1989 Toyota Odyssey 4X4 - The Last Unicorn
Presenting, the 4WD Odyssey: The last unicorn… (perhaps!)
Location: Northern IL, 2 hours west of Chicago (delivery negotiable)
1989 Toyota Odyssey
cylinders: V6 3.0 L
drive: 4wd
fuel: gas
color: Beige (fiberglass)
rv type: class C
length: 20’ interior dimensions: height – 6’ 3” (coach headroom of 75”)
title status: clean (CA Title and Tag)
transmission: 5-speed manual
VIN #: JT4VN02DXK6001258
milage: 62K (+ 1,400mi; odometer cable failed and took a period of months to fix it – cataloged travel log while cable was broken available) = 63.5K with 62k actively reading/ spinning on the instrument cluster
mpg: 15 (occasionally slightly higher, romping at 70MPH on the interstate will get you 13-12 mpg, but just because you can drive on the interstate doesn’t mean you should; I’ve much preferred the state and county roads on my trips rather than the interstate).
Significant upgrades: This rig is ready to roll and drives like a champ. Like new tires and wheels (12,000 miles ago). Timing belt, water pump, complete tune up (<1,500 miles ago). See below for extensive and entire O&M records.
I have made the arduous decision to seek a new owner for my 1989 Toyota Odyssey 4x4 with the 3.0L V6 and 5-speed manual transmission - the legendary unicorn. The 4x4 Odyssey is the rarest of all the 80’s & early 90’s Toyota 4WD vehicles. It is rarer than the 18’ 4x4 Sunrader and has more headroom in the coach living space. It is certainly more robust than the various Toyota HiAce AWD/4WD with way more living space. Though the extremely rare Right-Hand-Drive 4x4 imports have a unique appeal, they are near always smaller units. The 4WD Odessey is in a class of its own! In the vintage Toyota motorhome community, it is widely understood that Leisure Odyssey only produced a couple handful of these V6 4x4 configurations; I’ve seen a comment from one experienced forum moderator who claimed maybe 20 were ever made, many estimates track “fewer than 6 to 10 ever built” or “only 6 ever made”. We may never know the real number – but this is a rare chance to be one of the few proud owners. I have identified 7 known units including this one that is now for sale (see below for more information: Known 4x4 Odyssey RVs That Still Exist)
Finding one with only 62k miles and a functional 5-speed transmission makes this an iconic collector. Not only is it an icon, it’s a hell of a lot of fun!
The beauty of this rig is crawling into the middle of nowhere in the comfort of a 4x4 C-class and posting up without a soul around. Set up a backcountry base camp for weeks and explore in solitude. Traveling with this high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle, you can bring your mobile home to the most remote places. It is recommended to travel with chainsaw, sometimes the only way is through! You are also guaranteed to make friends wherever you go, everybody wants to walk around it and talk about it. It’s as bad or worse than an old VW van where every deadhead wants to relive the good old days when you are filling up the tank. The vehicle is a great way to meet people and make new friends!
The Coach: this is the 20’ “Newport” design (see picture of brochure).
Rear bath: shower, blackwater toilet, bath sink, medicine cabinet with mirror
Rear Kitchen: 2-bay sink with a drop in cutting board in one bay (propane water heater under kitchen counter plumbed to kitchen and bath); wall magnet for steel knives/ scissors/ metal cutlery; overhead and under sink cabinets etc.; original (OG) microwave removed to shed weight and provide more cabinet space; OG 3-way fridge (ammonia-based absorption refrigerator) removed and replaced with a high-capacity (93 litter) dual-zone Fridge/Freezer DC/AC Dometic (CFX3 95DZ); OG oven still exists (Wedgewood) but there is a small, hard-to-find-part that commonly goes out and I simply decided I did not need to cook with an oven in such a small space; four burner propane range with overhead light and exhaust hood; two rear windows with blinds, currently blacked out with insulative and reflective material.
