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notbadbutgood

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About notbadbutgood

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  • My Toyota Motorhome
    1978 Dolphin Micro Mini (200)
  • Location
    Colorado Springs, CO

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    Male
  • Interests
    Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Coffee, Whiskey, Reading, Writing

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  1. Hmm...yeah, I mean, I think I was being over-confident in the EPDM to keep the moisture out, but I think everyone knows that's a pipe dream... I also appreciate the assessment, Linda, about the weight of the luan. Okay, I think I'll stick with luan for this. Thank you!
  2. Hey Everyone, So I'm replacing my roof, and looking for some advice on a material... (I have a '78 Dolphin Micro Mini, so weight is even more important than normal.) I feel like ¼" luan is the ubiquitous workhorse, so it's what most people recommend. However, while at Home Depot, I found some ⅛" hardboard that feels like it would be lighter (and cheaper). Since it'll be covered in EPDM, and my roof doesn't need to be incredibly load-bearing, is there any reason why I shouldn't go with that, instead? It's half the price of the luan, and has to be lighter than ¼" luan, I would think. One obvious downside is that because it's thinner than the luan, it would also be just a little more difficult to walk on my roof, having to be very careful not to cause distress, as it would most certainly be more prone to breakage than the ¼" luan. Anyone have an opinion to share? Should I just stick with what everyone uses? Or has anyone used ⅛" hardboard before?
  3. Hello, friends! I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, and certainly haven't given up. From the start, I've planned on this being a multi-year project. Mostly because I'm keeping and working on it in Ohio...and I live in Colorado. However, my timeline is still pretty much the same as it was in my initial post, and thus plan on having it drive-ready by September so that I can drive it back to Colorado and finish my work on it there. It's been tarped since I dropped it off here in November, and the few trips home I've made have been spent building schematics. Not blueprints, per se, but certainly getting accurate measurements of everything, making copious notations, and study. My uncle (the certified Toyota mechanic) has been doing some work, and other than repairing the known issues, has only recommended swapping the 20R with the 22R, which apparently was a better engine? He has, however, given the truck chassis his stamp of approval, so that's good. Some specific updates: 1. The white smoke was indeed from a coolant leak, not an engine issue. Whew! 2. I decided to go with a product I found on Amazon for the roof. Honestly? Cost was the main factor. Trying to keep this on a strict budget. 3. The rot inside wasn't nearly as extensive as I'd thought, but there is certainly a lot to replace. The beauty of the Micro Mini, though, is that it's already tiny, so any repair work is subsequently tiny as well. 4. I've decided to keep all of the cabinetry intact, and simply paint the interior. Not really any justifiable reason to completely gut the interior. 5. I am, however, going to go ahead and redo the galley altogether. I just don't need a 4-range stove and oven. I'm going to replace it with a 2-range stove, and convert the space where the oven was to storage. While I'm at it, I'm going to replace the sink basin with a twofer. 6. As of right now, I've pulled off all of the cabinetry doors, hardware, and fixtures. I've pulled the ceiling off and removed all of the older fiberglass insulation. I'm ready for a sunny day to pull off the roof and replace it, which I plan to do within the next month. 7. The flooring and interior ceiling will be next, along with painting the whole of the interior and replacing the cabinet hardware. Here's an update video, if anyone's interested... demo day 1.m4v
  4. Thanks a bunch, Ed! For the offer to assist and the vote of confidence! I'm loving the practical feedback of the forums so far (even if I disagree with the few who would consider this a waste of time )
  5. So, nothing exciting, I'm afraid. My dad and I put the RV under a giant tarp, so that it's protected from the elements, and I did confirm that it's NOT burning oil, but rather coolant. I knew there was likely a coolant leak (due to smell), so it was nice to have that confirmed. The entire drive train is sound, other than my synchro issues, which really aren't a big deal right now. I had to return to Colorado for a couple of months for work, but I'll be returning to Ohio in February to continue work! I'll have photos then. In the meantime, I'm purchasing materials from here and having them delivered to my parents' house (where the camper lives right now). I was in Ohio for a few weeks when I originally posted, and I spent my time assessing, drafting project plans, measuring, etc. As well as consulting this fine community, which lent to making adjustments to the plan! Anyway, I'll be somewhat quiet for another month and a half or so, as not much will happen, but I'll provide more meaty updates once I'm back with Saoirse.
  6. Yeah, the load index on the front tires is 96 (1,565lb) and the rear tires have an index of 98 (1,653lb), so they could handle a GVWR in the ballpark of 6,400lb, with the weight only slightly distributed to the rear. I'd love to put this thing on a scale and see how the weight is distributed empty, once I have it done. I'd like to keep my weight well under the limit, especially considering the rear axel.
  7. So step one is do the roof...okay, that's what I'm going to undertake next week. I'm already on the tarp; I tarped it that night, though now that you said "under a tarp", it gave me the idea of using the pine trees you see behind the camper. I can clear that area, create a large tent, and pull the camper under it. In the end, it'll be worth it because not only will it protect the camper, it'll enable me to work on it even when the elements are against me. A question: There are three places for vent fans. I've already ordered materials for a rubber roof replacement, but I'm trying to space out my spending. I don't want to purchase the nicer vents just yet if I don't have to, and I'd rather just buy run of the mill $15 vents for now. Would I be shooting myself in the foot? Should I just cover them a different way for now until I can purchase the nicer vents that I want? Or should I just bite the bullet and buy those vents right now?
  8. Agree! I plan on saving anything I pull out of it, and selling to new homes. I'm a HUGE fan of restoring things and giving them more life, as opposed to scrapping them and buying new. I do realize sometimes that's the ONLY option, but most of the time, it's not. It's just that someone doesn't want to put in the TLC (read: elbow grease and frustration) to make the vintage thing work again. I really wanted to restore an older camper. Yes, I seriously had considered a Sprinter, @Maineah, and was planning on that for a while. But in the end, I decided that I wanted a more ambitious project, and that I wanted to give new life to something that was older. I am loving all this feedback, though, as it's really helping me reevaluate some of my plans and desired features that might not be worth investing in from the start.
  9. So what's the protocol on maintaining the rear axel, then? Just avoiding long hauls? Obviously reducing weight as much as possible...is there anything else? Repacking/greasing?
  10. @linda s Thanks for the compliment she'll be even cuter when I'm done with her, even if she doesn't run for long hauls! I agree, though, @neubie, that these projects feel manageable in the beginning, and nobody–myself included–really knows how much they've bitten off until they'r elbows deep in it. Still, when the goal is to learn how to restore a classic motorhome, there's really no way to learn without experience. Choosing a tiny, older rig gives me something smaller and something simpler (when compared to later/larger models) to cut my teeth on. I'm sure there will be days and weeks when I just want to pour kerosene on it and light it up. But the entire experience will give me knowledge to carry on to the next one...or teach me that I really dislike these projects. (I suspect the former will be the case.)
  11. Yeah, what I'm hearing from this and others' replies is that maybe this will make a great project to learn on...and to take on short weekend trips in Colorado, as opposed to driving it around the country on my job circuit. Perhaps I'll back off on my plan to make this my country-wide touring vehicle and JUST have it be a weekender... The parts thing did make me a little nervous, before buying it. I asked my uncle (the Toyo mechanic) prior to purchase and he agreed that parts might be difficult to find, though he seemed to have a plan for modification on certain things. The good news is that I'm viewing this project as a giant learning exercise, so any money and time I pour into it is an investment in that. For the price I paid for it, I won't be too broken up if I end up with a cute little stationary cabin to park somewhere.
  12. (First, I'm having the same problem as @neubie: I can't see the photos!) I love the feedback on this, and appreciate the pragmatism completely! This is why I wanted to join a community like this! For one, yes, definitely...no rose colored glasses please, as I already have to take mine off regularly to approach my plans for this rig. Second, I think based on @Derek up North's feedback, I'm going to rethink my plans for the roof. Definitely going to eliminate my water tank idea (Well, it's not my idea...I have some friends who did it on an Econoline van.) @markwilliam1 Have you ever heard of this product? It's what my design was based on, only I was going to build it out of black PVC. At any rate, I think I'm just going to pump out of the existing fresh water tank...I don't want to add water weight. Third, point taken from the community: Focus on the mechanical. As noted, that (thankfully) is something that I can (and want to) handle largely myself with the help of friends and family, even to the point of replacing or rebuilding the engine. I enjoy mechanical work, and purposely chose an older model car because I enjoy the frustration of working on cars. Not that I WANT things to break or for this to be constantly in disrepair; not at all! More that I enjoy the process of making something old run well again. Finally, just some clarification on my motivations. I purposely chose a classic/retro/older camper exactly because I didn't want to drive something off the lot that's turnkey. I wanted to get in, rebuild, restore, repair. However, yes, I'm going into this with fresh eyes, and yes, I have to take those proverbial rose colored glasses off from time to time (That's what you guys are here for!), but I purposely chose this camper because A. it's nearly as old as I am, B. I have access to Toyota mechanics, and C. its compact size makes repairs slightly more affordable. The roof, for example, is considerably smaller than the 26" counterpart. As for dwelling in the camper for an extended period of time, the tiny size doesn't really intimidate me. I've done long stretches (2 months being my longest) living out of my Forester, which is a broom closet compared to the Micro. And I spent nearly a year living more or less out of a backpack on deployment, so when I compare this to that, it feels like a mansion! Do I plan on living in it indefinitely? No way. I'll also have the advantage, with my job, of having access to hotel rooms at my job sites, giving me a break from the RV. (Assuming I do take it on the road, which I'll respond to concerns about that in another comment.)
