1983 Itasca Spectrum (Winnabego)

[MotorVation]

This is right around the corner from me. I called the owner and he's going to meet me there tomorrow.
Here's what I know.
350 Chevy on G20 Chevy chassis. Duellly 16" wheels. Not 16.5
Mileage is around 110k
Roof air works.
Dash air works.
Recently professionally rebuild 4 barrel carb.
Auto tranny and from what I've read it's 4 speed. I'm not 100% sure but I won't buy it if it doesn't have overdrive
Tires are a little over a year old.
He says there's no water damage.
Propane system reportedly works.
He put in a 110 volt fridge but I have a 12v Whynter.
Has a bathroom! One holding tank.
Anyone out there ever have one of these turd crushers? MPG?

 

[bullfrog]

I would take a close look at the weight carryng capacity and the size of the fresh water and holding tanks. I would be surprized to find dual rear wheels on something rated at less than a ton. Do yourself a favor and take it to a truck stop and weigh it. Old Chevy stuff is great as long as you don't abuse it by overloading.

 

[MotorVation]

  I would be surprized to find dual rear wheels on something rated at less than a ton.  Do yourself a favor and take it to a truck stop and weigh it.  Old Chevy stuff is great as long as you don't abuse it by overloading.

Yeah, I agree. I asked him if it was a G30 and he said it's a 20 and was surprised himself due the duelly rear.
I'm gonna look at what it says on the door jam about the weight capacity.

Also, I forgot to add. The hood and fenders are fiberglass. He replaced the doors with Chevy doors because the old ones were rusty. I'm going to get underneath it and see how the rust situation is. The new doors have power windows which is pretty cool.
Thanks..

 

[highdesertranger]

GM never put dual's on a 3/4 ton, so something is up there.

actually if it's a overdrive it's going to be a 700. I would rather have a 3 speed(T-400) then a 700. no matter what's in it you can upgrade to a 4 speed if that's important, because it's a GM it's easy.

highdesertranger

 

[txmnjim]

if there are no signs of water damage and the price is right, go for it!
i'm even starting to rethink the water damage issue after reading about
all these great sealants on the market and apparently it is fairly easy to
fix most leaks good luck!
jim

 

[highdesertranger]

the leaks are usually easy to fix. it's the damage the water does to the structure. that is a pain in the ass to fix. highdesertranger

 

[txmnjim]

roger that!

 

[bullfrog]

I had something similar and the main problem I had was the door mounting so be sure it is going to stay on. Small aftermarket builders did all sorts of weird things with rearends. Some aftermarket kits to convert to rear dual wheels were available at one time I believe but were hard on bearings and difficult to get wheels on and off so most went to more heavy duty 1 tons.

 

[MotorVation]

I can't figure out what the deal is with the dually. Spent hours searching online. Here's a link to a brochure on it from Ithasca. It's the DB model.

Brochure 
https://www.rvroundtable.com/wp-content/uploads/winnebago/1983/1983.Spectrum.pdf
I should be meeting the owner over there sometime this afternoon so I'll take more pics.

I find it hard to believe that Winnebago would put a motorhome body on a 3/4 ton 'especially after the problems with the rear axles on the Toyota chassis during the 70's

I'll post what I find out later today.

Thanks

 

[highdesertranger]

well the rear axle wouldn't be the problem as GM used the 14 bolt in both the 3/4 ton and 1 ton models and they came single or dual. it's hard to tell in the pic but it does look like a 14 bolt. BTW a GM 14 bolt is considered by many to be the best light truck rear axle ever made, they are darn near bullet proof.

also the 11,000 pound rating of the bigger one is a 1 ton+, so that one is not a 3/4 ton.

the front rims seem to appear to be dually rims which would be extremely odd for a 3/4 ton as the front end would have to be converted to be able to except the rims.

one more point, that is a T-400 transmission. a heavy duty 3 speed. GM never put an overdrive into a 1 ton until the 4L80 as the 700's wouldn't handle the weight.

so to summarize IMHO that is a 1 ton chassis.

highdesertranger

 

[MotorVation]

I appreciate all the info.
I just got back from checking it out. It's toast. Burning oil, tranny is making a noise I've never heard before. The front shocks are missing as in, they don't exist. The interior is shot out but would be acceptable (I'm not all that picky on cosmetics) to fix up if the engine wasn't toast.

He has it priced at 4500 but will take 4k. I don't think it's really worth more than 1k, maybe 1500. for someone who was willing and able to rebuild or replace the drive train. That noise the tranny is making could be serious or it could be minor. I'm not willing to take that chance.
If anyone is interested in it I have his contact info.

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

ah that's to bad. I would say 1k is even high sounds the seller is on crack. highdesertranger

 

[MotorVation]

It never ceases to amaze me what some people are willing to do for the almighty dollar.

Well, now I appreciate my Dodge that much more.

 

[Element Gypsy]

Thanks for posting all the info. This was good info to me as I think I will get a small rv. I cant afford rent. Have not for years. Always struggling to balance my budget bring disabled and only able to work off and on.
A rv would allow me to
A. Stand up
B. Cook inside
C. Have my possessions
D. Freedom to explore, travel maybe do work camping jobs.

Now to save money, learn about rvs and try to get one that is in good shape and not too old.
May have to go the dealer route and get a loan. I want something that is going to be trustworthy.

Chevy is the way to go?