Living space: OG closet still intact with additions to make the closet more functional with partitioned storage. All original overhead cabinets with oak trim still exist. I removed one of the barrel chairs to make room for the Dometic fridge/freezer. If I had done the renovations I had intended to, I would have removed the oven, added the Dometic cargo slide rack to conveniently place the fridge/freezer under the counter, and brought the 2nd barrel chair back in. Couch fold out is super comfy and the mechanicals for the water pump, fresh water tank (26-Gal), electrical, and deep-cycle battery*/ propane tank* (*negative space for each of these, only accessed from the outside) all reside under the couch/ second bed. The over-cab bed is amazingly comfy with a surprising amount of room. (I have added different thin futons over the years, currently it is just the OG cushions). I owned a Toyota Sunrader prior to this rig and one of the reasons I decided to sell the Sunrader was the sleeping deck was just too small for me (I’m nearly 6’2”) and I could not fully stand up in it. The Odyssey was renowned as one of the tallest (and widest!) of the Toyota RV world with a prized ceiling height of 75”. Within the ceiling is a Dometic overhead Air Conditioning (120v/AC) unit (still blows crisp and cold!), and three roof hatches (2 of which are the standard 14”x14” over kitchen/ bath) and the bigger roof vent above the cab-over bed that doubles as an escape hatch.
The Cab: We are talking 1989, not a lot of thrills, but it will get you there, it’s a Toyota. 2 fabric bucket seats that I have removed a couple times (PITA, but it can be done) to clean the cab thoroughly. Equipped with mechanical roll down windows (driver-side sticks a little 1/3rd of the way down for half a turn or so, no big deal), vent/wing windows (love these!), in cab factory AC, tilt on the steering column, cruise control (not working but I think it’s a simple fix, just haven’t gotten around to it), and I added a toggle switch for the addition of fog lights which are mounted on the front license plate bar. Also updated with a double-din Kenwood head unit, linked to a rear-view camera, enabled with Bluetooth & SiriusXM etc. I often drive with the rearview camera on, as to see what’s happening in the rear. Currently a plywood cut-to-fit board stands between the cab/ coach; I had plans to improve it with a pass-through sliding door but never got around to it.
Under the vehicle: 17.2-gallon fuel talk (additional 5 gallon mounted red can on bumper), ~15-gallon blackwater, and 15-gallon graywater tank. Before I upgraded the original wheels from 15 to 16, I stored the spare tire under the rig. When I moved to size 16, I added an additional mount to the rear bumper, which was the original position off the manufacturing line. The waste hose is stored inside the rear bumper. Rear has a 2” slip to receive a hitch and 4-pin wiring. I have towed light trailers with it before with zero issues.
Why and I selling my unicorn: Simply put, time and space. The seasons of life change. I have the skill and the money to invest in the upkeep; I do not have the proper space or the time. I have a number of creative projects that are calling my attention and some mid-range timeline international travel. This rig is a vintage classic. I have spent joyful and smiling moments to-and-fro; I have had amazing morning photoshoots with the sunrise in far out-of-reach wild places with the early rays of the sun, I have posted up at friends places’, visited family, explored hot springs, explored freshwater artesian springs, experienced epic road trips, climbed over remote mountains with it where no one was around, supported ultra-long-distance marathon runners with the rig as the support crew, found solitude deep in national forests and BLM public lands, and I have shared it as best I could. Love it as I may, life changes, and right now I have other priorities. Years down the road I may wonder why I ever sold it, but for now, this is your chance to have one of the most unique rigs ever manufactured.
