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20_ft_Midas_Mot's avatar
20_ft_Midas_Mot
Explorer
Jul 13, 2016

Just got my first RV, now what?

I got an incredible deal on a 1978 Midas 20 ft Motorhome. It was built on the E350 Ford chassis and has the big block 460 motor. Not sure what transmission. But the transmission has less than 2000 miles on a rebuild and the motor is at 52,5**. The po removed the bathroom and kitchen to make a larger sleeping area for his hunting club. It had previous water damage. He redid the roof and replaced all the upper plywood. The fake panelling is falling apart in spots. The front seats look new. The carpet is in decent shape for its age but should probably be replaced. I only paid $300 for the rig and it runs and drives surprisingly well for that price. It also has 7 newer matching tires. I was told the Generac generator works. I replaced the battery for the electric start but it sounds like the Bendix just spins. So I will tear it apart and see what is going on.

Thank you for any advice in advance.

Bill

20 Replies

  • CharlesinGA's avatar
    CharlesinGA
    Explorer
    Jul 24, 2016
    Please don't quote the pics again, twice is enough.

    I'm glad you think its a good deal and you are happy with it, all I see is a rusted money pit..... sorry.... thats what I see. Everyone is different.

    A 1978 model will have a C6 three speed automatic transmission. It is a very good transmission. The engine has a carb. Thats all I'm going to say about that.

    Are the tires actually new, or do they just look new? Did you check the date codes on them?

    Charles
  • 20_ft_Midas_Mot's avatar
    20_ft_Midas_Mot
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    Oh, sorry. Thank you for the info.

    I have been all over camping in this rig. I put just over 600 miles on it in 3 weeks. I think I said 1400 in another post but that was the Mazda 626, not the camper.

    Bill
  • 20_ft_Midas_Mot's avatar
    20_ft_Midas_Mot
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    There's the outside of my fixer upper. Still think $300 was a great deal. Will post interior pictures soon. Need to take all my stuff back out and reorganize for summer use.

    Bill
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 18, 2016
    Go camping! Nothing like that first shake down trip. Don't go too far or too long.
    I recommend full hookups while you get acquainted.

    BTW you should enter 'width=600' after the picture link.
  • 20_ft_Midas_Mot's avatar
    20_ft_Midas_Mot
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2016
    Thanks Roy and Lynne. I have been checking out other resto videos but will watch those as well. I will definitely post before during and after pictures. Should not cost more than $1500 to spruce up. I am not installing a kitchen. Maybe just a sink for washing dishes. And a camping toilet with walls around it. But I am going to replace most of the interior plywood with Luan. It's lighter in color and weight. Using 1/4 inch for the walls and ceiling if I can. If I can not or its not recommended to use 1/4 inch for the ceiling, I will use the smallest lightest size possible.

    Thank you again.

    Bill
  • Roy_Lynne's avatar
    Roy_Lynne
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2016
    Check these out
    There are a lot of folks who have restored, rebuilt, and remodeled
    their RV's and posted it on YouTube that you might want to check out and get some ideas It might be fun to take some before and after pictures yourself and post them so we can all watch your progress.

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