LittleShack Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I'm a total dunce when it comes to engines. My hubby is away for a few months (figures!) and I have found what could be 'my' Toyota RV. I have to travel a few hours to look at it and don't want to waste my time or the owners if it is a dud. So, here is what I know.. It's a 1992 Itasca Spirit with 106k km. The ad reads... Clean, comfortable 22 foot motorhome Toyota cab, Winnebago coach. Toyota V-6, 3 liter engine. New fridge, 6 brand new tires. Generator. Tilt steering, cruise control, automatic with overdrive. 18 mpg. Always maintained, kept under cover. Manuals and receipts The photos show what looks to be a very clean, well maintained unit. No apparent rust on the body. What should I be asking and looking for? We currently own a large travel trailer, so I can deal with the appliance checks, sewer, etc. But, what should I be wary of as far as the engine goes? And the body? Help would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to miss this one if it is a goodie! Thanks in advance. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Ask the owner for maintenance records. 106k km (~60k miles) is when you should have the timing belt changed and valve clearances checked. NOT cheap items. Also check with Toyota to see if the cylinder head gasket has been changed. There' a 'Special Service Campaign' for the V6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 that 18 mpg is a pipe dream --try 14, maybe 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 18 miles to the Imperial gallon = 14.4 miles to the US gallon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Still don’t think the 6 can get that high mpgs. That’s what my 4 gets. My buddy’s V6 Winnie gets 12 to 13. Like jj says the mileage always goes up when you go to sell lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleShack Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 On 10/11/2017 at 9:55 AM, Derek up North said: Also check with Toyota to see if the cylinder head gasket has been changed. There' a 'Special Service Campaign' for the V6. So, Derek Up North...from what I can gather, if I take this RV into a Toyota shop, they can tell me if the head gasket has been done already, correct? If it hasn't, will they replace? Or does it actually have to blow before getting replaced? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 If you're eligible (which a '92 should be) and it hasn't been done, it'll be changed before it 'blows up'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleShack Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 4 minutes ago, Derek up North said: If you're eligible (which a '92 should be) and it hasn't been done, it'll be changed before it 'blows up'. Yay!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 You could start by entering your VIN here:- https://www.toyota.com/recall I'm not sure if it's 100% accurate, but it's a starting point. Even if it shows nothing, I'd double check at the Service Dept of a Dealership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleShack Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 28 minutes ago, Derek up North said: ou could start by entering your VIN here:- https://www.toyota.com/recall I'm not sure if it's 100% accurate, but it's a starting point. Even if it shows nothing, I'd double check at the Service Dept of a Dealership. I called my local Toyota dealership and they were unable to get anything on my VIN. The website too. 17 digits, double checked. Still nothing. Uhoh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 (edited) Here is a Toyota vin decoder try pickup and see if will process. https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Toyota Edited October 16, 2017 by WME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 You can't ask about a recall cause they won't find it. Special service campaign. Print out the forms we have in pinned docs and show them what to look for or call toyota corporate. Never say the word recall ever when talking to them Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleShack Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 10 hours ago, WME said: Here is a Toyota vin decoder try pickup and see if will process. https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Toyota Nope, nothin'. I called ICBC and they said the person who registered the rig for me should have gone and looked at the VIN on it, but they didn't. There may have been a mix up in the VIN # when it was copied down at some point, so I will be checking this tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Have you compared the 'paper' VIN with the VIN on your dash? This is the VIN for a 1991 Itasca I 'borrowed:- JT5VN94T1M0024275 The 10th digit (M) indicates it's a 1991. Yours should be similar except you'll probably have an 'N' (1992) instead of an 'M' (1991). This is the VIN for a 1993:- JT5VN94T8P0029977 The 'P' indicates a 1993. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number P.S. Both VINs were 'borrowed' from Ebay listings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 I ran one of Derek's Vin numbers through the decoder and it worked, even to the point that the mileage was in KM. So you must have a miss type some where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleShack Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 I picked up the RV today and the first thing I did was check the VIN. Sure enough, there was one digit wrong. It says on the registration that it is J1..., but the vehicle says it's JT... Also wondering about the M in mine...as it is on the registration it says it's a 1992, but it does have the 'M' I have a huge binder from Winnebago that came with it with all the manuals etc. It has a sticker on the inside cover saying the vehicle is a 1991. I will be visiting ICBC to get the papers corrected. I used the correct VIN in the Lookup and it has not had the head gasket replaced, so I will be getting that done ASAP! Thanks for all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 On 10/11/2017 at 0:55 PM, Derek up North said: Ask the owner for maintenance records. 