Strassy

If I were to guess, I'd say you have had failure in a metal subframe. You need to discover the break, square it up, and weld in new support. Likely the other side needs doing as well. Look carefully for other weak spots and good luck. The support for the cab over on my '82 Mini Cruiser rusted and collapsed causing both front side windows to break. Was not too hard to fix.-Jeff

Amy, I have a tank I recently removed from an '84 Huntsman. I would think it is the stock Toyota tank. It looks OK. The RV had only 70K on it, but got torched on Halloween. The drive train and associated parts are all available if anyone is interested. I took the rear 1 ton axle assembly off and installed it under my '81 Mini Cruiser.- Jeff

My '81 Mini Cruiser Diesel crawls up Catskill inclines at 18mph, barely maintaining 2nd gear, but that's not relevant, maybe amusing to most.

Thanks, Steve. Other folks have mentioned propane injection as a power booster. I ran an online add for a 1984 2LT turbo diesel motor and got quite a few hits. Wondering if sellers would separate the components? Prices haven't been mentioned. Need some warmer weather to work.

Thanks, Turbo Mike. That's the first encouraging info I've received. Is there any good way to discover where such a motor might exist? A Canadian junkyard network, maybe?-Jeff

Thanks for the advice. I know the rear end gearing can make a difference. The half ton was stock for 1981. The one ton was likely what Toyota used in the recall for a large RV with an automatic. A drag racing friend advised pulling the rear end plates and countng cogs. I couldn't tell any difference in the two. I've got a new air filter coming tomorrow. There is a pertinent web site called Toyota Truck Diesel FAQ and Guide, and another called Toyota Diesel Madness that discuss turbocharging.

I did put some injector cleaner in it. The monster air cleaner looks OK. Tag says replace every 70K and the truck has 72 K on it. Worth a try. 5th gear is useless unless going downhill. Goes maybe 50MPH on the flats with no head wind. Thanks. It's now become a challenge.

The new axle is installed. New lower shock mounts and upper airbag brackets were welded in, and the exhaust rerouted.Should have a nice stable, safe platform to zoom down the road at 45 MPH. No doubt a gas motor would be better, and I have a 22RE motor with only 70K on it. The diesel is rare and different, and I still like the idea of a turbo. I need someone with experience to tell me exactly how to go about it. If you are going diesel motorhome I hope you use one with more than the 62 HP I've got.

Cristian, I have an '84 Huntsman in the driveway. It's all charred inside, but I might be able to tell where the water heater is. It's under a rear bench next to the battery box in my Mini Cruiser. If you get far enough south, check out Zihautenejo. There is a gravel lot just off the road parallel to the harbor where you could park your RV. I've been down there in each of the last 5 years. Reefers that are not working need to be relit.

The new axle is at this moment being installed. Some of the fabrication necessary are the making of and welding on to the frame a bracket to attach the airbag suspension; the welding of two new lower shock supports to the differential; the rerouting of the exhaust around the rubber airbag; and the likely slight shortening of the drive shaft.Unknown are the effect the stiffer leaf springs will have on the attitude the vehicle takes and the way the likely different gearing in the rear end makes the RV drive. I suspect with the close ratio 5 speed and the anemic diesel motor I won't be able to tell much difference, but we'll see. I'm still looking for guidance in the possible installation of a turbo charger to make this thing go over 45 mph.

I drove the Mini Cruiser again yesterday and was astonished at the lack of power. Restless in bed I thought I thought about getting one of those big red triangles the Amish use on their buggies to keep from getting hit from behind. I could get a ticket on the Interstate on the way to the Races at Watkin's Glen. What is the practicality of installing a turbo on the old diesel? In any case, I just bid on a pair of Garrett T3/T4 turbochargers. Any ideas?

Hi, Amy. I just pulled yesterday, the fuel tank out of a 1984 Huntsman. It's in pretty good shape and half full of gas.-Jeff

Yes it has entry step.

I am located in upstate New York between Binghampton and Oneonta. Unadilla. I think there is a pullout step. I know my Mini Cruiser has one. The Huntsman is being delivered tomorrow.

I just bought a burned out 1985 Huntsman, mainly for the 6 bolt axle. The cab and coach are pretty melted. This RV had 69,000 miles on it and the 22E motor, automatic trans, and underpinnings are nice. If anyone has an interest in something, let me know.

Thanks for the info.Yes, it is factory. A friend was blogging and was told it was one of five made. I don't know if that means Mini Cruisers or all models. Someone in this Forum, maybe Diesel Mike, said he'd gotten 21 MPG. I believe it to be a 2 liter pumping out 62 horsepower. I put it on the road today, but won't pick it up until the weekend. Motor Vehicle punched in the VIN and was told it was an '81 Toyota. The title said 82 MI/CR. NY had purged it from the system, since it hadn't been registered in 15 years.

I agree about the 3400 lbs. The good thing is that I'm going to save some $ when I register it about an hour from now. Let me see if I understand the axle options. Short of replacing the whole axle, a compromise option would be to switch to a single larger wheel. Doesn't that decrease the track and increase body roll? If I go to a full floating 6 bolt, which I'd like to, is there a specific axle that is most easily modified to work?

Hi, Dennis. 3400 is the weight listed on the title and registration. The unladen eight. It's the duelly that is recommended to replace. It wasn't part of the recall because it is a 17 footer. I'm in Unadilla, NY.

Hi Toyotamotorhomes. I bought a Mini Cruiser Diesel on Friday, so I am a very new member. I gather that just because it is 17 feet and 3400 pounds doesn't mean I don't have to worry about the axle snapping. So, I guess my first question is what safe axle will most easily be adapted to replace it?-Thanks, Jeff