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I just uploaded a YouTube video of the compression test I did last weekend. Compression test is a good indicator of the health of the valves and pistons and rings. http://youtu.be/TeZ9iFRHRx8 I bought a cheap Compression test gauge from Harbor Freight, $20 on sale. 1) Get the engine up to operating temperature. 2) Remove the Mass flow sensor plug and the Distributor plug. This will prevent gas or ignition from happening. 3) Remove all 4 spark plugs. 4) Use the correct adapter on the gauge and screw the gauge into Spark plug hole #1, hand tight. 5) You MUST hold the throttle wide open, Gas pedal to the floor. 6) Crank the engine 6-8 times to get max reading (If your phone can video tape this, that a good idea so you can review whats happening.) Write the reading down, then repeat the procedure for the other cylinders. Readings should be between 120 - 200. All four cylinders need to be reasonably close, I believe the Toyota people say 15 psi. My readings were 170, 170, 170, and 165. These are very good Readings like 170, 165, 170, 120 would be bad (the 120) HINT - If the readings look bad, low, or you have a low cylinder, Do the following to help identify where the problem might be. Do this with each cylinder one at a time 1) Take a compression reading, then immediately put a couple tablespoons of oil in the cylinder. I use a soda straw in 5w30 oil, dip the straw in a Qt of oil, plug the end with your finger, then quickly put the end of the straw in the spark plug hole and take your fnger off the end, the oil will drain into the cylinder. do this twice. 2) Reconnect the compression guage and take another reading. Do this with all four cylinders. Generally, if the readings improve significantly with the oil, this is a sign of bad rings. if the readings do not improve, this is a sign of bad valves. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale)

I believe you need to drop the tranny pan. Download the 88 model FSM. It should be close. This is a large file (88Meg) so be patient. Look at the Automatic Transmission section, it tells how to replace the cable. http://iflyez.com/DOWNLOAD/88_TOYOTA_TRUCK_Service_Manual.pdf John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale)

I've thought of modifying the existing tank compartment, make it about 12 inches taller, and mount two BBQ tanks in there with an auto changeover regulator. One of the projects on the list that never got done. As for mounting them on the back. Why not, I guess. get a good cover and make sure whatever they are mounted to will support the weight. I don't worry about someone hitting the back, they'll do a lot of damage anyway, the only problem is, you'll probably add fire to the equation. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale)

Linda. I have a noise that just started and just wanted to check the level. Sounds like a U-joint or bad bearing in the rear end. I'll pull it into the pole barn this weekend and climb under there and take a better look. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale)

I just towed mine 700 miles. Rented a U-Haul 14 ft truck and a dolly. Tell them you are towing a Toyota Pickup, extended cab (Well, its kinda true). It towed very nicly, did 65 and stayed with traffic. Just be careful on gas stops, make wide turns, and don't get trapped somewhere that you'll need to back out of. I installed a flat four prong plug for the Motor-homes running lights and turn signals. Took about 45 minutes to do that. Mine has two driveshafts, I just removed the aft driveshaft, (14mm wrenches) The only thing I wiashed I had done, use a piece of chalk or crayon or marker, and mark the shaft front and rear, and put a couple alignment marks so when I put the drive shaft back on, I could install it exactly wher it cam off of. As it is, the aft shaft can be installed either way (front and back flanges are identical) Probably not big deal. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale)

24mm. I went to Harbor Freight and bought a cheap set of the black impact driver sockets. Had to use a long breaker bar to get the nut to break loose. I topped it off with 80w90. it only took about 1/2 cup, if that much John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale0

A couple things to look at; If you have the A43D tranny (3 speed with OD) 1) Make sure the fluid level is OK (Start truck, shift it into all gears for a few seconds each, then in park, leave truck running, check fluid level. 2) Look at shift throttle cable (see PDF file) make sure its adjusted correctly. 3) Climb under the truck, where the drive shaft enters the rear of the tranny, wiggle the drive shaft back and forth (put the truck in neutral, chock the tires so it won't roll). There should be almost zero play, and there shouldn't be any fluid leaking. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale) 88_TOYOTA_ATF.pdf

Paul, I have the small Mr Buddy (3,000 / 9,000 btu) On 9,000 it does a good job of keeping the coach warm, even down to zero. I bought a roll of that insulation that looks like aluminized bubble wrap, and made covers for all my windows, roof vents, including the driver and passenger doors, and the windshield. It only takes a minute to put these covers in place when I stop for the night (winter or summer) and these seem to help a lot. (Also make it darker inside). I have a lot of frost on the windows when I wake up. Leave one of the roof vents open 1/2 inch, Be vary careful where you set the heater, make sure nothing can fall on it. I set the furnace at 55, make sure that it does not blow against the Mr Buddy. Buy a Carbon Monozide alarm, get the kind that has a digital readout, they are about $20 - $25. Test it before your trip to make sure it sounds. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale)

