Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Print | Close

Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: whiteknight001 on 06/22/11 12:01pm

Trish Davis wrote:

Leaks first, nerfherder. Leaks are the first and always fixes on a rig.

This is the succinct witty goodness I've missed. It makes me think of the King's reply to the White Rabbit, re: where to begin, and "Begin at the beginning".

with apologies to Charles Lutwidge Dodson...

The White Rabbit nervously adjusted his spectacles...

"Where shall I begin in my efforts to fix my Dodge-based RV, please, Miz Trish? spake he"

"Leaks first, Bunnyface. Begin with them, and continue on, throughout the rig until you have repaired the last one, then be militantly vigilant that none may reappear or new ones form!"

Still too fat to tap dance...

Mark "whiteknight001"

1972 Mobile Traveler 20' Dodge B300 Class C
"The Kobayashi Maru" Trans- Prarie Land Craft
"Requiescat in pace et in amore..."

Posted By: whiteknight001 on 06/22/11 01:03pm

nerfherder81 wrote:

Originally had a 440 but the owner before last swap in a "built" 318 with headers and dual exhaust.

And I can take naps going up the pass. I am thinking of a re-power, possibly a diesel swap.

Hey Nerf

Welcome to all the Dodge madness!

Interesting that you are thinking about a diesel repower.
I'd like to see a B-300 "C" class packing a soot roller!
A Cummins 4BT would seem to be a bet according to me, but
it would depend on how tall it is, in comparison to the V8
already in there.

If you get a chance to find this, it's an interesting read.
ISBN 0-8019-7012-1. Chilton's Truck and Van Repair Manual
1971-1978, part number 7012. Hardbound and heavy. Pages 810
through 812. Under "Mitsubishi Diesel Engines".

It describes a potential diesel engine offering at some
time in the 1971-1978 time period the book covers- the Mitsubishi
6DR50A inline six-cylinder, 243 c.i. naturally aspirated (non-
turbo) diesel- conservatively rated at 100 bhp/3700 RPM, with
a bore x stroke of 3.62 x 3.94, and 20.0:1 compression.

Quoting from the Chilton manual, it states:

"The Mitsubishi 6DR50A is an inline 6-cylinder, liquid cooled,
naturally aspirated, OHV engine. It will be used by Dodge Truck
division in most two and four wheel drive model pickup trucks in
the 6100-8500 lb GVWR class. The engine is not available in
California."

Along with a cutaway illustration of the left (injection pump)
side view of the engine, a caption appears below:

"DIESEL OFFERED- An optional engine for Dodge light duty pickup
models- D and W150, and D and W200- will be the six cylinder diesel
engine from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Production is slated for
this fall on Dodge pickups."

There has also been a 2.5 liter diesel engine offering in export
versions of Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth minivans, from 1991 on. Backed with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transaxle.

The history is there. Whether a diesel can be fitted into the
confines of the engine bay of a B series is debatable. An "M"
series class "A" chassis might carry it better. The engine choice
may be a Cummins, but then again, it could be accomplished
with a smaller Detroit, or possibly an import like the Mitsu
or a Nissan. It's worth a try. For sheer parts availability
the Cummins 4BT would seem to be a good pick- most fleet delivery
vehicles and box vans like bread trucks had them, backed up with
automatic transmissions.

I know there's at least one TRAVCO running around with a Cummins 6BT
onboard...

Keep thinking about it, Nerf- it's not entirely out of the realm
of reasoning.

All my best,

Mark "whiteknight001"

Posted By: ALnCORY on 06/22/11 01:20pm

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! Trish is back.... my only question is will you still be able to wear your cool boots when you're all healed up?

I don't think anyones dying statement ever contained the words "I wish I had spent more time in the office", so lets go somewhere!

Posted By: nerfherder81 on 06/22/11 03:02pm

I caught wind of the old b300 mistubishi diesels on a dodge forum but I'm sure that would be way too under powered. I thought of a 4bt as well however it is the same height as a 6bt. Several people said on a diesel forum that the 4bt would not be enough power for my needs.
For the time being can anyone offer any help on my power steering belt coming loose all the time?

Posted By: JDMopar on 06/22/11 08:11pm

Find a wrecked low mile 2wd Dodge pickup with a 5.7 Hemi, and swap that into it transmission and all. There are wiring harnesses available to swap those Hemis into older Mopar mucle cars, and any kind of street rod. A Class C is just a muscle truck with a house on its back....so the harnesses would work just as well in one of them. A 6BT cummins goes into an old Travco pretty easy, but a Dodge Class C, not so much! Good luck, and nice looking rig!

Posted By: oldtrucker63 on 06/22/11 10:15pm

Find a wrecked low mile dodge P/U with the newer Cummings and Allison Transmission and put that in it, With an Exhaust break too.....Cool I would love to find one at the right price for my 1979 dodge........
Hell yeah............. [emoticon]

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Posted By: OneDeadChicken on 06/23/11 01:18am

I'm getting a manual for a sportsman van. I think I may have installed the spark plugs incorrectly, the only way I can see to actually tighten them is to jack up the vehicle and take off the wheels. The fuel pump is pumping fuel ok, I just have to get the spark plugs in right before I try to crank her up again. I took the battery out to charge it in my explorer, I ran it dry, and jumping is only doing so much. I ran it dry by stupidly getting angry at the thing and walking away, leaving the key in the 'on' position for a full on 24 hours. From the research I have done, it seems the sportsman van and the motorhome are identical in terms of the mechanics. The few things that are different are pretty minor (inverter, electrical, control panel). I heard about some trick using bearing grease on the rod to keep it inside the cam shaft while I installed the pump. The guy who replaced it last FORCED the bolts in place, and ruined the threading. 10 miles into town for two bolts. Looking forward to this weekend. Cross your fingers it will start.

Sorry for the multi post, I'm terrible with computers. For someone my age, that's downright embarassing.

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 06/23/11 10:52am

Welcome back Trish, hope your doing well!

Jerry & Gerry, our pets (dogs), Byron, Coco
1976 Monaco, 440 ci. Dodge Sportsman chassis

Posted By: Leeann on 06/23/11 07:17pm

My turn...dang brake booster took a dump. Can't go out this weekend. No brakes and it makes the engine stumble when you touch the pedal.

bf thought there were no brakes because it was idling poorly. Until I replaced the spark plugs and made it idle smoothly. Then he touched the pedal and made the engine stumble - you could hear the internal leak in the booster.

Arggghhh.

Bendix Master-Vac, single booster system for front disc/rear drum.

'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo

Posted By: rehoppe on 06/23/11 07:38pm

nerfherder81 wrote:

Here is my first motor home it is a '79 23' Robinhood. Originally had a 440 but the owner before last swap in a "built" 318 with headers and dual exhaust.
It's got bunks in the back.
We have taken it out once since we got it back in May. It went ok, we've got work to do.

Fuel gauge doesn't work.
Keeps throwing power steering belt/power brakes.
House heater doesn't work.
It has leaks.
and almost every fastener on the out side is rusted.
And I can take naps going up the pass. I am thinking of a re-power, possibly a diesel swap.

But... We still like it.

Check your pulleys for alignment or damage.

Call Mr BANKS for a possible turbo kit. Some less money 'probably',,, and a lot less work. It'll run like a scalded dog up the hills.

Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT

Print | Close