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Topic: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission (Read 26 times) previous topic - next topic
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1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Yahoo Message Number: 152840
Thanks for the add! So I was very excited to buy my first rv (yes, first time stupidy drum roll please). It was in great shape, drove great.for about 60 miles when the transmission blew. It would back up but not fwd just high revs, leaking both transmission fluid and radiator fluid. Aft $250 tow to a nearby truck/rv repair shop I am left wondering how much it will cost me to have the transmission rebuilt. I only paid $2500 for it and wondering if it will be worth it or if I should cut and run. Sigh.
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152841
If the Rest of the RV is in good Shape, I would say keep it.  Fix the transmission and for 4500$ You still have a nice RV that has a brand new transmission with warranty.  You can not get a $4500 LD in that case right now.  I would also get the AAA RV membership, gives you 100Miles of Tow 4 times a year free. This will protect you for future costly tows.  Then start putting money aside for a rebuild engine.  If your engine does not go, there will be other things that needs replacing.  Either way owning an RV is not cheap.
You either have to pay it upfront at purchase, or buy cheap and pay latter.  It just hurts more when you pay upfront and still find out that you have to pay again because something big went wrong.
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152842
If the Rest of the RV is in good Shape, I would say keep it.  Fix the transmission and for 4500$ You still have a nice RV that has a brand new transmission with warranty.  You can not get a $4500 LD in that case right now.  I would also get the AAA RV membership, gives you 100Miles of Tow 4 times a year free. This will protect you for future costly tows.  Then start putting money aside for a rebuild engine.  If your engine does not go, there will be other things that needs replacing.  Either way owning an RV is not cheap.
You either have to pay it upfront at purchase, or buy cheap and pay latter.  It just hurts more when you pay upfront and still find out that you have to pay again because something big went wrong.

__
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152843
Well, Jet, you probably have come to the right decision by now. One never knows for sure, but considering the age of this LD, this could just be the beginning of your expenses. I don't know what "good shape" means, but if this LD were mine, and knowing my poor mechanical skills, I would "cut and run". Just my humble opinion. Perhaps someone else has a more optimistic opinion.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152844
I am leaning twds keeping the thing. It has less than 66k on original motor. I talked with Jasper transmissions and a remanufactured transmission with 100k/3 yr warranty is only $1450 so prob looking at less than $2500 installed. I see what the rv shop has to say after looking it over. The only thing that didn't work was fridge and I didn't care about that since I am just a weekend camper. Here's a link to it by who the previous owner bought.
 1979 Lazy Daze Motorhome for Sale (Sold)
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152845
I talked to Jasper and a remanufactured ENGINE with warranty for this thing (if I even needed it) was only $3400 and can easily cover that now if I had too. I am definitely upgrading my AAA plus to include rv service if we keep! LOL $250 to tow 8 miles! Thanks!
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152847
From those pictures, it looks pretty dang good! We had a 1989 RB with only 40k miles, and the tranny went bad right after we bought it. I had it rebuilt for 1100 and it was worth it because the rest of the rig was in phenomenal  shape! We sold it to someone  who was so pleased with it being mechanically and cosmetically in great condition.

Jim

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S® 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152849
Jet, (is that your name?) the LD does appear to have had a lot done to it and is a real looker considering its age. I guess it boils down to how much more you want to invest in this rig. After a few weekend trips, I think you will decide you want a functioning refrigerator. Good luck with your decisions!

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152850
yup Chris..that's my name!LOL  Being that we camp every 3 weeks in a tent..rain or shine, without fridge, blow up beds, or electricity..this will be a luxury! It helps that we are vegetarian so even our ice chest stays fairly empty..we keep my dogs frozen meat in it and it usually doesn't thaw until the 4th day..even in 90 degrees. I am really excited and keeping my fingers crossed. I wanted an old vintage camper and this thing seems to fit the bill. It looks as good in person as it does in pics. Nothing loose, cracked etc..I was shocked how beautiful this thing was in person!
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152851
I guess it boils down to how much more you want to invest in this rig. After a few weekend trips, I think you will decide you want a functioning refrigerator.

----

Yes, the photos show the "cosmetics" of the rig well, but it's impossible to tell from photos what's under the skin. If it needs another transmission replacement (the ad states that the transmission was replaced in 2010), and the refrigerator "doesn't work" (what's wrong with it?), what other pricey repair surprises will be showing up? A 36-year-old rig is bound to have plenty of potential warts in all sorts of systems and places. I agree with Chris; keeping it or selling it depends it on how much you want to invest. Even if its use will be restricted to weekend trips, you still have to get there and back and have use of the rig's "features" while you're camping. Not saying that it will happen, but it's no fun to discover another $ problem that has to be dealt with every time you plan a weekend outing.

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152853
I'm pretty sure this is the well-known rig formerly owned by a Lazy Daze list member.  When she lovingly did all these upgrades, she did a vast write up on the process.  Not sure if it is still around, but it might be of interest to you.  If she is still reading these posts, perhaps she could point you directly to the information.

