Preparing AS moho for Asia trip

[remcolent]

Hi, Have not ben on the forum for a long long time.
A short re introduction , I;m Remco live in the Netherlands and have a 1986 32 ft exella trailor and a 1979 chevy C30 dually as tow car.
This setup is a bit long with 54 ft total.
I am planning a tript to Azia turky, Iran , Pakistan , India, bangladesh , thayland and than back home.
So I want/need to downsice to a late 80.s 345 MH.
A 345 has about the same interior layout as my exella now ,
It will be a one or two year trip. so need a little space for me and my dog.
But there are a few mods that have tp be made to the MH to make a trip like this possible.

1 Engine, Diesel is the way to go in that part of the world.
Now i see on Ebay the Cummings 5.9 with wiring harnas ECU and 5 speed allison for around 3500 usd, I have read about the cummings convertion here but is there a sort of step by step discription somewhere.
Is it worth the cash to pay a lot more for the six speed allison.


2 ground clearance.
As the AS MH uses the chvy chasis can I just buy a set of raised spindels
to get a bit more ground clearance, OK I know raising a vehicle will make it a bit more unstable at High speed but Speed will be low anyway.

3 Rear axle
Can the rear axle be swaped with axle from a K serie chevy , than i have a lockup Dif.

4 Genset Swap for a diesel one

5 Solar 400- 600 watt, batterys 4 x 240 amp

6 Solar hot water, The water heater takes a lot of propane, some places hard to get so a small solar system can provide some hot water.

So now I'm looking for a 85/86/87 345 maby a 325 near the east coast.
Engine does not need to be in perfect condition , just enough to bring it home

Regards
Remco

[NJtoNC]

Can't comment on the technical aspect, but i hope you post a thread on your planned trip. id be interested to follow it. Sounds incredible.

[Phrunes]

There is an 86 in Bahama, NC on CL for $17,500..54,xxx miles. Onan, and It sounds nice. Has a 454 in it which you could easily sell to offset the cost of the diesel.

[remcolent]

Is the one in bahama on craigslist ? do you have a link?
I once had a link to look in all graigs list but can not find that any more ?
I have done some driving in India and Sri Lanka befoe.
Its a real experiance, They are suposed to drive on the left side of the road.
well they don/t they drive in the shade or where there is the most tarmac between the holes.
Traficlights are street decoration it seem that nowone knows what a red light means .
The car with the loudest horn has the right of way, you can drive without lights . with marginal brakes that is no problem at all, but driving without a horn is not possible.
Rented a motorbike once overthere without a horn.
Almost became roadkill 3 times in the first mile,

[Keyair]

Interesting post!

As far as I am aware, there are no lift spindles available for the Chevy C30.
I have had the same issue on my Suburban and could not find them.

I would not go with a tag axled MH in this case... lifting the drive axle would really cause issues.
The 345 has a HUGE overhang too... not ideal!

[Phrunes]

[QUOTE="remcolent;1283521"]Is the one in bahama on craigslist ? do you have a link?
I once had a link to look in all graigs list but can not find that any more ?
I have done some driving in India and Sri Lanka befoe.
Its a real experiance, They are suposed to drive on the left side of the road.
well they don/t they drive in the shade or where there is the most tarmac between the holes.
Traficlights are street decoration it seem that nowone knows what a red light means .
The car with the loudest horn has the right of way, you can drive without lights . with marginal brakes that is no problem at all, but driving without a horn is not possible.
Rented a motorbike once overthere without a horn.
Almost became roadkill 3 times in the first mile,[/QUOTE

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/rvs/3681599253.html

[Phrunes]

Not sure if that link works, the listing is valid I just checked it. You can search all of craigslist with google too. Yes its Raleigh Durham, NC Craig's and the MH is in Bahama, NC.

[remcolent]

I know that the 345 has a huge overhang , and it is not ideal.
But how do they raise the c 30 than if there are no lift spindles out there ?
I know the best option is to take a MAN truck and put a tupperware box on the back.
Lifting the drive axles with extra airbags , will onley be done when needed

[Phrunes]

Can't you just do a simple 2 or 3 inch lift using camber bushings? Add body pucks for an addl inch or two if needed.