O&M Records from Ownership 2020 – 2026:
*Regular oil changes performed, regular greasing the drive train, regular tire balance/ rotation etc., regular inspection of all seams of unit and addressed resealing as needed
2020
• Inspected and seal unit top to bottom at all seams where needed (maker lights, windows, taillights, all seams etc.) ** continued on an ongoing basis
• Optimum Battery (engine) Deep Cycle Battery (Coach)
• Plugs/Wires/ Distro cap & button/ Belts (AC, Power S, Alt.) / Oil/Radiator fluid/Fuel filter, etc
• Replaced blower motor relay (cab climate control blower)
• Repaired minimal water damage to passenger over-cab wall
• New tires: 31x10.50R15 x 4 & Alignment
• Installed Kenwood DDX376BT 6.2” CD/DVD/DM/FM/AM receiver: Bluetooth Enabled/ SiriusXM “Ready”/ hard-wired microphone on rear-view mirror (currently not subscribed but had SiriusXM for years, great option when traveling outside of cell reception)
• Kenwood Rearview Camera, compatible with head unit, one of my first upgrades, vital.
• Headlights: OG removed and replaced with LED with high/low beams.
• Fog Lights: Installed custom aluminum bar on front license plate holder with inside toggle switch.
• Replaced DC Water Pump with a new SeaFlow unit; and added shut-off valve for winterizing unit if needed (seen in pic; yellow valve next to the orange dc pump under couch)
• Replaced roof vent x2
• Replaced roof plumbing vent x2
2021
• New side profile propane tank installed, new hose installed (OG tank was corroded and hose deteriorating).
• Propane furnace: bearings in the fan of the OG went out, found brand new unit of the same model.
• Coach Thermostat: installed new thermostat when propane furnace was replaced.
• Graywater Tank & Blackwater Tank seal/ drain ports replaced
• Toilet flush seal replaced
• Door holder replaced
• Midwest brand red metal 5-Gal jerrycan and mounted rack added to the rear.
• Flushed OG propane water heater – working order, last used 2025
• LED lights for all Coach overhead slide switch dc light fixtures
• Brake fluid flush, rear cylinders replaced, rear brake drums machined
2022
• New wheels/ New tires:
o Replaced factory 15 wheels with Mickey Thompson DC-2 black machines aluminum wheels (16x8) (x 5 – spare is full size)
o Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT265/75R16, Load range E (10-ply tire), Load Index/ Service Description: (123/120R) (x5)
o Added spacers to the rear for extra stability (x2)
o Torque Specs: Toyota Stud spec 76 LBS / Spacer Stud spec 140 LBS
o Balance and rotation specified at every 8,000 miles
o Removed front mud flaps for clearance needed upsizing from size 15 to 16
o Universal agreement this improved the badass look of the rig 10-fold. Great aggressive and safe tires, couldn’t be happier with them.
• Onan Generator maintenance: Supply chain issues in summer of 2022, all parts were on back order – robbed a float needle out of another carburetor. Managed to get four or five hours on the borrowed needle which was all I needed before I could tie into the grid while on a remote project. Have all the parts needed to replace carburetor but never bothered to replace it. Hardly bothered with the generator the entire time I owned it.
• Dometic dual-zone (2-bay) fridge/ freezer (93L capacity) powered by alternating current and direct current (model # CFX3 95DZ). (removed 2nd Barrel Chair)
• Added Rear Tire Mount for full size spare tire (to bumper)
• Installed Rebuilt Rear Differential with new case bearing and seals
• Midwest metal fuel can (previous one popped a pinhole at high altitude under pressure)
2023
• OEM Odometer cable replaced (fatigued & failed when Rear Differential was replaced) (Toyota part #: 83710-35490)
• High beam indicator light in instrument cluster replaced (high beam dash light)
• New battery terminal x1
• Spare Tire Cover
2024
• Aluminum ladder weld points that had fatigued improved/ secured
• Cab Speakers, replaced x4
• Roof Vent/ Emergence Exit Hatch 18”x25” (Heng’s 90008C1LO/ Model58621-C2)
• Roof plumbing vent x1
• Sterring Relay Rod (part of a recall on 89-95 4wd pickups, campaign SSC 50N)
2025 ( <1,500 miles since all the updates below)
• JD1914 12v 80A relay replaced x2 (@ headlights and @ fog lights)
• Radiator: Priemer quality all aluminum Champion: Model# CC50 + OEM spec Fluid
• Timing belt overhaul: YotaShop Master Kit-1509
o Water pump
o Idler bearing
o Tensioner spring & bearing
o Front Crankshaft seal
o Camshaft Seal x2
o Thermostat + Themo O-ring
o Belts: Timing, AC, power steering, Serpentine (alt.)
