Help identify my rv

[Newb rver]

I am a new RV owner today I bought a 1985 Ford jayco RV it says mini j 25 on. The side of it and I think it has a 460 big block ford i have a question or 10 about it lol if anyone wants to respond it would be greatly appreciated and thanks ahead of time for answering....that being said
#1 question is what make and model is this and does anyone know how I can get owners manual without paying for it possibly???
#2 question the guy I bought it from said it sat for 2 years without being ran he barley got it started so I could make it home over a hundred miles away witch took me 8 hrs because every 10-12 miles or so I had to pull over and restart the RV the guy I bought it from installed a electric fuel pump on the frame and said the original one is on the block and isn't being used also he cut the lines to my back gas tank and crimped them off so it's only using one tank idk why????
In order to get it running he had to tap on the fuel pump after doing so it started and ran like a champ then stalled then tapped again and ran again so I drove on home or tryd to anyway like I said 8 hrs later I am home any recommendations on what to do here could I possibly clean the pump I didn't see a filter between the pump and the regulator at all and took the part that the hose from the regulator connects to on the carb off and there was a spring In there and nothing else I imagine would be a filter in there possibly idk any input would be great ty

#3 question is the on board generator is missing just a plug hanging there with a square white plug on the end could I just install a regular generator to it and find a plug to plug to the original RV plug???
#4 question the fridge is gone can I just use a 120 volt regulator refrigerator where that was
#5 question under the hood on the passenger side there's a spot for a second battery and it's gone what is its purpose and how do i hook it up I have the power wire to hook up to a land plug but I guess I need some kind of adapter or something to plug in my house how does that work please

 

[mrmom]

1) There should be a sticker on the side of the rig (or possibly on the frame) with the model/serial number/GVW Info. This will be different than the one Ford puts on there for the cab/chassis.
2) Sounds like he had a fuel pump problem and tried to do a backyard fix. Since it sat for 2 years and he had to tap on the pump then I would say it has internal corrosion and needs to be replaced. This might be a job for a qualified mechanic to sort out.
3) Can't help much on this one, not sure how the rig was wired and what that plug goes to.
4) Not sure if you would want a 120v fridge, how would you keep it cold while travelling? There are plenty of options for 12v and propane/12v fridges out there that would be better choices.
5) These vehicles had the option for dual batteries, especially for the diesel versions. Yours probably only needed a single battery for starting the gas engine. No need to add another one up front.
6) There should be a socket on the side or rear of the camper that you connect the cord to for 120v shore power. My guess would be that it is a 30 amp connection. You need to check out videos on the internet to learn all about shore power hookups and how to identify/use them.

 

[Taftcoach]

Congratulations on your new project. By the end you will be one of the most knowledgeable people here. It sounds like you have some work to do.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[Tadsher]

I am a new RV owner today I bought a 1985 Ford jayco RV it says mini j 25 on. The side of it and I think it has a 460 big block ford i have a question or 10 about it lol if anyone wants to respond it would be greatly appreciated and thanks ahead of time for answering....that being said
#1 question is what make and model is this and does anyone know how I can get owners manual without paying for it possibly???
#2 question the guy I bought it from said it sat for 2 years without being ran he barley got it started so I could make it home over a hundred miles away witch took me 8 hrs because every 10-12 miles or so I had to pull over and restart the RV the guy I bought it from installed a electric fuel pump on the frame and said the original one is on the block and isn't being used also he cut the lines to my back gas tank and crimped them off so it's only using one tank idk why????
In order to get it running he had to tap on the fuel pump after doing so it started and ran like a champ then stalled then tapped again and ran again so I drove on home or tryd to anyway like I said 8 hrs later I am home any recommendations on what to do here could I possibly clean the pump I didn't see a filter between the pump and the regulator at all and took the part that the hose from the regulator connects to on the carb off and there was a spring In there and nothing else I imagine would be a filter in there possibly idk any input would be great ty

#3 question is the on board generator is missing just a plug hanging there with a square white plug on the end could I just install a regular generator to it and find a plug to plug to the original RV plug???
#4 question the fridge is gone can I just use a 120 volt regulator refrigerator where that was
#5 question under the hood on the passenger side there's a spot for a second battery and it's gone what is its purpose and how do i hook it up I have the power wire to hook up to a land plug but I guess I need some kind of adapter or something to plug in my house how does that work please

As said above you need to replace the original fuel pump with an original style fuel pump (mounted on the engine). The electric style pump you described is not going to be as reliable.


