towbar65

Thanks, just started looking.

Does anyone know where to buy new rear brake drums? Mine are probably to far gone to machine and I wanna do a complete brake job.

My KE11 has AC. Sourced brackets, compressor and under dash control from Peter Robinson years ago. Love it, very cold. Not too much fiddling. Put a big aftermarket condenser up front and after installing components, had my AC guru install hoses, wiring and receiver/dryer for about $400. Well worth it as I just spent 4 years up in Cairns. Not sure if any of that helps but finding the brackets is the key. Anything with a K engine and AC in wreckers means your half way there..

Update to cable issue. Had a custom cable made today and wow what a difference. The new cable is a Teflon encased cable and tubing using the metal bits off the Thailand cable. The clutch feels completely smooth and even though the clutch is a heavy duty CI replacement, it feels as good as the old standard clutch. I think the extra foot pressure required for the HD clutch was beyond the standard cables abilities.

Hey all, Thought I'd mention for all those who have complained about an overly dim instrument cluster (me included) on the KE1X. I managed to get a few 10w bulbs that fit and light the dash to where it should be. Their only slightly bigger than the original but fit perfectly into the mounts and cluster. I bought them on a recent trip to Japan at a bike shop and make the trip regularly if anyone is interested I can pick some up. Rollaclub has been good to me so I'd enjoy giving back. Apologies if this is an easily acquired item here in Aus I just haven't checked. Cheers

Hi there, Just wanted to write something on my experience. Have had my 5k ke11 for 15 years. Love it. Just put in a fresh 5K and rebuilt the K50 gearbox. Big fun. About 3 years ago I put in 2inch ehaust, extractors, geared starter and a life changing Weber 32/36 downdraft From a redline distributer in Seattle. High Aussie dollar made it around 400 bucks from memory for the kit. My only advice. Find a mountain and throw the Aisan carbs off it. I tried kits, jetting, multiple tear downs and am convinced that they are indeed SHIT. Sorry but true. The redline Weber was pre jetted for a 3/4/5K and after mounting the adapter plates and installing carb (custom throttle cable) which was straight forward, I was amazed it started right up and has run perfectly without a single adjustment. The only thing I've done with this latest engine change is port the 3K manifold to the adapter plate which made it even smoother. Want perfect idle, transition and top end? I can't see any alternative. Hope this is of value and not just further agrivating your hard trouble shooting. Cheers

Bought a KE11 clutch cable on eBay from Thailand and it turned out to be a grindy stretchy poor quality excuse for a replacement. Almost dropped the gearbox again after doing a clutch job thinking it was something I did before discovering it was the new cable. Anyway buyer beware. Cheers

Here's the crash

For inspiration Restored in 1999. Kept for kids. Then daughter crashed. I was lucky to find the parts. Thanks Joel. And gave it a go. Frame straightening required. Finished product, better then before.

Hi Corolla nut, Just read this post (don't get on much) with interest and wandered how you went. I know how rare the old Corollas are over there. I spent the first 27 years of my life in Canada and seen one. A KE15 for sale and I bought it. Moved to Australia and found a cool KE11 in a field in NSW and bought it. Anyway your repairs seem very straight forward and I'm sure if your patient they'll show up. Have you considered a parts collecting holiday to Australia? Airlines pack in surfboard size packages as oversized item with little or no extra cost. Airfares are down as well. Just an idea.

Thanks for all the input. Finally had the car measured up and discovered the lower arm and crossmember are bent from previous crash. Just sourses replacement and will install and start alignment game again. Thanks again. Kev

Good to hear from a Canuck enthusiast. Where would we get the KE20 ones you mentioned? Thanks, Kev

When I restored my 69 KE11 six years ago, Repco and the like had all the ball joints, tie rods, steering arms etc but the bushes had to come straight from Toyota Japan (read expensive). Not sure if they still offer them now though. Kev

Felix, I might be talking about the same thing, just using worse language. By slotting the crossmember, do you mean make a bigger hole and then weld a washer to keep it from moving backwards? Kev

Thanks guys, this site really is worth its weight in gold. Advise on AC will be very useful, thanks. Think I have it sussed but more advise very appreciated. With respect to alignment, I have done some rough measurements and believe the front left has taken a hit at some time during its life and that strut is now about negative 1 degree (left wheel 25mm further back then right wheel) which would cause the instability. I can't really tell (YET!) what part is pushed back but suspect its the actual sub frame that the crossmember mounts to. The lower arm looks ok and the crossmember as well but judging by some welding done further back in the under body (under passengers feet) I suspect its the part that took the impact energy. I'm thinking about redrilling the crossmember mounting holes through the subframe on the left side ahead about 15mm to correct the castor issue. Is this too extreme? The original holes are sleeved for strength and this could prove difficult to replicate. Any thoughts? Kev

:D To all those KE1X gurus, please help. Questions: 1. My steering is not what I would have hoped after restoration. All parts (even hard to get bushes etc) are new and have even got the steering box rebuilt although i don't think they were able to do much with worm wear. Also the left wheel is 25mm further back then the left from a previous accident I suspect causing a negitive 1 degree castor. Does anyone have any advise as far as steering box repair and making alignment mods etc. 2. I want to put AC in KE11. Has anyone done this and is there any aftermarket units available? Cheers, Kev