Kristeen Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 (edited) I'm new to this RV ownership thing, so I have a lot to learn. My 1984 Toyota Horizon has seen a lot of the Oregon parks. I purchased it from an aquaintance who could not afford the storage rates and couldn't park it in her trailer park. It was supposed to be tight, with a new engine installed, 350 Chevy, 700 Transmission, with the overdrive, and leak proof. She had only just bought it herself, when she had to get it gone. I put a new battery in it and brought it home. Only twice have we attempted a 'trip' with the last so called trip, breaking down 300 miles from our destination and 300 miles from home. So, our excellent mechanic installed another 350 short block, but this time did it right. It is a go-getter, but, everything about it is old. The insides all work, replaced toilet, removed the so called shower. Changing the orange shag stuff to turquoise and beige. I have now into it twice what it is worth, but there is no stopping now. Can't quit right before we start having fun with it....Last week we took a quick jaunt up north, and holy moly, I was exhausted from the wiggile waggle, particularly when the big rigs passed on the left. She can go like hell, but the undercarriage doesn't let you. Now it's new shocks, front and back, and even though there is tread, I want to see a more substantial tire, particularly up front. Can't wait for the fun to begin.... Edited August 16, 2016 by Kristeen correcting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naganthunter Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Sounds awesome!! You must post photos for the voyeurs out here!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjrbus Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Chevy 350, wow! Only twice what it is worth, not bad at all. If you bought a new one, the first couple years depreciation is 25%, I have to remind myself I have less in mine than the depreciation on a new one. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 When you do the rear shocks also do the rear spring bushings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gulfstream Greg Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 If you don't have them install rear air bags. I also installed Gabriel air shocks in the rear. You could also try to find larger anti sway bars for the front and rear. No more boating and snake roads are much more fun to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 On 8/16/2016 at 3:04 AM, Kristeen said: It was supposed to be tight, with a new engine installed, 350 Chevy, 700 Transmission I'm curious to see how you do with fuel mileage and engine cooling. I had a Chevy K5 Blazer with a Chalet (Chinook) motorhome body with a pop-up roof. The original 350 gas engine ran fine but got around 9 MPG. Sometimes I could stretch it to 10 MPG. Note that was with a TH350 trans (no lockup, no overdrive), but had a low 3.08 axle-ratio. I then stuck in a 379 turbo-diesel along with a 700R4 (lock-up converter and OD), along with 3.73 axles. I had high hopes of getting 20 MPG but my absolute best was 15 MPG, and 13-14 MPG was more common. It weighed around 5500 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmowrey Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 We had our leaf springs re-arched and a new helper spring added. This made a big difference in how it handles and rides. Took out a lot of that "whoah" sway feeling on curves and in high winds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.