o Valve Cover Gasket (left/right)
o Upper/ Lower Radiator hose
o +Throttle body gasket
o +Upper plenum gasket
• Oil Change
• Full ignition tune up: Rotor, distributor, plugs, wires
• Fuel System –
o Sending unit replaced
o Fuel pump replaced
o Tank cleaned
• Pitman arm replaced
• Front/ rear shocks replaced: Bilstein 24-011396 (X2), Bilstein 24-011402 (x2)
• Center bearing bracket replaced (angle from top to bottom of drive train was not clean)
• Center support bearing replacement (fyi, ford part #, part of the Odyssey original work extending the vehicle, made the drive train longer when they extended the frame)
2026
• Optimum Battery
• Fuel lines (hose lines mid chassis to tank x2)
• Spot sealing to perimeter shell seal
• Replaced Passenger over cab wall due to water damage (see description below and see pics).
Known Challenges and Issues:
• Roof Sag: After I purchased the vehicle, I discovered the heavy AC unit caused a sag point, allowing water to pool and go over the curb of the AC. I managed to keep it under cover and tarp it when needed in the backcountry, but it’s a repair job I was just never able to schedule. In the time I’ve had it has probably gotten swamped 6-10 times. The next buyer should consider this a priority. Yes, you can keep it under cover and tarp it for years to come, but it’s a PITA and takes constant thought in your brain (monitoring weather etc.).
o Construction: Leisure Odyssey Inc did offer a lifetime roof (rubber layer) as an add on, but this unit did not get that add on. There is a great video of the Odyssey original framing taken during demo of a similar Odyssey by @OddCouple4x4/ @OddTravelers; see the walk through of the half torn down unit at 6min23sec in the “Meet the Truck” episode. There are also great tips on the roof framing restoration accomplished by the @OddCouple4x4/ @OddTravelers (more on their project below).
o Recommendation: It’s not and extremely difficult job, you just need the right space to overhaul it and a good plan. Part of my neglect in accomplishing this is I would have done other updates bundled into this job (remove Onan generator, replace generator cavity with batteries, add solar to the roof, updated the roof vents, maybe relocate the ladder to the side like Timmy from Alaska did in “Pittsburgh Nelly” (more on Timmy’s project below), and exchange the OG alternating current air conditioner (120V grid tied required) with a direct current powered mini-split or air conditioner unit. See the description of the @OddCouple4x4/ @OddTravelers direct current AC unit installation here. The technology for the 12V DC mini-splits and Air Conditioner units has made incredible strides in the last 5 years; it is the superior redesign for technology that didn’t exist in the 90’s.
• Aluminum ladder: When you look at it from the back, the ladder is not square, when I purchased it, the ladder had a bit of a list/lean. It is solid, and I updated some weld points a while back; full disclosure, it is not entirely square, but it is in complete working order.
• Fiberglass: As owners of these vintage RV’s know, monitoring and maintaining them is both a skill and a hobby. Even the smallest broken seal or hole etc. can wreak havoc over time; you must have vigilance. In my ownership I was keen on assessing (and accessing – you need close inspection all around) all seals regularly. My extensive travel schedule in 2025 had me away from the rig and what would have been noticed wasn’t, which resulted in some restoration of the over-cab walls and the methodology used is described below (“2026 Wall Restoration” also see pics).
o Rear diver-side corner sustained subtle impact before I purchased the vehicle. I have always monitored it, resealing as needed. Cosmetic damage, hardly noticeable.
o Small pinky-size hole upper driver-side at the over-cab area; always monitored it, resealing as needed. It was there when I purchased it, I suspect it was a tree branch puncture.
o Tiny clean pierce above the front window passenger-side over-cab; this was sustained by me, when removing some wood with the oscillating tool. It is very small, and sealed, not a big deal. Side note: I always wanted to removed and plaster fiberglass over where the two front windows sit, IMO they are useless; a place for cold air or hot air to escape, and something that takes continual maintenance with the tradeoff being a little extra sunlight in an area where you rarely draw the curtains back (bedroom). Just eliminate them, easy upgrade.
o The stripes have faded over the years, but it still has style and class!