[NJtoNC]

The better solution is to download an app for your phone. Google only shows indexed results - ie; aged, ie not fresh. For fresh results you need a site that scrapes CL. Most sites that scrape CL are getting sued for scraping b/c it's against Thier ToS. But apps, like cmobile, are getting away with it. So download Cmobile.

[remcolent]

phrunes . Thanks
Realy have to sell my trailor first.
shipping is around 5 K and tax is around 4800
How is the market for these motorhomes now is the USA.
2006 I bought mij 1986 exella in the USA for 10 K after transport tax and licencing It was a bit over 20 K us, did spend an other 5 k euro for repairs and converting to the european 240 volt system.
Have it for sale now overhere for 20 k euro ,

[Phrunes]

Originally Posted by NJtoNC

The better solution is to download an app for your phone. Google only shows indexed results - ie; aged, ie not fresh. For fresh results you need a site that scrapes CL. Most sites that scrape CL are getting sued for scraping b/c it's against Thier ToS. But apps, like cmobile, are getting away with it. So download Cmobile.

That's what I use. For Android. Buy most of my AS stuff that way.

[streamquest]

I hate to sound like the "wet blanket" here, but is it prudent to take something as esoteric as an 80's Airstream Motorhome into that part of the world? Seems like it's challenging enough just to keep the things running on their home turf.

But if you're hoping to attract attention when you get there, you couldn't pick a better vehicle.

Can't wait to follow your progress.

[Smartstream]

You may want to consider a 28' or 31' motorhome. They are available with the Isuzu diesel which will save many $$ over converting a 454 to diesel. Also they do not have the tag axle which also may save lots of head aches and $$. You loose a couple of feet in length but that may be a plus in some situations. Just something to think about.

[PeterH-350LE]

this is what you need for that part of the world and you know it. We had problems navigating the roads in North Africa with a VW Bus in the 70's, due to washed out roads and excessive dips in the road. Considering taking a stock or even slightly modified 280-345 on a trip to Asia is doomed for failure.
I have driven 280's and 345 and do not dare to take them off road.

[Protagonist]

You could use an Interstate, with a 4wd conversion by The Sprinter Store.
Sprinter Store

Since Sprinters are used more-or-less worldwide, your chances of getting boo-boos repaired is a lot higher.

[Waipio Rim]

Peter H is absolutely right, even if you don't get stuck the front suspension is not made for the kind of abuse you plan and it will fail. Regardless, in answer to your transmission question: you won't be going fast enough to benefit from a newer overdrive transmission, so a solid TH400 would be my choice. If I were going to do it. I'm not.

[Phrunes]

Towing a Cato trailer with an Adventure Van (4WD, lifted, lockers, diesel) would be the ticket, honestly.

[remcolent]

Thanks for the replies,
I have been in Azia 17 times in the last 20 Years.
The roads have improved al lot over these years, Main roads are generaly good , the more rual roads are narow but drivable.
Sure in the mountains of northern India The roads are not realy suited for a AS motorhome.
But everywhere you se the locals driving in normal passenger cars, and vans.
I have spoken with some Dutch overland travelers, Some of them traveld with a stock motorhome others traveled with a 4x4 truck.
With a standard or aslightly moded MH you are a bit more limited in the places you can go.
But I have airstreams now for 15 years , and I refuce to travel in a tupperwhare box.
Is there a good picture or drawing of the rear suspension of the A/S MH with or without the tag axle. and what is the disadvantage about the tag axle , I know its two more tires to buy but what more/
What is the lenght of the overhang for a 310 325 345



Regards
Remco

[Mulligan]

Hi Remco,
Just recently there has been 2 MH for sale on ebay UK,
i've just checked and 1 is still there, its a 77 though think its 310, with petrol engine though, but im sure the 345 that was on ebay had already been converted a diesel unit, i'll have a better look in the morning and if i find anything i'll pm you

Cheers
Tim