← Good

← Better!

I rented a U-haul one day to take a closer look at the 1 ton front end. Originally it seemed like the front rotors had adapters for the large 6 bolt wheels, but closer inspection revealed the rotors are specially made.

Using AutoCAD I modeled a couple of possible designs for a front wheel adapter. With the hub taking up most of the space inside the lug nut area, it’s almost impossible to use a sleeve like the first design. The second plan was to use a larger hub with the 4×4 lugs inside the sleeve. Of course there are many other unanswered issues such as centering and balancing tolerances, additional weight and stress added to the outside of the axle hubs, and if steel is overkill or would aluminum be strong enough?

It would be nice to take a set of original 1 ton front rotors and have them machined out to fit the ½ ton 4×4 axle hubs, but that seems like a difficult task at best.

It’s still unclear how to best mount the 1 ton wheels to the 4×4 front axle. Surely this has been done somewhere before. If anyone has any ideas or seen this before please leave a comment for this article.

 This 1991 Toyota Dolphin is in good shape and ready to go. This is a solid, turn-key condition V6/Auto 1-ton   V-6 with electronic fuel injected gasoline engine. Dash air-conditioner. Casette player with AM/FM Stereo. Automatic transmission with cooler and overdrive.

DOLPHIN FEATURES

Model: 21′6″
Metal roof
Nice Blue/tan interior, medium oak woodgrain cabinets
Roof A/C
4-burner stove top
Oven
Microwave
Upper bunk with removable section
Water heater: 6 gallon
Propane tank: Horizontal, with gauge
Fresh water: 16 gallons
Dual holding tanks: 12 gallons each
16,000 BTU heater
Monitor panel with battery, water, and holding tanks levels
Full 70″ wide couch that folds down into bed
Booth dinette, folds down for sleeping position
Exhaust hood with light & fan
Lots of kitchen and upper cabinet storage
Privacy curtains and/or blinds on all windows
Bathroom with toilet, shower, sink, & storage cabinets
Clothes closet

Glossy paint on cab that looks to be original is truly nice. Stripes in good shape for age and show some minor age. Perfect windshield. Camper sides and back show very nice and straight. Rear storage compartment. Rear roof ladder, outside water outlet, direct pressure water hose inlet, cable TV/phone, 110AC to 12DC Converter/Battery Charger, new deep cycle house battery, heavy-duty 25’ cord, roof-mounted 11KBTU a/c unit, newer 3 roof AirMaxx protector for all three roof opening hatches roof checked and sealed with proper RV roof seal. Optional equipment on RV: 11KBTU roof air conditioner, cab air conditioning, AM/FM stereo CD with cab and coach speakers and propane tank, 5 gallon water heater, TV antenna, factory original seats are excellent with no issues!

Click on the Ebay link for more information and more pictures than you could ever want to see!

Here is a 1986 Toyota Dolphin currently for sale on Ebay.  It has 82,982 miles on it with a 22R-E (fuel injected) engine and automatic transmission with OD. New head gasket at 78,500 miles. Brakes, stove, waterheater, toilet, shower, fresh water pump, cold rear A/C and rear suspension airshocks are all in good shape. Holding tanks (water, grey and black) have no leaks.
Tires were new when the current owners bought the  RV (aprox 5,000 miles ago) Rear HD axle and 2 new spares.

Some of the good:
Complete new exhaust system May ‘09
New skylight above bed.
Refrigerator is electric only .
The two rear captain seats have seat belts.
Sleeps 4 people. Optional dining table .
New blinds in kitchen and bathroom.
Lots of storage space.
Magnifier in rear window.

Some of the bad:
Exterior decals have seen better days. .
A/C in cab does not run cold.
Radio/Casette works but with static.

Ok what we have here is a 1988 Toyota Sunrader RV motorhome up for sale on Ebay. I took the time to read the entire auction content, because, well that’s what it says first. I find it interesting, and it incites me to write because I just wonder what some people think. This is the second time around for the sale of this item, and there’s a feedback issue, and it boils down to the last set of statements:

The current title is signed over to me by the previous owner on the title, which is how title is transferred in California. But because we did not complete the process in California, the state did not issue me a new title in my name. Last year I sold a boat to a buyer in Nevada with a title that had been signed over to me, but never transferred into my name just like this title. The buyer never reported any problems to me. Also, be aware that some states require a notarized signature to transfer title (California does not). Please do your homework in your own state before bidding.

