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gene jo

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Posts posted by gene jo

  1. My Dolphin is a 92 with 102K miles on it. The head gasket was done by Toyota at 98K when I bought it. It runs great. During the teardown they put new belts, hoses, etc. as well a a new radiator. Live in the desert so cooling is a big thing here. It runs great, plenty of pep....and never runs hot even in the summer. I did other things like shocks, tires and had a rack welded on the back to carry a generator if needed, or just for storage. No built in generator. Being 20 years old, it has some wear...but never being out of the desert keeps the body nice. Absolutely everything works, both truck and coach. I love it....especially with the price of gas. My only complaint is when the fuel level is low the engine will bog down for a second after a sharp turn and then accelerating...can't figure out why but keeping the fuel level above 1/8 or so solves the problem.

  2. I got the light changed by using the skinny screwdriver and bending technique. I only changed one though. Seems so simple now. Just tore out all the carpet and will be re-carpeting with some Berber I saw at Lowe's. $12 per linear foot on a 15 ft roll..plan on 4 feet in order to not have any seams. Originally there was linoleum or something similar as I can see it now and it looks not to bad, just lots of holes from previous lousy carpet installation. Wish me luck. Thanks again for all the info on the headlight.

  3. If what I'm reading on the internet is true, changing the headlight on my 92 Toy is a major project. I've read you have to remove the grill, remove the sidelamps and even remove the front bumper to get to the lower bumper clips; clips break when trying to be removed as they are so old and fragile. What in the world were the Toyota engineers thinking when they designed this configuration? Has anyone had any experience doing what I thought would be a simple task? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.

  4. Just returned from Vegas to San Diego and back trip. The 92 Dolphin ran just great though I've always got an ear out for new noises since the V6 has 105k on it (just had head gasket recall done at 98k). Coming across the desert at 105+ degrees there was considerable odor from the waste tank. We just use it for Number 1 body function (saves many a stop for wife), but the odor was quite apparent. After draining tank it went away. Doing some research about vent systems I found that the plain stack vent that I have does not do much for pulling vapors out of tank. I've ordered this Cyclone vent:

    http://www.rvpartsce...&DID=54&CID=407

    Has anyone had any experience with odors like this? If so, what have you done? How about the Cyclone thing.....hoping it works. Awaiting delivery from Amazon.

    Thanks for the info....appreciate it, gene

  5. My 92 Dolphin has the fold down futon type bench....I'm in the process of reupholstering the seat area. After removing seat I notice two about 4-inch or so springs that were just hanging. I think I've connected them back correctly even though one pops out every time I open or close it and at this point don't know why....it may be stretched or need the ends pinched....my question is I'm not sure if I've connected them correctly. One end was still connected to the pin with the push on retainer, but it's the other end I'm not sure of. I'll try to upload some pictures. There is a hole in the tubular frame that the spring seems to reach to and that's where I put them. If someone else has a functional seat I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

    Also, any suggestions were to get things like foam, seat springs, seat material (I know the original is probably long gone)....again, thanks.

    post-4777-0-59725900-1313077995_thumb.jp

    post-4777-0-08112100-1313078024_thumb.jp

  6. Just returned from Vegas to San Diego and back trip. The 92 Dolphin ran just great though I've always got an ear out for new noises since the V6 has 105k on it (just had head gasket recall done at 98k). Coming across the desert at 105+ degrees there was considerable odor from the waste tank. We just use it for Number 1 body function (saves many a stop for wife), but the odor was quite apparent. After draining tank it went away. Doing some research about vent systems I found that the plain stack vent that I have does not do much for pulling vapors out of tank. I've ordered this Cyclone vent:

    http://www.rvpartscenter.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=41101&SID=9&DID=54&CID=407

    Has anyone had any experience with odors like this? If so, what have you done? How about the Cyclone thing.....hoping it works. Awaiting delivery from Amazon.

  7. If you don't get the answer you need here, try toyotanation. Your front brakes will be the same as any Toyota pickup of your year and "make" (1/2 ton, etc.).

    Will do.....I see the rotors aren't that expensive..about $42 through....I have a PEP Boys close by but every time I bring a rotor into them, it's always too thin to turn...don't know if they are telling the truth or not. I have a micrometer but not sure how much they have to take off to resurface them. I'll give it a shot though. Again, thanks.

