Recent Posts51
General Discussion / Re: NSR summer project in garage...car not scooter
« Last post by Iahawk on October 08, 2026, 12:21:56 PM »few more updates on the Rav4 (or the Ravioli, as I call it).
Polished the acrylic sunroof (not glass, who knew?) with a headlight restoration polish so you can see through it, again. Ceramic coated it. I'm sure no one has done anything to it in 26 years.
Replaced the original fog lights in the bumper, under the turn signals. Pass side one had been filled with water at one time, rusty and broken bulb. Replacements from eBay look and fit like the originals. Originals and replacements both have metal housings, that surprised me. (see pic)
Drained and refilled transmission. Old fluid wasn't terrible.
Changed oil and filter with my current favorite, Valvoline Restore and Protect, 5W-30.
Replaced 4 spark plugs with new NGK iridiums. I did it with the engine hot, which made plug removal very easy. (see pic)
Replaced driver door check (the part that holds the door open in various positions, they wear out on old Toyotas) While I had door card off I also fixed a rattle inside door. Prev owner gave me a bolt his daughter had found on the ground below the door, they knew where it went but not how to fix it. It bolted from the outside of door into a part of the window track? I put that back and no more rattle from inside the door!
Replaced the other crankcase breather hose and also the hood (or bonnet) prop rod grommet. The Rav (and also my Vibe) were both missing the grommet so the prop rod was loosely fitted into a hole in the fender. It could easily come out and also put additional stress on the hole when used. Cheap 5 pack of grommets for Toyotas on Ebay...fixed both Ravioli and Vibe.
Think that's it so far....but best part is coming today....new wheels and tires! I didn't want dedicated snow tires but got the next best thing, tires rated for 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS). I think that may be a US DOT approval? Not sure if it is a thing in other countries?
More pics to come with the new wheels/tires and hopefully a full detail, which I haven't gotten around to doing, yet.
Polished the acrylic sunroof (not glass, who knew?) with a headlight restoration polish so you can see through it, again. Ceramic coated it. I'm sure no one has done anything to it in 26 years.
Replaced the original fog lights in the bumper, under the turn signals. Pass side one had been filled with water at one time, rusty and broken bulb. Replacements from eBay look and fit like the originals. Originals and replacements both have metal housings, that surprised me. (see pic)
Drained and refilled transmission. Old fluid wasn't terrible.
Changed oil and filter with my current favorite, Valvoline Restore and Protect, 5W-30.
Replaced 4 spark plugs with new NGK iridiums. I did it with the engine hot, which made plug removal very easy. (see pic)
Replaced driver door check (the part that holds the door open in various positions, they wear out on old Toyotas) While I had door card off I also fixed a rattle inside door. Prev owner gave me a bolt his daughter had found on the ground below the door, they knew where it went but not how to fix it. It bolted from the outside of door into a part of the window track? I put that back and no more rattle from inside the door!
Replaced the other crankcase breather hose and also the hood (or bonnet) prop rod grommet. The Rav (and also my Vibe) were both missing the grommet so the prop rod was loosely fitted into a hole in the fender. It could easily come out and also put additional stress on the hole when used. Cheap 5 pack of grommets for Toyotas on Ebay...fixed both Ravioli and Vibe.
Think that's it so far....but best part is coming today....new wheels and tires! I didn't want dedicated snow tires but got the next best thing, tires rated for 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS). I think that may be a US DOT approval? Not sure if it is a thing in other countries?
More pics to come with the new wheels/tires and hopefully a full detail, which I haven't gotten around to doing, yet.
.jpg)
