This is a really great site, and has been a lot of help-thanks to all that have contributed!! We own a 1990 Super Extra with dual sunroofs and cold/hotbox. It was bought for $16,000 Aus ($1 Australian = about 35p UK) with 68,000 km on the clock. In two years we've travelled 100,000, down to Melbourne, Sydney and as far north as Cairns. With diesel at the equivalent of about 25p/litre, we're happy with the economy. Interestingly overheating has never been a problem, despite driving for 10 hours at highway speed in 120oF heat with the a/c on. The only accesories we've fitted are a genuine Toyota (fujitsu) radio/cd player at $300, and driving lights to help spot the kangaroos on the roadside ('roos only want to jump in front of you when you're 2 feet from them.
I've done a bit of work replacing belts and gaskets, and can assist with enquiries if anyone has any (Aussie and kiwi owners may like to know that the 2C motor in the town ace is the same as used in the diesel taragos/previas, so if you enquire at your autoshop about parts for your engine, tell them it's for a late '80s diesel tarago)
Being one who makes the 1400km trek from North Queensland to Brisbane (15 and half hour -stop only for fuel and food trip) every month, my only complaints have been the decals shrink in the heat, and the sunroofs radiate a lot of heat (when closed). We often travel hundreds of miles a day, and use a blow up mattress (electic pump plugs into rear cigar lighter) on top of the folded down seats to make a very comfortable bed (the very dark tinted windows and curtains help)
Anyone know how to repair the buttons on the hot/cold box? Ours need a pin to keep them on
Cheers

- (#8758) Don and Nat, 30 May 03 7:21

The switches are mechanical. Carefully remove the name plate around the switches, undo the screws and ease the switch block out, careful as there is not a lot of movement here, just enough to see the business parts.
De fluff and a healthy squirt of maintenance spray (WD40 in UK do you get that down under?), and you should see if the springs are working ok.
Good to hear of such trouble free motoring.
- (#8759) Clive, 30 May 03 7:58

Thanks cobber, now i won't get so wound up travelling 65 miles to Cromer in norfolk!

- (#8836) brian squire, 30 May 03 16:21