Is that a dare? Really? I mean do I understand this as I am doing something illegal and if I tell you up front that I am doing something illegal then you are now responsible for my wrong doings. The more I read the less sense it makes:

 This has been a great RV for my wife and I. We bought it in 2004. We had many great vacations in it to the coast, the local mountains, and to Yosemite

Ah, ok so doing my homework, this truck has been on many trips and still has less than 42K miles on it, yet it was never titled in the current owner’s name? How do you get away with this for 5 years. And by the way, selling a boat is way different than selling a motor vehicle, in case that’s not easily understood. Now, here’s the one that makes my blood boil:

We have gotten 22-24mpg on trips. The original owner reported getting 25+ mpg

I see this so often with Ebay listings. I’ve done my homework here: realistically Toyota motorhomes get about 16-17 mpg. That’s usually the 4cyl with manual trans. What we have here is a V6 automatic. Really? 25+ mpg? I would love to have anyone out there leave a comment if you are getting more than 25 mpg with your Toyota motorhome.

I’d like to side with the seller on this, because I generally believe that people have good intentions. But I can’t based on what I read by the seller’s own admissions. The feedback left by the previous bidder:

WORTHLESS TITLE !! - HAD CALIFORNIA DMV RUN VIN TWICE - ILLEGAL SALE - BEWARE !! 

Sadly the seller’s response was that the buyer fraudulently marked as paid (doesn’t the seller do that?) and now the next buyer will have to pay any additional fees owed to the state before transfer of ownership can be completed.

As always, click the link at the top of the page for more info, but bidding is not recommended on this as it does not appear to be one of the greatestdeals :(

Here is a 1987  Toyota, one of a kind Custom Cab Dually for sale on Ebay. As near as I can tell it is 2wd, but still very cool. The owner’s description reads: 22RE,38K on engine.New T3/T4 turbo,front mount intercooler,external wastegate+bov,JE 8;1 forged pistons. SDS programmable engine management system. Dyno tested ,215 HP @20 psi and 185 HP @ 10 PSI [have dyno printout].3K on tranny rebuild and clutch with kevlardisk[have Centerforce 2 pressure plate in box].3 core radiator, Flexlite fan. Dashtop mounted gauges, full set mounted snows. runs strong and looks great. Exceptionally well maintained.  WA. emissions legal [dec 07], factory manuals.2 owner [last 20 years],crimson red with maroon int.

Click on the link at the top to bid. Probably never see another one like this.

Here is a nice Toyota motorhome for sale on Ebay. This is the Sunrader model with a V6 engine and automatic transmission. At 21′ this motorhome is just big enough to be comfortable, but not too cumbersome to handle in traffic. With a 1990 model one would expect it has the full floater one ton axle at the rear. It also has new tires all around. With only 40,400 miles there is a lot of life left in this RV and the owner(s) have obviously taken excellent care of it. It does not appear to have a generator, but does have working roof and dash air conditioning- a must for the west coast! The awning provides a cool shady spot to sit when parked.

For whatever reason the owner removed the cook stove, but otherwise this RV appear to be in great condition. The pictures speak for themselves or click the link at the top of the post for more information.

Another type of  Toyota motorhome called Seabreeze is for sale on Ebay. It appears to be in outstanding condition and has only 30K miles on it.  The Seabreeze, manufactured by National RV,  is considered to be top of the line in luxury motorhomes due to the superior construction, quality, and versatility. The RV measures jsut 21′ from bumper to bumper and is large enough for comfort, yet will fit nicely into a standard parking spot.

This Seabreeze is powered by a Toyota V6 fuel injected engine and is on a true one-ton chassis with 6 lug wheels all around. It is equipped with an ECT (electronically controlled transmission) that allows you with a push of a button to have more power when driving in the mountains and is also equipped with the overdrive option for extra fuel savings.

