Hi to All Class B and Restoration Fans out there!
I started a thread on my Camper Van at
Pics of My 77 Dodge Vandicraft Class B & a Tire question
Link Camper Van Pics
on the General Class B Forum so please check that out for more Pics-
This thread is about the work I need to do to make it My Future Home.
One of the few problems with the van is the windshield wipers don't work ๐
The PO (Previous Owner) believed that the motor was bad and replaced it with a junkyard motor that also did not work and he assumed that was the problem and advised me to buy a new motor. Instead I had a friend bench test the motor and found it works fine- the problem unfortunately is ELECTRICAL ๐ฎ ๐
I've been using a multimeter to check continuity and voltages and found that the motor was not receiving a fixed voltage- it was ranging from 0- 3.3 volts. I pulled the main firewall connection and probed it for continuity and when I plugged it back in I lost voltage to the motor plug- dropped to .2 volts (ouch). My preliminary diagnosis is failure of the fusible link from the battery- this would explain why the PO would say the motor turned slowly at times (low voltage condition)and why my messing with it caused more failure. Anyone who know electrical please PLEASE chime in here with any advice!!!:h
My next step is to probe the fusible link for continuity and get a tool to push the contacts out of the waterproof connector. What do you think????
As usual with any project I found more problems that needed to be attended to- the wiper linkage bushing were broken or missing in some cases and the linkage was bread wired together. I purchased new bushings and removed the linkage and installed them with lithium grease. The first one took about 1/2 hour to figure out and then they went much more quickly using a closed end wrench and a hammer on some and a vise to press the bushings onto the wiper rotors. Re-installed and it looks great! pics
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/3V7P83rl.jpg[/
]
I also cleaned a wasps nest out of a vent over the stove....
and cleaned it out!
Thanks for viewing and I appreciate your comments!
I started a thread on my Camper Van at
Pics of My 77 Dodge Vandicraft Class B & a Tire question
Link Camper Van Pics
on the General Class B Forum so please check that out for more Pics-
This thread is about the work I need to do to make it My Future Home.
One of the few problems with the van is the windshield wipers don't work ๐
The PO (Previous Owner) believed that the motor was bad and replaced it with a junkyard motor that also did not work and he assumed that was the problem and advised me to buy a new motor. Instead I had a friend bench test the motor and found it works fine- the problem unfortunately is ELECTRICAL ๐ฎ ๐
I've been using a multimeter to check continuity and voltages and found that the motor was not receiving a fixed voltage- it was ranging from 0- 3.3 volts. I pulled the main firewall connection and probed it for continuity and when I plugged it back in I lost voltage to the motor plug- dropped to .2 volts (ouch). My preliminary diagnosis is failure of the fusible link from the battery- this would explain why the PO would say the motor turned slowly at times (low voltage condition)and why my messing with it caused more failure. Anyone who know electrical please PLEASE chime in here with any advice!!!:h
My next step is to probe the fusible link for continuity and get a tool to push the contacts out of the waterproof connector. What do you think????
As usual with any project I found more problems that needed to be attended to- the wiper linkage bushing were broken or missing in some cases and the linkage was bread wired together. I purchased new bushings and removed the linkage and installed them with lithium grease. The first one took about 1/2 hour to figure out and then they went much more quickly using a closed end wrench and a hammer on some and a vise to press the bushings onto the wiper rotors. Re-installed and it looks great! pics
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/3V7P83rl.jpg[/]I also cleaned a wasps nest out of a vent over the stove....
and cleaned it out!
Thanks for viewing and I appreciate your comments!
I started driving the van intending to daily drive it before I leave for Alaska on August 17th and my first trip to work it overheated!!!!!!!!!!!
This van has never overheated- ran cool always on two summer trips to Portland and to Sun Valley. As this blog shows I replaced most of the cooling system in 2016 (New Heater Core, Water Pump, Water pump housing and Thermostat) and then in May I had the radiator pulled and a bottom bracket repaired- at this time the radiator was flushed and flow tested as well.
The first thing I did to respond to the overheat was to replace the clutch fan since it seemed bad and sadly this did not repair the problem. My IDART Mechanic had other commitments so he couldn't do anymore than that so I took the van to a friend who owns a beautiful shop- Restoration Rods. He had his mechanics pull the thermostat and I got a phone call from him asking if I had installed shag carpeting in my radiator!!!!!
They found a cloth material all entangled in my thermostat and blocking my radiator channels.
When they pulled the water pump they found this:
Can you imagine this? Someone left a shop rag in my radiator and it was pulled through the system as it disintegrated!
Of course the mechanics that worked on it swear there was no shop rag---
so sad!
Now with my trip so close I need to buy a new radiator and water pump and pay the shop fees! Bad luck? I say incompetence....
I will fix it and carry on, thanks for letting me vent here.
