Blog about mostly the first version of Toyota Previa.
Previas are affectionately called "eggvans", "eggs", or "beans", because of their shape.
They are reliable and fits in a normal swedish garage. Mid engine makes them very road worthy.
They will become classics..
Toyota at it's prime; within the 90-era everything from Toyota was bulletproof, from the Lexus ls400 to corolla (including Starlets and Previa)
"clunk noise is usually the sway bar end links
the strut mounts are pretty strong, but replace them if you want... I did when I replaced all the front end bushings
the strut boots/bellows are probably bad, and since the bump stops are part of them, they're probably destroyed too as they're crappy foam
the springs might also be fine... I know mine are after 335000km... the sagging often occurs due to bad struts and mechanics tend to over think the issue and replace springs... I didn't bother doing this because of the cost and after new GR2 struts, the van sat fine again with a huge wheel gap
good choice on the struts/shocks, and make sure you paint the rotor hats as they do tend to look pretty ugly once they're rusted and you have some nice wheels exposing the brakes
since yours is a 94+, the passenger side airbag will need to be removed to access the passenger side strut tower.... so remember to disconnect the battery when doing this ;)" - TheMAN
According to the FSM, you first disconnect the battery (IMPORTANT!), pull out the glove box, and then remove the airbag above it to gain access to the upper strut mount. There aren't many more details in the FSM, really, other than a diagram of the many fasteners that hold the air bag in place.
But I haven't done it yet, so there may be surprises... Just be careful working with the airbag.
"Passenger's side strut replacement: complete! Love how the glovebox has that access door. I notice a big difference already, although I'm definitely going to need an alignment." - Anthony H
Content
Front left side, showing rust protection added under splashguad shields front wheel arc.
(more rust, left driver side rocker panel instep, cleaning and grinding rust.)
( have to change sheet metal, since holes )
Left rear wheel arcs, removing rust..
Bubbles in the wheel arcs.
Drill out hole in the bumper holder.
Removed left rear inner splashguard, fuel lines.
Speculating about the fuel lines.
Added first layer of linseed oil
Thinking about buying a new Car Stereo since the Previa has the original stereo. Oh man is it a jungle out there. I find it hard to find good review and there are a lot of diffrent names and numbers and sometimes you dont get what is the difference, I mean really except it contains bluetoot, usb, X amounts of preout and so on.
There are also different names in USA vs EU and so on. So you cant just read Amazon reviews because you dont find those stereos here etc.
Well enough of complaining, I've research quite a lot but I have probably missed some good steres but this is what I found.
Criteria Single DIN size
USB on the backside, (the ones with the USB on the front looks "chiesy", even thouh a small USB flash drive might work ok).
Want the possibility to be able to charge the phone with the USB. (if I'm using Bluetooth to the stereo).
Bluetooth connection to the phone.
ISO-contact
Preferable removable front (detachable face)
Would like bluetooth and remote control features, eather by phone or ordinary remote.
These are some that I've considered during this "research". Pioneer DEH-X9600BT (1890 SEK)
Back of DEH-X9600BT
DEH-X9600BT comes with the box
Alpine IDE-178BT (1990 SEK)
No CD-player,
The finish looks great, 4 colors illumination.
Alpine 178BT can easily handle a 64GB Sandisk USB.
TuneIt: Volume and sound parameter preset function cannot be adjusted via smartphone.
https://www.drive2.ru/l/5152801/
Alpine IDE-178BT
At night
Alpine IDE-178BT rear side.
Alpine CDE178BT - CD player in it. Not really necessary any more since I rarely listen to any CDs any more.
Kenwood KDC-BT92SD (1690 SEK)
(plastic looks a bit cheap?)
Remote controll included!
Kenwood KDC-X5100BT (this has 1 rear USB and also 1 rear Aux.)
It cost 1490 sek at my local car stereo shop (www.bilstereohornan.se)
Has 1.5A charge capacity verses 1A on the KMM-303BT.
It has the "KENWOOD Remote App" which means you can control volume, change tracks and so on via bluetooth (with your phone as a remote control)
The KDC has lots of more features.
KDC-X5100BT do have 24 bit FLAC, comparing to KMM-303BT who has "only" 16 bit flac. Came out in 2017 so a new one with updated features.
24bit / 48 kHz
4V preout och KDC-X5100BT.
USB 2.0 and Bluetooth version 3.0 (good). Same power as the cheaper Kenwoods.
This receiver definatly has some good specification / value for money and price.
The only concern for me is the Operation Temperature Range-10°C ~ 60°C
It gets colder here in Sweden during the winter and I've seen a review telling that his Kenwood was resetting during cold weather.
I notice that there isnt that much diffrent from Kenwood Excelon KDC-X501
KENWOOD KDC-BT568U also looks the same but has only 2.5 V Preout according to this video.