• “Porch” light next to Coach door is out, has been for years, never got to chasing it down.
• Two indicator lights illuminate on ignition: When I start the vehicle, I always try and slide the cab climate blower motor in to the “off position”. Every mechanic I have ever spoken with said “Yeah, old Toyota’s just do that”; sometimes when you start the rig two indicator lights come on, after the idle levels it goes away, and the blower motor will not kick on until it resolves itself. It is best just to leave the blower off before you start it. There are some YOTATECH forums where this is discussed; some talk about adding different gauges to wiring or increasing the chassis-to-motor ground, some say these updates are inconclusive. I just never cared too much to tackle it, it has no impact on performance or is any sign whatsoever of degradation. It is a 30+ year-old rig, it is going to have some character.
• Onan Generator: 161 hours recorded within the onboard hour meter (see pic), push-start and arrest toggle switch in the coach. I’m not a fan of the harmonic noise from ICE-generators, I never really had a need for the generator so I infrequently spent time fussing with it. I am told from multiple people that the Onan generator, as is, holds great retail value if removed and sold; I had intended to sell it to fund the intended solar and battery upgrade but just never got around it. I did need it for one off-grid project and pulled it out to perform maintenance, but encountered supply chain issues and parts were on backorder in 2022. Managed to replace the needle in the carburetor with a lawnmower needle. It ran for four or five hours when I started it over several days intermittently, which was all I needed, until I could tie into the grid once it was available. I have a box of brand-new Onan parts that never added to the unit (carburetor and fuel filter). Generator fuel lines are currently disconnected. It could be tied into the main tank on the truck, or an auxiliary tank if it was added.
• Cab floor board: some minimal rust on the cab floor board, had a few long drives and the truck AC leaked out of the condensation tray and back into the truck, onto the floor. I didn’t notice this because of the carpet. Once I realized this was an issue, I discovered a mud-dauber ( sceliphrini ) had plugged up the tail of the drain that empties the evaporation tray. It is mostly insignificant, but in full disclosure the minimal rust must be mentioned. Also, OG carpet from 1989, it works, but it is not glamorous.
• Awning: never used. Original and has a tare in the canvas, always intended to find a replacement to mount in its place but never got around to it.
• Batteries: Coach battery is a deep cycle from NAPA that is 6 years old, after being away from the rig for autumn, through winter and spring, returned to find it discharged. Just driving around town charged it up: there is a charging unit under the hood that pulls off the cab battery and alternator to feed the coach battery. I have not put the meter on it, but just a little in town driving brought it back to life and energized the DC grid in the coach. Cab battery is a new glass mat Optimum; fires up on ignition and hums like it’s ready to go.
• 2026 Wall Restoration: Upon returning to the rig after extensive travel, I discovered the right over-cab passenger side wall had sustained some damage. I replaced the side wall, front wall and a triangle of the sleeping deck. Having restored a 1983 Sunrader, I understand one of the key components to restoration is replacing the walls to the exact depth as the existing walls or else the windows will never seat properly. Methods and notes as follow:
o Side wall: Meticulously deconstructed and rebuilt the framing around the window piece-by-piece (if you have made it this far, this is not all shocking news :). I was able to sister (splice) the new framing into the old framing. The framing consists of 1x2 (.75”x1.5”) and custom plywood piece creating the forward rounded nose contour. Before I tore any of the framing down, I jigged cardboard to achieve a template for the unique plywood keystone piece (3 rounds of cardboard, was also vital for the sheathing process). Once the shape of the plywood was mastered, the rest was just tedious tit-for-tat; remove/discard framing and replace at the precise length and angle. Once the framing was in place another process of cardboard jigging enabled the exact form needed for the sheathing; standard 1/8 thick vinyl luan (lauan) sheet manufactured by Great Lakes Lamination purchased from Menards. I was able to utilize the original trim pieces, landing the sheet material at each original seam. Actually, it turned out really well. The side wall was by far the most complex.