The second battery could be the "house battery". Explaine to us how you plan on using the RV. There are several choices you could use. Some are FLA (flooded Lead Acid), AGM, LIFEPO4. How you are going to use the RV will make a difference as to what would be best for you.


Is this what your RV looks like?

 

[Tadsher]

1. The picture above is a 1985 Jayco Mini J Series 25 (25 feet long) It has a Ford 460 CI gas powered engine.


2. Regarding the fuel issue and stalling, the fuel pump and or the gas tank could be the problem. The fuel tank could be full of crud/rust and need to be taken out and cleaned.



3. Post pictures of the generator compartment wires and the plug that would be used for connecting the camper to the power post at a campground so we can better answer that question.


4. As said above look into a 12 volt/ 120 volt refrigerator.



5. Do not buy a small adapter like the one below, they are dangerous and could cause a fire. Get a "dogbone adapter" like pictured below.


Do not buy an adapter like this

Dogbone adapter

 

[Happy wife / happy life]

I can’t be much help on the MH part of your project. Mechanical part i can give you some suggestions. I would definitely go back to the mechanical fuel pump and filter. I would change all the fluids, transmission ( with filter ), engine coolant and thermostat , engine oil ( with filter),power steering, differential. I would check the brake pads and shoes ( I would flush the brake fluid ). Service the front wheel bearings and seals. Replace all hoses and belts. Replace spark plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor. Your engine more than likely has a lot of vacuum hoses, I would replace them all. A vacuum leak can cause a multitude of problems. I know this is a long list. The rig setting for two years moisture and rubber decay is your enemy. This list is all maintenance items. It will give you a fresh start on maintenance and keep roadside breakdowns to a bear minimum. Hope this helps. Safe travels.

 

[Tadsher]

I can’t be much help on the MH part of your project. Mechanical part i can give you some suggestions. I would definitely go back to the mechanical fuel pump and filter. I would change all the fluids, transmission ( with filter ), engine coolant and thermostat , engine oil ( with filter),power steering, differential. I would check the brake pads and shoes ( I would flush the brake fluid ). Service the front wheel bearings and seals. Replace all hoses and belts. Replace spark plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor. Your engine more than likely has a lot of vacuum hoses, I would replace them all. A vacuum leak can cause a multitude of problems. I know this is a long list. The rig setting for two years moisture and rubber decay is your enemy. This list is all maintenance items. It will give you a fresh start on maintenance and keep roadside breakdowns to a bear minimum. Hope this helps. Safe travels.

I agree with Happy Wife Happy Life the RV needs a major tuneup/fix up. The engine has low miles and it is worth doing the repairs mentioned above. I had a 1972 RV that I bought used in 1984. It sat for a few years before I got it and I did not replace the transmission fluid and started to use it. Soon after I put it on the road and maybe a few thousand miles I had the transmission go because of moisture in the transmission fluid. That mistake cost me dearly.

 

[JandK-JAY]

I can’t be much help on the MH part of your project. Mechanical part i can give you some suggestions. I would definitely go back to the mechanical fuel pump and filter. I would change all the fluids, transmission ( with filter ), engine coolant and thermostat , engine oil ( with filter),power steering, differential. I would check the brake pads and shoes ( I would flush the brake fluid ). Service the front wheel bearings and seals. Replace all hoses and belts. Replace spark plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor. Your engine more than likely has a lot of vacuum hoses, I would replace them all. A vacuum leak can cause a multitude of problems. I know this is a long list. The rig setting for two years moisture and rubber decay is your enemy. This list is all maintenance items. It will give you a fresh start on maintenance and keep roadside breakdowns to a bear minimum. Hope this helps. Safe travels.

I'm with Happy Wife/ Life. The running for a short while and stalling is classic fuel tank debris symptom. Yes, dump the aftermarket fuel pump and replace the original. I could probably get that rig running pretty good, and everything Happy says is how you do it.


I would add, "Check the tires!" Replace them if they're more than 5 or 6 years old (depends on how you plan to use the RV). I had the two right rears blow out on my 2006 Greyhawk at the top of Donner Pass on I-80. That was no fun. Get some Tire Pressure Monitors (TPMS). That would have allowed me to pull over in a controlled manner when the first tire started having problems.


I guess it's possible that the missing battery is where your house battery goes? I'm a nube regarding motor homes in general (like to think I'm learning fast), but you didn't mention anything about a house battery.


Good luck with the new rig!

 

[mjdcwo]

Lots of good suggestions here. It sounds like a "fun" good weather project. Welcome to the form.