Another very desirable feature of the Seabreeze is the Onan 2.8 Mircolite GenSet generator. With the flick of a switch in the galley, the generator starts and powers the A/C, microwave and all your appliances. So, you can park wherever you want without the need to plug in, and still have everything needed for comfort. Even when the generator is not running, the Seabreeze is equipped with a deep cycle marine battery that runs all of the coach lights, water pump, furnace and fans. However, when plug-in’s are available, it has full hook up capacity with a built in power converter.This Seabreeze also comes with an easy roll out awning for shade.

Cab & Chassis

EFI 3.0 V6 Fuel-Injected Toyota Engine w/ Overdrive
Automatic Transmission w/ ECT Power Button
Roof A/C
Cruise Control
Tilt Wheel w/Power Steering 
1 Ton Chassis (6 lug nuts all around)
Power Brakes
Power Steering
Newer Tires (All tires are interchangeable)
Air Ride Suspension
17.2 Gallon Fuel Tank
Cassette AM/FM Stereo

Galley

Wedgewood Range
Range Hood Cover w/Fan & Light
2-way LPG Gas/Electric 4 CU. Ft. Refrigerator & Freezer
Stainless Steel Double Sink
Mini-Blinds Throughout
Self-Containment

Onan 2.8 Microlite GenSet Generator (59 hours!)
Fresh Water (17 gal)Grey/Black Water (15 gal) Holding Tanks
16,000 BTU Forced Air Furnace w/ Thermostat
Dual Batteries w/Automatic Charger
Systems Monitor Panel
Demand Water Pump
Marine Flush Toilet
Deep Cycle Marine Battery
(Self-Igniting) Hot Water Heater
Cable TV Hook Up with Power Boost
Winegard TV Antenna
Fire Extinguisher

Dimensions 

Cab Over Bed - 48“ X 80“
Couch Bed - 43“ X 68“
Dinette Bed - 30“ X 70“
Interior Height 72“
Exterior Height 8’ 7”
Exterior Width 81“
Exterior Length 21′

Bed Dimensions:
Upper Bunk: 6′-2″ x 4′-0″
Dinette Bed: 5′-10″ x 3′-8″Ceiling Height Measured at the low cushion that runs down the center: 6′-1″ at back; 5′-11″ forward. Outside Dimensions:
Length, bumper tip-to-tip 17′-6″
Height: 8′-3″ to top of roof
Height: 8′-7″ to top of roof vent
Width: 7′-8″ max at the rear

The only online reference I could find for these motorhomes is Ron’s page for the sale of his Mirage. This page represents an excellent example of a well kept vehicle and an impressive record of documentation.

Sadly, Toyota stopped providing cab-chassis trucks to motorhome makers in 1993. The obvious reason is that Toyota had liability concerns about the motorhomes (and their under-informed owners) overloading the chassis. All C&Cs produced from 1979 through 1983, had the rear axle and rear brakes of a standard pick-up truck. Motor homes using Toyota and other brand C&Cs were equipped with an unusual dual rear wheel where the outer wheel bolted to the inner wheel. The inner wheel bolted to the rear hub with 5 lugs. This design was later determined to be dangerous where a pair of wheels could fall off due to loosening lugs, or broken lug stems.

By 1987 Toyota started providing “full floater” axles under their C&C trucks. A recall also provided previous owners a chance to update their motorhomes to the heavy duty axle. Such was the case for Ron’s Mirage. Upon request Toyota provided a new rear axle setup. After the update was complete he found the RV to ride and handle like never before without the concern of overloading or high crosswinds or semi-truck passing.

Although the era of the “mini” “micro-mini” motorhome has come and gone, there are still many fine examples of the older Toyota based RVs out there on Ebay, craigslist, or even an occasional roadside find.

“Oh what a feeling, Toyota” has to be mine, maybe because it’s the first one I remember. Seems this slogan has gone to the birds. Updated link

The best built cars in the world. Yes! But what about trucks?

“What will you do with all the money you save?” Toyota. Buy a set of custom rims

“Hey Toyota, you’re terrific!” - Toyota.

Bugger didn’t make the official list

Everything keeps going right Great for trips around the block.

Think you’re tough enough to drive a Tacoma? Ummm no.

Loch Ness Monster even prefers a Toyota.

This has to be my favorite. Did you know that Hiluxs are unbreakable? Crikey!

I love what you do for me - Toyota! Awww group hug!

I’m sure that I missed a few. Leave a comment with yours.