Derek up North

Now that's 'up North', even by my standards! I can't help you with your Chinook questions, since I've never actually seen one 'in the metal'.

Where's 'up here'?

So it sounds like a Horizon ST. You can get a quick 'anatomy' lesson here:- http://ak91th.com/A_Labor_of_Love.php

2 to chose from:- Nova Star New Horizon or InterVec Horizon ST

I've nothing against buying used. I would be concerned with the ability of a private individual's ability to properly package a refrigerator for safe shipping. It might be worthwhile putting out the word to local RV dealers that you're looking for a used one in case they have a customer who's looking to upgrade. The only one's I know of in Vt is Pete's in South Burlington and TC's in St Albans. http://www.petesrv.com/ http://www.tcsrvs.com/ You might also keep your eye on Craigslist, Kijiji and www.lespac.com in Sherbrooke. BTW, it's going to a bit complicated having 'vtchris' and 'Chris in VT'! Brings to mind Larry, Darryl and Darryl!

I always like to start with the basics. Have you checked that the bulbs aren't burnt out? Where's the headlight switch on a '77? Dash? Stalk?

Certainly looks like a comprehensive report. Sounds like the mechanic is a 'keeper'. Don't know how much you're being quoted for a rebuilt, but they are available used. http://car-part.com/ Got a Pick'n Pull nearby?

Your nearest Camping World is in Concord NH. The appliances are all generic, so don't have to come from a Toyota MH. Trailer, slide-ins and other homes will often have the same or similar. I don't know how much cooking you do, but in my case I'd just install a 2 burner stove and a combo microwave/convection oven. If you figure you'll rarely boondock, you could also consider getting a 110v dorm fridge, too. D Richards salvage yard in Colchester VT had a Dolphin earlier this year, but unfortunately they pretty much removed the engine, transmission and rear axle and put the rest in the dumpster. Heck, it never gets hot enough in the NEK for A/C!!

Hi Chris. Where are you in Vermont? I'm just over the border in Quebec. I've got to say that you've picked up quite a project. A lot of work to do, for sure. That said, I'd hate to see it not stripped and destroyed. The Americana is a pretty rare beast and quite honestly, I think I'd love to own one, though I've never set foot in one. Sort of my imagined ideal Toyota, though not my preferred layout! Let me know if I can rescue it from you!!

My nephew is getting married 'some time in August'. If it's the same weekend, I'll be a bit late!

I'd carefully clean the area (you don't want any dirt going in the vent) and then watch the area carefully to see if and where it gets oiled up in future. I'm not sure if you checked the oil level recently.

He might have simply put in a different one, just to make sure it was operating correctly. Just because a new one has been installed does not mean that it is operating correctly. Have you placed the current one in a pot of water to watch to see that it is opening fully before the water reaches a boil? No matter the thermostat rating (160*, 180*, 190*), they should all be fully open by 212*!

The Nova Star New Horizon is not the same as the Horizon ST by InterVec. The ST is the one whose 'nose' apparently has a habit of falling off. http://ak91th.com/A_Labor_of_Love.php

ARE you perhaps looking at the vent? http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1990-1995_4Rnr/Toyota.4Runner.1990.1995/FSM/95toypdf/95rmsour/1995/954runne/sa/reardiff/onvehicl.pdf

Too bad the fridge manufacturers couldn't just design a gimbal mounted fridge.

I don't doubt that that's what you were told on the phone. However, you've got to remember that an airbag is just that, a rubber bag full of air. The rubber part is made in a limited number of sized and 'customized' with different end plates for the different mounting requirements. So, if you can find one that's the correct diameter and height with the correct mounting surfaces, you're good to go. If you look here under 'Vehicle Guide', you'll see they have the FIR-2115 listed for the Toyota Motorhome ('86-'94). Under 'Replacement Parts' they list the bag as PN 267C1.5-6781 http://www.truckspri...-rite-2115.aspx If you look here, you can see the mounting information for the 267C1.5-6781 (Double Convoluted):- http://www.firestone...rsprings.shtml# http://www.catalogra...ating_guide.pdf Another kit # I've seen is the 1130. Not sure which bag is used there, but the application seems to be Toyota 2wd pickups and the T100 Tacoma (as well as Nissan 720 and the Mighty Max). http://www.eautowork...yota-Pickup.htm BTW, the 'Firestone Airsleeve' appears to be a single convolution, lighter duty bag (up to 3000lb) vs 5000lb for the Air-Ride. http://www.firestoneindustrial.com/riderite/products/srinfo.shtml

If it was me and I already had a system installed, I'd just buy replacement bags and reuse the existing brackets. If you have the Firestone 2115 installed, it appears that the replacement bags are PN 267C1.5 Best price I see after a quick Google search is :- http://www.thepartsbin.com/sitemap/firestone~helper_spring~parts.html The 267C1.5 is used in a large number of kits, not just Toyotas.

I don't consider 20w50 to be a factor in hard starting until there's frost on the ground.

Oh oh! That sounds kind of scary!!

Where's your house (so I can avoid it) and where's your secret location (so I can go there). I don't think we broke 50 degrees here today.

There is a strong resemblance to the Chinook. Very unusual Ranger, with the duallies. And very robust looking front rims, too. Looks more like Toyota 1-Tonne. Congratulations on your rare find!

You'll find that few of the motorhomes that were retrofitted with the 1-Tonne axle had the front end changed, so you'll have to put up with different rims, front and rear. I'm not sure how people adapt to that situation. I'd think that few carry 2 spares. I guess that the best solution would be a spare for the front and hope that you could limp to a garage with one of the rears flat. IF you noticed the flat before the second rear tire gave up in protest, that is!!

With a 'history unknown' situation, I'd settle for draining and filtering the old fluid, remove and replace/clean the screen and then return the 'used' fluid.

Haven't done it myself, yet. I'd be careful about having any loads concentrated on laminate by things like table legs and chairs. I'd try and spread it somehow. Another thing that rarely seems to be mentioned when people talk about installing in RVs is the foam pad designed to go down first. I'm wondering if most skip it in RVs. Lots of other info out there, though not Toyota specific. http://www.google.ca/search?q=laminate+floor+installation+rv&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

This is the upgrade I bought:- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370362593674&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT