z89101 wrote:
1978-79-1980 MB400 163" wheelbase 25 foot Skyline Lindy Dodge Motorhome bunkhouse and fold bunk model-
Does anyone have print media? Skyline staff has nothing. Years of query - nothing.
Ya see, the mb400 is 1978. The Skyline built it out in 79, on a chassis extended wheelbase (163") that never happened per Lindy records.
Unfortunately, what you've run into is part of the "adventure" of working on older vehicles. In general, it's harder to find solid information on older trucks than older cars and harder still to find information on older motorhomes. Likewise, it's harder to find information on older Fords than older Chevy's and harder still to find information on older Dodges.
Just because everyone says "they didn't do it" doesn't make it true. I can't count the number of people who've insisted Mother Mopar only put 383 cu. in. engines with two barrel carburetors in trucks. Yet, my '66 Dodge Polara had an OEM 383 with a 2V carb. (Even when faced with the actual car, build plate, and documentation, some people insisted "it can't be.")
In general, it's best to treat the chassis and coach as two separate issues when dealing with older motorhomes. The same coach layout, with minor modifications, can be put on chassis with different wheelbases. So, disregard the wheelbase and look for information on 25' Skyline Lindy's when you're dealing with coach issues, while keeping in mind the slight differences due to differing wheelbases.
On the other hand, the only difference between a shorter and longer wheelbase chassis is likely the length of the driveshaft. There may be other, relatively insignificant, differences but driveshaft length will be the most significant. (Longer driveshafts may be two-piece shafts, with a carrier bearing in the middle.)
This is why I keep stressing everyone should find and note the
chassis VIN, rather than relying on just the VIN on the coach plate and/or registration.
In the case of the '73 RM350 chassis I'm using for MLP, the registration showed the VIN assigned by the coach manufacturer, which is different from the VIN stamped into the frame by Dodge. When I go to get a reconstituted title, I'll be using the chassis VIN assigned by Dodge, for which there is no
legal record, thus saving myself a lot of legal hoops and hassles.
When it comes to older motorhomes, it's
very unlikely you'll find a single good source of information on your motorhome. If you very lucky, you may find a few sources that, combined, give you most of the information your need. In most cases, you'll be just like the rest of us, ferreting out bits and pieces here and there.
Consider: Other than the Winnebagos, most motorhome manufacturers only sold, at most, a few hundred of any particular model and, in many cases, less than a dozen.
Also consider: Over the past 40 or so years, the motorhome industry has undergone considerable changes, with some coming and going while others are purchased/merged/consolidated into few brands. Every time there's a merger/purchase/consolidation, some of the old records are lost or discarded.
Finally, consider: Very few people and companies keep records on motor vehicle models that are more than a decade or two old. So, it's very likely any records that once existed are long gone, for older vehicles, especially within a very small market such as recreational vehicles.
In all likelihood, this thread on RV.NET is going to be your best source of information.
