UZZ32 Information: Difference between revisions

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==Introduction==
[[File:Press Release (preview screenshot).jpg|thumb|link=:file:Toyota_press_release_1991-05-07.pdf|Toyota's 1991 press-release about the then-new Soarer]]
The UZZ32 "active" Soarer, produced by Toyota for the Japanese market from 1991 to 1996, features [[UZZ32 Suspension | computer-controlled hydraulic suspension]] and [[Rear Steering | active four-wheel steering]].


The UZZ32 "active" Soarer is a variant of the Toyota Soarer, produced for the Japanese domestic market from 1991 to 1996.
In other regards, the UZZ32 model shares many similarities with the other Toyota V8 Soarers (UZZ30 and UZZ31 models), as well as the left-hand drive Lexus SC400 of the era.


Although the UZZ32 model shares many similarities with the other Toyota V8 Soarers (UZZ30 and UZZ31 models), as well as the left-hand drive Lexus SC400 of the era, the UZZ32  contains a number of unique features including an advanced, computer-controlled hydraulic suspension as well as four-wheel steering.
[[media:Toyota press release 1991-05-07.pdf | Toyota’s 1991 press release ]] provides an introductory overview, while this [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bziJVnnLlaE video shows a walk-around of a nice example].


==  How common are they?==
==  How common are they?==
As only 873 UZZ32 Soarers were produced over some six years, these vehicles are now becoming increasingly rare.
As no more than 872 UZZ32 Soarers were produced over some six years, these vehicles are now becoming increasingly rare.


== Where are they found?==
== What is the build number? ==
Of the "known" vehicles, the majority are located in Australia and Great Britain, with others appearing in eg New Zealand as well as their native Japan.
To determine the "build number", just check the [[Build Plate]], where the last three digits of the Frame Number (which should start with UZZ32) will be a number in the range 001 to 872. The build number can also be used to [[UZZ32 Manufacturing Dates|look up the year and month of manufacture]].
Since these vehicles were only produced in right-hand-drive form, they are generally not found in North America or Europe, though there are exceptions, including at least one vehicle in Norway.


Many of the 873 vehicles are "yet to be located", while others are known to have been wrecked and/or dismantled.
[[file:buildplate.jpg|thumb|UZZ32 build plate|link=Build Plate]]


== How to recognise one? ==
== How to recognize a UZZ32 active Soarer ==


The UZZ32 "active" Soarers are externally (and internally) similar to the more common base models and can thus be difficult to distinguish.  
The UZZ32 active Soarer looks, externally and internally, very similar to other Soarers, though there are clues for [[How to recognize a UZZ32 active Soarer]].


Depending on the circumstances of the sighting and information available (eg chassis number, view or photos of the vehicle), look for:
== Where are they found?==
 
Of the "known" vehicles, the majority are located in Australia and Great Britain, with others appearing in eg New Zealand as well as their native Japan.
* a Toyota chassis number starting with UZZ32-xxxx
Since these vehicles were only produced in right-hand-drive form, they are generally not found in North America or (continental) Europe, though there are exceptions, including at least one vehicle in Norway and one in Canada.
* distinctive "concertina" suspension strut covers with "active" logo visible in the engine bay
* four-wheel steering (steering rack visible underneath the vehicle, or rear wheels angling slightly when front wheels fully turned at low speed)
* hydraulic suspension components visible in the wheel well areas
* configuration of switches, ie switch, blank, switch in front of the automatic gear selector
* dash cluster showing "active high"' status light (when suspension is in high mode)
* dash including "active suspension" during the power-on self-test (or when manually pressing the 'scroll' button)
   
Less conclusive, but circumstantial evidence can also be used to help ascertain that the vehicle is likely, but may not be, an "active":
 
* on the track (ie virtually no leaning under heavy cornering / braking / acceleration
* weight: the "active" is the heaviest Soarer of them all at ???? Kg
* presence of expensive options (eg the "factory" reversing camera) may increase the chance that it is a UZZ32, because someone ordering the top-of-the-range model may be more likely (financially and psychologically) to tick the options box when purchasing their new vehicle
* if the active suspension is in need of maintenance, the suspension may - at one or more corners - gradually sag when parked
* if the suspension is in need of maintenance, the vehicle may also exhibit "bounce", typically during low-speed cornering on a bumpy surface
 
Conversely, certain options were not available on the "active" Soarers.For example:
 
* the factory-fitted dunroof was not available until ???? meaning that, eg an early 91 model with a Toyota sunroof is unlikely to be an active
* the presence of side skirts, a front grill, or late-model (97+) tail lights or rear spoiler would (unless retro-fitted as an upgrade) indicate a '97 or later model, by which time the UZZ32 was no longer being manifactured.
 
It must also be remembered that a number of UZZ32 Soarers have had the suspension replaced by more conventional ones.
 
==Production Timeline==
 
The vast majority of active Soarers was produced in1991 and 1992, with production quickly tapering off over the following years.
 
