1973 Dodge Explorer

[David]

I'm considering buying a 1973 Dodge Explorer. This would be my first RV. I like it because it's only 20ft long so it seems like a good starter RV. I'd done some research and was just about to buy a 1971 Superior 2200, but the guy backed out. Like the Explorer, it too was about 20ft so I thought it would be a good one, but I also found out that it had a steel frame, which I really like. Does anyone know if the Explorer also has the steel frame?

The one I am looking at has 71,000 miles on a Dodge 413, I spoke with the owner and she said it's in good condition and the photos look good. I am going to look at it Wednesday. Does anyone have any advice about what to look out for or anything else useful for a first timer?

Thanks.

 

 

 

[John "T" Nordhoff]

Congrats, that is a nice starter size RV and here are my thoughts.

1) NO PROBLEM likely with that 413, thats a heavy duty truck engine likely mated to a Torque Flite 727 Tranny and both those (unless been abused) are tough as nails. Look for the obvious bad leaks (mine usually had leaky valve covers but thats not too hard to fix) or knocks and look at the oil pressure. Make sure theres no tranny slippage, loosey goosey between shifts, or delays or clunks especially when placing in reverse. Expensive fixes are dry weather cracked tires,,,,Any exhaust manifold leaks grrrrrrrrrrrrr,,,,,,,Cracked exhaust manifolds,,,,,,,,You can hear those sort of problems and minor ones make a click click put put sound noticeable at idle. Id be really surprised if any cab air was still working, its like $500 to replace an AC compressor and convert to the new Freon but thats not any necessity. One that old could have leaking brake wheel cylinders or master cylinder or booster (all that gets expensive), test the brakes well, and look for brake fluid leaks underneath inside the wheels. Also leaky rear wheel grease SEALS leaves ugly nasty rear end grease on the inner tires and brake drums YUKKKKKKKKKK. The drier she is underneath, engine, inner wheels, tranny THE BETTER. Listen for noisy clunking U joints...

2) ROOF LEAKS ARE A KILLER but that an easy to see obvious problem if any exist.

3) BUT HERES THE DEAL OR FEARS ON ONE THAT OLD I have no idea what if any of these it has, but: If it has an LP fridge that doesnt work, thats fairly expensive to fix. Plumbing leaks are usaully where its hardest to get to, if it has a pressurized system fill it and let it run to insure she pumps up n shuts off, unless its winterized and you cant do that. Furnace problems are bad squealing blower motor bearings or ignitor or thermocouple problems. If it has roof air thats bad, thats like $500 to replace.

I dont mean to scare you, the 413 and tranny are probably fine and if youre handy you can fix all the coach appliances if you want them all to work. Its the tires and roof and roof top AC that can add big bucKs right off.

If I bought an old RV like that BEFORE I EVEN THOUGHT OF TAKING IT ON A ROAD TRIP HERES WHAT ID DO. New tires if needed AND KEEP THEM AIRED TO TO MAK LOAD AT X PSI....All new belts and hoses PERIOD....Have radiator drained n flushed n re filled,,,,,,Complete lube n grease especially U JOINTS,,,,Oil change of course DUH,,,,,,Id have the tranny power flushed n re filled with synthetic fluid and a can of Lucas

Good luck, it may be fine and not need half of all this, its just that Im a perfectionist when I take to the open road

Merry Christmas,,,,,,,,, Ol John T Nordhoff in Indiana

[David]

Thanks for the advice, it's raining like heck here so roof leaks should be easy to spot, tho she said there were none. It does have roof A/C but it's a newer one and she told me it works fine. It also has a propane/AC fridge that works. I have been told that all the appliances work great. The brakes do need bleed, which will have to be tackled right away because it's about a 90-minute drive home. They've been using the RV for a few years, since they've had it, so I think all the basic maintenance is up to date and she has all the paperwork for work performed and all the way back to 1973. It appears to have been taken care of, which is important to me. I am really most concerned about the engine and tranny, I can do most other stuff myself, but I'm no mechanic.

[John "T" Nordhoff]

Cool, its sounding better with your latest info, if its had even decent care that 413 engine and 727 Tranny (if thats it) would be the least of my worries. Id say theres a chance (if its getting air in brakes) the rear wheel brake cylinders are leaking but they arent that expensive. When/if replaced Id put new brake shoes on the rear as the brake fluid leaves a glaze on them. Im guessing it has calipers and disk brakes up front, they can also leak but if you look underneath on the inside of wheels and drums etc you will see evidence of a brake fluid leak. Another problem with RV's that set a good while is the front brake calipers get to sticking and if they do the brakes will get hot (you will smell and feel that) and you may warp the rotors. GO FOR IT, if properly serviced it can provide years more of service. John T

[David]

Didn't get the Explorer, they never called me back. I'm looking at a 1976 Sportsman Class C tomorrow, it looks pretty nice and has a crate motor with about 6K miles on it. I think it'll be easier to navigate, we'll see.

[Larry Rogers]

Explorer is a good choice. In case the Motor Home you are looking at doesn't pan out here are couple other motor homes I like. Chinooks, Cortez, American Clipper I have a Dodge Balboa that is 18 ft long and I actually drive it every day to haul my kids around. John covered all the things you should look for. Here is a great website to look at Motor Homes for sale all over the country.

 

Larry Rogers.

 

 

http://rv.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=rvs&fil=&itm=chino...+

[David]

I settled on the 76 Tioga, nice repaint, six new tires and only 3K on a brand new crate motor. I'm happy!

[Larry Rogers]

Looks like your new Motor Home is in great shape.  Happy RVing.

 

Larry Rogers

[Flawless rv detail]

Dont take it there. They r bullshit. Lets fix ours together do u have a garage or land we can do this on? Call me 949 212 6317. Lets go get some parts from walts rv in rialto.

[David]

Which place are you talking about? This one is called Classic RV, it's already there getting checked out.

[Flawless rv detail]

What exactly r u getting redone on your rv?