o Front wall: Pretty basic restoration. Small leaks had developed around the front window while I was away, used oscillating tool to pick a line and replace a section of the ¾” plywood that the window is embedded into. As mentioned above, I did pierce the fiberglass less than an inch above the window, it is sealed and should be non-issue. Removed and reinstalled the far right marker light (with butyl tape and caulk), sheathed with same 1/8” thick luan as side wall, used marine fiberglass rated Loctite construction adhesive.
o Decking: a corner of the sleeping deck was compromised by water damage; original decking is grid patten of 1x2 (.75”x1.5”) framing with Styrofoam in the negative space sheathed by luan on both sides. Replaced with ¾” plywood and ¼” inch luan over top. Used a 2x3 upright for lateral tension, pinned across the entire deck while process was underway, once the envelope was sealed temporary 2x3 brace was not needed and removed. Added 1x1 poplar splint across the seam at the top of the deck for extra lateral tension.
o Envelope: removed the exterior trim piece around the nose. Original hardware was a combination of ¼” head drivers 1”-1&1/4” long, and several 4” and 5” Phillips screws that landed into the framing, specifically the plywood keystone piece at the rounded nose. Replaced with same and t-25 4” & 5” exterior hardware. Replaced with butyl tape seal under the trim piece. The toughest parts of the entire project were the side wall restoration described above and removing all the old butyl tape to ensure the new round of butyl tape seats properly. If you have done this type of work before you know what it takes. After hardware was in place, cleaned the new butyl tape excess after the hardware squeezed the trim into place, and applied new exterior caulk on all lines.
o Spot replacement may be needed: when I reinstalled the curtain rods, I discovered a slightly soft spot in the wood left of center (driver’s side) and used a bigger gauge screw in that hole. In full disclosure, isolated spot replacement may be needed.
o When I originally purchased the unit, I was deep in the backcountry, very little service and no supply stores for an ~2 hour drive. I made due with what I had (mainly accomplished with a can of spray foam and silicone). I believe I may not have discovered the severity of the issue then, 6 years later with a little more water introduced; poof, significant work was needed. Rather than go rouge, I decided to maintain the original design with the 2026 restoration as best as I could. The exterior fiberglass took on a little memory of the spray foam added in 2020 (slight bulge) but all things considered the 2026 project was a successful restoration.
o Timmy from Alaska also found some wall rot after he purchased his unit, same exact place. See the work done to “Pittsburgh Nelly” here: overhead cab restoration project by Timmy.
• Items not with the rig in storage: Insignificant but worth mentioning, mud flaps (front x2) (removed when wheels went from 15 to 16 in 2022), inset for front wheels (manual hub locking mechanism sits here, therefor insets cannot be used on the front wheels), and the second barrel chair are all in storage in Florida.
• Other Specs:
o Weight: Generally speaking, with gear in the coach, with empty gray water, empty black water, half tank of fuel and half fresh water the rig weighs ~7,100 LBS.
o Lifespan of vehicle: built in San Bernadino, purchased to first buyer in California. At some point that owner moved to a remote property in northern CA. Second owner was his neighbor who hardly used it. More or less, it lived an ideal higher elevation arid climate while it saw very minimal use - thereby keeping the vehicle in decent shape with regards to the climate it was stored in. I purchased it in 2020 with ~42k miles and spent half a year in northern CA. Moved it to Florida. Most of my exploration with it has been east of the Mississippi river, with some limited west coast excursions. To my knowledge it has never been on salted roads in the northern winters. It is CA tagged, insured and titled. Last passed CA Smog in 2020 or 2021. While it has been out-of-state, I filed for exemption on the Smog renewal since the rig was out of state.
o THE RIG IS CURRENTLY IN NORTHEN ILLINOIS TWO HOURS WEST OF CHICAGO. DELVERY IS NEGOTIABLE.
