The Starlet 4WD EP85 - A Model Guide

Jay

Admin
About time I got stuck into this one, it's hard to put this all down in a logical format but time to give it a go..

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Our story begins in 1992 with the launch of the Mk2 EP82 and general revision of the models available. Toyota were looking to finetune the range to maintain the EP82's promising sales figures and somebody somewhere had a brainwave for an All Wheel Drive EP.

img070twu.jpg


The basic entry model was the 4WD Soleil L which like all the 4WD models had a two wheel drive equivalent in EP82 range.

The next level up the ladder was the 3 door 4WD S which (going on the pictures and a rather poor understanding of japanese) offered smarter interior trim, a different steering wheel, and a boot spoiler amongst other additions.

The 4WD X Limited was a 5 door model which was marginally dearer than the 4WD S model and suffered slightly less sporty trim and steering wheel than it's 3 door brother.

Confused? I hope not. Here's a page from the 1992 model range brochure showing them in their glory:

img069lok.jpg


Examples of the 4WD S would be:

Wee John's (Modelling by RyanV)

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And Ted's

welshmeet2009007.jpg


Gaz can confirm if his is a 4WD Soleil L or a S on this thread, I'd like all the AWD boys' input so as we get it right. :cool:

Jay
 

Jay

Admin
Cheers lads,

With the next revision in mid-1994 the whole range got a fresher look that would see the EP82 through until production end in December 1995. The GT's got quadlamps but the regular models remained fairly conservative.

Our 4WD range structure didn't change - the Soleil L, S and X-limited stayed in place and kept close to the original specifications. There was a special edition available based on the 4WD S which added electrics, front foglamps and a GT steering wheel - the rather elusive Sport Selection.

img071k.jpg


The only exampe of a second gen EP85 seems to be PC18's Sport Selection:

DSC01209.jpg


Anything else I should add?
 

_GAZ_EP85_

Member +
qulity tread there jay, yeah mine is a Soleil L, so the the tranny's are the same on all 4wd starlet's?
why the low gear ratio?:p
 

Jay

Admin
qulity tread there jay, yeah mine is a Soleil L, so the the tranny's are the same on all 4wd starlet's?
why the low gear ratio?:p

My guess is that these machines were built for the mountain roads, ice, snow and mud. God knows how many are probably still lying in a snowdrift somewhere mate.

Any good pics of yours before you broke out the spanners? All we need now is a X-limited and we have a full set!
 

turbojim

Lifer
nice thread there jay, mine is a S(red s) dont no if that makes a difference ha but wen i bought it it already had a 4efte engine in wit all the electrics and a gt kit so i cant confirm wat exactly it is
 

Jay

Admin
nice thread there jay, mine is a S(red s) dont no if that makes a difference ha but wen i bought it it already had a 4efte engine in wit all the electrics and a gt kit so i cant confirm wat exactly it is

PM me your chassis number and I can find out mate. ;)
 

turbojim

Lifer
jay i dont have it on me i used to tho ha and im no where near the car but i will get it and send it too you thank you:)
 

hardcoreep

Member +
My guess is that these machines were built for the mountain roads, ice, snow and mud. God knows how many are probably still lying in a snowdrift somewhere mate.

And you would be correct. Its not a brain wave, it snows in Japan, a lot. Many other manufacturers have 4WD versions of their popular cars. Here in Jamaica we have 4WD Corollas, 4WD Honda Integras, Civic sedans and Accords + many more 4WD imported models. Even the Suzuki Swift GTi came 4WD. Its a popular market for the Japanese.

More recently I've seen a 4WD Toyota ist, and Wish.
 

Ted

Member +
nice work jay, respect to you sir. mine is an s with electric bits and bobs that weejohns will never have, ha ha!
 

ryan_v

Lifer
lol great thread jay, lmao at the pic of me. Do you know if theres a difference in drivetrain throught the different models?
 

ragz

Member +
what parts are needed to convert the ep82 into full 4wd

gearbox
drive shafts
prop shaft
rear diff

any thing else

is suspension any diffrent
 

Ted

Member +
what parts are needed to convert the ep82 into full 4wd

gearbox
drive shafts
prop shaft
rear diff

any thing else

is suspension any diffrent

ep85 is a different shell, floorpan hugely different. easier to buy an ep85 and turbo it
 

MentaLEP91

Member +
nice thread Jay! keep it up!

@ragz: well allthou ive seen (here in greece) an EP91 with the 4wd system from a EP95 and a 4efte in it, so the conversion is possible but not economically viable if there is a way to just get a ep85/95 and 4efte/5efte it.
 

sheri

Member +
Yay! I just found this thread while searching for info via google

Mine is a 'S' has the red S decal on the boot

There was a question in my pic thread that I'm not to sure of the answer...

Are they permantly 4WD? I was led to believe they are but someone says not so I'm pretty confused now I thought it was 30/70 too but have been corrected on that too - apparently its 50/50 :(

ummm it is a starlet though!! Thats about all I'm certain of :haha:
 
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