Cheers
This van has never overheated- ran cool always on two summer trips to Portland and to Sun Valley. As this blog shows I replaced most of the cooling system in 2016 (New Heater Core, Water Pump, Water pump housing and Thermostat) and then in May I had the radiator pulled and a bottom bracket repaired- at this time the radiator was flushed and flow tested as well.
The first thing I did to respond to the overheat was to replace the clutch fan since it seemed bad and sadly this did not repair the problem. My IDART Mechanic had other commitments so he couldn't do anymore than that so I took the van to a friend who owns a beautiful shop- Restoration Rods. He had his mechanics pull the thermostat and I got a phone call from him asking if I had installed shag carpeting in my radiator!!!!!
They found a cloth material all entangled in my thermostat and blocking my radiator channels.
When they pulled the water pump they found this:
Can you imagine this? Someone left a shop rag in my radiator and it was pulled through the system as it disintegrated!
Of course the mechanics that worked on it swear there was no shop rag---
so sad!
Now with my trip so close I need to buy a new radiator and water pump and pay the shop fees! Bad luck? I say incompetence....
I will fix it and carry on, thanks for letting me vent here.
Cheers
Finished the upstairs bed by adding bolt sliders to strengthen the folding part and secure it to the sides when it is down in bed mode. Pics
You can see the silver sliding bolts on either side
Thanks for checking in- adding drawers and shower and some power plugs next.
You can see the silver sliding bolts on either side
Thanks for checking in- adding drawers and shower and some power plugs next.
*UPDATE*
New faucet installed!
Early today before it got too hot here I worked on removing my old faucet and installing my new one- this was more difficult than I expected because of the small amount of space to work in and how awkward it was to move in there. I had to remove the sink to get at the 40 year old plumbing!
Old Faucet out!
Installing new faucet
and......working!
Checking for leaks- all clean and clear!
Hard work, but worth it with plumbing all secured and new more useful faucet.
Thanks for checking in on this project!
New faucet installed!
Early today before it got too hot here I worked on removing my old faucet and installing my new one- this was more difficult than I expected because of the small amount of space to work in and how awkward it was to move in there. I had to remove the sink to get at the 40 year old plumbing!
Old Faucet out!
Installing new faucet
and......working!
Checking for leaks- all clean and clear!
Hard work, but worth it with plumbing all secured and new more useful faucet.
Thanks for checking in on this project!
*UPDATES ON PROJECTS*
Seaflo 3 gpm pump installed and working!
Also installed and wired up Kerui Security alarm
Installing the alarm was easier than I thought it would be- just programmed it before putting everything in its' place. Now I have my double side and rear doors alarmed and a motion detector covers the front doors. I cut the AC adapter off the alarm horn and wired it directly to the battery since I read it worked on 12 volt and it works great!
Thanks for checking in, I still have a shower install and putting a new faucet on sink and adding a PUR filter and my deadline to hit the road is narrowing!
Wow- after I posted this my new fan and faucet were delivered- I will install the faucet tomorrow in the AM when it is cooler- over 100 degrees here now!
Cheers!
Seaflo 3 gpm pump installed and working!
Also installed and wired up Kerui Security alarm
Installing the alarm was easier than I thought it would be- just programmed it before putting everything in its' place. Now I have my double side and rear doors alarmed and a motion detector covers the front doors. I cut the AC adapter off the alarm horn and wired it directly to the battery since I read it worked on 12 volt and it works great!
Thanks for checking in, I still have a shower install and putting a new faucet on sink and adding a PUR filter and my deadline to hit the road is narrowing!
Wow- after I posted this my new fan and faucet were delivered- I will install the faucet tomorrow in the AM when it is cooler- over 100 degrees here now!
Cheers!
New things to install for the classic 1977 Dodge B:
New Seaflo water pump and a Security system with door alarms and motion sensor alarm!
Pics
New Security System
40 year old pump that finally got too old- still makes noise, but I'd guess the seals are shot- sure it could be rebuilt and probably go another 40!
So I installed the new pump enough to test it and it works great, but sadly I have acrack in the old plastic piping that goes under the van.
When the van was plumbed they drilled out a large hole to pass piping through and then cut the pipe and put an small elbow insert and attached the other end of the pipe that ran to the faucet and sink.
I figure I will need to cut the old section out and get a new connector and new joint to attach everything up so probably this weekend for the fix. In the meanwhile I will study and wire up the Security System!
Thanks for checking in on this project!
New Seaflo water pump and a Security system with door alarms and motion sensor alarm!
Pics
New Security System
40 year old pump that finally got too old- still makes noise, but I'd guess the seals are shot- sure it could be rebuilt and probably go another 40!
So I installed the new pump enough to test it and it works great, but sadly I have acrack in the old plastic piping that goes under the van.
When the van was plumbed they drilled out a large hole to pass piping through and then cut the pipe and put an small elbow insert and attached the other end of the pipe that ran to the faucet and sink.