Add:
 
* chassis numbers table
* features change timeline
* optional features table, including date/month/build number where eg sunroofs where introduced
 
==Build plate decoding ==
- sequence number
- colour code (internal and external)
- driveline code
==Vehicle and/or owner's register==
- summary table (with columns in the table for key factors?) of which cars are 'known' - [[Vehicles]]
- individual pages per-car
 
People


==Registered users / editors pages==
Many of the 872 vehicles are "yet to be located", while others are known to have been wrecked and/or dismantled.
==Hall of fame - 3rd parties==
The [[UZZ32 Registry]] is used to capture details, including eg locations and specifications of the known vehicles.
- rob hayden
As of {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, the [[UZZ32 Registry]] (which was last updated on {{REVISIONYEAR:UZZ32 Registry}}-{{REVISIONMONTH:UZZ32 Registry}}-{{REVISIONDAY:UZZ32 Registry}}) contains details of approximately {{PAGESINCATEGORY:UZZ32 count}} UZZ32 Soarers.
- vlamos
  - smiffie
- neal
- niall
- peter taplin
- planetsoarer
- darren (hinges
- electronics


==Buying==
== UZZ32 Features ==
- source
- prices
- things to check
  - is it (still) an active
  - suspension test
  - 4ws test


==Cost of ownership==
[[file:seethrough.jpg|thumb]]
- Pros & Cons
    - low purchase price, but 20 years old
- tecnical complexity
- potential difficulty in finding parts (and thus cost)
- fuel consumption
==Servicing==
- workshops (by location?)
  - niall
  - neal
  - smiffie
- service manuals
  - Lexus SC400
  - Soarer 'bible' CD 
  - Wiring diagram
  - spare parts manual (online or cd)
- DIAGNOSTICS


==- diY==
The UZZ32 has many impressive [[UZZ32 Features#Standard Features|standard features]] including [[Active Suspension | active suspension]] and [[ Rear Steering | 4WS]] as well as a number of manufacturer's [[UZZ32_Features#Optional Features|optional features]] including eg [[Reversing Camera]], Sunroof, [[LSD]]. Some of these features (eg the sunroof) were not available on initial release, whereas others (eg the second windscreen washer bottle) were removed over time.
- SUSPENSION STRUTS
  - TOP HALF
  - BOTTOM (ACCUMULATORS)
- SUSPENSION PUMP
- ELECTRONICS
- SENSORS
  - g-SENSORS
  - HEIGHT SENSORS
- 4WS STEERING 
- deactivating an active soarer
- reasons for and against
- process
- leftover parts
- parts sourcing
    - castle hill toyota
    - amayama
    - lexus / toyota US (eg Carsons)
Savage yahoo auctions
- spare parts cd


==User community ==
== Maintenance & Repairs ==
- clubs
Although Toyota designed the UZZ32 to high quality standards, [[UZZ32 Maintenance and Repair]] is still necessary. Like any motor vehicle, they require [[UZZ32 Maintenance and Repair#Basic Servicing|basic regular servicing]] (including items such as, eg, new oil and oil filter). There are also [[UZZ32 Maintenance and Repair#'Generic' Soarer Servicing|service tasks that are more specific to Soarers in general]] (including sagging door hinges on older vehicles). Finally, there are [[UZZ32 Maintenance and Repair#UZZ32 specific service items|service items that apply only to the UZZ32 Soarer]] (eg the suspension pump etc). Non-standard "improvements" by previous owners may also need to be re-visited.
- External websites that may be of interest
    - alsc
    - soarercentral
    - planetsoarer
  - events


== - for sale and wanted==
Knowledge of the meaning of the various [[Soarer_Dash_Warning_Messages|(Japanese) warning messages on the dash]], as well as [[System Diagnostics|how to perform system diagnostics]] and [[Error Codes|decode the various error codes]] is also highly recommended.
  - parts
  - cars

Latest revision as of 10:56, 18 May 2023

Toyota's 1991 press-release about the then-new Soarer

The UZZ32 "active" Soarer, produced by Toyota for the Japanese market from 1991 to 1996, features computer-controlled hydraulic suspension and active four-wheel steering.

In other regards, the UZZ32 model shares many similarities with the other Toyota V8 Soarers (UZZ30 and UZZ31 models), as well as the left-hand drive Lexus SC400 of the era.

Toyota’s 1991 press release provides an introductory overview, while this video shows a walk-around of a nice example.

How common are they?

As no more than 872 UZZ32 Soarers were produced over some six years, these vehicles are now becoming increasingly rare.

What is the build number?

To determine the "build number", just check the Build Plate, where the last three digits of the Frame Number (which should start with UZZ32) will be a number in the range 001 to 872. The build number can also be used to look up the year and month of manufacture.

UZZ32 build plate

How to recognize a UZZ32 active Soarer

The UZZ32 active Soarer looks, externally and internally, very similar to other Soarers, though there are clues for How to recognize a UZZ32 active Soarer.

Where are they found?

Of the "known" vehicles, the majority are located in Australia and Great Britain, with others appearing in eg New Zealand as well as their native Japan. Since these vehicles were only produced in right-hand-drive form, they are generally not found in North America or (continental) Europe, though there are exceptions, including at least one vehicle in Norway and one in Canada.

Many of the 872 vehicles are "yet to be located", while others are known to have been wrecked and/or dismantled. The UZZ32 Registry is used to capture details, including eg locations and specifications of the known vehicles. As of April 2025, the UZZ32 Registry (which was last updated on 2023-11-7) contains details of approximately 176 UZZ32 Soarers.

UZZ32 Features

Seethrough.jpg

The UZZ32 has many impressive standard features including active suspension and 4WS as well as a number of manufacturer's optional features including eg Reversing Camera, Sunroof, LSD. Some of these features (eg the sunroof) were not available on initial release, whereas others (eg the second windscreen washer bottle) were removed over time.

Maintenance & Repairs

Although Toyota designed the UZZ32 to high quality standards, UZZ32 Maintenance and Repair is still necessary. Like any motor vehicle, they require basic regular servicing (including items such as, eg, new oil and oil filter). There are also service tasks that are more specific to Soarers in general (including sagging door hinges on older vehicles). Finally, there are service items that apply only to the UZZ32 Soarer (eg the suspension pump etc). Non-standard "improvements" by previous owners may also need to be re-visited.

Knowledge of the meaning of the various (Japanese) warning messages on the dash, as well as how to perform system diagnostics and decode the various error codes is also highly recommended.

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