Looking for info on which rear end will bolt up and replace the old 1/2 ton rear end in my 78 toy motorhome, axle flew out of mine. 1 ton duly preferred, need year make and model of vehicle to pull rear end out of.

 

Axle flew out?

 

non-full floating axles were a major issue in these early toy homes. many were killed as a result, luckily I was driving slow when mine decided to take a different route than the rest of the truck. had I known of all the issues with these things I would have spent more money and bought a newer model. things are coming together though, replacing the rear end should be my last major expense. then on to the exterior.

 

That's scary.

 

Indeed, and in the desolate desert when it happened to boot. Took it apart and found that all that holds the axle in is a little keeper washer, whatever it's called, it had slipped off! Put it back on and slowly drove it home.

 

Other then the axle prob, thats a cool motorhome. Got any pics of the inside?
How many miles on that bad boy?

 

No pics yet of the inside, it is under construction though. Everything works great, and is original. Thought the 3-way fridge had an issue but it just needed leveling. I have gutted the interior, beefed up the roof with lightweight steel, and insulated the entire interior with 1" insulation board. Also made an extra cold storage box under the seat on the back passenger side next to the table using 2" insulation board. Rewired and re-plumbed everything. Will be adding solar and thermal electric generator. I will be full timing around all the BLM land as I write a book. The engine has 64, 000 original miles, passed smog like a champ. Replaced the old tranny with a 1 ton tranny, funny, it increased my MPG from 21 to 29 MPG. The difference in gearing must have been a good thing. Beefing up the rear end to a one ton may have the opposite effect, we'll see. If you know anything about the Tehachapi grade leaving Bakersfield to Mojave, you know it is a killer on most vehicles; with the beefef up tranny I pulled it going no lower than 3rd and at 50 MPH. With the old tranny it would have been down in 1st and 2nd and struggling to make 30 MPH. I am very happy with this project and can't wait to find and install the new rear end so I can get back out there.

 

Sounds like an awsome build. Hope to see more of it.
And dont take this the wrong way, but theres no way your actually gettin 29mpg in a motorhome, NASA couldnt make that happen. Probably a speedo error, weather from the difference in transmission or a something. What route you going with the solar? I ended up going with a 45watt 3 panel system cause it was only $300. But wished id goin with one of the roll out sticky panels. There pushing 100 watts, and you dont have to drill holes in the roof. Kinda cool. Some good deals on amazon for some of those.

 

Heres a good one

 

Sorry I can't help you with the axle, but that thing is sweeeet!

 

the frame extension methods used by some 'manufacturers' is also scary...

 

Look for a 1 ton 1979-1983 2 WD rear axle as it should be pretty close dimension wise in fitting your motor home. They were installed mostly in the Cab & Chassis packages and some long beds during those years. If you can find a decent housing I think many of the parts are available from Toyota USA or Japan. Good luck to you in your search.

 

ThatGuy1295, I use the Zemco compucruise 44 to track MPG and it consistently shows 29 MPG, I also log my mileage and fuel used, like you said though, speedo is no doubt off. Also just read a news report showing many of the MPG gauges are off up to 29%.

I have also been looking at the roll out solar, don't need much to power these little rigs. I'm all into not drilling holes, LOL

 

P.S. ThatGuy1295,

Left out the best part, I framed a 2" insulated wall with door at the end of the kitchen making a sealed off bedroom at the rear. Really cheap and easy to heat and cool. Big energy savings there. Small but functional, a mad scientist I guess.

 

17toyotaman, Thank you, I'm searching all the pick n pulls local here, hoping one will show up.

 

dropzone,

Are you trying to tell me that one day the motorhome will all of a sudden feel 500 lbs. lighter? LOL, I'm going to look closely at the frame.

 

suncomb1,

Just what I needed, thank you.

 

Someone on this WEB site might be able to give you the rear axle code number for the 1 ton unit or I think the Pirate 4x4 WEB site had a post that showed all Toyota axle, transmission and transfer case code numbers. You might have to search the various Toyota WEB sites to obtain the 1 ton rear axle code number to ensure you get the right rear axle.

 

I can't help a lot with the axle either but those roll out solar panels are not all that great. We fielded those out here at 29 stumps and they leave a lot to be desired. I'd sink the money into a fixed panel.

 

What didnt you like about them, if you dont mind me asking?