  13. I do! Tire sizes are: Front: P215/70R14 Rear: P225/70R14 So yeah, looks like they are wider in the rear, though only 10mm. Visually it doesn't look like that big of an offset...I haven't measured, though, admittedly!
  14. I love waking up to all these comments! In response to some of the feedback so far... @Derek up North: You are correct! I researched the "foolie" fiasco prior to purchasing the Dolphin, and the 70's Micros did indeed ship with the single. The engineering geniuses who came up with that faux dually did so to compensate, in their minds, for the extra weight of the larger coaches. So I'm safe on the rear axel. Water Tank for Showers: As much as I've been considering weight as a factor, I wasn't thinking about that in regards to the added water weight on the roof for even a small tank...not to mention, now that I think about it, the sloshing effect it would likely have when cornering in this relatively small vehicle. I think that's an idea I may back off of... Tires: Good news! You can't tell from the photos, but the tires have less than 500 miles on them. So that's en expense I won't have up front, at least. Mechanical Fixes: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being a car genius and 1 being someone who can't even change their own oil, I'm somewhere around a 4. However...and this is the good part...both my dad's best friend and my uncle have been certified Toyota mechanics, and are willing to lend a hand with the repairs to the truck. Granted, I'm still going to be using mostly my own elbow grease, and I have a lot to learn, but this project is thankfully something I view as a learning experience, and I'll not be going it completely alone! Oil Burning: I agree, this is the scary one for me. However, one that didn't scare me off completely. I'm okay with doing major repairs on this one, for the sake of restoring what is ultimately a "classic". Rebuilding an engine isn't completely new to me, though I'd likely instead lean toward taking the opportunity to upgrade my engine to one of Toyota's straight 6 options for more power, as I would like a little more climbing ability. This, I'm afraid, is going to be my biggest necessary expense as well as my toughest project. This is all great feedback from you guys!
  15. (I've edited this to reflect some changes in my plans, based on the feedback of the community! I'll keep doing so as the plan evolves.) Hi Everyone! Following is a pretty...let's say "thorough" project description. I'm just starting out. This is my first project vehicle, my first RV, and my first project home of any kind in 20+ years of adulthood. Originally, I was going to purchase a cargo van and convert it, per, well, everyone else these days. Then I discovered Toyota motorhomes, and I fell in love. I had a friend who is a collector, and he was selling this Micro...I had to have her! What follows is a highly detailed description of my plans. I'll post project updates here, but I'm also going to have a Facebook Page and an Instagram (@adaringloss) for my friends and family to track the project. No, I won't be doing the typical "#vanlife" thing. I'm not interested in being social media famous. I'm shrinking my life, not trying to further complicate it. I'll try to organize this as clearly as possible, in a way that makes sense. I'm posting it for the ultra-curious, the ultra-nerdy, who may actually be interested in a pretty comprehensive description of my plans. Live vicariously through me, if you like, and relive your first project! Offer advice, ask questions, make stray observations. I'm learning as I go, so I welcome input! Overview I've lived in Colorado for 12 years, somehow without a weekender. Yes, yes, I know. Shame on me. I've just sort of used my Subaru for that purpose, but crawling into a back seat to sleep is getting old. However, having a weekender isn't my only motivation. I also want a home; yes, I want to live in this camper. At least for a little while. I travel for a living producing triathlons–about 20 per year–and I'd like to work a season from the road, rather than the air. My overall goal is to keep as much of the original structure and layout as makes sense while updating this lovely motorhome to meet both my tastes as well as modern aesthetics. (I'd like to continue to be inspired by the coach's original design, of course.) I'll be adding some modern conveniences, and generally making this "camper" a home. There are some small issues, as is to be expected with any 40-year-old vehicle or home. But she runs. Most stuff works. And she's mine. Name "Saoirse" (Pronounced "SER shuh"...it's Irish. It means "freedom".) Model 1978 Dolphin Micro Mini, 200, 20R Goals Keep as much of the original design intact as makes sense. Update the look and feel of the coach interior to feel more like a "home". Add some features and modern conveniences. Repair known issues so that both the camper and coach are in good working order. Desired Features & Modifications (This list is loooooonnng...) Important to Me Updated to power receptacles that include USB ports. All lights converted to LED. Addition of an inside/outside shower. (Designs and updates forthcoming.) Existing toilet replaced with a DIY composting toiled. (Again, designs and updates forthcoming...let's just assume that, shall we?) Standing platform on roof. After feedback from the community, it's become clear that this is simply a bad idea! Not going to do it. Rooftop cargo box. (After feedback, I will ensure that this is very small, and weighs no more than 50lb/22kg total weight.) Addition of an awning. Rear bike rack. Smoke, CO2, & Gas Leak detectors. Improved vent fans. Well, currently, all three are missing, so ANY vents will be an upgrade, technically. I just want thermostat-controlled fans. Hooks for bags gear, and tying off lines on both interior and exterior. Magnetic closures for everything. Compartmentalized storage solutions for shelves and cabinets. Table with a roadmap of US glossed on top. Table and benches convert to bed and sofa. Tinted windows. Removable insert for bunk, to make it a full-size bed when desired. Retractable clothesline. Message board. Pretty low-tech, but still... Rear backup camera. Not As Important, Still Desired Adding a solar power option for lengthy off-grid trips. Decent navigation/control center console added to cab. Bumper storage box. (Lighter, so as to not significantly add weight or affect weight distribution.) Multi-configuration audio system. Addition of a TV and media center. This is a big one for me. I'm very excited about my plan for this. Pull-out step and hand rail for people who need a little extra help getting into the coach. Dimmable/color changing LED interior lights. Loud horn to match her personality. Chalks, jack stands, & jack mounted to bottom of coach. (There is room.) Near blackout capability with velcro-mounted blackout curtains. Cell & WiFi signal boosters. Skylight above sleeping platform. Add aftermarket auto locks to doors. Add stuff to reduce engine noise when driving. Maybe Someday Swap the current 4-cylinder 20R with a 6-cylinder Toyota engine. 4WD conversion, including upgrades to suspension. A friend strongly recommended avoiding this conversion, and I agree, based on his feedback. Leveling functionality added to suspension. This is probably not worth the investment on such a small vehicle. Aftermarket cruise control. Exterior motion-activated security lights over doors. Design Aesthetic Exterior will eventually be a satin grey, with white detailing. (Better for boondocking; I don't want the camper to stand out.) I'd like to add exterior LED's where appropriate, so that when I want, the camper is highly visible. Switch them off, when I don't want it to be. Inside, I plan on going white, white, white. With lime green, deep red, and charcoal accents. The floor will be black hardwood (or more likely, laminate). I'll be preferring natural materials, as all considerations allow. Form follows function in something like this, IMHO, with weight being my chief concern. I'd like to throw in subtle flourishes. For example, a tiny hanging lamp over the table, and glow-in-the-dark stars painted on the ceiling. I'm currently reviewing many, many "hacks" to see what ingenuity I'd like to integrate into my home. Phases Now, I know what you're thinking: That's a LOT of stuff, Dan. You've bitten off more than you can chew. Seriously, dude. Don't worry, I was born, but I wasn't born yesterday. I know it's a lot, and as such, not only have I prioritized this stuff accordingly, but I've also divided it into project phases, to make it more manageable. I also know that my plan is loosely scheduled over 2 years–though I'm aware that these things often take twice as long to complete, as best laid plans are typically insufficient. I'm also aware that some of these things will be easy, some will be difficult, and some will be impossible. Or at least feel that way. Lots of research needed, and if I hit the mark of even 80% of this stuff, I'll feel like it's a raging success. 1. Study I'm currently in this phase. I'm learning everything I can about the RV. I'm documenting, measuring, writing, planning...hours and hours of just learning. 2. Phase 1A - Get It Running & Livable (Before Christmas of '17) The focus is on making sure that the truck itself is running really well. I'm flushing fluids, updating wear parts (pads, belts, etc.), and making sure that the roof doesn't leak. Because it does. Based on feedback, the roof is first, then mechanical, then I'll move on to other stuff. 3. Phase 1B - Get It Running & Livable (Before March of '18) Yes, I still consider this part of Phase 1, it's just the non-critical stuff to get it "running & livable". Make sure the heat, water, & toilet work, that sort of thing. 4. Phase 2 - Add Some Creature Comforts & Pretty Her Up (Before March of '19) Several of my functional mods will happen in this part. This is all about making Saoirse my own. 5. Phase 3 - Trick This Bad Girl OUT (Before March of '20) My fancy-schmancy, really non-essential stuff happens here. TV, sound system, etc. Major Modifications So, the word "Major" is probably somewhat hyperbolic here, but relative to everything I want to do, these are as "major" as I get. Bathroom - Add a shower, replace toilet with composting. This one's only slightly ambitious, but also rather simple. I'm planning on removing the existing toilet (It will be for sale...), the black water tank (ditto), and building a much smaller, DIY composting toilet against the back wall of the bathroom. Yes, I've heavily