phreak97 Posted October 30, 2013 Report Posted October 30, 2013 Hey, I know it's not a corolla, but I didnt know where else to ask. I just bought a km20 liteace commercial van (4k motor) and it's geared mega low for moving heavy stuff at town speeds. I believe the 5 and 7 seater versions were geared higher to drive more like a normal car. I figure the diff is what I need, but to correct the speedo, is the speedo drive at the gearbox different? Or is the calibration of the speedo itself different? Also, where can I find information on the gearbox and diff? I'd like to find out what options there were for gear ratios and what vehicle each ratio was in. I think the diff is the same as some other cars? Is there such thing as a 5 speed or overdrive that will fit straight on? Regards, James Quote
Ben-89 Posted October 30, 2013 Report Posted October 30, 2013 Hi James, The km20 used the same engine as the Corolla but the gearbox and diff ratios were specific to that van. Dad had one until a few years ago, brilliant little van it was! As you said gearing was really low so the majority of take offs were in second gear. High roof, low roof, cargo van or pick up they all shared the same drive train and were four on the tree. Being an imported van it will have coding for the gearbox and diff on the build plate which is riveted below the drivers seat under trans/axle. So is yours a cargo van or people mover. We had a low roof people mover with the chrome bars and bold pin striping. I have the sales pamphlet somewhere with this information on it. Quote
phreak97 Posted October 31, 2013 Author Report Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) Ah right, so all geared the same then? I'll check the plate and post back:) Mine's a high roof cargo van, originally blind sides but someone put windows in. The right side window frames had all rusted out so I cut it all out (left the pillars intact) then welded a giant piece of steel over the side:p by no means a classy repair but at least it's structurally sound and more legal than the crumbly mess that was there before. We bought it as a workhorse, so it's bound to pick up scratches and dents anyway, no point making it perfect. Having said that I'm a mechanic and car enthusiast so I have no plans to abuse it either, it will have a good life:) My friend and I bought it a couple of weeks ago from the original owner, odometer is stuck at a bit over 70,000. He reckons it's done about 120 but it feels pretty sloppy in the front end so it could be more. It had been sitting under a tree for six years and all it needed was a brake bleed and adjustment, a set of tyres, and a battery:) EDIT: The model code has some letters not explained on the toyota model code wiki page I found.. It is: KM20 RV=JRZBEQ under trans/axle is L40 (printed) E152 (stamped) Edited October 31, 2013 by phreak97 Quote
phreak97 Posted October 31, 2013 Author Report Posted October 31, 2013 The model code has some letters not explained on the toyota model code wiki page I found.. It is: KM20 RV=JRZBEQ under trans/axle is L40 (printed) E152 (stamped) Quote
Ben-89 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Posted October 31, 2013 High roof cargo van, guessing 1982 build? Doesn't have drum brakes on the front does it, some 1979-1981 builds had that! Looks like its got the L40 transmission and E series diff, I recall the diff centre being larger than the usual banjo or Borg Warner diff. You could probably put in a Corolla diff, whether its leaf sprung or coil... You seem to have the knack to fabricate things so that's a possibility there. I'm almost certain the diff width drum to drum is the same between Corolla and Liteace. The km36 liteace (second generation) 1985-1991 has a 5k and similar transmission. Ideal upgrade down the track ;) Quote
phreak97 Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Posted November 18, 2013 1980, drums all round! Quote
Ben-89 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Ohh shocker, drums all round! Down in Melbourne wrecker there was a yellow one with drums all round.... Shame the body was so rusty... This was dads one, dated 2004. Learned to master the column shift in this.... fun times! Disks, plenty of carpet inside and even the digital lock and radio cassette. I recall the big banjo diff it had. Freeway driving was very audible to say the least. Edited November 18, 2013 by Ben-89 Quote
Ben-89 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Just got some quick photos on the iPad of the brochure... This brochure covers the 1979-81 builds as it doesn't have disc brakes featured. Even the interior lacks the digital clock and other niceties that the 1982 builds had. Can't rotate one of the pics as I'm using the iPad. Cheers Snotty, got some better ones! Edited November 20, 2013 by Ben-89 Quote
snot35 Posted November 19, 2013 Report Posted November 19, 2013 You couldn't have made the specifications more illegible! :) Quote
phreak97 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Report Posted December 4, 2013 Thats the model I have with round headlights and all:) Still not sure what diff I can put in there, I think I'll go to upullit and have a look under some old toyotas Quote
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