106k km (~60k miles) is when you should have the timing belt changed and valve clearances checked. NOT cheap items. Any news on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 There have been more verbal food fights with the owners and the DMV over the year of the Rv. Its very common for a RV mfg to buy a boat load of the C&C. and take a while to built the RV. So the chassis is one year and the RV was actually built the next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 In Quebec, they go ONLY by the date indicated by the Toyota VIN, even if you're importing with an official Title from the US showing a later year. Not a bi deal as far as I'm concerned becaure 'worth' is tied much, much more to 'condition' than 'year' marked on the paperwork! I assume this has already been sorted out with the OP's 'home since it's already been (presumably) registered in BC. I suppose that the current SNAFU with the VIN might have them take a 2nd look at things and possibly want to ammend the age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleShack Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 I called ICBC and they want me to take it in to an insurance broker and have them do the adjustments. Maybe a year older will affect my insurance rates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Sorry, wouldn't know. But I doubt by much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake O Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Hey all, names Blake. new buyer here.. looking to go full time in the new year in my new toy. So far this forum has been awesome. So shout out to all of you educated folk.. Very interested in this 91 Toye V6 3.0 with 88k miles. No generator, Bath in the back. Seems there has been some water damage along the seal of the over cab, seems pretty normal for these. I haven't seen in person, but from what I'm being told the floor and roof is in excellent shape. I also know these don't really show bubbles so I want to be safe when looking over. Open to all pointers. I am going to check on the gasket recall in the AM. He sent me a video of it turning over and seemed incredibly strong. AC front and rear works, everything works. Asking $7k. Also any guesstimate on the cost of resealing the cab?, and gutting etc. just want to see my options here. Thoughts? Pointers? Blessings? Thanks all!! IMG_5001.MOV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 With a leak over the cab like that your due an extensive tear out and rebuild. Also resealing that leak wherever that may be. For 7 Grand I’d avoid it completely. Unless your like many other forum members here that like to do tear outs and rebuilds maybe offer him 5K and have $$ for repairs. It’s a buyers market right now and with that leak you have a lot of room to negotiate! Welcome and Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake O Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Thanks for the response Mark. I'm actually really excited to tear this toye apart and make her real pretty again. We came to a deal of 5,500 given the floor doesn't fall in when I step inside... Picking up tomorrow! Will post pics as I move along this journey. Looking to be full time on the road by 1/1! Fingers crossed.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Well there you go Blake! Good price also. Please post pictures as we Love pictures. Good Luck. I’m excited for you Man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feel Free Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 about to do a video call in hopes to purchase a '91 Itasca Spirit, V-6, 85,000 miles, 6-lug, no AC, no Generator. I am looking to purchasing my first vintage Toyota motorhome. Any information from you guys on what to ask or look for would be greatly appreciated! You are the experts. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 The V6 should have the timing belt changed and valves adjusted at 60k mile intervals. Both pretty big ticket items. A set of tires are pretty expensive too. 'Good condition' isn't good enough. The actual age is also important. Less than 6 years is the current advice before replacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feel Free Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Thank you for the reply. Any idea on the cost of an AC to be installed? This Toyota has 85,000 and the asking price is $8500. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaineJed Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Prices are getting way too high. Wait for the right one. I looked at a lot of them for a bit more than a year till we bought ours. Remember they all leak and need work. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Well since we don't know how much they are asking we don't know if it's priced too high. A roof AC will cost around 700. There should already be a hole the correct size in this camper and the wiring to install it. If you have some help it's not difficult to do it yourself. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feel Free Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Thank you for the reply. I am from Alabama. We don't see a lot of the vintage Toyota's here. They are definitely unique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feel Free Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Thank you for the reply. The asking price is $8500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Is there an air conditioner there but it just doesn't work? I think that price is reasonable if in good condition Linda S You could negotiate down a some because of the cost of the timing chain. It's an expensive job and they should have already done it according to the manufacturer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feel Free Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Great information. If all looks well, I am planning on flying out and driving it home. At this point, the condition of the tires is a definite concern. You guys are the best. Thanks so much for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feel Free Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Linda, there was an AC. A vent is there now. Video chat went well. Tires looked great. Very clean. Engine sounded good. Timing belt had been changed and valves had been adjusted at the proper mileage. I am flying out to drive my Toy home.😁 Thank you, again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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