chefdave

Hi thanks for reply. strangely handling has changed much on corners but straight line driving is vastly improved along with acceration. not talking a flooring for kick down judt seems like a lot less effort to get to mph and stay there. With cruise control on now kick down on hills seem alot less. I'll keep everyone posted on how next tank goes. looking to see if i can get 20 uk mpg. next job after mot is full service with filters and some more lightening mods. looking to replace all motorhome glass with polycarbonate this could save up to 100kg. will also remove air conditor on roof and fit sky light spoilers to reduce noise and drag. i think full service and new van tyres will be best first steps. correct tyres and pressures should give handling and small mpg improvements.

Hi sure if this post should follow anything already. please move to part of forum if nessacary. I was only getting 13-14 uk miles to gallon after fitting new spark plugs. went to have tracking checked. mechanic that checked tracking was amazed at how far it was out. not sure how many degrees out on lazer gauge it was 5 bar marks out but he had to adjust tracking arm by 12 mm or 1/2" on one arm. other bad news is that previous owner did not fit van tyres so max psi is 40lb way below toyota recomended pressure. so hoping ehen i can afford 6 new tyres fuel consumption should be over 15 uk mpg. if v6 has a knock sensor would 97 octane be better than 95 octane. these are the only 2 grades avaliable in uk. Thanks dave

Hi have to do some final measuring but have found a pair of recaros from a ford. bolt holes are within 5 mm of hilux seats. also guy selling them said a mate of his did same thing but not sure which runners where used. ill keep you posted

Hi wrnt on to air tabs uk. they went to usa air tabs and answer i received was a little unexpected. not worth doing as my dolphin has rounded edge at rear and my sides are corrugated. have noticed most dirt collects on cab side windows not back of toy. obvious conculsion would be to improve air flow around cab. to reduce air flow underneath have looked into lorry spary control brushes. similar to a very long elongated paint brush. these would slow air flow under toy. i would fit under front bumper along cab sills and under where the motorhome body extends past cab. if what internet says is right it will push air around body create low pressure area behind rad also with these spary control brushes no worries about them bresking off if you accidental hit dips sleeping policemen etc

Mainah am long way north of you. live in groats next stop north is orkney islands. im not scottish by birth but deffo not english due to cornish and irish blood. do the lejog run twice a year to visit friends and family. toy is ideal now i dont have tow a twin axle 6 berth caravan. :-)

Hi thanks for advice. sorry if in wrong section of forum. may take a while to sort some seats but know what to look now. will keep you posted. Thanks again dave

Hi does anyone know what other seats from tje toyota range fits the toy range. Thanks dave

Hi love my v6 engine but for mpg improvement think i would go with a nissan terrano (not sure of name in usa). Had a terrano and got 35 mpg on a 2.7 turbo diesel engine is bullet proof and tunable on intercooler version. extra 25 bhp not sure of torque increase but can tow 2.8 tons legally in untuned form. sheds loads of torque from tick over to 3000rpm. had 2+ ton of caravan and fully loaded boot over motorway speed limit with no sign of stress. must make it a suitable doner engine.

Hi quick up date 5 good plugs and dodgy one with end cap tightened has transform dolpin. had to give it some welly for overtaking. well i was amazed doing 60mph up a 1 in10 and still pulling like a train then in came overdrive and thst did not slow acceleration. Even fuel gauge did not move. ummmmm big surprise. Next will be filters and oil change. may also have a go at air intake mod featured in this forum shown on 3.4 v6. Need all the torque i can get for going up scottish mountains. dave

Hi totem thanks for link. think i will be using a lot to remove rust from chassis and track rods etc before sealing chassis aganist winter salt thanks dave

Hi do you know what the uk version of clp brake free and pb blaster are called. Thanks dave

Hi have changed 5 out of 6 just middle one on air intake side. it will do 2 turns then go very tight. so have unwound 2 turns used penatrating oil then done up. theory being im pushing oil towards cynlinder thus lubricating whole tread. Will keep you posted and let you know out come. Dave

Hi Thanks for advice. ally heads are a pain will carry on with small amounts of penatrating oil when cold and get engine to cycle through hot and cold for a week. Then try again. plugs already removed are corroded and champion make. all the ends where leads attach are loose. not good for running or fuel consumpsion. Thanks dave

Hi went to replace spark plugs today and could only remove 3. Have sprayed rest of plugs with shock and unlock. No joy but dont want to get to aggrestive incase i break plug or strip threads. old pluds are champions with plug lead connector unscrewed. also plugs that i removed where wet and smelt of petrol. thanks dave

Also looking to remove air con unit on top and lose window/vent/skylight over cab area to reduce noise. over cab body thinking of fitting perspex and tinting it. to help lose a few kilos to aid stability and try and gain a couple of mpg. along with a service new ignition leads dizzy cap and rotor arm. as i live in uk and drive a pre 1992 vehicle i am legally allowed to remove cat from exhaust. this should make biggest difference.

Hi yes it is a chrome bumper goes full width of front. if someone can explain how to upload a photo, i will be able to show you. since fitted use a lighter throttle and 50+mph comes up when driving up a 1 in 10 hill for over a mile. thats on an auto box in overdrive and no over heating

Hi have just fitted a bull bar to my dolphin and it has made a huge postive difference to wind noise and ability to stay in overdrive. ummmm not what i was expecting. any theoys on why. Thanks dave

Hi thanks for all advice and info on shock fitting dave

Hi need to find the size of bolts that hold front shocks on. when i come to fit new shocks i dont think bolts will survive removal. also after 24 years i would rather replace with new rather that reuse. Thanks dave

Hi thats news to me never even heard of vw taro let alone seen one. i also visited the vw factory back in 1981 and never saw anything that resembled a large pick up.

Hi thanks linda for link to buy shocks. will give them a call. as european suppliers are still searching. bilstien is european so i cant understand slow response. also thanks to everyone who has offered help. it is greatly appriecated. Dave

Hi thanks linda that is where my problems started. now have munroe uk and kyb europe trying to cross reference american part numbers to european spec. or alternative is to import straight from the states.

Thanks that is a good starting point will keep you posted dave

Hi i am looking for part numbers for front shocks on my v6 dolphin. as i live in the uk all companies i have contacted say they cannot supply anything for american spec toyota pickup. if i have pant numbers and manufacturer details hopefully they will be able to cross reference to european spec. Thanks dave

Hi been into the orginal handbook for toyota pick up fully loaded is 60psi rear and 29psi front on the 185/14 tyre. which would be same as motorhome.