pandu

I have NEVER seen screaming speed. This site is frustrating to the point of dissuading people from posting anything. I'm sure we would have a much livelier board if this ran well. It won't let me upload anything but a 150x150 pic no matter where I do it. It's always sloooooow. It just told me, though I was signed in, that I did not have permission to click a + green button. I signed out and back in and tried it again and was told that I had already reached my quota for clicking + green buttons.

I'm comin'! Fri - Sun Jim White Grand Rapids MI 84 Dolphin 22R

Okay, guys. The knowledge is here in this topic but it's never become quite clear enough. SteveJ's post above really says it all. I emailed him and asked if using the new fixture, which is readily available, really worked to replace the old one. Here is what he told me, "It fit in the hole, perfectly. It did have different mounting hole locations, so I had to drill 4 small holes for that. The original holes are covered. No big deal. Looks like original. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Make sure you've got some putty tape to seal it off. Go for it! " So there you go! Use this link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bargman-Lighted-Door-Assist-Handle-RV-New-/140338537913?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20acd425b9 to buy the new one and it will work. So cool.

So far in reading this whole post it seems that we can only find the newer model, the Bargman #70-32-00 which is wider than the old one and a touch shorter. Has anyone found a solution to finding the old one or it's lens? Maybe someone has a Toy on this site for parts. I'm pretty sure the new one won't fit in the old slot and I would dearly like to find an original lens.

Freshly back from my first trip. Getting used to the 'squeeze' in the Toy took some doing. I just kept thinking "tent" so that I was comparing it to that instead of some larger more human size rv. Still, very nice having a stove and refrigerator on board. The trips into Traverse City were usually 4 to 5 hours in which time the fridge never lost it's chill. I was impressed with that. I didn't have to fire up the gas system for it. Now, the Platte River Campground -WOW! I've camped around Michigan at the state parks (Ludington, P. J. Hoffmaster, Grand Haven) and other places all my life. Platte River may well be the nicest in Michigan. Totally wooded, largest campsites I've seen and at least for the 10 days I was there it was very quiet. Sort of an upscale site for camping. The Platte river runs alongside it and there is a livery with canoes, kayaks and tubes. Rent any of them and float down the river for 2 hours. Swimming on beaches along Lake Michigan all around. Or take the scenic M22 route up around the Leelanau peninsula through the quaint little towns like Leelanau, Northport, Sutton's Bay or go into Traverse city for a movie or whatever. Lots to do. Wonderful restaurants around and good camping neighbors. Certainly a recommendation

I'm envisioning a line of ToyHomes driving down Route 66. What a sight that would be! Other RV owners would poop their pants to see us in caravan.

Sounds fun to me. I would also go from the Chicago side down maybe to St. Louis. Amarillo, TX looks to be the midpoint although Santa Fe might be a more fun place to gather. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After new springs, tires, hubcaps, horns (harmonious) and a fresh waxing all over we're going out on our first trip. From Grand Rapids, Michigan North to the Platte River campground in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area near Traverse City. Spending the week getting ready, cleaning and filling tanks, even washing the buggy. It's quite beautiful up there with lakes all around and, of course, the Big Lake! Gonna sleep in the Little River casino lot the night before so I can be in line by 4am or so. Family coming up later in the day. I'll let you know what I find. Not camped there before but it comes highly recommended. My link to the Sleeping Bear sites.

Found a shop in town that does cars and light trucks and could handle a dually. Said I had a 1/4" toe-in going on in the front along with other minor stuff. $90 and good as new for my new tires. Should save a bit on gas too as the tires are not fighting each other any more.

Thank you. Much cheaper than buying an rv cover and pretty much the same thing.

The leaping Dolphin on the back of my '84 was in bad shape. So I stripped it off, rubbed out the painted area and ordered my new vinyl decal. Yup. Well, it's not the EXACT leaping dolphin but it's daaaaang close. Found this on eBay: Dolphin decaL This one looks a lot like the one I had to strip. Sounds like good quality, too. I will take a pic and post it later this week when I get it in the mail. Once it's on I'll put a coat of wax over the area. Hopefully that will help it last longer. The first one lasted 27 years, though it was ragged at the end...

Lots of the links on your info pages are dead, Dennis. You might want to check them out. I'd like to see more. New owner here in Grand Rapids, Michigan so I could make this.

After putting 6 new Hancook tires on my '84 Dolphin and new rear springs I want to make sure these tires don't wear out prematurely! So far the alignment shops around me can't handle the Toy. Any of you have experience with aligning your motorhome?

New owner of a 1984 Dolphin. I live in Grand Rapids. Anyone else in the area? I hear there's one in Grand Haven. Maybe we can have our own little 'Toy In' sometime just to look over each other's Toys!

Hey guys, I just bought an '84 Dolphin. I live in Grand Rapids. Email me sometime. I'm always out your way.

The proper way to do it is through your existing suspension, meaning your springs are too soft and need to be replaced or repaired. I researched this in my area with several reputable people. My '84 Dolphin had springs that were 'enhanced' with 3 new leafs over time but were worn out nonetheless. Fixing them was $360, having new custom ones made was $680 which I opted for. Beautiful solid ride and no scraping from this baby anymore. The added benefit is that solid springs limit any 'sway' you get going around corners or on uneven ground.

If anyone is still interested I have begun my "cleaning" project. Wow! What a difference. First, use a cleaner on the siding to get the dirt off. Then, I've used standard automotive rubbing compound. I had to rub fairly aggressively for just a few seconds on each section (did very small sections at a time being careful of the edges of the aluminum creases, those are the areas that will rub through the paint to the aluminum first). Buffed off the compound. Then applied some 'Rain Dance' wax although any would probably do. It made my siding look new again! Honest to God it transformed my Toy. Got one side pretty much done. It shines like new! Also found a 'paint marker' in brown on the internet (Grainger Online) which allows me to touch up the edges and corners of the brown trim around my windows which have been scratched down to aluminum in places. Makes a nice, neat edge. Was difficult to find a permanent brown marker and this one just did the trick. It's a commercial application product. Whole process is slow. Buffing wheels are only so effective with the uneven creases in the siding but they help with the final wax polishing. Labor of love because it takes time but hey, just take your time, eh? No hurry. Renewing an hour at a time. I also replaced all the steel hex screws around all the panels and door. Found some stainless steel ones at my local hardware so yeah, I'm screwy but I'm shiny too! Taking out screws is interesting because their rust level tells you where your buggy has leaked water down the inside in the past. Lovin' my restoration project. Was a good 'un to begin with but now it's getting to be awesome. See attached photo!

When I brought mine into a highly recommended spring shop they told me they wouldn't recommend air bags. They said I'd get much more stability and long term safety with new springs. The old ones had 3 extra leaves put in over the years ('84 Dolphin). It would have cost $400 for new spring work and $650 for brand new custom springs so I went for the new set. What a ride, what a difference from the old 'fixed' ones.

Very nice! I'm glad you posted. Thank you. I've seen them before going on any significant trip with my Toy so now I'm ready.

Nope, shocks are fine.

That's a very complete and helpful reply. Thank you. I neglected to mention that my new custom made springs are costing me about $650 installed. I don't know if that is going to include new shocks or not. I'll let you all know.

Just to add my 2 cents and take note that I'm a newbie, but I had a discussion with a highly recommended spring shop here in Michigan. My newly aquired '84 Dolphin was riding very rough and my mechanic told me to stop by this place. We talked springs, air bags, etc. and in the end he recommended either beefing up my springs with one or two new leafs (they already had 3 replacement leafs in them) or going with them making me some brand new springs. He did not recommend putting air bags on it saying that the springs done right would give better performance with less maintenance. I ordered up a new set of springs which they are doing now. They have worked on ToyHomes over many years and know the vehicle well. I'm curious as to what other's experiences may have been with suspension. Jim