AW11 Tips Tricks 01: Some Interior Work

Removal and installation of the stereo bezel, center armrest or tunnel cover, leather shift boot, seats, and shoulder storage cubby in a 1987 Toyota MR2 AW11.
This does not cover stereo installation.
Update: This video shows the results of some fiberglass repairs I made to the center armrest. I've since discovered ABS cement (readily available in the plumbing section of any hardware or home improvement store) has much better adhesion to the interior plastic than the fiberglass resin. A C-pillar trim repair video using ABS cement is in production now, and I plan to do a video refurbishing a center armrest.
This is too long, but it has a happy ending.
More AW11 vids are in production including 20 valve swap tips and tricks.

[@DamfinoMR2]

Just picked up an '86 AW last week; it's a barn find and needs a TON of cleanup and some resto but no rust

[@ADub-Bub]

Nice! No rust is a rarity. I hope it's helpful.

[@mr2death]

Awesome video!! So glad content like this still exists for the aw11. You probably saved many center armrests with this video.

[@ADub-Bub]

Thanks! I hope so.

[@hoboemperor]

Ty Larry. I hope your videos preserve many of the few mki's left.

[@ADub-Bub]

Thanks! Obviously not all owners have made great decisions or taken great care, but I think these cars have generally attracted appreciative buyers. I estimate that an AW11 was more likely to go from one caring owner to another throughout it's life, than many 4AGE powered cars. Buyers don't accidentally select a car with such practical limits as the MR2. They have to be willing to accept its cargo, passenger, and clearance limitations. On the other hand, a sporty Corolla hatchback could have been bought as just a practical, disposable appliance. Certainly a lot of junky abused AW11s out there, but I think the ratio of well preserved examples is favorable.

[@randomtoyotadude8952]

Nice video.. well xplained and one of the few who shows aw11 stereo swaps.. thx

[@boo1402]

Hearing you talk about how many mr2s you have while I’m just trying to get my hands on one makes me so jealous 😅

[@ADub-Bub]

Understandable. Sorry. Old hobby started while AW11 were littering the ground. Be patient and keep searching and the right one will come along. I'm noticing a more available now than a year ago.

[@CoolCatHiker]

This was so helpful! Thanks man

[@randomtoyotadude8952]

Really liked the blue color on ur car.. looks really decent

[@ADub-Bub]

Thanks! Sad when I hear of conversions to black.

[@korbendallas4232]

Thanks for sharing. Like fusion orange Vibe also. I have a 87 MR2 and a 03 Vibe GT.

[@ADub-Bub]

Nerd! You are my people!

[@xueyam1022]

Thank you, look so good

[@oktristian]

thanks bro i just got my 87 mr2

[@skvltdmedia]

In fact will be doing a stereo on mine soon, and yea, I tore the stock trim right off.... haha. Not a bad fix either.

[@wholespeed]

ohhhhh yeah!!!!!

[@jettparmer]

Great video. Just started with a 1986 AW11 and want to upgrade the stereo. At present, I see no function from the OEM unit at all. What adapters and unit would you recommend?

[@ADub-Bub]

I've been pleased with Pioneer and have installed at least 5 now. They have Toyota factory hole patterns so you can us OE brackets. Pioneer to Toyota wiring adapters are pretty easy to locate, or just a splice a Toyota tail into the tail Pioneer includes. Just do the yourself and the next owner a favor and don't snip the original factory connector off! Make it plug/play. Hated the JVCs I've owned.

[@Bredmirror]

Do you have any tips about removing scratches/deep scratches from interior pieces?

[@ADub-Bub]

Sorry I have not had to deal with that problem. I've always been fortunate to find spare pieces. What I haven't collected from my own parts cars and race projects, I can usually get from mr2mk1toyotaspares.com or eBay. Depending on the piece I might try to sand the scratch out.

[@gf8_wagon2]

was trying to install a radio for the aw11 and i was having issues. I havea 1985 and every site says the ground is brown and a 12+ is gray, I dont have either of thtese wires. Any tips?

[@ADub-Bub]

An electrical probe tool would help solve such mysteries. Off the top of my head I came recall.

[@Mexxboy]

Any tips on where to find blue interior pieces?

[@ADub-Bub]

Sorry but everything on the cars is getting harder to find. The blue interior was fairly common but many seem to prefer converting to black. There are interior plastic paint products that may work. In fact some of the factory parts were painted blue by Toyota.

[@toslickj3423]

Do you think you can put a led gauge on a mark1 mr2? I recently got an mr2 in unreal good condition

[@ADub-Bub]

Do you mean LED backlit gauges, or a digital gauge cluster? I believe I've seen LED backlit gauge clusters documented on some of the old forums. Dig into MR2OC.com and MR2.com.

[@toslickj3423]

Larry Sanders okay thank you so I’m 16 and just got an mr2 I think backlit gauges would be so cool

[@ADub-Bub]

@@toslickj3423 if your car is in good condition, be careful! Uncracked cluster trim is really rare. The plastic pieces are delicate and have hidden fasteners. Try to get a good look at some removed pieces to note all the attachment points before you pull yours apart.

[@toslickj3423]

Larry Sanders the car is in awesome condition no cracks in the interior , is it better just to replace the stock bulbs and replace them with led bulbs , or get an led gauge I’m a little new so I might be talking about the same thing here but .?just making sure we’re both talking about the 1987 mr2

[@ericdata1]

how did you fix the clips for the shifter boot?

[@ADub-Bub]

I did not have to repair those clips. I was lucky and the original was not broken. I don't think it would be too difficult though to fabricate some from scrap plastic and glue them in. I've also seen some promising plastic welding tools.

[@retrotimes8540]

You can still get OEM AW11 Shift knobs from Toyota?

[@ADub-Bub]

I would be very surprised.

[@unclegosha7304]

I've seen reproduction shift knobs from twosrus

[@retrotimes8540]

@@unclegosha7304 They only reproduce the second gen Mr2.

[@garypeters2013]

where did you get the shifter boot

[@ADub-Bub]

Ebay seller J-F-Customs. I had them send me samples and selected the darkest blue they offered. Sorry don't recall the color code. I was pleased with value.

[@ADub-Bub]

Thanks for reminding me!

[@efrainchavez294]

Awesome how many Toyota mr2 you have brother ?

[@ADub-Bub]

Too many! AW11: -This 87 20 valve -88 supercharged race car -86 in the project queue -87 parts donor ready for scrap AE82: -87 FX swap current project -88 Nova Twin Cam in the project queue AE92: -90 JDM FXGT -91 Prizm GSI in the project queue Other: -05 Tundra -05 Vibe GT (Matrix)

[@efrainchavez294]

Larry Sanders man that’s a lot how you get the parts for these toys because I can’t get any I have 89 Toyota mer2 I need a lot of part interior and exterior can you help me out ? Thanks awesome video keep up brother,

[@ADub-Bub]

@@efrainchavez294 Sorry. Usually I only sell locally, and I'm not sure what I'll need for my next project. The sudden popularity of these cars is a challenge, but hopefully will improve aftermarket options. Just be glad you're not working on an AE82. Much more challenging.

[@efrainchavez294]

Larry Sanders ok to bad for me I’m from Guatemala City. Anyways I appreciate you time I will look around good look with your new project thanks again

[@ADub-Bub]

@@efrainchavez294 Do they have the AE92 3 door hatch in Guatemala? I'd trade some parts. My 1990 JDM FX GT is the only one in the US so any parts I need have to come from other countries.

[@toddk4115]

? Would you sell this car? I lost mine in 2022 due to a rear ending. Had it since 1994, the poof, gone. same color . Looking for one in 8E3 again. :) thanks!

[@ADub-Bub]

Really sorry to hear. That's tragic. Sorry but this one is not for sale. I love it and will keep it as long as I'm able to drive. Best of luck in your search.

[@toddk4115]

Completely understand. Thank you and please let us know what happened to that white low mileage MK1A you had/have. ? @@ADub-Bub