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Topic: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks! (Read 773 times) previous topic - next topic
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UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
SO EXCITED! Looks like I'm going to be an official Lazy Bum and buy a vintage 22 LD I saw posted on the LD FB group. One wrinkle: I'm gonna need a place in the AZ area (Phoenix/Chandler area preferably) to store it for the month of March before I can travel to get it. Anyone in AZ have "room at the inn" for an adopted RV --OR-- suggestions for a storage place that's not too-too pricey? Thanks!
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #1 –
Welcome to the club (Forum Of the Lazy Daze, aka; FOLD)   Please give us a name to use, Lazy Bum probably applies to many of us.   What year and floor plan?  The length may affect storage possibilities.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #2 –
You're going to buy a vintage LD sight unseen and want to store it for a while before you can travel to pick it up?  Is that right?

If so, please be VERY CAREFUL unless you really know what you're getting into, and have a large amount to skill, time, and cash to sink into it.   

Sorry to sound pessimistic, but we've seen this movie many times before and it's almost never a happy ending...

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #3 –
Quote from: rich  - 
If so, please be VERY CAREFUL unless you really know what you're getting into, and have a large amount to skill, time, and cash to sink into it.   
Sorry to sound pessimistic, but we've seen this movie many times before and it's almost never a happy ending...

I'm right there with Rich, unless this rig has been extremely well inspected by someone very knowledgeable, there is a very good chance it is loaded with all sorts of problems that will take large amounts of cash and time to make into a suitable RV.
I have worked on LDs since 1995 and would never even consider buying such an antique, they are too many things that go wrong with rigs of that vintage. It is almost impossible to keep one watertight without a large amount of annual labor
If you think this is going to be a cheap way to live, you will probably be very disappointed.

If you check the forum's archive, you will find many who have thought the same and bought a 40-50-year-old RV and then found it needed a huge amount of repairs and also found there are few mechanics today that understand the carburetor and other older parts, not used today. Many of the repair parts are no longer available.
Many of these rigs have been soon sold after the discovery of how much work needs to be done, sometimes after a lot of money has already been spent.

So, unless you are a mechanic with a lot of other construction skills, have a good size nest egg of many thousands of dollars, and a place to work on it, you might want to think it over or just walk away.
BTW, after so many many years of working and advising, my recommendation now is to buy nothing older than 2004, for a long list of reasons. 2004 was the year Ford upgraded the spark plug threads from four to seven threads, the early V10s spit spark plugs out too frequently. A blown plug can be expensive to fix and can destroy the engine in some cases.
Few of the highly experienced LDs owners are on the LD Facebook page, none of us are familiar with this rig.

When we say RVing is not a cheap lifestyle, we mean it.
Larry



Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #4 –
I believe this is the one referred to. It's a Chevy with a carb.  The current owner only bought it in 2019, from what I gather looking at her posts on the fb page.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/d/chandler-vintage-1984-lazydaze-22rb/7278012538.html
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
I believe this is the one referred to. It's a Chevy with a carb.  The current owner only bought it in 2019, from what I gather looking at her posts on the fb page.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/d/chandler-vintage-1984-lazydaze-22rb/7278012538.html
Quote from: HiLola  - 
I believe this is the one referred to. It's a Chevy with a carb.  The current owner only bought it in 2019, from what I gather looking at her posts on the fb page.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/d/chandler-vintage-1984-lazydaze-22rb/7278012538.html
Well, I don't know about you lot, but I'm sold. I've been looking for a "Retro Lazy Daze clock in the lounge" for eons.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #6 –
I, and others on this forum, I know, have sometimes been admonished for perceived negative attitudes about buying a 'vintage' LD. Often, after being advised of the high likelihood of potential problems, apparent and hidden, and the almost certain outcome of having to spend a great deal of money for repairs and replacements, the prospective buyer cites that the rig is selling for a price that s/he can afford, and that it 'looks good in the photos'.