researched the ups and downs of composting vs. black water, and I'm sold on the former, though I'm always convincible by a well-thought-out argument and/or the voice of extensive experience. The space where the black water tank is currently will become the housing for my solar batteries, should I pursue that in the future. Once the toilet's replaced, I plan on adding a freshwater tank to the top of the camper, and running a gravity fed shower line into the bathroom running a line from the freshwater tank, and pumping water to a shower head in the bathroom. I will, of course, waterproof the entire bathroom. My plan at this time is to drain to the ground, and only use the shower where that is appropriate, and also only use biodegradable, environmentally safe cleaning products. I can easily be convinced that this is a bad idea, of course, and instead plumb my drain to the grey water tank. Table, Benches = Bed, Sofa This is actually not an original idea, and there are multiple plans and products to make this happen. From my photos, you can see the configuration in the rear, with to benches on either side of the coach, facing each other. The original floorpan design called for a shelf-mounted table between them. Instead, I plan on mounting a telescoping table base, on top of which I'll affix a solid plywood table, with a roadmap of the US on it (should I expatriate my camper, I'll swap table tops) for dreaming and making general route plans with wet-erase markers. With the flip of a switch, this table will then lower, forming a solid contiguous base with the benches. The pads on the benches will slide forward, creating a cushy bed. Add some throw pillows, and you have yourself a sofa for viewing... Media Center, My Magnum Opus I don't have a diagram (yet), as it's all in my head. So words will have to suffice until I tackle this project, which will likely not be for another year. So patience is a virtue, even though I'm incredibly excited about it! I can't wait to share it with you as I'm building it. Imagine a track, perpendicular to the camper, mounted and centered above the sleeping compartment, starboard side. Attached to that track is a hinged TV mount, on a swivel. The TV, once mounted, can be swung to the ceiling, slid forward and backward, and also rotate. The idea is that if you are in the sleeping compartment, you can lower the TV, and slide it against the starboard wall for watching movies. If you have a guest, and would prefer to watch from the sofa mentioned above, it can slide forward, and rotate to face the rear of the camper. My sound system, mentioned in the desired features above, can be configured for either viewing scenario. The TV can also be stowed securely against the ceiling, and I will be designing a padded, waterproof sleeve for the it, for cases of possible leakage. This entire system will be powered by shore power, obviously, though I could run it off of batteries in case of emergency. Like, if I absolutely must watch the rest of a Stranger Things episode. I love this concept, because it flies in the face of going completely off-grid, somewhat. I'm very outdoorsy, and spend the vast majority of my time outside playing in the snow and the mountains I love. However, I love, when the time calls for it, curling up and watching a movie. This gives me that option, and will be completely unexpected in a retro, compact motorhome. Known Issues Despite being in very good condition, there are some known issues that will need to be addressed. Important AND Urgent Some water damage on the interior of the coach. Because of vandalism after I bought it, one of the side windows and the rear window are broken out. Not currently lockable (seriously). No ignition key on the steering column. It's currently rigged to be hot wired each time you start it. All three roof vents are missing. At least one of the batteries is bad. Both may be. Both the fuel level and temperature gauges are broken. It's burning oil. I've been informed this is a coolant leak! The driver's side mirror is missing. NOT Urgent Seat upholstery in the cab is torn. Light rust and small dents on body. Small cracks in windshield. There are synchro issues when shifting. Idles just a tad high. There's a leaky fuel filter. Windshield wiper motor is very weak. The headlights are super dim. Engine noise isn't mitigated well. Conclusion Yes, this is a beast of a project. Each of those bullet points above will potentially require hours of research, hours of planning, and hours of implementation. I have no delusions of being able to do this in a weekend or 5 weekends or 50 weekends. I know that this is a multi-year project, but it will be a labor of love that I enjoy immensely, even when I hate it. The camper is currently parked at my parents' house in rural, eastern Ohio. I have access to tools and materials here. I travel for a living, so I'm able to be here often, between gigs, focussing on the renovation. I'm going to knock out Phase 1A from above before Christmas...as well as Phase 1B if the gods look kindly on me. I've attached a series of "before" pictures, that I've taken over the last couple of days. Enjoy, if you like. I said it above, and I'll say it again: Advice, observations, and questions are welcome!
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