I figure I will need to cut the old section out and get a new connector and new joint to attach everything up so probably this weekend for the fix. In the meanwhile I will study and wire up the Security System!
Thanks for checking in on this project!
magicbus wrote:
Great thread. I stumbled over a photo my first "RV" and thought you might like to see it. I forget the year, I think maybe 70 or 72, but I know the photo was taken in 1977 in Montana while touring the US and Canada after college. That Dodge was a great van. I bought it bare, did some body work and painting and new wheels then insulated, paneled, installed a bed and cold water sink. I carried an alcohol single burner stove and back then a CB radio was mandatory.
I went full circle. From that to a 32 foot class A, then to a 36 DP, and now back to a big van.
Dave
I love it! Awesome van!!! Thanks for the pic!!!
Great thread. I stumbled over a photo my first "RV" and thought you might like to see it. I forget the year, I think maybe 70 or 72, but I know the photo was taken in 1977 in Montana while touring the US and Canada after college. That Dodge was a great van. I bought it bare, did some body work and painting and new wheels then insulated, paneled, installed a bed and cold water sink. I carried an alcohol single burner stove and back then a CB radio was mandatory.
I went full circle. From that to a 32 foot class A, then to a 36 DP, and now back to a big van.
Dave
I went full circle. From that to a 32 foot class A, then to a 36 DP, and now back to a big van.
Dave
More van work today-
Put new seatcovers on and installed a Kidde Fire and CO2 Detector
Pics
They are suede-ish.....
This is a Kidde Voice Fire and CO2 Detector Battery powered
And I am also clearing away the old carpet so my upstairs bed board extension will fit and slide easily into place...
Thanks for checking in- comments appreciated!
Put new seatcovers on and installed a Kidde Fire and CO2 Detector
Pics
They are suede-ish.....
This is a Kidde Voice Fire and CO2 Detector Battery powered
And I am also clearing away the old carpet so my upstairs bed board extension will fit and slide easily into place...
Thanks for checking in- comments appreciated!
OK so the flooring is in and now I am focused up on organizing the battery compartment and getting the controller panel mounted and all the wire runs cleaned up so I can put my couch back together!
Pics of the completed moves:
Project board
Overview
I think I will mount some kind of cage around the board so I can store items in that space without worrying, but that's for another day.
Thanks for checking in here!!
Pics of the completed moves:
Project board
Overview
I think I will mount some kind of cage around the board so I can store items in that space without worrying, but that's for another day.
Thanks for checking in here!!
Big Day for the van today- cut out the piece of osb board for the upstairs bed and my flooring came in a week early so I picked it up! My brother amd I spent all day installing it.
It is from Lumber Liquidators and is a laminate called American Beech. It was on sale for 59 cents a foot, so a bargain1
Here are some pics:
I cleaned and wiped down the plywood subfloor and covered the hole where the table mount used to be screwed into-
Then we laid down the foam layer for the click together floating floor to float on
Here sre the boxes of flooring- American Beech color
Laying the first couple of clicker boards was very difficult and frustrating because the van is old and the cabinet has bowed in so nothing is square. Once we got several together it became easier, but there was some swearing and bleeding until then!
Detail of the flooring-
finished laying it!
This was a big deal getting this accomplished and Cutting the board for the bed. I also experimented with running the fridge off of the battery and inverter and ran it that way most of day with partly cloudy weather and then storm clouds rolled in and I went back to plugging it into the external power. Fridge was at 29 degrees all day so I need to work this out and try for an even temperature around 35-40 degrees.
I also wired in the Propane detector today and it has power- haven't experimented with it yet.
More notes later on next project and completing the flooring by adding based board and trim.
Thanks for checking in on my project- please leave a comment if you have time ๐
It is from Lumber Liquidators and is a laminate called American Beech. It was on sale for 59 cents a foot, so a bargain1
Here are some pics:
I cleaned and wiped down the plywood subfloor and covered the hole where the table mount used to be screwed into-
Then we laid down the foam layer for the click together floating floor to float on
Here sre the boxes of flooring- American Beech color
Laying the first couple of clicker boards was very difficult and frustrating because the van is old and the cabinet has bowed in so nothing is square. Once we got several together it became easier, but there was some swearing and bleeding until then!
Detail of the flooring-
finished laying it!
This was a big deal getting this accomplished and Cutting the board for the bed. I also experimented with running the fridge off of the battery and inverter and ran it that way most of day with partly cloudy weather and then storm clouds rolled in and I went back to plugging it into the external power. Fridge was at 29 degrees all day so I need to work this out and try for an even temperature around 35-40 degrees.
I also wired in the Propane detector today and it has power- haven't experimented with it yet.
More notes later on next project and completing the flooring by adding based board and trim.
Thanks for checking in on my project- please leave a comment if you have time ๐
