dropknee Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Hey all, First timer here, I've wanted a Dolphin for a long time and am finally about to realize my dream. I've got this here video of my potential new rig, and would love to hear what you all think. [media=]http://youtu.be/Lcmz_JFaXvM I know there's some water damage, but other than that seems to be in decent shape. Any thoughts, opinions or advice would greatly be appreciated. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Toyota Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 what is the length bumper to bumper what is the price and have you read axle info warnings generally the 20 r very reliable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dropknee Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 17ft. $2,000 is the price I'm planning on paying. Yes Ive tried to dive into the axle issues. This one does not have the dual rear wheels, and the guy Im buying it from actually had it weighed when he bought it and it came in under the max capacity for the axle. (which is funny because it came in closely under which made us think anything longer would have come in over the max capacity, empty, from the factory) We drove it around for a while, it seemed to run strong (while underpowered) and eveyrthing Ive heard about these engines is that they are bombproof. But i any further advice is great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Toyota Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 i have owned four toyotas powered by the 20r it has a double row metal rollor timing chain some would disagree on this point but i would run 20 w 50 oil. the two things that kill them is overheating and dont be afraid to wind them up with in reason lugging them is also bad . use that shift and they will run many years. the 20 r was rated at 96 hp. they used the 20r in the truck, camper, the corona cars and celica cars. i had a 20r 18 foot minimax moter home. under powered yes but doable if they want to go around let them. minimax got 15 mpg . the standered shift is the best of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Toyota Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 many were overloaded when delevered brand new from the factory toyota only sold the cab and running gear there were dosens of moterhome builders some dissapered fast but national rv in paris californa was a mager maker they made the dolphons and sea breze look up national rv archives. the fack dules and 18 to 21 foot they realy had failer of the axl . the no dules and short and lighter units chinook popups and small ones much less problematic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiter Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 The weight on a 17foot may be OK for the single axle. Take a look at the tires, particularly the dates. Stay clear of passenger car tires and get Light Truck tires. With the single wheel axle, its probably operating at its maximum weight, and your probably placing 1200 - 1500 lbs on those rear tires. have the rear end fluid changed. 2k seems a little high, but your approaching the bottom end price ( doesn't make a difference what shape its in, it'll go for 2k as long as it drives and is reasonably intact) Personally, I think you could get something a little newer for about the same price. but like I say, your probably near the bottom end of pricing. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Can't watch your video due to slow internet. AFAIK, by 1980, the Dolphin was way longer (relatively) than 17'. GVWR was 4650lb and dual rear wheels was standard issue. These 'foolies' were what caused axle problems. Before 'foolies', Dolphin installed extra wide single rims & tires (10" wide L60-14). Depending on the offset, these might not be any easier on the bearings/axles than 'foolies'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uthorns Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I have to agree with Waiter, I think you could find a little newer toyhome in better condition for the same money or just a little more. That one looks to need a lot of TLC which can be fun but also could be a money pit. Even fixed up it wouldn't be worth much more. Just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Derek s right about it being too small for a 1980 Dolphin. That's a 78 or older. The headlights are the give away. Double headlights ended in 1978. Be aware that parts for the older Toyota's are getting increasingly difficult to find. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stamar Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 My 79 dolphin was actually a 78. It was the full 21 feet. I saw a 81 dolphin, also 21 feet but what was weird about it was it had the 20r engine, so it was really an 80 truck But right on about the single headlights. Mine had dual the 81 had single, like my 85. Which is actually an 85 truck btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stamar Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I sold my 79 for 3000 in july, and there were a lot of people after it. The value of the old ones really is seasonal, because some people are actually looking only for chinooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 The '78 Dolphin:- 1978 Dolphin Micro Mini.