I know of no one on this forum who offers advice with the intent of stomping on someone's dreams or hopes; the cautions, caveats, and advice are offered from knowledge and experience and a genuine desire to help newbies avoid making very expensive mistakes. And, I suspect, for every unfavorable post-purchase experience of buying an old rig, particularly sight unseen and/or without a thorough inspection, that is reported on this forum, there may be a dozen or so more that we never hear about; it can be tough to acknowledge that one had no clue about the realities of RV ownership, ignored advice, did little or no research, and made a 'stars in the eyes' impulse buy.

I don't have any idea of the condition of the rig in question (maybe this one? https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1984-Lazy-Daze-22-22-FT.-REAR-BATH-5015555062), but I hope that a potential buyer would at least have some idea of what one was taking on and have a thorough inspection of coach, chassis, engine, systems, appliances, and the dozens of other 'parts' before committing.









2003 TK has a new home
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #7 –
"2004 was the year Ford upgraded the spark plug threads from four to seven threads, the early V10s spit spark plugs out too frequently."
---
My 2003 (engine manufacture date May 27, 2003) has seven thread wells. Dave at BOSP was surprised at this when the plugs were changed at 87k, but the threads were clearly 7-thread.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #8 –
My June 2003 also had the deeper threads.  I had all plugs and wires replaced when I first got the RV, at 40k miles.  Plugs were ok, but time not just mileage can be an issue.
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Joan  - 
"2004 was the year Ford upgraded the spark plug threads from four to seven threads, the early V10s spit spark plugs out too frequently."
---
My 2003 (engine manufacture date May 27, 2003) has seven thread wells. Dave at BOSP was surprised at this when the plugs were changed at 87k, but the threads were clearly 7-thread.

The change from four to seven threads happened late in the 2003 manufacturing year.
Knowing we, and several friends with 2003's LD, have suffered from blown plugs, I feel safer making the recommendation to avoid 2003 and older E450s.
Wendy's experience at the beginning of a two-week vacation shows how devastating a failure blowing out a spark plug can be. She was lucky to know someone who could fix it on the spot, most people are not so fortunate and would be stuck with a potentially large towing bill and expensive repairs that could take weeks to complete.

I know of no way to determine if an engine has the four or seven thread heads without removing a spark plug and taking a look.
It isn't something most would be willing to do during an inspection, as it requires removing the doghouse, to access the coils and spark plugs. It normally isn't a pleasant experience and bad language is always involved.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #10 –
The chassis/engine build date may be different from the coach build date; for example, a chassis and engine may have a build date of 2005, but the coach is registered as a 2006 model. A Ford "Incomplete Vehicle" label on the driver's side door jamb lists the cab/chassis manufacturing date, the VIN, and other chassis/engine information. Since there can be changes  in specs during a production 'year', knowing the manufacturing date of the cab/chassis is important when ordering parts and/or anything else that's not 'box'-associated.

YMMV, as always.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #11 –
Thanks for all of your kind thoughts and concerns.
I am a 20-year CDL holder who works as a driver for a school district and have deep friendships with the mechanics there who do work on the side.
I have money in reserve for repairs as they come up.
The rig has all its service records from day one.
Nothing in life is guaranteed. I understand it's a risk and may lead to heartache and bleeding money.
The same can be said for getting married.
The same can be said for having children. (Biggest crapshoot of all.)
It will either work out or it won't.
I hope that most of you hope that it does and will be there to offer advice and counsel if I ask for itl
Btw, I already have secured a place to store her for a month.
Thanks again, I'm glad to be part of your community!





Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #12 –
Good luck with your new LD.
I hope it's an oldie but goodie.
Advice is always available here.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #13 –
Congrats, Lazy Bummette!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Can anyone "foster" my (soon) 22' LD in March?
Reply #14 –
Thanks!
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #15 –
Welcome - Lazy Lady
1992 22' TK
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #16 –
Congratulations!  :D
2003 RB “Lulu Boo Berry” The Blue Ghost
2008 Jeep Liberty “Mr. Toad”
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #17 –
LaBu,  it's going to be a little like jumping out of an airplane dark  :  how high are you, do you have a parachute, is the plane on the ground?  
When you have questions, post them.  As they say the only stupid question is the one not asked.
Welcome aboard.
joel

Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #18 –
I thought that was a good looker, Lazy Bummette and told several friends about it so they could see a vintage LD. Nice to see that it's gone to an appreciative new home. I hope we see you out there on the road someday.

Have fun making it your own,
Jim & Deb Langley
Santa Cruz, California
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #19 –
Hi everyone, I haven't been on the site for awhile so THANKS to all who offered such a warm welcome. As I mentioned, I went against commons sense and followed my gut feeling about a certain rig and seller and bought a vintage 1984 LD on the other side of the country, sight unseen and without test driving in person.

UPDATE: It's going so great I can hardly believe it (knock wood). The lovely seller took it to her mechanic AFTER she had my money, he did a complete safety check and tune up, and it only needs 2 things: an a/c belt and a flange that holds the tailpipe in place has a crack and a new one needs to be welded on.

AND she found an inexpensive storage place for me only 5 miles from her house where I can keep it until I can fly out in June to pick it up!

AND when I told her my proposed name for the rig, she surprised me by making this sign for it already! I hope my Lazy Daze adventures continue with this kind of good will and serendipity!
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #20 –
Does a 2001 E 350 V10 have the spark plug problem?  (Yes it really is a V10)
AlphPup
 2001 TK “Dazi”
 
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #21 –
Hi Gabriella; Yes you do have the sparkplug problem. It is rare but does happen.  Maybe Larry can chime in here.
      I'm not sure why the 'yes, it really is a V10' comment. Ford chassis came with the V10 starting in 1997.   '97, '98 and '99 (my rig) came with the first version V10.  The 2000 chassis had a revised version with almost no common parts, but the newer version still fits in the engine bay, and has been successfully transplanted into at least one 1997 LD motorhome, that I know of.  If there are even newer versions of the non class 'A' engine (3 valves per cylinder), there might be issues fitting that in.  The 'Changes by year' link on our title page details that.
     Blown out spark plugs Blownoutsparkplug.com Ford Spark Plug Thread Repair      will still work on your chassis.  Its coming up on my to do list, and they have a facility near me in El Cajon. (the San Diego area).  Maybe this year.  
     I see that you have about 65,000 miles on your 'new to you'  Lazy Daze. I've got about 50,000 on mine, so one of us can be the test case.    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #22 –
Thanks for the information!  When you said I have 65,000 in my Lazy Daze, I got that eerie feeling, like you were looking over my shoulder, but then I went and reviewed all of my posts for the first time.  I’ve been with the forum for 9 years now, same rig, still a junior member though!  Thanks for the history on the engine.  I had some Ladeze dispute that I had a V10 in an E350 a while back!
AlphPup
 2001 TK “Dazi”
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #23 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Hi Gabriella; Yes you do have the sparkplug problem. It is rare but does happen.  Maybe Larry can chime in here.  If there are even newer versions of the non class 'A' engine (3 valves per cylinder), there might be issues fitting that in.  The 'Changes by year' link on our title page details that.

Blown out spark plugs Blownoutsparkplug.com Ford Spark Plug Thread Repair      will still work on your chassis.

The blown spark plug issue is real, I have seen too many examples, very recently we were traveling with friends with a 2002 LD that blew out a plug.
Our friends, wanting to keep their otherwise fine LD, opted to have Blownsparkplug performed the upgrade to eliminate the problem for good on all the cylinders. Not cheap but it eliminates an unplanned showstopping event.

The seven-thread head was introduced in late 2003, replacing the trouble-prone four-thread head, any 2004, and newer model, will not have the problem.
The three-valve V10, used in the Class As and pickups, is too wide to fit into the E450s engine bay.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: UPDATE: Found a foster, thanks!
Reply #24 –
Hi Allison!  Can't wait to see your new rig!  Where will you put the sign?
Lisa