MikeS

I use Irfanview for that and photos in general, but I was being lazy. Mike

Oops, there it is. Things happen so slow on this board I can't tell what's going on. I need to slow down!

It was neat as a pin. Here's another picture. Arizona plates. Mike ********** Well, I tried to add another picture. It is only 533 KB so I don't know why the board bounced it twice.

The Sea Breeze in the pictures was going through Daggett last Monday and you couldn't even hear the engine running it was so smooth and quiet. Mike

Thanks for the details Eric. They must have gone to the stronger roof by '88 from what you're saying. The figure I've heard a number of times is 6 inches wider and 2 inches higher than the "normal" Toyota motorhomes. It seems like 13 is a real solid and conservative average figure for fuel consumption on the V-6, so if you're getting 12 - 16, it doesn't sound any different than the V-6. Maybe the V-6 is the way to go then, although the 22RE is easier to work on from what I've learned about the V-6. Adjusting the valves on the V-6 (can you believe it doesn't have hydraulic lifters??) is a painful process requiring shims. Maybe it's not so bad once you've done it a couple times and have built up an assortment of shims. Anyway, thanks. That '88 in Pleasant Hill sold for just under 5K but if the deal falls through like the last one did it'll be back on Craigslist/eBay again. Mike

Thanks for answering Eric. Did they go to the new and stronger roof by 1988? Spag7 says his '86 Odyssey has a very thin roof, so at some point they went to the new roof. I'd like, when i get mine, to be able to get on it (using normal roof precautions like boards) and tend to things - perhaps install a pod or two for carrying stuff. How di you like the 22RE? Dennis advised me to drive one before I decided on a 4 cylinder, so I'll start looking for that opportunity. They definitely seem to get better mileage than the V-6 and plus there's some things (like valve adjustments using shims) I don't like about the 6, along with the fact it uses more gas. The '88 I was looking at is up by you - in Pleasant Hill. The fellow selling it has not responded to calls or emails and has it listed all over the place. In fact, if you type 1988 Odyssey into Google his unit comes up everywhere. He's already sold it on eBay once, but now it's back. It has exactly the floorplan I like and has the 4 cyl. and 32K miles, but I've lost interest due to seller's lack of communication and because it just seems like a very wonky situation with this seller. I'd like to get some history on the unit, but it's just got too many red flags at this point. But there will be others, so I'm trying to learn about the '88 & '89 models, trying to find out if they have the improvements that showed up in the 90 - 93 models (which can only be found with the V-6. Thanks for the reports guys. Mike

I see Dennis is on vacation so I'll ask the group . . . I'm looking at a 1988 Odyssey on eBay and wondering what the differences are between the 1988 and the 90-93 Odysseys (excepting the Americana models). Had they gone in 1988 to the "Two Ton Torture Test Roof"? If anyone knows of any changes made to later models that had not been done to the 1988 models please post what you know. I'm aware of the change from the 22RE to the V-6 and, in fact, it is because of the fact it has the 4 that I'm interested. I'm thinking the 4 is easier to work on, more reliable, and more economical than the V-6. Since I've never owned either one I'm just going on what I've picked up over time, but since I don't intend to take an Odyssey down the freeway very often I'm pretty sure I'll be happier with the trusty ole' 22RE. I'm sure they had gone to the upgraded axle by 1988 . . . correct? Any other differences or changes anyone knows of? Thanks, Mike

> " . . .the six, not so much. keeping it's valve clearances in spec is a bit of work, even for an experienced mechanic. it can be done on the 4 in well under an hour." I'm not understanding something here . . . you are saying the V-6 has mechanical lifters? Mike

I've wondered for some time whether instead of using air, using helium in the tires and rear air suspension bags would add lift to the rig and reduce the rolling resistance. Mike

Here's a picture I found on the Yahoo site. Looks like yours. This one is a 1981 Wanderlust. I'm not sure I know how to upload the picture, but I'm trying.

Sorry Wanderer. This forum is not all that well attended, although I've had good luck with some of my questions. This is surely an unusual Toyota. I've been watching them for a year and you seldom see the ones with a tag axle - I think that's what this is? The few that I've seen have been pretty old. Try posting in the Yahoo Toyota Motorhomes group. Lot more activity over there, although most of it is "Did you see that?" "Yes" "LOL", "How's Ethel?" sort of thing. Mike Let us know what you find out about it.

This looks like a good argument for replacing the Toyota V6 with the Chevy V8. Mike

Thanks Dennis for the response & all the info. I've read your PDF files and looked at your pictures. It would seem that just for the extra ceiling height and width, the Odyssey would be the most desirable of all of the many choices. Thanks too for the info on the engines. I know once you get a vehicle moving, it takes very little horsepower to keep it moving, so that's why I've been thinking the 4 cylinder would be more economical. It sure does pay to take the time to look into things before making a decision. I've been watching the Toyotas & reading about them for at least a year now and only now do I discover that with the Odyssey I wouldn't have to modify the shower height or replace the fridge. The Odyssey seems like a much better starting point than the others. Thanks again, Mike When it comes time that I actually buy an Odyssey I'll check with you on specific things to look at.

