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Thread: 4x4 Winnebago Lesharo......Hideous Awesomeness

  1. #31
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Veeeeeeeeeesta, CA, USA, NA, Northern Hemisphere, Third Rock, Left Arm
    Posts
    136
    Quote Originally Posted by flyingkilt View Post
    It is going to take a LOT of refinements to bring this beastie up to speed, because -- like ALL rigs, it has its perplexing challenges. For instance: I've got the engine-driven air conditioning all charged up with R-134 and it is blowing cold air . . . however, there is ALSO a TON of HOT BTUs coming off the engine, which cancels out the cool air of the AC.

    And then, last night, my wife, Jackie, and I camped along the Rogue River in it and spend our first night out in it -- smelling gas fumes all night long.

    YUP, it's gonna' take A LOT of improvements to civilize it.
    YEAH...but you were on the Rogue! Wonder if it's just as simple as a bad flap control for that heater....wouldn't be surprised. Those things aren't vacuum controlled, are they? Just a simple linkage or cable?

    Cool rig...too small for my family, but very cool nonetheless. Great to see some creativity.
    No Blazer, Unimog, Pinzie or Tatra...just a Suburban with a Cummins aka The Subbins

    1985 Suburban, D60, 14BFF, National Spring 5" suspension lift, Detroit lockers F&R, '01 Cummins ISB 24 Valve,etc etc etc..., and rust too! w00t!

    1999 Ford F350 w/7.3 4x4 Longbed Crewcab, Coolant filtration system, 75 gallon diesel bed tank, Graco Blue Devil diesel pump, A.R.E. DCU Shell (for sale),SCORED A CALLEN!, BFG All Terrains

    '98 XR400
    '73 Rokon Trailbreaker
    '66 M35A2 6x6

  2. #32
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    18
    I WISH it were just a flapper valve (yes, it's pushrod-controlled), but it's more complicated than heater controls -- the hot drafts are due to several random hard-to-reach holes in the firewall, and a home-made wooden "doghouse" over the engine that extends back into the cabin with insufficient reflective insulation (and decent weatherstripping seals) to keep out the engine heat.

    BTW, Czechsix: Was that Cummins diesel a difficult job to retrofit into your 1985 Suburban? That would be perfect, I would think, for this YELLOW LeSharo Bumblebee . . . (which has rust, too!). What kind of fuel mileage do you get?

  3. #33
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Posts
    53
    Nice looking RV! I have a 1986 Winnebago 26' Class A 4x4 that you have probably seen pictures here on this forum. Mine came with the GM 454 V8 and is currently going through a cummins 5.9L conversion out here in Cali. Will report back when the conversion is complete and will also report on the increased (hopefully) fuel mileage.

    I am wondering if your frame is strong enough to handle the added weight of the cummins.

  4. #34
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    18
    I can't find pictures of it or a thread about it; can you provide a link, please?

  5. #35
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    240
    Quote Originally Posted by flyingkilt View Post
    I can't find pictures of it or a thread about it; can you provide a link, please?
    Clicky!

  6. #36
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    18
    Thanks for the link, bajajoaquin -- now THAT is a BIG WINNIE 4X4! An Elanden, I think . . . what chassis/drivetrain is under it now?
    Chiloquin, Oregon
    86 Winnebago LeSharo conversion on AWD GMC Safari lifted, extended chassis & 350 V8

  7. #37
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Posts
    53
    Hi there,

    The RV was originally built on the GM P30 chassis with the 454/TH400 transmission. The conversion was done by a small shop in the Cape Cod area for the original owner. I bought it in the Boston area from the second owner. It looks like they used the system from a 1ton HD late 80's truck- D60 with 4.10s. I don't know which TC they used, but I can check.

    When I drove it from Boston to San Diego in 2007, the front end would bottom out occassionally so I had a shop in the San Diego area build new leaf spring with a 6 lift and that took care of issue. Did great in baja beaches and dirt roads.

    It sleeps five and the family loves it. I cannot wait for the diesel conversion to complete- hopefully next weekend.

    Is your rv in the applegate area? I go to ashland quite often. I'd love to see your rv when I am up there.

  8. #38
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    18
    It sure is a kewl motorhome, and it'll be REALLY cool when the Cummins is operating to move it along. Will you be bringing it to Ashland sometime?

    Yes, our AWD Lesharo RV is out in the Applegate area, and we'd be happy to bring it over to Ashland to meet you . . . or: you're certainly welcome to come out and visit us on Humbug Creek Road where we live out here. We have another Winnebago LeSharo that's just front-wheel-drive, but it's been converted to a Buick 3800 V6 and 440T4 automatic transmission, which makes it a very useful motor home for traveling long-distances fairly economically, 'cause it gets around 20 mpg. Sure wish the YELLOW Bumblebee got that good of mileage!

    Max
    Chiloquin, Oregon
    86 Winnebago LeSharo conversion on AWD GMC Safari lifted, extended chassis & 350 V8

  9. #39
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Stafford, VA
    Posts
    1,011
    Glad to hear it's getting used and you're working your way through the issues. How about some pics in it's [new] natural habitat?
    Carl
    -The Belafonte - Ambulance buildup
    -2007 Tacoma TRD - Adventure toy and DD
    -2001 KLR 650 - Two wheeled fun

  10. #40
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Euless, Texas, USA
    Posts
    292
    Quote Originally Posted by 864x4rv View Post
    Nice looking RV! I have a 1986 Winnebago 26' Class A 4x4 that you have probably seen pictures here on this forum. Mine came with the GM 454 V8 and is currently going through a cummins 5.9L conversion out here in Cali. Will report back when the conversion is complete and will also report on the increased (hopefully) fuel mileage.

    I am wondering if your frame is strong enough to handle the added weight of the cummins.
    The Cummins is only a few hundred pounds heavier. Less than me and a friend combined. I wouldn't worry about that.

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