More on Leisure Odyssey INC:
Leisure Odyssey Inc. was a historical recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturer located San Bernardino, CA. Operating roughly from 1979 to 1991(or 1993?), the company specialized in building compact motorhomes, camper vans, and Toyota-based mini-motorhomes. Class-C RVs—frequently built on Toyota truck chassis (such as the Odyssey Americana and various floor plans like the Anaheim, Butterfield, and Laguna). What makes this unit that is for sale so special? This is the 20’ Newport model; lifted, nimble, 4x4, with a 75” ceiling, enough headroom for someone who is 6’3”; Odysseys have the tallest and widest interior of any brand of Toyota motorhome. [ https://groups.io/g/toyota-campers ]
LINK TO original Leisure Odyssey Inc. Odessey & Americana Brochure: https://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/topic/11504-1991-odyssey-americana-brochure/ This model is the 20’ Newport (rear Kitchenette/ Bath, Driver side mid-wall pull-out couch)
LINK TO Leisure Odyssey Inc. owner’s manual: https://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/gallery/image/1922-odyssey-owners-manual/
LINK TO Detailed information regarding the history of Toyota RV phenomenon (~1977-1993), 5-lug VS 6-lug axles, NHTSA recalls, and date ranges of the axle issues: https://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/gallery/image/985-axle-facts-the-good-and-bad-axle/&browse=1 (this rig has the 6-lug free floating, by the late 80’s the early issues were remedied)
LINK TO Toyota Motorhome .org post - V6 3VZE engine - "What Everybody Should Know”: https://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/topic/9802-v6-3vze-engine-what-everybody-should-know/
LINK TO Toyota V6 3VZE engine – Maintenance Operations:
https://web.archive.org/web/20061101045805/http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/maintenance/2maint.pdf
LINK TO Onan MicroLite 2800 Series Generator Installation Manual: http://www.skilledcrafting.com/onanfiles/981-0604%20(w-981-1054)%20Onan%20KV%20MicroLite%202800%20Series%20RV%20Genset%20Install%20Manual%20(09-1996).pdf
Onan 2800 Series Operators Manual:
https://www.cummins.com/sites/default/files/rv-manuals/0981-0136.pdf
Onan 2900 Series Service Manual:
http://www.skilledcrafting.com/onanfiles/981-0506%20Onan%20KV%20(spec%20A-B)%20Microlite%202800%20RV%20Genset%20Service%20manual%20(03-1991).pdf
Onan Variation Service Manual:
http://www.skilledcrafting.com/onanfiles/981-0518E%20Onan%20KV%20(spec%20C)%20KVC%20KVD%20(spec%20A)%20RV%20Genset%20Service%20Manual%20(11-2004).pdf
Onan Parts Catalogue:
http://www.skilledcrafting.com/onanfiles/981-0238G%20Onan%20KV%20(spec%20A-L)%20KVC%20(spec%20A-C)%20KVD%20(spec%20A-B)%20Genset%20Parts%20manual%20(01-2005).pdf
Known 4x4 Odyssey RVs That Still Exist:
The rarest Toyota 4wd RV ever built, here is the list of the known 4x4 Odyssey Family. There are scant links to other 4x4 Odessey rigs on the web because there was such a limited run of these unique backcountry crawlers! There are only three others that have been listed on Toyota RV for Sale .com (TrvFS): One in Temecula, CA that is in disrepair, and may still be for sale; “Pittsburgh Nelly” from Alaska sold on TrvFS after 7 years of use in Alaska from its second owner; and “Jumper”, the blue and black striped 4x4 Odyssey sold out of Portland in 2024 from its second owner via Ebay/TrvFS, and then a year later from the third owner out of Hurricane, Utah via E-Bay/ TrvFS.