GREAT - Looks like yours is a little different, Look thru that book you have and see if there is a test jumper for the fuel pump. The fuel pump jumper (or the ability to turn the fuel pump on and bypass all the control stuff) will save a lot of time in troubleshooting. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (For Sale)

You should have this same connector. It may be on the drivers side fender. Look around in front of the grill area also. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (for sale)

Look around, its there. You may not recognize it with the little cover closed. Mine is behind the fuse panel on the passenger side fender. Look carefully, the cover is closed Pop the cover open and this is what it looks like. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (for sale)

We bought the unit 3 years ago specifically to drive to Alaska. It made it all the way to Prudhoe Bay (Deadhorse, Arctic Ocean). Its since made several trips across the United States. http://iflyez.com/alaska/ We're looking for more room, probably a 10 year old 30-35 ft Bounder. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto (for sale)

This is the same connector you use for the fuel jumper. http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-53.htm It should be on the passenger side fender, near that fuse box John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

Mine is bolted to the passenger side door pillar frame, Had to remove the speaker (to the right of the glove box) to get to it. Using the fuel pump test jumper will help in troubleshooting vs buying stuff you may not need. John

Sorry to announce that I'm selling the Dolphin - I'll be upgrading to a larger unit. First $6500 grabs it, I can deliver for costs. http://www.toyotamotorhome.org/classifieds/listing/2030/988_Dolphin__Latest_upgrades_on_all_systems.html I'll give people on this list first shot, and in a couple weeks 'll put it up on e-bay. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

Sorry, can't help you with that one... Any idea who the make or model is? The only other generic problem would be to check you brake switch. Make sure your brakes lights do work ok. ALSO - Some of the aftermarket CCs used a magnet on the drive shaft, and had a sensor mounted on the tranny tail shaft to sense the magnet. You might climb under the truck with a flashlight and see if you see anything like that. Look along the length of the drive shaft. Usually the magnet is about the size of a nickle and uses a wire or strap to hold it on the driveshaft. The sensor needs to be withing an 1/8 of the magnet when the driveshaft rotates. While your under there see if you can wiggle the drive-shaft where it goes into the tranny tailhousing. It shouldn't wiggle (no side to side play) John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

Need photo of servo (the thing that moves the gas pedal). Top off brake fluid. this will cause the CC to not engage. ALSO when you say it won't "turn on" what is your indication that it isn't turning on. i.e. light or not working, JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

Take a photo of the servo unit so people can see what the model is. Does you Emer Brake light come on when you pull the brake? The Emer brake light will keep the cruise control from energizing. ALSO - Check the brake fluid, it will cause this also. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

Light trailer or car, possible. Look at the hitch on your toyhouse, make sure its strong and reinforced to the main frame. Maybe go to a third party trailer hitch shop and let them look at it and tell them what you want to do. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

Very nice. Mines Next?? JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

Zach, It should work... Do a good drain and blow out the lines. I do the antifreeze as additional insurance. In the spring, I watch the sales and can usually buy the RV antifeeeze for $1.99 a gallon. good time to buy 4 or 5 gallons. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

follow the center wire from your distributor. its on the drivers side fender. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto

Looks gud. From your description, it could be the cutoff relay. Again, if it fails and will not start, open the hood real quick, install the trusty paperclip jumper and see if it starts. Play with this before hand so you know where to put the jumper. . As for fuel pressure, there is nowhere to test it. I would recommend to anyone who has the fuel rail removed, drill a hole in the front of the rail and tap it for 1/8 pipe thread. Then install a plug or buy a shrader valve or fitting and screw it into the hole. This will allow you to hook up a pressure gauge or test fixture at a future date. John mc

I live in Ohio, we will see -10 to -20. I add two gallons of RV antifreeze and make sure its in all the pipes. In the spring, I drain, refill with water, adda cup of bleach, sanitize the system, then refill with water and do a quick purge of the bleach. JOhn Mc

Shaggy - good point - Won't hurt to replace it. ALSO water in gas could do something weird like this. If you take the return line off and pump into a container, dump the fuel into a glass container and look at it. if you not sure what water would look like, put a couple teaspoons in the glass container, you'll see the water sinks to the bottom. JOhn Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto