FredNewell

Trip completed, to and from Nashville. Dolphin ran smooth the entire trip. Eastbound via I-80 and returned via I-40. Still thinking about selling the Dolphin, either this month or in September.

Well, it has been a while since posting. I retired from my job, and lost the login/password. Found it again. Last fall we took another round trip to Nashville, and are going again in a week or so. Fortuna to Nashville. No problems last trip. Don't expect any this trip. Thinking about selling the Dolphin afterwards.

Every fall we pick wild blackberries to make a 9x12 cobbler, served with ice cream. This tool will make it easier. Thanks for the good post.

Thanks - great post.

I bought Wet Okole, blue and tan with a dolphin insert. I submitted a photo and they knew which pattern to cut from. They are higher priced but fit perfect. I'm not saying Wet Okole is better, but we like them. Since then, we've seen other brands online that looked good too. I've spent too much money on RVs in my life. I'll probably spend more. or as some say... "throw away more".

GOOD THREAD.

Any chance it could be an automatic transmission with a fouled filter? Not my specialty... I had a Chrysler that whistled... badly needed transmission service. Maybe a Toyota automatic won't do this... just a guess.

I love it when I have to work on it... and it's a Toyota... and it's easy.

Wow... Beautiful. Wanna sell?

" My Dodge GrandCaravan with AWD and a 3.8 engine gets 22 MPG loaded with crap and people. MUCH better for that sort of thing." Off topic, but what year is yer dodge AWD Caravan? I have a 2000 T&C I have way too much money into, but I like it. Never thought I'd like a minivan.

I personally bought the king cab carpet kit on a chance and it worked out well. If I recall, the backing insulation was an option and was already fastened to the carpet back. Removing the old stuff involved removing many (very many) staples with a small screwdriver and a set of heavy duty electrician's pliers. The install was easy. I followed up with a set of Wet Okole (brand) seat covers and covered the old plaid door panels with the same fabric we used to re-upholster the cushions in camper area. After 4+ years now, I'd say the expense was worth it for us. Every fabric surface we touch inside of the rig is new material, which we like. The camper floor is white linoleum stapled over the old carpet. It came that way and we thought about replacing it with laminate or bamboo, but decided it works just fine. When we drive out of town, we drape a sleeping bag between the cab and the camper for sound proofing, and to eliminate drafts. If I were to start over, I'd do some soundproofing with some kind of acoustic spray inside of the doors, or maybe Dynamat (brand) material.

Just completed our annual round trip from Fortuna CA to Nashville TN. No problems except for a fuel filter. Pulled into an O'Reilley auto parts store somewhere along I-80 in Nebraska. $12 for the filter and a different pair of pliers, some long cuff Playtex gloves, and about 5 minutes later we were back on our way. Freeway speed had dropped from 70-75 to 50 mph. After the new filter, back up to 70. Lesson: Change the filter before each long trip. Carry a spare. Drain the tank a little (there is a drain plug) to see if anything but clear gas comes out. Safety items... Shut off propane, disconnect battery, open the gas cap to vent pressure. The filter is under the truck, about 4' behind the passenger seat. It is clipped to the frame. Only tool needed is a pair of pliers. Rags or paper towels are nice. Gloves are nice. Don't need to jack it up. Can reach from laying on the ground. This is for an 84 with a carb, not fuel injected.

Interesting thread. Important info. IMO good to review. Timely too, as we're loading the Dolphin this week to take our annual cross-country road trip.

Ok... I do believe, based on the info in this thread, that I have staggered shocks. I convinced myself that the Bilsteins I purchased do not fit. Currently, I work M-F away from home. This weekend, I figure on repeating all of the measurements, and verifying that the shock I rec'd are match the stock code I ordered. Hopefully, I can remove any and all doubt, at least for me. Right now, I'm confused, and I'll bet the original poster is too.

Linda S, What would staggered shocks look like? On mine, on the passenger side the unit is behind the axle. On the driver's side, the shock is forward of the axle. I guess I don't know what the term "staggered shock" means. Fred

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The rear axle is the Toyota retro-fit. Now that I think about it... that's why the bushings and shocks were still looking pretty fair... they are not original 1984. Some online info about the 1991 recall of 1984 Dolphin MHs to cause an upgrade to floating 6-lug axle makes me think the shocks, springs, and axle were installed in 1991 or 1992, but I really have no record. The Autozone/Gabriels went in just fine. I'm happy with them for now.

This is the info that is probably best.

I considered rear spring sag, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The shocks Autozone sized are identical to the originals. The compressed and "stretched" lengths are to same. I'm not thinking the leaf springs are sagged far enough to make 4-5 inches difference. FWIW there are 7 layers of leaf spring. I wonder if this is typical. I'm not an expert in this field, just a bonehead who changed out his own shocks. I'm not sure how much $ I saved. There's something to be said for crawling under the MH and checking everything out. I was pleased that everything looked good, no rust, no rot. I guess the old Dolphin will be good for a while.

Ok, here's how it went. The front shocks went on easily. The rear... the Bilsteins I purchased from shockwarehouse did not fit. Even when compressed fully, they are too long. As a result, I took off the old rear shocks, and after giving up on the Biltsein install, I went to Autozone and purchased a pair of GabrieLs @ $85 for the pair. Here's the Bilstein info... 2 24-184830 F4-B46-1772-H1 Bilstein Toyota Pickup and Motorhome Item: 24-184830 $74.24 $148.48 2 24-002585 Bilstein Toyota Pickup, Landcruiser, and Others Item: 24-002585 $74.24 $148.48 Sub Total $296.96 Shipping (Ground) $0.00 Invoice Total $296.96 In Hindsight, I should have removed the old shocks and measured, then ordered based on measurements. I watched a youtube video of a guy removing rear shocks using an air impact tool, and therefore assumed the shocks would be a major project to remove. In fact, the rears cam off with a 14mm socket. A 3/8 drive would have been adequate. Easy.

Tonight/tomorrow I'm installing the Bilstein rear shocks sized by shockwarehouse. I'll snap a photo and let you know how it went. I can offer the part numbers then as I'm away from home right now.

"I can do the swap myself, I have all the tools (thanks for the steps FredN), but I live in a yuppy neighborhood, and don't want to confront any of my crazy neighbors on meds." Yuppies can be bought off with starbucks cards. Everyone has their price. Now about the bushings... When I get under the rear of the MH I'll see the bushings for the first time. I don't intend to change them out yet, but I do plan on shooting some non-petroleum based lube onto them.

Here's something I found on a tech-training site for a major shock absorber company.. Always prime shock absorbers before fitting fully extend and compress the unit 3 times to remove air pockets inside the shock. I've never heard of this before.

sumtimes we boys enjoy a good fight, even if just to watch. (grin)

I bought a set of bilstein shocks. Front right took 1.5 hours, in the hot sun. I got overheated so stopped when it was done. The next day, the left front took 20 minutes start to finish. Rears next weekend. Needed... Jack, wheel removal, 17mm ratcheting box wrench to install, vise grip to hold shaft rotation while tightening, 12mm deep socket to install. 12mm ratchening box to remove, and a pipe wrench. Gotta jack the truck 6" higher than what is needed to remove the wheel. Oh yeah... jack stands of course.