Sorry if this is in a bad place mods… but it seemed good to me, feel free to move it.

OK whats up guys? I thought I would show you the meaning behind my name. My main project right now is a Lotus Seven replica that I'm building from scratch. There are a lot of these cars being built right now with many different donors. The name of our cars was dubbed "locost" because they are a very low-cost alternative for a nice sports car, plus it sound like "Lotus". They have been completed for anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000. Just depends on how fast you want to be and how thrifty you are.

There are a few different sets of very well put together plans for the frame available for free. And also a couple books with plans and directions on how to go about building one of these.

My donor is a 1985 Celica GT-S with a 22-re, a W-56 trans, and independent rear suspension. I got a Supra LSD from my local junkyard because it is pretty similar to the Celica rear end and so that I can smoke both tires.

How does this relate to a Toyota truck you ask? Well the engine and trans setups are almost exactly the same as a 2wd pickup from 1982 (i think? whenever the 22r started) to 1995. The only difference is in the transmissions; the pickups were geared shorter for hauling stuff and being used as work trucks. It is actually easier to do this with a pickup for a donor because of the straight rear axle. It is much easier to design and build suspension setups with this.

Yeah... I know.... This thread is useless without pictures. So here they are...


This is my donor a 1985 Celica GT-S with a 22re. I paid $500 for it and almost have ALL my money back just from selling the parts that I won’t use...




Taking the engine out... It has 285xxx miles on it. Going to do the head gasket and get it running then teardown for full rebuild with low comp pistons in preparation for a turbo. That’s me on the left...






My Supra LSD... 4.30:1 ratio... Paid $80 at the junkyard...


Beginnings of a frame...




Gutted Celica...


Front spindles from a 1986 Toyota van because they are the same bolt pattern as the Celica. Pickup spindles are fine to use...


Free headlights...


It will look similar to this when completed (but better of course because it will have been built by me and will be powered by Toyota)


Well I thought you guys might find this entertaining and just something different to look at. Maybe I could get someone interested too? If any of you are interested just post here or PM me and I’ll let you know where to find plans, books, info, or anything you want to know!

There is a whole forum dedicated to these cars at the Locost USA Forums.
My detailed build log is here.

If you guys show enough interest I will update this every once in a while as my build progresses.

 

Thats great! I love to see projects like this that use Toyota parts!

Keep us updated!

 

Nice i've always liked those.

So.. just curious why did you use square tubing opposed to round?

And it definitely looks like your getting your money's worth from that trailer

 

Thanks guys!

The reason I used square as opposed to round tubing is because although round tubing is potentially a bit lighter and stronger the ease of fabrication is much better with square. I just use a band saw to cut it, but with round tubing it needs to be notched for the other tubes, square tubing is easier to make build brakets and all sorts of stuff onto just because it has flat sides. Also, I will have all the steel needed to build this frame for about $200, if I went with round tubing it would likely cost around 3 times as much, and saving money is the name of the game!

 

Wow, very nice ! I just went and read your 6 page build thread, and it makes me want to build one...

 

Thank you! It's a blast I just wish I could work on it more. I'm stopped right now because I have no cash flow. Next thing I need to do I buy some suspension design books and work on designing mine.