Virtual hugs,

Judie http://dorrieanne.wordpress.com
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152858
"Fern" perhaps??? Go to message 140031. It has a long thread.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152859
Also try message 97829. Fern mentions a link to photos but I can't get it to open - too many redirects. There must be a photo album in our Photos section.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152860
Sadly, in the end we handed the title and keys back to the owner. In a bizarre twist of fate, I had paid with paypal and for some reason Paypal fraud alert got inacted and the charges reversed, so in the end I am only out $75 for the gas I put in and the $250 towing. Hugely disappointed but someone else will be getting this little gem. Had problems with the title and bill of sale which was the final clincher. Sigh. But I think I will lurk here and learn some more from all of you because I know there is an LD out there for me!
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152862
And yes, this was indeed "dorrie" that once belonged to Fern The couple had undid a lot of the interior touches Fern had did..converting it back to it's pseudo original look and removing the desk. I'm hugely disappointed not to be the next owner of "Dorrie" and that for us, this was one of those Lose-Lose situations.
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152866
I'm so sorry you missed out on owning Dorie! She truly is a gem! When I sold her the only item not working was the refrigerator, which sounds like it still isn't. She truly was a solid little motorhome with good bones, as her owner prior to me, Susan Fain, often said.
 Susan called her "Smokey," and she did the hard work of rebuilding the overcab due to a leak from the overcab front window. But she still didn't look the greatest cosmetically. So when I bought her, my parents helped me refurbish her, painting her outside and inside, installing new carpet in the cab, building a desk in the back, making new curtains, etc., etc. Lots of work, but it was worth it, and I have lots of happy memories traveling and camping in her!

She would be well worth the price of a new transmission, since everything else is solid on her, or at least was when I sold her a couple years ago. Not sure what happened with the transmission, but it was a rebuilt one that was put in when I had to have it replaced.

If you're still considering buying her I'd be happy to answer any questions from my and Susan's period of owning her. (Sadly, Susan passed away a little more than a year ago.) There's also a lot of history recorded here in the list's archives beginning from when Susan bought her. Do a search for Susan Fain and Fern to find all our posts, if you'd like.
 Hope you find the just-right Lazy Daze for you, whether it's Dorie or another fine rig. And I hope Dorie finds a great owner that treats her well! She still has lots of life left in her, I believe. :)

Fern Horst
Fern Horst
Formerly owned:
1979 TK - "Dorie" (2007-2012)
2003 MB - "Absaroka" (2012-2019)
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152867
Quote
    > Also try message 97829. Fern mentions a link to photos but I can't get > it to open - too many redirects. There must be a photo album in our > Photos section.
Try this link to the photos:

Fern Horst
Fern Horst
Formerly owned:
1979 TK - "Dorie" (2007-2012)
2003 MB - "Absaroka" (2012-2019)
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152868
yeah, it killed me to pass on her. The other thing was that the tow guy told me when he lifted her to tow, a ton of water poured out of her..making me think that she may be holding water between walls from the power washing a few days earlier and the rain. It didn't come from the roof either..we were up on that. Have no idea where it came from. Nothing was wet inside, but there WAS a ton of water on the ground. The couple who own it (I only met the husband) was super nice and I felt really bad about not taking her. I am mailing her plates back to them tomorrow. Like I said, this was a sad decision.
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152869
Quote
  > Also try message 97829. Fern mentions a link to photos but I can't get > it to open - too many redirects. There must be a photo album in our > Photos section.
Try this link to the photos:

Fern Horst
Fern Horst
Formerly owned:
1979 TK - "Dorie" (2007-2012)
2003 MB - "Absaroka" (2012-2019)
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152871
"The couple who own it (I only met the husband) was super nice and I felt really bad about not taking her."
 If it's the same couple I sold it to, they are really nice people. I enjoyed meeting them but we haven't stayed in touch. Tell them to post it here on this list for sale. When I sold it there were a number of people here interested. Not sure if they're still around or not, but it's worth a try.

Fern
Fern Horst
Formerly owned:
1979 TK - "Dorie" (2007-2012)
2003 MB - "Absaroka" (2012-2019)
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152872
My wife and I had a long distance purchase with our RV. The process was a major headache, and the seller was 50% less cooperative than needed to make it all go smooth. You need to take a leap of faith and have the vehicle checked out first by your cousin or an unknown traveling mechanic.  But the seller is the biggest part of it, because for them to turn away local buyers and wait for your due-diligence is a big pain for them.
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152873
"My wife and I had a long distance purchase with our RV.  The process was a major headache, and the seller was 50% less cooperative than needed to make it all go smooth.  You need to take a leap of faith and have the vehicle checked out first by your cousin or an unknown traveling mechanic.   But the seller is the biggest part of it, because for them to turn away local buyers and wait for your due-diligence is a big pain for them."

It can certainly be an anxiety-provoking leap of faith to make a long-distance transaction of such magnitude, far from known/trusted mechanics/etc. to give a reliable examination/opinion.  When I started my journey I thought a dealer, with a shop to examine & a reputation in business was the way to go--a private transaction was the farthest thing from my mind.  However, I was very blest to discover this site, & through it, conscientious sellers who had a scrupulously-maintained rig--and a nearby LWALD member who graciously agreed to look it over.  ...Amtrak from Kansas City to SoCal helped, too.  :>)
 Best wishes as you continue your journey & good luck in your search.  This site, with its congeniality & wealth of knowledge, is an invaluable resource.

Lynne LDy Lulubelle '05 31' TB Lilly, 4-legged Alarm
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
 
Re: 1979 LD Dodge 440 22 ft with Blown transmission
Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152876
Fern, I had forgotten that we have a shared last name. I should mention that we are not related.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB