Pcbisnice
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Posts posted by Pcbisnice
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Thank you everyone. While my dream is crushed, i guess it's better to be safe then sorry. I had to pass on it after mulling it over that past week.
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Thank you Fred. I found your post about the axle swap last night and I read through it. I think it's something I can handle. These campers are fine with 15 inch rear, and 14 inch front wheels right? I assume the different size tires offset and make them a similar rotational size, anyway. Do all the GM 8 lug 15-inch wheels have the same offset? Or do I need to be careful which Wheels I get also?
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Also, would I need to replace the drive shaft? Will everything else hook up?
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10 hours ago, thewanderlustking said:
If I remember correctly the wheel(s) is offset all the way to one side. It is a steely wheel too. So unlike a proper dually setup where the inside wheel is offset to the inside, and the outside wheel is flipped to the outside perfectly splitting the difference, this one has two wheels stacked to the outside and the joining is on the edge of the rim, and not the center. So hit a bump, and the leverege is compounded against the inside hub attachment, that is already a too weak to begin with. Heaven forbid if you bend a wheel...
And they are impossible to balance.
This issue was so detrimental to Toyota and these RV builders, it took almost every single one of them out of business.
So if you are planning on basically parking it, maybe living it in sitting in one spot until it is fixed, safe enough. But don't plan on taking it out on the highway or driving much/any around town until you do so. The tires are likely the same size as used on the upgraded axle, but also make sure they are correct load range. I think it is load range c or better.
With all that said, Toyota motorhomes are getting hard to find. While kinda expensive, sorted ones are getting 10-18k on a pretty regular basis with "special" ones commanding a LOT more. On the east cost especially up North, you are going to pay a lot more than say Pacific North West prices. $6k is actually not too bad, when considering where you are hailing from. As a mechanic, you should know what to look for on that beast. Check it over, take cash. See if he will take less of course, but I wouldn't expect to get it for much under $5k.
The axle problem will take some creativity to solve, or having a 1 ton Toyota one shipped in. The wheels aren't cheap either, if you don't find a whole donor vehicle. I have four of the 6 hand wheels I can ship you if you find the rest.
Take the axle issue seriously, but if the rest is up to your standards and the additional expense isn't a problem, GO FO IT! Just realize, sourcing the axle upgrade probably won't be easy. There is one local to me... Just missing all the wheels HAHA!!!
Could you show me the wheels you are taking about? I found this rear axle and i want to try to find out if it will work, and what wheels i would need. https://www.ebay.com/itm/233977377705?hash=item367a2373a9:g:odIAAOSwGSpggI2k
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4 hours ago, fred heath said:
Yes. My GM 14 bolt came out of a 1977 Chevy 2500.
Axle width with single wheels gives you the same track as duel wheels on Toyota axle. R&P on GM is 4.10, same as your current axle. Any early full size GM truck axle will work 1977-86.
I have a build thread on this site somewhere.
Thank you! Would this axle work? I can't see how many lug it is in the pic. Do i need to change the front to have matching wheels and tires?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/233977377705?hash=item367a2373a9:g:odIAAOSwGSpggI2k
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2 hours ago, fred heath said:
The rear axle is “UNSAFE”. No easy way to put it out there. Plenty of information in the archives of this forum. The fake duel wheels cause the axle shafts to break off, usually near the bearing race allowing the entire wheel assembly and brake drum to detach from the vehicle. You can imagine the results if you’re driving down the highway. There is no prior warning, it just happens. And additionally, these axle shafts are no longer made or available for aftermarket.
If you decide to purchase this vehicle you should include in your budget the cost of an axle upgrade.
If your vehicle is light enough, you can install a non-Toyota single wheel full float rear axle. Early GM truck( single wheel axles )are an excellent choice.
Thank you. By early gm truck, do you mean similar year?
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Thank you all. A lot off great information here. Kinda breaks my heart though, lol.
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Thank you everyone for the responses. I would like to add that it has seven new tires and roof was resealed last year. Supposedly never leaked. It looks really nice. I am going to look at it next week. I just wish it had the 6 lug rear axle
the thing is, I have not seen many of these online for sale at all. And for some reason they all seem to be over $8,000 in the same condition. How risky is the rear axle? Is there something I can check or a daily maintenance routine to keep it running like it is?
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Greetings everyone. I have been looking to buy one of these Toyota rv's for about 15 years. There is one for sale near me that appears to be in great condition. I am an auto mechanic by trade, but admit i know little about these. He said its a 2.0L 4 spd manual. 104,000 miles. He said the only thing it needs is the radio antenna and there is a chip in the windshield. There is no generator. I asked about the rear axle because I read they have problems in these years and he said he's pretty sure it's the original 5 lug with the fake dually 2 tires on one wheel setup. Does anyone know if this RV would have the axle problem? Is there anything else I should look for? Is there any newer generators that fit on these with how much work? Is there any other questions I should ask or anything I should look for when I go to see it? He's asking 6000$. Thank you in advance.
Looking for some guidance on 1978 mini mirage purchase.
in General Discussion
Posted
I was on vacation last week and couldn't look much. I clicked your link an hour after you posted it, but it was already deleted. Thanks for trying.