My research of the Toyota motorhomes continues . . . This 1990 Odyssey is currently (2/1/08) on eBay. From the ad and from the owner I've learned that the Odyssey has 2 inches more headroom than the typical Toyota camper. Headroom is 6' 3". It is 6" wider than the typical Toyota MH. Is this true? I didn't ask the actual width, he just states that it's six inches wider. Can you Odyssey owners confirm this? Also, the "2 Ton Torture Test Roof" is stronger than the others. The roof and coach body are insulated with two layers of insulation - the ad says "styrofoam and Monsanto Foam-Cor". I know the roof, with structural problems resulting from leaks, is a weak point with many motorhomes, not just Toyotas, so having an extra strong one seems like a great idea. Especially since carrying luggage pods & whatever else will be even more important in a motorhome where space is so limited. To top it off, this Odyssey came with a fridge bigger than the 4 cu. ft. "bar fridge" that seems to have come standard in every other Toyota MH that I've seen. This one has a separate freezer door above the fridge compartment. This 6 cu. ft. fridge came with the unit from the factory. It looks large enough that the 6 cu. ft. may refer to just the fridge part and the freezer section may actually be in addition to that. I've been thinking I would replace the bar fridge with something more useable when I finally decide on and buy a Toyota, but with the Odyssey, at least this 1990 model, the larger fridge came with it. Since all of these Toyotas are getting long in the tooth and will require some investment of time & money to make right, and because in my case I have some major improvements I intend to fit, it makes sense to do lots of research and start with the best foundation. In the case of this Odyssey, I suspect with the 75" headroom that height may extend to the shower and thus make it practical for someone of average height to use. The owner makes the point that his unit has a fiberglass shower enclosure as opposed to whatever the other Toyotas have. I know looking at pictures I see a lot of wallpaper with rust stains around the bottom pan and wherever there are fittings. I once asked a seller for the shower height in his Toyota and the answer indicated to me that it was suitable only for children & midgets or for someone willing to scrunch up like Houdini in his box. Were people shorter back when these Toyotas were built? One of my planned modifications is to raise the ceiling of the shower (or lower the floor) so that I can stand up straight in it and shampoo my hair and actually enjoy taking a shower. The one on eBay has the V-6, as did all the Toyota MH's after 1988 or so (from what I know at this point . . . I'm very much still learning). I would prefer the 4 for reasons of fuel economy. I don't expect to carry this much weight and go fast, but I don't care about speed, just economy. Does anyone know if the Odyssey with the features this one has was built with the RE22? For those like me looking into the many, many campers that were built on the Toyota truck chassis, I'm sure this info re the Odyssey may be interesting. For those of you who actually own and use your Toyotas, please correct me on anything I get wrong. Thanks, Mike

I've seen air conditioners mounted at the rear of the roof - the Vixen TD comes to mind. I think I've seen them on other van type motorhomes. Instead of mounted up top, they are somehow blended into the rear of the motorhome with the louvers facing horizontally aft. Doesn't the Pleasure Way or Road Trek vans have something like that too? Those vans like the Pleasure Way or Road Trek get lousy mileage, just like trucks. Your idea of using a converted minivan seems like a great idea. Raise the roof (or put a pop top on) so you can move around inside and get something large like the Grand Caravan you mention and you've really got something useful and a pleasure to drive. The aftermarket van modifiers put the pop-tops on. I'm sure they could do one for the Sienna too. I like the way the van sides open up. You could put a screen room on the side and really have a nice set-up for camping.

I've thought about doing what you are doing - making my own motorhome from one of the minivans. There are some shops doing the conversions - I've seen the Chrysler Town & Country converted as well as the RWD Aerostar. They put pop-top roofs on them plus the usual motorhome fixtures inside and then charge lots and lots of money. Doing it yourself is a lot cheaper. I think it's a great idea. Do you have any thoughts on which van would be the best one to start with if money was no consideration? Is that why you chose the Sienna? Ford, Dodge & GM make huge passenger vans that would make excellent do-it-yourself motorhomes I think, but they are basically trucks underneath and get truck-type mileage, so no advantage there. Anyway, how about posting some pictures of your rig? Mike

Something I thought a Toyota MH owner would just have to live without is a slide-out, and now I've discovered that Four Seasons made one. Does anyone have experience with these? There is one on eBay just now with a very low price. It's also on the Kansas City Craigslist. It has the bad axle. If it wasn't so far away I'd go look at it and I think with this one that would be imperative as the pictures the seller sent me are more revealing for what they don't show than what they do. So . . . it's possible to have a factory-built Toyota with a slide-out! I've been thinking that if I really wanted to get into a project I would retrofit a slide-out along with some of my other great ideas such as getting rid of the black water system and putting in an Incinolet. Also increasing the height (or lowering the floor) of the shower so someone other than a midget can take a shower. Also putting in a re-circulating shower system like some spas have (Kohler) so that long hot showers are possible. Does anyone have any experience with the Four Seasons slide-out Toyota? There must not have been many built as I've been watching Toyotas for more than a year and this is the first one I've seen. Mike

If one floor plan puts more weight behind the rear axle than the other one, then handling would be affected. I suppose the stove/sink set up in the back would weigh about the same as the toilet/shower setup, although just guessing it seems the toilet/shower would weigh more.

Does the bathroom/shower in the back put more weight behind the axle than having the sink/stove back there? There seems to be two main floorplans. Does anyone have any thoughts on which one is better and why? Thanks, Mike

Hello, I think I've seen motorhomes as long as 23 feet on the Toyota chassis. Did the builders of the 21-23 foot Toyota motorhomes use a longer Toyota truck chassis than is used on the 19' models? I guess what I'm asking is what is/was the longest Toyota motorhome truck chassis? Thanks, Mike

Looks like you didn't get any replies to your query . . . either that or I can't figure out how to find them. Have you found a Toyota Motorhome forum with more activity than this one?