ONE: The FL makeover
Anthony found a 20’ 4x4 Chaparral and he and his team have accomplished one of the most thorough rebuilds I’ve ever seen. It is magnificent. Find their YouTube channel ( OddTravelers ) and the ToyotaMotorHomeRv .org profile with extensive reporting ( ‘Odyssey 4x4’ profile ). It can be challenging to navigate the forum, but click around a bit and you will find tons of inspiration with a boat-load of unique information you will not find anywhere else! Hats off to OddCouple4x4 – remarkable effort! Check out the Toyota Odyssey 4x4 Motorhome 500 Subscriber Special for the near completed product. Also found on Instagram as the @OddCouple4x4: https://www.instagram.com/oddcouple4x4/
TWO: The Alaskan lone wolf - “Pittsburgh Nelly”
Timmy is far and away the most rugged of the bunch. His last Blog post about the Odyssey adventures was in 2017, sometime thereafter he moved into a custom-built Ford “truck house”. He spent at least 5 Alaska winters banging around in a 4x4 Odessey. His blog has detailed links on the woodstove he installed (FYI: if you tell your insurance that you made this adaptation it will dramatically impact your policy), and overhead cab restoration project, and a 3.0 to 3.4 engine swap. Quite the character to say the least. Check out his online information here (scroll past the April 2021 post with the Ford Truck House to the Toyota 2017 and earlier posts (See the “Blog Archive” on the right for dozens of posts). Link to original sale listing that Timmy bought in CA is here: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/for-sale-rare-4x4-toyota-odyssey-with-a-v-6-engine-not-your-average-toyota-rv.58652/
THREE: Temecula, CA in disrepair - A 1990 4x4 Odyssey has been posted for sale for a while on TrvFS from Temecula, CA. It has 150k miles, looks like the cab is in rough shape and the coach is completely gutted with the windows removed, and the original interior removed. There are also issues with the rear axle as indicated in the post.
FOUR: The Tennessee 4x4 Odyssey - Some great pictures of this well-traveled rig (bought from original CA owner by a TN buyer) on the Toyota Motorhome Forum: https://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/profile/5027-thaiten/
FIVE: Irving, TX Red and blue striped - sold on the Dallas Craigslist a while back and somewhere I had saved the OG post but I cannot find it now, image still found on the IH8MUD .com forum: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1986-4x4-toyota-odyssey-rv.1121907/
SIX: “Jumper” - noted above and recently sold twice on TrvFS (1st owner in CA, 2nd in Portland, 3rd in Hurricane, Utah and recently sold to a fourth owner).
SEVEN: This rig that is now for sale.
I noticed a YouTube comment of an 8th in existence on one of the @OddTravelers YouTube videos with someone else claiming ownership but have not confirmed this with pictures. If that were true, that would be the 8th active 4wd Odyssey on the road, and it is yet to be confirmed. Seven confirmed, one mystery. That’s it, that is the 4x4 Odyssey fleet in known existence!
In conclusion:
Yes, this posting is extremely long. I have gone through explicit detail regarding the history and condition of this rig for sale and also included the known details regarding this tremendously rare Toyota classic vintage model. The intention is to disclose all available information so the next owner is prepared and equipped moving forward. The ideal buyer is someone who has experience with motor-homes and has been dreaming about a 4x4 model, ready to maintain this rig for another 20 years.
**This is a Toyota RV For Sale Full Service listing. We are working very close with the owner to facilitate the marketing and sale of this vehicle. As part of the sale we are also providing secure funds transfer via escrow as well as title transfer. Shipping can also be facilitated – should the need for that arise.
You can contact us by calling/texting 503-862-8541
.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
