ToyoHome4me? Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Howdy howdy, going to see a 1984 18' toyo for sale maybe today, maybe tomorrow. Don't really know the manufacturer, but it's not a dually. The old guy is hard to get info out of over the phone, no pics, not for sale on line, etc. Any have a clue what this beast might be ? I've looked through the Mfctr's chart here, and it is not obvious to me what it might be. I'm excited about it tho.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyoGuy Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Hi THFM, What year?, What is the material that the coach is built out of? (ie. aluminum or fiberglass panels, moulded FG ?) 4 or 6 cyl? Standard or auto tranny? Ya gotta throw out a bigger bone to get some real idea of the mfg. There's people in the forums that can tell you a lot more than me, but we need more info. Definitely read the buying info on this site before laying out any hard-earned weasel hides, wish I had... Welcome and good luck. TG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 I don't know of any manufacturers who put single wheels on the back in 1984. Unfortunately that also means it very well might have the fake duallies and a not full float axle. It was recalled and would need to be replaced at a pretty high cost. Whatever you do take a close look at the rear axle. Your looking for 6 lugs and a center hub that sticks out from the wheel. If it doesn't look like that don't buy it unless you want to spend another grand fixing the problem Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyoHome4me? Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Ahah ! Man sez it's 14" wheels 5 lug. Could be a big red flag. Also, talked to him again, and it may be a 20' stead of 18. 4cyl r22 engine. auto. Runs and wants $900 firm. Thanks, will look for said buyers guide...Thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverman77 Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Ahah ! Man sez it's 14" wheels 5 lug. Could be a big red flag. Also, talked to him again, and it may be a 20' stead of 18. 4cyl r22 engine. auto. Runs and wants $900 firm. Thanks, will look for said buyers guide...Thanks ! For only $900, even with the bad old axle design, does not sound like a bad price? If it turns out to be in fairly nice condition (no rotten roof etc.), It could work well for 'local' camping. I wouldn't rely upon a non-full floating axle for any long distance traveling what so ever. I have even considered purchasing one of those early ('77-'78) vintage shorty Dolphins (with the old axle) for quick little trips near home. Just sayin'. ~Riverman77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyoHome4me? Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 So we're going to go check it out today. The plan is to drive up in the kia and look it over. Measure it, and if my cousin likes it put money down and go back w/ truck n trailer and retrieve it. My cous was thinking about building a "camper" on his trailer and parking it where he works this winter to save some commute costs. So since he's not planning on traveling in it, the axle thing is not mission critical here. Could be a bargaining chip, tho. Thanks for the responses. Will report and maybe post a vid of it at some point. Best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 So we're going to go check it out today. The plan is to drive up in the kia and look it over. Measure it, and if my cousin likes it put money down and go back w/ truck n trailer and retrieve it. My cous was thinking about building a "camper" on his trailer and parking it where he works this winter to save some commute costs. So since he's not planning on traveling in it, the axle thing is not mission critical here. Could be a bargaining chip, tho. Thanks for the responses. Will report and maybe post a vid of it at some point. Best, $900 is an average price for an older Toyota is not-so-great shape. I've come across many priced from $500 and up. If it IS an 18 footer, having the 3300 lb. semi-floating rear and single wheels might be fine. If all the guy wants is a camper that's parked - he might be better off getting a camper trailer. Yesterday, I saw an 11 foot slide-on truck camper that a guy put on a regular equipment trailer and it left room for his 4-wheeler on there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 For Winter living, just be aware that you'll probably find only 1" of Styrofoam in the walls and ceiling for insulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyoHome4me? Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Can't get a hold of the guy yet ...thought I'd check in. "If it IS an 18 footer, having the 3300 lb. semi-floating rear and single wheels might be fine." Thinking the same thing. Will depend on how "livable" it is. I told my cous he could get $500 into his homebuilt in a heartbeat, plus when is he going to have time to build the thing before winter. He also toyed (heh) w/ the idea of a bed in the back of his pickup. We all know how comfy that is w/ frost from breath and all. There were no slide-ins in the paper this week. That's what I was looking for. But this toyo is ON wheels. Even if he just hauls it there and parks it, it easier to deal w/ than a slide in. But since he's a mech., I'm sure he'll be tinkering w/ it and fixing it up. slap historic tags on it and then don't even have to hassle w/ hauling it. But it all goes back to condition condition condition, right ? Hope the old guy picks up the phone soon....prolly at church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Can't get a hold of the guy yet ...thought I'd check in. "If it IS an 18 footer, having the 3300 lb. semi-floating rear and single wheels might be fine." Thinking the same thing. Will depend on how "livable" it is. I told my cous he could get $500 into his homebuilt in a heartbeat, plus when is he going to have time to build the thing before winter. He also toyed (heh) w/ the idea of a bed in the back of his pickup. We all know how comfy that is w/ frost from breath and all. There were no slide-ins in the paper this week. That's what I was looking for. But this toyo is ON wheels. Even if he just hauls it there and parks it, it easier to deal w/ than a slide in. But since he's a mech., I'm sure he'll be tinkering w/ it and fixing it up. slap historic tags on it and then don't even have to hassle w/ hauling it. But it all goes back to condition condition condition, right ? Hope the old guy picks up the phone soon....prolly at church. I don't know if your friend has a pickup truck or not. A slide-in truck camper needs no paperwork, no registration, etc. So in that way, it's nicer to have when you just have to transport it and park it somewhere. You just take it off the truck and sit it on some blocks and you're good to go. A trailer needs to be legally registered to legally transport down a public highway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyoHome4me? Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Ya, has a 3/4 ton PU, but the bed is dedicated to tools. Has a full bed slide out tray. Got hold of the guy. Cous is on the way to get me...Fill you all in when we get back. Thanks again for all the helpful replies. Best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyoHome4me? Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 OK. Short story longer, It was a total you know what. Next stop the junkyard. Luckily, The guy wasn't there when we got there and we got away within 30 seconds. Talk about truth (not) in advertizing. Upside is, we stopped at the casino on the way home for lunch and I won $75 at the roulette table. So there you go. It was a "Gran Tour" by "Ranger" or something...pop up with the wrong axle....All points bulliten: If it's in Brownesville PA....Stay away ! Ha ha ! Thanks again, Best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToyoHome4me? Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 And as an afterthought, there's nothing like it in the manufacturers chart.....It really was that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibs Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 OK. Short story longer, It was a total you know what. Next stop the junkyard. Luckily, The guy wasn't there when we got there and we got away within 30 seconds. Talk about truth (not) in advertizing. Upside is, we stopped at the casino on the way home for lunch and I won $75 at the roulette table. So there you go. It was a "Gran Tour" by "Ranger" or something...pop up with the wrong axle....All points bulliten: If it's in Brownesville PA....Stay away ! Ha ha ! Thanks again, Best This is the typical toyo ad, everything is rosy when you talk to the nice gentleman on the phone, when you drive 10 hours to pick it up, the truck probably won't have wheels on em. Well hopefully you recouped gas money at the tables :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 OK so you found a rare Ranger pop top. Very few pop tops were made in the 80's. Chinook stopped production in the late 70's. The Ranger didn't need an axle upgrade and if it ran and could be cleaned up was probably worth a good bunch. Looking at Toyota motorhomes for sale is something I have been doing a long time. Maybe saw a half dozen Rangers. You should have bought it but not for your friend to sleep in. Too cold with a pop top. Spend the winter cleaning it up and sell it on ebay for 6 or 7 grand next spring Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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