adding a wing to an '86
 

I (luckily) found an '88 at a junkyard with a fully functional hatch (with a wing). Will it be easier swapping the hatch than adding the wing (if the hatches are retrofittable without mods)? What about cost-wise?

the wing will be cheaper then the hatch with wing. Might be easier to just swap hatches though... I'd put an 89+ wing on though, I wouldn't throw money out the window on a 1 peice wing. I'd go 89+ or wingless with a sunshade, but thats just me.

Hello,

I dont know anything about the install of a one piece wing. But I cant imagine it is not that hard to install. I did both the hatch and a three piece spoiler install on my 89 along with about every other piece of sheet metal. I can tell you the spoiler install is way easier than the hatch. You need two people for the hatch. It is bolts with alot of adjusting to make it look right. The 89+ 3 piece spoiler was real easy. I bought it off of ebay for $85.00!!!! I am assuming the one piece is similar. Their are bolts/studs coming out of the bottom of the spoiler. If you pull the plastic trim on the inside of the hatch and center the spolier you will see how it all lines up. I centered the spoiler and marked around the little bolt/studs with a pencil, made sure it worked on the back side of the hatch and drilled the holes. I then drilled a hole for my spoiler brake light and everything was good. The sides in the three piece were a little harder I had to go to toyota to buy the little plugs that have to be put into the side of the car. They are what hold the side pices on. Oh almost forgot. On the ends of the side pieces and the spoiler their are screw holes. I drilled the holes and bought sheet metal screws. But overall it is just a matter of lining things up and drilling holes. So in my opinion if your hatch is fine, just add the spoiler. If you want to keep your car stock looking and year specific put on the one piece. But I think nate is right the three piece looks better and its not a hard install.
Good luck!!!!
Da soup

The one thing you might consider with the wing is the extra weight on the hatch. I am not sure if the struts are different for one without the wing and with one, but if they are get the struts too. It is a bitch to have to keep holding the hatch when you are putting stuff in the back.


Russ

Wing=8lbs? If that is enough to make your hatch struts fail, then you struts are already dog poop. Doesn't everyone have a supra stick for the hood and the hatch anyway??

lol. Thats just sooo funny, and true. I have a hood stick. I love my hood stick, it fits perfect, except for when you knock it and cop a belt on the back of the head, but, i would'nt swap my hood stick for anything. Its a bamboo stake used for tying up plants. It molds well to the holes under the hood and holds better than a harder wood of the same size.
A thread needs to be started about hood sticks. Its a science that few can master. :D

Here's a few pics. of my hood stick. I even tac welded a holder onto one of the uprights of the car port. Its the ultimate setup.