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stamar Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Oh ya foolies is up to 85 al la the one I have. Recalled to 6 lug duallies. Dolphin is the foolie brand its foolies til 85 The only single truck wheels I've seen are from mirage, and they're kinda just a kit sales you can throw that on a truck or bring your truck to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giant in a Shoebox Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 That water damage looks pretty significant to me. That ceiling is going to be full of mold. Some people don't mind the musty mold smell, but I can't deal with it. If I were you I'd come up with another $500-1000 and wait for a newer model with a 22r/re motor, upgraded axle, and less water damage. That said, if your heart is set on that rig, it's probably worth 2k if everything works, fridge, hot water, furnace, AC, stove, lights, everything. Figure on shelling out a 500 dollar bill for any one of the first 4 things on that list. FYI: I looked at 6 or 8 rigs before I found one with all systems working that was only half-full of mold. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Oh ya foolies is up to 85 al la the one I have. Recalled to 6 lug duallies. Dolphin is the foolie brand its foolies til 85 The only single truck wheels I've seen are from mirage, and they're kinda just a kit sales you can throw that on a truck or bring your truck to them Truth is because Dolphin, National Rv was still in business at the time of the recall, more Dolphins were upgraded than any other brand. National made a concerted effort to find and install 6 lug axles on as many of their motorhomes as they could. I checked the brochures for the 79 Dolphins and strange but they show the twin front headlights of the 78 trucks. This one looks just like the one you had I think http://f1.grp.yahoof...retch_Cover.jpg Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 "19 1/2 feet of solid comfort." 1979 Dolphin 500 Micro Mini.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stamar Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 That's exactly my old one dolphin 500 Notice the huge rear window. Later models downgraded that to much smaller. And the ovehead curved window became flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dropknee Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share Posted October 19, 2012 Thanks for all the info, folks.. This is great. The guy who Im buying it from (a friend / carpenter) replaced all of the rotten wood over the cab, but didn't replace the interior panels. That being said, he didnt seal the windows perfectly and it is leaking a tad again. I understand this is an issue, but one Im willing to live with, for now atl east. Everything on the interior works great, stove, fridge, oven, furnace, pump, water heater. Thats what really sold it on me.. So whats the consensus on the axle? You guys think this is not the original axle? Like I said, he looked up the weight capacity for that axle and it seems to weigh in under, but this is a confusing issue. LIke I said this does NOT have the foolies.. any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Thanks for all the info, folks.. This is great. The guy who Im buying it from (a friend / carpenter) replaced all of the rotten wood over the cab, but didn't replace the interior panels. That being said, he didnt seal the windows perfectly and it is leaking a tad again. I understand this is an issue, but one Im willing to live with, for now atl east. Everything on the interior works great, stove, fridge, oven, furnace, pump, water heater. Thats what really sold it on me.. So whats the consensus on the axle? You guys think this is not the original axle? Like I said, he looked up the weight capacity for that axle and it seems to weigh in under, but this is a confusing issue. LIke I said this does NOT have the foolies.. any thoughts? Look at the 78 brochure in answer 12 from Derek. That is your motorhome not an 80. The brochure says wide rear tires and no mention of dualies. Think single wheels is the way it came. Also states 4600 lbs GVWR. Just weigh it and see what kind of weight your dealing with. Reseal the windows with Butyl tape. Best seal Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiter Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 It looks like single wheels on the back, is this true? i.e. four tires total, not 6. The fake dullies caused weird loads on the axle and aggravated the overloading problem. Speculation is that the fake dullie was meant to solve tire loading issues, and not structural loading (I agree with this) Weigh the vehicle, make 4 sure it has light truck tires, not passenger car, or God forbid, trailer tires. Look at the bottom of the windows to see if they have drain holes. The front window may not have one, you can drill one on each side., Also, it looks like the roof vents are leaking water, plan on replacing them. The plastic frames crack, and the water seeps in thru the crack.. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Toyota Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 dropknee i forget about the front of the cab 1977 or 1978 for sure had that pick up and 1978 motorhome grill and all looks to be decent shape. if that has a 5 lug rear axle that was original yes . LINDA THAT pict IS A 1979 COACH ON A 1978 CHASSIS MY DOLPHIN IS LABELED 1987 THE CAB AND CHASSIS IS DATED MARCH 1986. that was a common practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandu Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Never underestimate the problem of "a little water damage". How long have those leaks been going on? Large parts of your cabin could be compromised and this is BIG trouble. One of the most important things to look for is leaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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