1979 Datsun Sunline Solaris Mini Motorhome

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by JohnB

I don't know when they stopped making truck campers or motor homes but they did advance the builds all the time up until the end.

1994 and 1985, respectively. To be fair though, the latter was really 1983, with one prototype built in 1985.

[Islanders]

Pulled the door tag from the 1978 Datsun Dolphin, posting for posterity.

[Islanders]

Sorry its been a while since my last post, we have been working on the RV in the interim.
The upper berthing area was still needing repairs due to water damage, and as we took more apart we found more that needed replacing. After a few trips for lumber and supplies, I finally have the structure rebuilt and reinstalled in the camper.

From the outside


From the inside, window and siding in place


Left Inside


Right Inside


The entire berthing area, rebuilt and ready for final assembly


I have everything ready to assemble now, still need to put insulation between the frame and siding, roll-caulk the seams and front window, staple and screw everything down, then roll-caulk and apply the trim along the seams, but I think the structure is solid and ready to roll.

[sep]

I know how you feel! Looking good!


Steve P

[JohnB]

Nice rebuild!

Yes, there always seems to be more of "it" what "it" is....

Thanks for sharing the good progress.

John

[Sunline Fan]

Looking good! I'm sure you'll sleep a lot better up there knowing you won't end up on the hood in the morning!

[Islanders]

Its taken a while, and was a ton of work, but I've finally finished repairing the front end berthing area. Well, the outside anyway. I have the structure reassembled and back in place, some insulation installed, and the RV buttoned up (stapled actually), from the front. I have the outer trim edging in place and all the screws fastened tightly. I should be able to install the window quickly, and then move to the inside to finish the last few items.
Not having any experience doing the work made it go a bit slower than I expected, but at least we have the section rebuilt with good wood and no leaking (so far).
Rain is forecast for this weekend, so we'll soon see how good the repairs are in wet conditions.

[Sunline Fan]

Nice work! Can't wait to see pictures!

[JohnB]

Great! Thanks for the update.

[Islanders]

We finally pulled the rest of the usable parts from the Dolphin, leaving only the Datsun truck, its a camper no longer....



We're going to recycle the aluminum/steel, and scrap the wood and other materials.

[JohnB]

WOW, that was work...

[Tweety]

I'm confused. you gave up? Is that right?

[JohnB]

Hi Pam,

I do not think they gave up on the Sunline motor home, but the other Dolpin camper they bought for parts with the red door is the one gutted down to the frame.

Well see here soon when he posts.

Thanks

John

[Islanders]

Originally Posted by JohnB

WOW, that was work...

Yes, it was! We'd pulled everything we needed from the camper section, and the GF had some aggression to release, so I gave her a sledge hammer and a crowbar. We started in the front berthing area, and worked back from there. Once we'd torn the front and sides down back to the furnace/fridge area, I yanked the rest of the camper off the floor from drivers side to the ground. Then we kept at it until we only had piles of scrap, wood and aluminum left.
I noticed during the tear down that it appeared the Dolphin had been repaired in the past. I found extra sections of siding inside the walls, I assume from a leak repair. I also noticed different construction methods. Where I used a Kreg method to attach corners, they had used metal straps in places. The siding and lower plywood section of the berthing area was attached to the truck cab with screws coming in from the cab (maybe you can see the ring of screws poking up still on the cab), where in the Sunline, these screws would be going into the siding and wood frame below that plywood layer.

We had previously pulled all the windows from the Dolphin (under advice from a forum member), and posted them for sale locally on CL. I put them online on a Sunday night after 9pm, by 6pm Monday they were sold! We got $250 for the windows, and only paid $300 for the whole RV, so we came out looking good on that front.
We saved the A/C unit from the Dolphin and are VERY glad we did! The unit looks almost new, not even any dust in the baffles/ducting! We'll hook it up to power soon and verify it works, then plan to swap it into the Sunline.

We still have the 2nd Datsun truck, the sheet metal and drivetrain components to pull, but the Dolphin RV is no more....

[Islanders]

Here are some shots of the A/C unit we recovered from the Dolphin RV, it looks to be in great shape! Maybe it's not 40 or so years old?










We finished putting the roof, siding and berthing areas back together. At least the frame and under areas, we still have some insulation to cut and place, and of course, we need to cover the inside walls with paneling (ot whatever the GF decides to go with).

[JohnB]

Looking good! and gaining!

You scored on the AC unit. That is not a 40 year old unit. The white plastic is way too white, 40 years old it turns all yellow.

I am not recognizing the brand. It does not look like a Dometic, maybe a Coleman Mach unit. In fact the air box looks just like this one
http://www.airxcel.com/DesktopModule...t/Pdf/r417.pdf

The AC roof unit may be a 48000 series one. You will have to check the exact model number. These links below are for the 48000 series. I am not as up on these Coleman units yet as the Dometic, but this looks like the correct manufacture at least.
Coleman Mach - Document Library | Airxcel

http://www.airxcel.com/DesktopModule...f/1976c520.pdf

Thanks for sharing

John

[Islanders]

Originally Posted by JohnB

maybe a Coleman Mach unit.

You got it right, it is a Coleman Mach, the model number wasn't visible on the tag, but it definitely has new parts in it.

[Islanders]

Hi Team,

Sorry its been a while since I've posted, still working on the RV. We have paneling going on and preparing to install the ceiling in the berthing area.
Took the Sunline out for a short cruise today. Had to get some miles on it, a heat cycle through the engine and tires (they have been sitting on the leveling blocks for a few weeks), and I stopped to take a few pics.





Hoping to get the berthing area done soon and move on to the fridge/propane/plumbing/A/C parts of the project. Still need to pull the drivetrain from the donor vehicle too....

[JohnB]

Wow!!!! Very nice.

Thanks for sharing!

Keep up the good work

John

[Sunline Fan]

Thanks for the update! Looking good, and glad you have it roadworthy once again. Hopefully the hurricane didn't wash away your hubcaps .