New to forum

[Bugabago]

Hello All,

I would like to introduce myself to you. I own a 78 620 which is the base of my Galavan motorhome. I have spent the last three years bringing her back from the abyss, and am now trying to restore her to original working condition. I still have a little body work to do, but it is now merely cosmetic.

The reason I am here is that I am not much of a mechanic, so I am a little over my head with this part of the job. I hope to get some good advice on what to take on and what is not worth the effort. For example, I am now obsessing over the emission control workings. It has been my experience that engines run best and longest if those parts are doing their jobs correctly. It is a push for my little engine to haul her down the highway, and I want to make it easy on her so she will last a long time.

Understand that this is my baby. I'm not afraid to lavish her with money, but I think it would be better if I learned how to care for her every need.

Al

[gmac708]

Welcome to NICO noobert Pictures...620...galavan motorhome...does not compute. I need some help please.

[PEZi]

welcome man!

don't forget to pop in and say hello in the Old Datsun Pickup section zeromain?id=190

[leesredgt]

WELCOME NOOBERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bmore-coupe]

Welcome

Pics are needed

[lino]

Welcome to Nico . This place is awesome. Lots of great people and info. Like everyone else said, we'd love to see pics.
Modified by lino at 6:32 PM 10/29/2009

[Bugabago]

Thanks for the welcome,

I'll try to get at least one pic on here for you guys. I know it is a bit of a stretch to equate 620's with motorhome. My little girl is made by Champion motorhomes. It was one of only 4,000 made way back in the 70's. I suspect I have the only one left on the road.

A brief description: she is based on a 78 datsun EHL cab and chassis. THe back of the cab is cut out to allow access to the coach which is made out of fibreglass over a steel frame. She has a small cab over that is too small for an adult to sleep in, but she is fully equipped with stove sink porta potty and originally furnace. Her main strengths are her comfort, simplicity, and mpg. The fact that she is nearly unique doen't hurt either.

I had an 88 toyota pickup for years. I am still grieving that loss. The Bug is much stouter as a truck. She isn't much for climbing, but with her 17 gallon tank and 22+ mpg I can drive most of the day without stopping. I haven't had this much fun with a motor vehicle since my 63 nova. I'll try not to make myself too much of a pest with questions, but as I said, I am not much of a mechanic.

Al

[MellowZ32]

welcome to the cult. Keep your butt cheeks tight!

[Bubba1]

welcome to the cult. Keep your butt cheeks tight!

Sounds like a sweet classic vehicle. I used to live near someone that had a toyota pickup based motorhome. Very cool. Surprisingly roomy inside for its size. Never saw a Datsun one. Love to see pics.

[juliarichard34]

hello and welcome to the forum.congratulations for your new car.Can you post the pics of your car.

[snwbrdr435]

How about you make an intro thread with pics of your car

[Bugabago]

I've uploaded my pics to photobucket. I will try to link one of them here. I hope you get to see my baby.

[darens13]

time for an sr?

[Mr1der]

no.

it's got an L series, why the hell would you put an SR in there.

I wanna see some interior shots of that beast!

<---works in a conversion shop building custom buses leased to entertainers and such.

[Bugabago]

That shot was taken on the day I discovered that I didn't dare take her out on the open road. There was no floor or anything to hold a floor up under the carpet. What you see is how she was when I brought her home.

You're right, she has an L20b under her hood that gives me the mpg I want, so with only 88 thou on her, I figure she should be good to go for a long time.

I have 29 pics of the tear down and resurrection of her on photobucket. It wasn't a pretty sight. I'll put up an interior shot tomorrow.

Thanks for the interest. I still think she may be the last one still on the road.

Al

[Otto.]

I LOVE small trucks with large hindquarters... kinda like these old Toyota U-Haul trucks:



They are the coolness.

Good luck with the build and welcome to NICO!

[PEZi]

i need to find one of those toyota u-hauls... apparently they have a beefier front swaybar that fits my truck

[NSR_s30]

Very nice, welcome to the cul.....club

[numbnuts240]

I've uploaded my pics to photobucket. I will try to link one of them here. I hope you get to see my baby.

i would turn that thing into the baddest ice cream truck you ever did see.

[PyR0NiAk]

i would turn that thing into the baddest ice cream truck you ever did see.

While I find your opinion kinda humorous, I think the restoration will be much more satisfying in the end..

[numbnuts240]

nothing is more satisfying than an ice cream after a long day's work. except for maybe a beer and a bj, in which case, that thing could be turned into a boom boom room on wheels.

[DrifterXRPS13]

Welcome! sweet truck! and def post some pics of the interior!

[PyR0NiAk]

nothing is more satisfying than an ice cream after a long day's work. except for maybe a beer and a bj, in which case, that thing could be turned into a boom boom room on wheels.

Boom boom room on wheels... Hmmm..... Sounds good...

[Bugabago]

Okay, here's a couple pics of the interior before and after.

Al[IMG][IMG][/IMG][/IMG]

[PyR0NiAk]

Very nice, Sir.

[numbnuts240]

are you serious? that's sweet as f***. i would totally live in there, screw paying a mortgage.

[ilovedatsun]

Dear Bugabago, I to have a Datsun Galavan motorhome based on the datsun 620 chassis. I just purchased it. It is a 1979, and looks just like yours. It is missing the blue stripes, other wise identical. My 620 has 71,000 miles, and runs and drives great.I am very happy with Her also. The interior is in good shape , except for the hideabed .and it needs recovered.It still has the portapotty,( very important at my age). lets keep in touch.

[Koshin]

no.

it's got an L series, why the hell would you put an SR in there.

turbo powa y0!!!

nice truck buddy...I likes

[Koshin]

Dear Bugabago, I to have a Datsun Galavan motorhome based on the datsun 620 chassis. I just purchased it. It is a 1979, and looks just like yours. It is missing the blue stripes, other wise identical. My 620 has 71,000 miles, and runs and drives great.I am very happy with Her also. The interior is in good shape , except for the hideabed .and it needs recovered.It still has the portapotty,( very important at my age). lets keep in touch.

jeez, two of these things with in days of each-other...you guys could start a Datsun caravan...

Greg should put a small camper on Peanut...I love that little truck

[Bugabago]

WOW!!!!

I thought I had the last one on the road. Mine is also a 79, but the truck is a 78, so I go by that when I am looking for advice or parts. Did you get all the paperwork with her? I have all of mine. There is a website for Champion motorhomes called Champion Fleet Owners. Check them out. You can get manuals for the Galavan there. If you want to know anything, I have almost torn mine down to nothing.

Billings eh? I am in Duluth Mn. I am talking about running over to Yellowstone next summer. It would be great to see them together.

Al