My new upgrades-TRD, Eclipse, etc.

[mikei]

I have posted a number of pictures of my latest upgrades to my convertible.

http://members.cardomain.com/mikei

I completed them yesterday so as I get used to these upgrades I will have further comments.

Mike- Dania Beach, Florida

[slingshot]

Awesome! Good going putting all those mods in. Did you do the TRD mods yourself? If not, who did it, specifically the springs. How much was the install for that?

[Shoe]

Wow you musta got a big xmas bonus to b able to put all those mods on would i be too nosey to ask how much extra loot you have put into that car?

Shoe

[mikei]

I had the TRD parts installed at Maroone Toyota in Weston, Florida.
They are an authourized TRD Dealer. The total cost for labour was
$280. which does not include the wheel alignment that will be done
one week from now after the suspension has set in (advice of the TRD tech) Yes I got a deal through the accessories department because I bought all the parts there.

The Michelin Pilot Sports are run at 40 psi also at the advice of the tech.

One thing I will say is that I established a relationship with the accesories department and made sure the installation would be performed by a factory trained TRD technician. The shops master tech performed all the
Trd work on my car and it shows. The convertibles are a little more complicated because of the frames x brace.

When the installation was finished the master tech went through all the particulars of my upgrades:

1. wheel nut torque = 100 ft.lbs. (special wheel nuts & removal tool)

2. tire pressure = min. of 40 psi and the resetting of the tire monitor and the tire minder in the navigation unit.

3. how the new suspension works and how it is better to drive for a week
to allow time for the suspension to set before doing the wheel alignment.

4. he also said that he wants his service crew to be the only ones that service my car when I bring it in for service and to request his crew when I come in.

All in all an excellent experience, you have to request what you want. I
requested that only a TRD factory trained tech do my installation and work on my car and that is what happened. (otherwise if they are busy you get the lot boy & the apprentice beating on your 30k car.)

[slingshot]

Totally amazing Toyota dealer story. I can't believe your total labor price since I've heard springs installation by Toyota itself costs double your total labor price. What tire minder in Nav unit are you talking about? I didn't know there were any reminders in there.

[mikei]

You can set the system to inform you when to replace certain parts or components and shows dealer information

1. Push the "INFO" button to display the "information menu" screen. Touch the "Maintenance" screen.

2. Touch the desired icon and input the conditions.

Information items:

Oil change - ................ Replace engine coolant
Replace oil filter -................ Replace brake fluid
Rotate tires - ................ Replace ATF
Replace tires - ................ Scheduled maintenance
Replace battery - ................ Replace air filter
Replace brake linings - ................ Personal event
Replace wiper blades

I have read in other forums that you must input the tire conditions for the Nav unit to adjust for the new outer diameter resulting from the new tires.
Otherwise your Nav unit will be still calculating distance while driving based on your old tire diameter.

I know that the Eclipse AVN2454 Multi source receiver with DVD Navigation has a setting for tire outer diameter that must be set in order for the unit to function properly and it can be adjusted for different wheel and tire packages. Being that the Toyota Nav and the Eclipse Nav units are made by the same company "FUJITSU TEN" it makes sense that the technologies would be similar when it comes to reseting for tire diameter.

Anyways it only takes a minute to do and then you don't have to worry about whether your new wheels are affecting your Nav units calculations.

Long winded but I hope this answers your question.

[Astro]

Nice ride and great info

[michaels artic frost]

Nice ride and great info

^^^Wut he said^^^

[slingshot]

Mikei,
Not long winded at all. Keep writing! You're making great contributions here. Most don't have all the mods you have and I'm sure we'd all like to know as much as possible. You must be the best price negotiator in the world to get all that labor for the amount of $280.

[Aotoyota]

mikei~

did the tech say that the shocks are ok for the TRD springs and was the trim plate a seperate piece that they put in with the navi?

[mikei]

The TRD Part# for the Lowering Spring Set for the Gen 2 Solara

is 00602-48130-019 and yes they work with the existing shocks and the

list price is $247.76 should net around $200.


The toyota part # for the dash panel assembly used when installing a

E7001 Navigation unit in place of the 6 disk changer is 55420-AA010 and

it lists for $61.14 should net at $50.

[Aotoyota]

Thanks for the part numbers, just one more thing, is the silver paint color matched to the interior of the car ?

[mikei]

Yes the same silver and an exact match providing a double din

opening for whatever you want to stuff in there.

Have a look at the Eclipse AVN 2454 multi source reciever/navigation

unit it is made by the same company that make the Toyota Navigation

units and is almost plug and play. It provides for a very clean install.

http://www.eclipse-web.com

It retails for over $2200. but if you look around it is available for around

$1800. And if you are not in a hurry check when the new ces award

winning Eclipse AVN 5495 is going to be available (it should be any day

now).

http://www.cesweb.org/shared_files/innovations/innovations_2004/3239/mainphoto3239.jpg

http://www.12volt.com/wordpress/index.php?p=80

Thats my two cents worth if I had not picked up the Toyota E7001

Nav unit I would have gone with the Eclipse. The Toyota Dealers in

South Florida are selling the Eclipse AVN units installed for $3000.

If you shop around you can do better. If Toyota installs it is covered by

warranty.

Mike -Dania , Florida

[mattx619]

Yes the same silver and an exact match providing a double din

opening for whatever you want to stuff in there.

Have a look at the Eclipse AVN 2454 multi source reciever/navigation

unit it is made by the same company that make the Toyota Navigation

units and is almost plug and play. It provides for a very clean install.

http://www.eclipse-web.com

It retails for over $2200. but if you look around it is available for around

$1800. And if you are not in a hurry check when the new ces award

winning Eclipse AVN 5495 is going to be available (it should be any day

now).

Do you happen to know if steering wheel controls will still be usable with the Eclipse unit?

[mikei]

I am not sure. However the Toyota Dealers have an special Eclipse installation book for almost all toyota models. you can find out there.

Mike I.