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1978 "sunburst" Motorhome


shadow1752

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I recently picked up this little diamond in the rough, Got her running and moving again (original parts even!!), Got the shower, toilet and sink to work, still need to do some interior building in the "dinette" area and get ready to test the propane system (heater, stove, And Hot water heater) but shes coming along,  so my question is how rare is this thing, I've looked for sunburst and datsun motor-home on google but can only find dolphins. Im currently scanning this group on tips for fixing and intermittent backfire and dieseling issue. 

 

Tell me what you guys think of her, My first 620 was a 76, second one was a 77, and now i have a 78 lol I'm moving up!

Looking forward to exploring the group

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w5nmd99y2u02yc6/20150618_130713.jpg?dl=0

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vjjv46d3h7b1tgi/20150618_130739.jpg?dl=0

 

^^ tried to get these to show up on this post but i got.... "You are not allowed to use that image extension on this community."

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Welcome to the forum Shadow. Looks like a score, but that really comes down to what u paid, and what it take to get it into usable shape. You can use the search tool here to get technical information, but if you can't find what you're looking for, ask here and usually somebody will step up with an answer. 

 

The best way to post pict here is to use a photo hosting site like photobucket.com. You upload the images there, use the IMG link they provide, paste that link into the text field, and bingo. 

 

Best of luck on the new project.

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LOVE THIS!!!   For ideas on the camper part of this little gem, there are several pages on facebook devoted to older rv's & trailers.  there is also a show on GAC called "Flippin' RV's " , that's more vintage trailer related, but some of the things they do may be applicable to your motorhome.   nice score!

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She's still a lil rough around the edges, but the looks i get driving her down the highway at 60 mph are priceless! I just finished cutting and welding the drivers floorboard, had to get rid of the cancer....

Thanks for the warm welcomes!  

As for the cost of her, the most expensive thing was getting her licensed since apparently if you add the name motor home to anything it adds a substantial cost.

 

Datsun%20-%206_zps9gki77q5.jpg\

 

Dual battery system, haven't got around to buying another battery yet, anyone have a windshield washer resivour?

 

Datsun%20-%203_zpshaakmj5c.jpg

Datsun%20-%204_zpsqyiru3bu.jpg

Datsun%20-%201_zpscuucivtc.jpg

The "fridge" door is actually sitting behind me in this picture and is in great shape, just working on bleaching it out

 

Datsun20-205_zpsrobdciw7.jpg

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The '79 had a dual rear wheel option.... might have been a Cab/Chassis without box for camper or industrial/commercial use. There was a camper option with rad and rear spring up-grades in '78 and probably '77? Although a 5 speed was optional from '77 they were not used on campers.

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The '79 had a dual rear wheel option.... might have been a Cab/Chassis without box for camper or industrial/commercial use. There was a camper option with rad and rear spring up-grades in '78 and probably '77? Although a 5 speed was optional from '77 they were not used on campers.

Thats the two things I wish this had, the duels and the 5 speed, it does have the spring upgrades though

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The reason the 5 speed was not used on them is the added weight and wind resistance The 5 speed is for highway cruise and never if towing, over loaded, passing or climbing steep grades. Fifth gear, under load, stresses the counter bearing more than it was designed for and will shorten it's life. If you have a camper you will run best in 4th which isn't even a 'gear' but a straight through the transmission connection and the only 'gear' that does not load the counter bearing.

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Is that a fold down shitter?

That it is, had to replace the washer in the plunger that shuts off the water when your not pressing the foot pedal, a 53 cent part fixed the entire plumbing issues with it, but yeah when ya fold it up it gives ya a pretty good amount of space for a skinny guy shower lol

 

The reason the 5 speed was not used on them is the added weight and wind resistance The 5 speed is for highway cruise and never if towing, over loaded, passing or climbing steep grades. Fifth gear, under load, stresses the counter bearing more than it was designed for and will shorten it's life. If you have a camper you will run best in 4th which isn't even a 'gear' but a straight through the transmission connection and the only 'gear' that does not load the counter bearing.

Ah ok well that answered my idea of looking for a 5 speed tranny! guess thats coming off the list

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Your title says '78 but profile says '79?

 

If that is a regular longbed with a camper, a 5 speed is even a worse idea as the '79 had a 4.11 differential. If a CabChassis option it might have had the 4.375 or even better, a 4.625... I'll have to look this up. Stick with the 4 speed, you can't go wrong.

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Your title says '78 but profile says '79?

 

If that is a regular longbed with a camper, a 5 speed is even a worse idea as the '79 had a 4.11 differential. If a CabChassis option it might have had the 4.375 or even better, a 4.625... I'll have to look this up. Stick with the 4 speed, you can't go wrong.

 

My datsun/Nissan motorhome (720 chassis 5spd Z24 engine) has an alter ego it is actually listed as 2 different

year/ make/model but under the same Vin & is verified original in spite of the utter confuse this initially caused.

1984 Datsun 720

1985 Nissan Lakeview MH (by Keystone)

Added bonus that the registration goes by interior door panel which doesn't give distinction from a standard 720 truck & has therefore allowed me more freedom in parking/passing through MH restricted places

Basically I think it's about the best thing ever but I was happy about having a 5-speed until reading your opinion on that!

I am interested to know possible consequences of 5 speed engine as well as causes for concern to keep an eye on, & steps I can take to avoid increasing the likelihood for these things to become issues

Thanks in advance!

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Earlier 5 speeds were intended for light cruise highway driving and not for climbing hills, passing and hauling heavy loads. Later 5 speeds were upgraded with a larger countershaft bearing which is over stressed by the above driving. Usually 4 speeds were installed.

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  • 4 years later...

I have an '86 Bandit....built on a Toy PU chassis.  When I got it, the cab was gone.  I don't know, maybe the motor blew.  Anyways, their solution was to make it in to a pick-up bed trailer RV.  At the back of the cab, they put in a cover, and on the frame, where the cab was, they put in a flat-bed, just big enough for a small ATV.

 

OH, BTW, mine is a pop-up.

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On 11/24/2015 at 5:33 AM, Feisty1 said:

My datsun/Nissan motorhome (720 chassis 5spd Z24 engine) has an alter ego it is actually listed as 2 different

year/ make/model but under the same Vin & is verified original in spite of the utter confuse this initially caused.

1984 Datsun 720

1985 Nissan Lakeview MH (by Keystone

The difference isn't uncommon. My old Winnebago was an '80 superstructure built on a '79 Dodge chassis. For registry purposes the year of the superstructure is what gets used.

 

BTW, Postimage.org is much better platform for posting pics onto any blog or website.

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