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So I just bought a 1985 900 Series Toyota Dolphin, 4 cylinder manual transmission 20R, etc, etc, etc. She's been very well maintained and kept up and if I was just casually camping in her I probably wouldn't need to put a dime into it. However, I am not going to be casually camping in it. This will be my full-time residence as of May first, which means I have one month to get this thing COMFORTABLE and shoehorn my entire life into it. (With my dog, Porkchop.) Just a few aesthetic things like paint, flooring and curtains but none of these are major and I think I've found enough how-to's that I'm not concerned about them. (I'm so lucky she seems completely dry and free of water damage!) Of slightly more pressing concern are a couple of things. One: She's missing the ladder. Where's the best place to get this replaced? And after I do, can I actually walk on this thing? I would like to put a kayak and a solar panel on top and as soon as the weather cooperates I want to go ahead and re-seal everything...just in case. Two: This thing blatantly says on the back that it is not intended for towing and indeed has no visible bumper at all. However, I have seen some pretty impressive looking bumper-storage set-ups. Is that something I can do with this model? I'll be taking this from Anchorage to Cabo San Lucas and I'd like to have spare tires and extra gasoline stowed on the back. These things might at some point be replaced with a good heavy duty tote for extra gear, or a bike rack, etc. Eventually my dream would be to strap a street legal dirt bike to the back...how does this work? Three: Has anyone dedicated their cabover area to storage as opposed to a sleeping area? I'd like to see pictures! Still weighing the options on where I plan to sleep, where to build in a little extra storage, and where I'm supposed to add a dog crate. If I ever want to winter over somewhere cold in this thing, I'll want to add a woodstove as well so I can't destroy that option... Thanks so much! Rachel

Hello everyone, First post ever, so I'll introduce myself. I'm 33-years-old, single guy, a hopeful writer who pays the bills as a website/app designer, able to work anywhere with Internet. Just arrived back in the States from a couple years abroad, the last year living in Goa, India. While in India I learned the joy of living simply--cold showers, no furniture, power cuts--and after living the past few years out of a suitcase mostly (longer story), I feel little fear in living longterm (or at least until Life changes my path again) in a small space with few things. The only small fear might be of loneliness, but that's a familiar foe So about a month ago, I wake up on my mattress on the floor in India, and there is the urge to go back "home," to America. And the next thought is of one of my favorite books, Travels with Charlie. So now, here I am, at my parents' in Missouri, looking for a reliable cost-friendly mode of transportation for my next adventure. I know this will likely not be a short drive in the woods. I'm expecting to be on the road for 1-2 years minimum. Possible destinations are anywhere that can be reached, possibly Alaska or Mexico or even South America if I have the nerve. All my research has led me to the mid-80s Dolphin models. I feel reasonable sure, that with patience, I can find one around $2,500-$3,500 in reasonable condition. Reading your helpful forum, I know to look for one with the upgraded 1-ton rear axis. Since I will probably be traveling up and down mountains, possibly the 22RE is better than the 22R? What I'm not so sure about is whether to look for a V6, or the 4-cylinder with better mileage? What is the difference between, say, a 1983 Dolphin and 1989 Dolphin other than engine? The layout with rear kitchen seems well suited to a single traveler, but also intrigued by the rear-dinette layout. Wondering how hard it is to rip all that seating out and make it into a little desk and office space? I'm not expecting much company. Sorry, guys, if my questions are mundane and have been asked a hundred different times. I'll probably ask more in the future ... I'm a novice, and fortunate to have a father who is mechanically inclined. I'm looking forward to working on this with him, especially since we haven't had much time to do things together in the past couple years. Thank you for any help or advice you can offer. Safest travels! Tumbleweed Joe