Oh happy day!

If you could see me now, I'd be doing a jig. (Ashley knows what the dance looks like).

This is the best news I've got thus far:

I went in to check out my speedometer problem. I don't think I've mentioned the details, but about four years ago my speedometer and odometer stopped working. I took it in to get looked at, and Tom said that the speedometer cable had snapped (cost: $235 w/ labor). He also mentioned that the gear that enters the transmission might be faulty (take to Toyota dealer = $$$). Because of that, I didn't get it fixed and eventually let my inspection and registration run out.

Fast forward to today. After some web browsing, I found out where the speedometer cable is located. Instead of it being in front of the engine like I guessed, it was on the other end, easily accessible from above. I saw where the cable had snapped, and where it enters the transmission.

I said to myself, "Self, how am I going to find out if the gear works before I pay to have the transmission cracked open?"

I tried twisting it with pliers, no luck.

Then, the 20-watt lightbulb in my head went off. "Self, why don't you start the car and put it in gear? If the exposed part spins, then it works!"

And sure enough, I was successful.

Basically, this epiphany will save me between $200 and $500 dollars in expected costs. I can buy a new cable for around $50 and install it myself in a few hours. And problem solved.

This was the biggest issue I was going to face with my restoration, and it was solved in a few seconds. I feel good!

UPDATE: I'm bidding on a used cable from an '89. Let's hope I win!