KENWOOD eXcelon KDC-X701 looks interesting, it has 2 rear USB ports. But as I write this I dont know the name for it in EU.. And its a new radio, came out in 2017.
I havent seen any one callex eXelon on the EU site, but might be missing something..
The X7100DAB har Flac 48/24.
------------------------- ---------------- Pioneer Digital Media Reciever:
If you just want the basic, this seems to be a good player. But unfortunatly no USB in the back just in the front.
Pioneer MVH-390BT (this is the name in EU)
Dimensions: WxHxD; 178 mm x 50 mm x97
Bluetooth version: 3.0 certified
Specification from the manual, to compare with the Kenwood further down.
More outputs on this vs Kenwood KMM-303BT.
Pioneer MVH-X390BT (name in USA, blue light instead of red, and Mixtrax. And you seem to get a remotecontrol in the package, otherwise the same?)
This is the newer and upcoming one for the Pioneer MVH-X380BT.
.
Receiver with AM/FM tuner (does not play CDs)
Built-in MOSFET amplifier (14 watts RMS CEA-2006/50 peak x 4 channels)
Built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calls and music streaming
Plays MP3, WMA, AAC, and WAV music files
Short chassis fits in a variety of applications
Detachable face with single-line 13-character display
Remote control
External microphone included
Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) restores sound to compressed files
MIXTRAX virtual DJ technology
5-band graphic equalizer
Low-pass/high-pass filters
Convenient Siri Eyes Free functionality
AOA 2.0 for music streaming and control from Android
Bluetooth features include Dual Phone Pairing and Guest Mode
1.5 amp USB charges your phone while you're playing music
Works with Spotify and Pandora-ready for iPhone and Android
Expandability:
Inputs: front USB port and front AUX input
Outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs
----------------------------- ------------- Kenwood_KMM-303BT
This one can manage FLAC (better sound quality) and you can change the backlighting (Display Illumination: Variable LED). The sound should be better in this car stereo.
By the way JVC and Kenwood are now ONE company.
The power specification looks better 22w x 4 (less than 1 % THD) vs Pioneer 390BT who has 5 % THD at the same spec , its about 100 gram heavier (more components, better sound?)
Whats the diffrence between 303BT and the Kenwood KMM-302BT? Well the KMM-302BT seems simpler with another design, a one row display and so on. I'd say go for the KMM-303B.
Size: WxHxD 182 mm x 53 mm x 107 mm
Supports Bluetooth Verstion 2.1 + EDR / Bluetooth 3.0
Bluetooth phones to register:5
Variable LED
Bluetooth mic and 1 set of preout.
Think it supports Flac 16 only, but hey still good! :)
"Kenwood: High-resolution FLAC and PCM playback up to 192kHz/24 bits appears on the top four eXcelon-series navigation and multimedia receivers, which feature 192/24 DACs. High-res music can be played from USB sticks, memory cards, and CDs. They’re the company’s first with high-res payback, having offered FLAC 48/16 playback before and continuing to offer it in 2016 models." - http://www.twice.com/high-res-audio-what-buy/60016
Guess it's the same Flac in this as Adam Rayner, of Talk Audio, of the KMM-257U:
Using LED tail lights in combined lights for Toyota Previa might not work.
I have read elsewhere that older cars can have problems with having combined LED taillights. You know the taillights and brake lights are combined in the lamp. Therefore, I tested the poles to see if they were minus when the function is not active.
Ground - earth on positive poles when not active. Which might short circuit a led lamp since the LED-lamps often are connected.. The LED lamps have to be separeted or you will probably need a resistor to take the load, since in my view a "crappy" design.
Found some nice pictures taken by gshadow32. He has made som mods for his Previa that he got for free and fixed! Looks great!
Long LED strip that runs along the top of the windshield.
interior setup.
-cargo caddy storage drawer on the left behind drivers seat.
-2 18" led strips on the rear a/c unit
-2 40" led strips on rear hatch
-small tool box behind 3rd row drivers side seat.
-Kenwood KVT615dvd navigation unit with backup camera
-Compustar Dash, dual front and rear dash camera
-Bestek 500w power inverter for wireless printer, computer.
1993 Toyota Previa Sports van RARE 5 Speed Manual LOW 91K
"You are looking at a Toyota Previa that has been well kept and maintained; it's an all around great looking vehicle.
This is a-never-smoked-in beauty that looks and smells great. The car was garage kept. Judging from the miles and the condition of the car - most of its miles were driven on the highway.
The cars exterior is white that has a deep sparkling shine to it. The cars exterior is in great condition.
The engine sounds, runs and feels smooth and provides abundant power. It's a very reliable and economical engine! The transmission shifts well with no skips on shifts and smooth.
AC is ice cold. The van is equipped with an option dual AC!
The interior is spotless and shows very little wear (the pictures clearly show the interior is in great condition). All seats lean all the way back to the rear, so you can actually sleep rather comfortably in the car!"
