guitarlover519 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Hey guys! I am back! and happy to be. I had to sell my old beauty a year or so back due to financial issues, (and she was rotted out) and now i am about to be purchasing a new rig! I found two near me, a 1984 Unicorn with 131k and a 1982 Oaklander diesel with 82k! I have personally seen the unicorn, and it is a bit rough... It does have new brakes and a new clutch and water pump. Everything seems to work on it, but it is quite rough around the edges. It needed a bit of starter fluid to start, and blue a puff of blue smoke when we got her running.... It ran ok though! def needs a tuneup. It has a spot for a generator and a indicator board which is nice. The oaklander is a bit more, but VERY clean. Brand new tires and fridge, no known issues he says. I know they are grossly underpowered at 62hp, but i dont need to go anywhere fast! I am honestly leaning towards the diesel... But i want to know if anyone here can tell me how reliable they are... thats really ALL i care about. I have a full summer with many trips planned... Any input?? GLAD TO BE BACK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skydancer2992 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Diesels are usually much more reliable than gasoline engines. Fewer parts and systems to wear out. They tend to be harder to start in cold weather and may have glow plugs to aid in that. They offer more torque at low RPM so they can seem to be more powerful than their horsepower rating. Did you take a test drive in both homes? (let the owner drive it if he/she is not comfortable with you driving). You can tell a lot by listening to how a vehicle rides. (all cylinders firing, bearings quiet, exhaust quiet, suspension smooth). The diesel home sounds like it was used regularly and maintained. Tires are not cheap. The diesel sounds good to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarlover519 Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 i have not seen or driven the diesel yet... but i did drive the gas home. It drove out as well as my old rig... The engine was making a whineing noise... It may have been the alternator from having a completely dead battery. i am going to view the diesel today or tomorrow... here is some pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarlover519 Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 diesel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarlover519 Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 IMG_0897.MOVIMG_0897(1).MOV this is a video i took of the unicorn.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 The diesel looks pretty good and it has the cool factor. They are still much in demand so I'm guessing it's a solid engine. As for the Unicorn I have never heard of one. Makes it harder to compare. I'm also guessing both of these rigs have axle issues. Did your Sunland Express have the correct axle. So you posted the Unicorn vids before I posted this. It has some serious water damage on the roof. I vote for the diesel but your still gonna need an axle Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarlover519 Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 Linda, the unicorn had extensive water damage on the roof. But had since been "repaired". it no longer leaks, but the ceiling is nothing more than some sort of cardboard he put up and its falling down... The unicorn had the 6 lug axle installed in 2011, diesel is also a 6 lug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Linda, the unicorn had extensive water damage on the roof. But had since been "repaired". it no longer leaks, but the ceiling is nothing more than some sort of cardboard he put up and its falling down... The unicorn had the 6 lug axle installed in 2011, diesel is also a 6 lug. Well very cool that they both have the 6 lug. I still vote for the diesel. I just love the sound of a diesel. What can I say Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarlover519 Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 me too! i am really leaning towards it. Just wanted to make sure they were as reliable as the 22r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Hard to get too much info cause they are just so rare but how about this one. 259,000 miles and this is not a truck that has been babied http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4383099739.html Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarlover519 Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 wow! that answers it for me i think! i believe i may be one of those rare diesel toy owners this saturday! I CANT WAIT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Hard to get too much info cause they are just so rare but how about this one. 259,000 miles and this is not a truck that has been babied http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4383099739.html Linda S Just waiting for a Sunrader/Chinook/Bandit transplant! But not a cheap base to start working with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Just waiting for a Sunrader/Chinook/Bandit transplant! But not a cheap base to start working with. You Derek? Darn it's too bad you live in the north pole. This camper is just a cool as the Chinook Newport and super cheap http://fresno.craigslist.org/rvs/4384883192.html Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarlover519 Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 So i bought it! its in beautiful condition. Rides out great. Got GREAT gas mileage on the way home.... 1/4 tank in 69 miles... Need to see what the tank size is. BAD NEWS THOUGH. had the damn 5 lug even though he said it was 6. GOOD news is, i talked him down to 2,050 from 3,500.... I have access to a 6 lug and tires and rims. Anyone in the chicago area that will help get this task done? willing to pay good money for help/// If not, any idea how many hours of labor a shop would charge for the swap? more pictures tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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