Project Crown: Completion for Now

25 April 2023

Since we last covered the Crown where we fixed its many issues and started with a few modifications, I've gotten a few new things to treat the car to.

The first is a Tom's stainless-steel axle-back exhaust system I scored off Facebook. For those that don't know, Tom's is like Toyota's version of Honda's Mugen meaning they make many awesome and cool rare OEM+ parts. The Tom's unit seems like the perfect choice for me as I've been wanting to bring out more of the oh-so-good 1J sound for a while but didn't want to make it too loud as it's still a droney automatic. The fact that I'm a sucker for rare JDM parts is just a bonus.

Before installing it, I wanted to clean it up. To do this, I firstly just got some warm soapy water and brushed it on. This was a big mistake. Don't brush it on, apply it with a microfiber, because it annoyingly scratched the metal. I then got some paper towels and buffed on some WD-40 for an extra shine.

It came out pretty good so I then went to go install it. Luckily, being an axle-back, the install was pretty self-explanatory and easy, unfortunately though I learnt that the inner bolt required a short 14mm which was hidden somewhere in the garage. Once that was found, the old piece slid right out, and the new Tom's unit slid right in.

It sounds awesome and the tip looks pretty out the back.

The next morning, I went to start the car, and as usual the idle at start was a bit rough. It got weird from there though. After pulling out to the road, the throttle stopped responding meaning it was basically coasting at full throttle. I quickly opened the bonnet, and I noticed something I never checked before. The battery terminal was disgusting and covered in corrosion. After mixing 1/2 a cup of water with 1/2 a tablespoon of baking soda, and applying it on the terminals using a toothbrush, all the corrosion turned to green goop which I could clean off with a damp towel. The start-up became a lot better, and surprisingly, the rough idle was now nowhere to be seen. Let's hope it stays that way. Unfortunately though, the throttle response issue was still there.

The next thing on the list was a new ECT sensor, also known as the ECU Coolant Temp Sensor. At this point, I had already cleaned the MAF sensors, swapped ignitors, installed a new air filter, reset the ECU, and tested the VVTi solenoid. Luckily the ECT sensor is super easy to fit. After removing the intake duct held on by one 10mm bolt, you can slide a deep 19mm onto the sensor and loosen it out. After removing the old one, and installing the new one, I went to plug the sensor in and the plug wouldn't fit. Turns out that the supplier for the place I bought it from had cross-referenced the part meaning the keying in the plug was wrong. After a refund, I ordered the proper off Amayama, but am still waiting for it to arrive after more than two weeks so instead, I went to give the engine bay a much-needed clean.

After a good wipe down using a microfiber and 303 Aerospace Cleaner, the black plastic regained its sheen, and the metal coil cover regained its glossiness. Once I was pleased with that, it was time to tackle the next thing on the to-do list, the rear tyres. The 275/30R19 Vitour Formula Spec Z tyres were too thick and were rubbing on my guards over bumps. They also suffered from severe camber wear from a previous car they were fitted to meaning they may or may not have been legal.

My new tyres are some 235/35R19 Achilles ATR Sport 2 tyres I bought from my dad after he decided to go for semi-slicks. They still have around 90% tread and should be the perfect size for when I can find some suitable suspension for the Crown. Also, judging from online reviews, they should be a bit grippier than the Vitours were.

Although it's not as meaty as before, it's worth it because I no longer get loud bangs from the rear and don't have a shredded sidewall.

Since the car was now ready for some low, I had three requirements when choosing suspension. Firstly, the suspension had to be a non-adjustable spring and shock combo as I didn't want to go through the hassle of passing LVV Cert as it's expensive and a pain. Secondly, it needed to be a spring with shocks, not just springs as I wanted to try install it myself and I didn't have a spring compressor. Lastly, it needed to be as cheap as possible as I'm going to Japan at the end of the year and need to save as much money as I can to buy car parts there. In saying all of that, I was lucky enough to find these.

This spring and shock combo I picked up is Tanabe Sustec Dress-Up Form DF210 lowering springs with KYB New Special SR shocks. These met all my requirements and even better, it's all authentic high-quality Japanese parts.

While picking the suspension up, I was also kindly given this factory coin tray which mine was missing.

But back to the suspension. First of all, I measured the factory ride height from the bottom of the tire to the top of the fender opening. The front measurement was 685mm, and the rears were 680mm. This was also measured on a slight slop towards the front so I'll need to remeasure on the same spot.

After picking up the suspension, I quickly got started on installing them the next morning. After removing the front sway bar tie-rod ends, and turning the hub sideways, the factory shock managed to mangle its way out.

After putting the new struts back in the front, it was time for the rears.

Unfortunately, I didn't get so lucky with the rears. After removing the lower strut bolt for one of the rears, it got stuck halfway through, and the same thing happened with the inner lower control arm bolt. Without a pry bar, I had to give up and retry the next day. Surprisingly, while giving it a go the next day, and after releasing the handbrake, everything felt loose and the installation went smoothly. Once the rears eventually went in and after measuring the height again, the car perfectly sat 32mm lower up front and 30mm lower in the rear which is exactly what I wanted. It's a perfect height being both practical and looking good.

The fitment is also perfect now.

The ride is also still very comfortable and smooth, but also a bit firmer meaning a more sporty feeling which is also exactly what I wanted.

With a couple of extra touches like this 'Bye Bye' Swinging Hand Pop, the Crown now had the looks I wanted making the build complete for now.