sparky60

Thanks 4 the info...going 2 take care of it today hopefully......

Check this RV very carefully for leaks. Looks for any water staining however slight on ceiling and around windows. Also look closely around bottom of chassis in front of door and behind rear wheels for rotten wood. I bought a 1983 Dolphin 3 yrs. ago that I also thought looked pretty good. 55,000 miles on engine. Paid $3,500. Since then I think I've put at least $7,000 into the darn thing! Complete engine rebuild, new tires,new shocks, rip out and replace all the rotted wood inside and out,new hot water tank, new paint job etc. etc. I'm not trying to scare you but trying to say look very close at the details and expect to put some money into it. $7,000 seems pretty steep. If he's done a lot of work on it, maybe so. With everything I've done on mine I probably would ask around $9,000 but I doubt anyone would give that much. Good luck.......

Hello, I have a heater bypass kit on my 1983 Dolphin. I used it when I first started using my RV because I didn't need hot water at that time. Now I use hot water. I know the bypass is used to take the hot water tank out of the loop but as far as winterizing why would I need to use the bypass ? Is it wrong to get the RV antifreeze in the tank ? I just put a bit of air pressure in the lines to blow them out. Tomorrow I'll try to figure out how to drain the hot water tank. I think it's just the large plug near the bottom ?! Should I use a bit of antifreeze in the toilet to keep the seal moist? Also , what is an antifreeze tap kit ? As you can see I'm a fairly new owner.....Tks.

Well...I removed the gauge cluster today. Bit of a hassle but not impossible. Removed the odometer and put a small square drive in my drill and spun the speedometer while exerting a bit of pressure to the other wheels on the odometer and Voila ! it now works ...at least untill it gets to the next 1000 mile point ..we'll see then. Now I just have 2 figure what that 2 wire senor thingy is for? Thanks again.........

Thanks so much 4 the tech. info Bodybagger and Turtle......looks like I got my work cut out 4 me ......cul.....

Hi all, been using my '83 Dolphin a bit recently after fixing it up . Runs great, although the odometer just quit on me. It's now at 56,999 and now just cycles thru the 10ths of a mile. I'm sure one of the little gogs is hung up. Banged on it a bit but no luck. Has any one had this happen to them ? Do I have to remove the whole dashboard to get at the little sucker? The speedometer works fine. Also there a small twisted 2 wire sensor that runs down from the engine to the drive shaft. It dosen't touch the drive shaft but is positioned about an inch away from it. I'm just courious as to what this puppy is for? Would this have anything to do with my odometer? Any one know ?........Thanks.....

thanks for the info....nice pics........guess I'll have to keep looking around.....

Hi all, I,ve been looking all over for info on new ft. and rear shocks for my 1983 Toy Dolphin. Alot of mfg. have them for 1984 and newer but I can't seem to find ones for 1983. Has any one replaced shocks for there 1983 Dolphin ? What part number and shock did u use ? Also I have the 6 lug 1 ton axle so when a parts guy asks "do you have a 1 ton chassis" do I say yes or do I say I have a 1 ton axle but a 1/2 ton pick up chassis ( which I think is what the think this puppy is ) ? I a bit confused here. I do know a little about mech. things but I'm lost when it comes the the suspension.......thks for any help....

Thanks for the info turtle.........nice pics...sure wish I could get those Bilsteins......oh well...I'll keep checking around...cul..

Hello Glenn, For what it's worth...I bought a 1983 Toyota dolphin 3 years ago and have been fixing it up ever since, in between work that is. Paid 3200.00..55,000 miles on it. Had engine rebuilt, new paint job on front cab , new hot water tank, tons of work on inside, all new tires, lots of time and effort to be sure but I am finally semi confident to take it out for a long drive. It seems to be a solid little RV. If ur willing to put a bit of money into these puppies I think you'll be happy. I do wish I'd looked a bit closer at mine before I bought it tho. Lots of rotten wood inside. Look carefully under the cab over bed along the front and both sides , If it ever leaked or still does you'll notice these areas will be wet and spongy. In fact mine had rotten wood all along both top edges of the roof . The sealant they used originally was not the greatest so check carefully. If u see any water stains up around there then probably it leaked and someone slopped a little caulk on the roof edges outside. Also check around the windows on the outside and see if anyone chaulked them too recently. Check around the outside bottom edges of the unit. Mine looked OK but when I laid down and REALLY looked the wood there too was all rotted and I had to replace it with 3/4" treated wood. If any of these checks show up on yours I think due to the high mileage you might get him down to $4000 or less. Good luck...............

Thanks to all..........I checked on the Pro Guard and the Monroe shocks and it said there for 1985 -- models but I have a 1983 Toy Dolphin and I don't know if they'll work or not. Guess I just gotta go down to Autozone and check this out...thks again...

Hi all, Just returned from my first trip with my 83' Dolphin. Got around 24 mpg ( better than I thought I'd get). Unfortunately the water pump blew out after the first 150 miles or so. What a nightmare that turned out to be. Luckily a very nice fellow helped helped me locate a nearby garage for repairs so it wasn't to awful painful. I did notice my rig road a bit rough tho so I believe I need a new set of shocks. My question is ,,what type is best ( air shocks..regular gas type shocks..load leveler type(with the spring wound around the upper part) and where would you suggest I find them. I think they need to be suited for a 1 ton chassis ?........Has anyone ever replaced them themselves ...it doesn't look to difficult ........ not really sure about any of this........Thanks.....Oh yeah, the steering wheel is a bit sloppy ,not much, still a bit. Isn't there a way to stiffin this up somewhat ? At the steering gear box maybe ?.......thanks for any help......

I put up fiberglass dippled sheet (white) on my Dolphin ceiling..glued with PL construction adhesive (works great) and a few aluminium button-head screws here and there. Lowes sells vinyl white T-moulding for the seams. I used treated lumber for the exposed skirting underneath. Boy ..I thought I did alot on mine....you got me beat partner...good luck tho..you seem to have it under control. When you get to sealing the roof if needed , check out the post on here about using spray truck bed liner. I wish I'd have done that on mine........later..

Sounds like you got a real goofball Denis. Believe me I've worked with many over the years up there on the border. Used to be the only qualifications you need to work for Customs are " Can you walk and breathe at the same time". Pretty bad hugh ? Unfortunately, now the only qualifications you need are "none" ! There are a few decent fellas still working up there though..........a very few.......better luck next time........