original Toyota option contains a lot more parts than the after market ones. Perhaps it's a better fit and will not have the wind noise problem. Also, you can order the right or left side separately too. Part number as follows:

Right Side: 08411-68021
Left Side: 08411-68022

As usual, color coding at the end of the part number applies. But Ric Tat or He Xing can help with that.

Cheers,

p.s. I'm adding a Original Part Number label so that it's easier to search for posts with part numbers indicated

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Wheel spacers and Camber kits

Andrew installed the rear wheel spacers and the camber kit on his front wheels. Seems like the feedback on the handling when cornering really improved. So much so that he's no longer considering the TRD Sportivo set.



Apparently the spacer cannot be added to the front wheels are they are on disc brakes. So those with rear disc brakes can skip this. But the camber kit can be installed whether using disc or drum brakes. Anyway, the degree of tilt need not be so significant so as to minimise tyre wear. Andrew did 1 degree 30-40' on his ride. For the extreme racers, they can opt for even 3 degrees tilt.

Rear wheel spacers are from RPM and cost S$150. Camber kit cost S$130. After installing, wheel alignment has to be done again. Riverview Auto at Ang Mo Kio is doing it, but I'm sure this is not the only workshop that we can get this done.



Incidentally, there are generic spacers like the above for 4/5 holes. For 3, 5, 8 and 10 mm. I suppose the generic bolt must be long enough. Otherwise, it will be a problem. Wonder if there is anyway to check.

Something to consider...

Cheers,

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Smoked Tail light for Toyota Wish

It's coming.... There is going to be a new face lifted Black Toyota Wish with the much coverted smoke tail light from AFC Gump. Even more rare than the crystal clear tail light.

Watch this space....

Cheers,

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

No more updates...

Now in Toyota country. So won't be online as frequently. Hopefully, I will have the chance to visit Super Autobacs. Heard it really big!!!! And maybe Netz or TRD. We'll see.

Cheers,

Monday, October 16, 2006

How to make your Wish ugly 2


Here's another interesting add on. Carbon fibre printed stick on door handles.


I think it makes the car looks cheap and visually busy. But hey, one man's meat is another man's poison. We have to respect their taste.

Cheers,

Sunday, October 15, 2006

New TRD emblem

TRD has a new emblem out. Will be available from December 2006. Cost 4935 JPY. Nice!!! And much cheaper than the previous TRD emblem.



Interesting to see that TRD is also starting to make decorative accessories like the scuff plates. This set goes for 31500 JPY. Not cheap. Available from Nov 2006, but not for Toyota Wish at the moment.

Cheers,

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Site upgrade - First phase competed

Ok. Updated the site so that it's now wider. Easier to put up more pictures and for those with 1280 X 1024 screens, some pictures will show up side by side.

And especially for Lim, I've added labels and all the post title searchable by month. This will make it easier to dig up the old stuff.

Site formating is a litte off at the moment. I'll try to sort it out.

More to come.

Cheers,

Feedback on new suspension set

So far, the cornering improved and stability is much better with the new TRD Sportivo Suspenson set. However, the bumps on the roads are much more obivious now and you can really feel the road condition. Some like it, I'm still getting used to it. Here's a picture of the ride that slightly lowered. Not too obvious.




One other thing that's not related to the handling is the road noise. Somehow, the road noise is now very much more pronounced. Now this is a real killer for me. Lim did warn me earlier about the road noise being unable to escape from the wheel arch after the car is lowered. I didn't take him too seriously as I thought he's pretty insensitive to these thing. Obviously Mr. No Feeling can feel much more than we were led to believe. Anyway, let's see how it goes.

Cheers,

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

This website is closing!!!

I'm closing this website.....from public access shortly in the future.

Those interested to access it can leave their email in the shoutbox and I will enable access though a login process.

Thanks!

Cheers,

Front Windscreen Sun Shade up

Put in the front windscreen sun shade today. I know the European folks loves big sweeping windscreens but they don't get as much sun as we do and certainly don't have as hot a climate as we do. Now the drive is much more comfortable as it's less glaring during sunny days.



Cheers,

X Aerosports body kit

hmm.. The X Aerosports kit looks nicer and nicer..... The front bumper is a consideration, epecially with the add on lips available from so many styling companies now...




Original part number: 52119-68070

The rear bumper is subtle, unlike the Kenstyle and Modellista kits. But, it's more curb friendly for sure.



Original part number: 52159-68060

Of course you need to specify your color when ordering. For those interested in coversion to Z model wide body kit, you can get the kit with the grooves in place for the wide body kit. It will be a perfect fit. This is what I mean...



For the side skirt, the part number is

Left side: 76902-68030
Right side: 76903-

Cheers,

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Toyota Card Holder

A little something to make your Toyota Wish more special than the next one on the road.



Toyota also makes a dedicated card holder for some of their cars. Wonder why they don't include that as an option for Toyota Wish. It will fit above the driver side sun visor perfectly. Some of the Japanese Wish owners installed it.

Cost about JPY 1365, which will be about S$20 or so. Still reasonable. Measures 75 mm × 230 mm × 6mm. Available in gray and ivory. Grey will suit our Toyota Wish and this can be ordered from Ric Tat or He Xing.

Original Part Number: 08171-28120

Wonder if anyone wants to order this together?

Cheers,

Other armrest options

Still looking around for the bloody armrest for the passenger side. Whilst researching, came across other options that might work for Toyota Wish. I'm sure Justin will be interested in these large armrest options. All original Toyota of course.

This is the one for Toyota Corolla Spacio. Definitely big enough for 2 person to use at the same time. However, you cannot have the Toyota Wish centre console if you want to use this. Good for the folks with X'E and no intention to install the centre console. Cost about JPY 21000. Not cheap.



This is from Toyota Raum. Also larger than the standard and will fit those with centre console already installed. There are 2 types available, a replacement type and an add on type. Replacement type cost JPY 15750 and the add on type cost JPY 18900. Toyota Wish X'E owners will have to buy the add on type as the brackets are included.



For those interested, the Original Part Number is as follows:

Replacement Type: 08471-52140
Add on type: 08471-46020

Cheers,

TRD Sportivo Suspension (Con't)

More pictures!!!

So here are the coil springs. All in white. I'm sure they will be horribly dirty rather quickly. Good thing that I have thick spokes on my rims to hide them from view.



This are the shock absorbers. The small one is the rear shock absorber. The rear coil springs are smaller too.



Next is the stabilizer bars. TRD has a set of 2 bars developed specially for the Toyota Wish. The rear bar is also available separately for those who just want the rear bar only. That will cost about S$320 to S$340.



The front stablizer bar is not too common in the market as it's a bit difficult to replicate. The stablizer bars are full replacement of the stock set. They are not hollow and therefore heavier. This add strength to the bars during high speed cornering and it avoid body sway too. Here's what the actual bar looks like compared to the stock version. C ONE Motorsports actually has the front bar too, but strangely, I can't find it on their website. They do not make the rear bar. So might as well get the set from TRD.



This is what it looks like when fully installed. The bar is install at four points, at the two ends and at the two bushing. As such, the car has to be jacked up. That's why it's best to do all the suspension together. Less hassle.



Since I ordered the complete set, I swapped out the blue TRD rear bar as well. Now All the bars and springs are in white color. This is what the rear set up looks like when fully installed with springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bar. Here's a close up of the bar. It says TRD sportivo instead of TRD on the blue bar. There's too many replica blue bars on the market anyway.

Okay. End of installation report. Will test out the ride the next few days and see how it goes. The car is also now lower than before due the the coil springs. Will try to get a picture.

Cheers,