  8. If you have done brakes before there is nothing new there the hubs are heaver but that's about it. The calipers have to be removed to get the rotor off and even if there is nothing wrong with the rotors you really should repack the bearings. They are the same type design as the smaller one's so you can follow the book if you need to have a look as to how they come apart. NAPA does have a listing for 1 ton Toyota's brakes and the rotors, the 1 ton is larger in width and thickness they may ask how many bolts hold the rotor to the hub (I can't remember how many you'll have to look when you have the rotor off)

    Thanks Maineah,

    The NAPA site is quite informative. I have done plenty of auto brakes before but it's been awhile since I've pulled a hub to get to a rotor. I guess I'll need new seals for that. Thanks again.

  9. My 92 Dolphin's front brakes aren't in shown in the Hayne's manual for Toyota pickups in that year span. Seems the 1 ton trucks are kind of skipped over. I tried to search the internet but haven't had any luck yet. Does anyone have a link or info with instructions on how to dismantle to get to pads and rotors? I could go in blind but instructions would give me a bit more confidence.

  10. My 92 Dolphin's front brakes aren't in shown in the Hayne's manual for Toyota pickups in that year span. I tried to search the internet but haven't had any luck yet. Does anyone have a link or info with instructions on how to dismantle to get to pads and rotors? I could go in blind but instructions would give me a bit more confidence.

    sorry for the double post....don't know how to delete this one....if someone does, feel free.

  11. I weigh 205 and walk on my roof ('85 Dolphin) but I'm careful where I step. I try to stay on top of the roof framing which can be seen by the slightly raised lines extending across the roof. Much more solid. I've also used two pieces of 1/4" plywood about two feet square. Stand on one piece and move the other one in the direction you're moving. Its a little slow getting around but the plywood distributes your weight over a larger area, putting less pressure in a small area. Works fine.

    John

    Good idea, I'll try that....thanks

  12. I would like to get up on top of my 92 Dolphin and do some re-sealing of things but I'm concerned about how strong the roof would be as I'm about 230 lbs. I would hate to have a foot go through the roof. Does anyone have information or suggestions on how I would approach this?

    Gene

  13. I'm pretty sure you've got the 17.2 gallon (LWB) tank installed. It should measure 37: long. The smaller tank is about 6" shorter.

    Next time I'm underneath I will measure it. I do get a flat spot on acceleration after turning a corner when the gauge read almost empty....goes away after putting gas in.

    Gene

  14. Gene;

    I'd be willing to bet you have a 17 gal.

    My fuel gauge will run below "E". About 1 needle width.

    Carry a spare gas can and run it lower.

    I never ran mine out, but I've filled up a couple times with 16 - 16 1/2 and the gauge needle was at least 1 needle width below the E.

    (NOTE - I ALWAYS carry at least 2 1/2 gal gas can (full of gas of course)

    John Mc

    88 Dolphin 4 Auto

    I will try running it out while carrying spare gas.....one thing for sure, once the needle gets very close to the empty mark I will get a flat spot on acceleration after turning a corner. This will happen until I put more gas in, then it goes away. I'm figuring it gets fuel starved on the turn. Don't know if anyone else experiences this.

    Gene

  15. Reading my Toyota truck manual for my 92 Dolphin, it states 14.5 for short bed, 17 for long. Recent trip to beach needed several fill-ups but each one only was 14+ gallons....fuel gauge was on dead empty. I'm assuming I have the smaller tank as stock on the truck but weren't these modified long beds? Anyone have info on this?

    Gene

  16. Not all the RV water heaters have adjustable thermostats. Mine does not. it is a Suburban. Mine heated the water way too hot. Its thermostat is actually a heat sensor (non adjustable) that presses against the tank on the interior near the controller. Like I said mine got to hot, around 165 degrees. So I did some research and found that a guy had taken a standard adjustable thermostat available at Home Depot (under $10) and retrofitted it in place of the original. So I bought one and did the same. Now my water temp is down to 120 - 130 degrees and no more lobster cooking.

    Greg, Thanks for the input.....I'm going to look into another thermostat like you did.

    Gene

  17. I had a post recently regarding my water heating burner running too long....my unit in my 92 Dolphin is an Atwood and there is no external type thermostat....I think it has a factory set one as the heater is the auto ignition model with the switch by the sink. I turn in on and it will run 30-40 minutes and then I get fearful and shut it off. Checking the temp with a meat thermometer shows 150 degrees or so. Whether it will shut off by itself has yet to be seen...I'm afraid if something is not working right I may ruin the heater....does anyone know how to check this unit's thermostat, which must be somewhere,??? Water does start to drip out of the pressure relief valve. I probably could live with it this way, but would rather not. Any help appreciated

    Gene

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