Fixing water damage on the old Dodge (pics)

[Spectramac]

I got started on my summer project the last couple days. I found this thing on Craig's list for $100 and drove it home. It's a 78 Dodge Monaco 23' with a 440. Here's what it looked like when I brought it home.





Ok, time to dive in!











Oh man, I can't believe the huge bag of rusty screws I have already! It's actually not as rotten as I was thinking it was going to be. Just in the corners, where the screws need to be. Still so much to remove....

[yogipsk]

This has really grown to the mother of all projects. I also see you have other projects waiting in the woodline...

[bumpus4]

Wow, Wow, and triple WOW on your project.

[Spectramac]

Got lots done today, but not on the MH...

Picked up posts today and got them stuck on my brackets (with help from DW)



I called my Dad and he came over with his service truck with the AutoCrane on the back. Big help!!! Here's my daughter running the remote (grandpa likes to spoil her). 🙂



3 generations working at the same time! And we didn't start arguing till we were almost done! :B





Got all 4 of them up there, but it's dark now!

[PapPappy]

Well, you can still post the pictures of your project(s)....we love pictures!!!

[Spectramac]

It's still here taunting me to get going again...

I got all my concrete blocks poured and setting up, but I haven't had that one nice Saturday I'm waiting for to get that left wall frame finished up.

[wvhurricane]

I hope he didn't haul the thing off and buy another boat! I was really enjoying this thread.

[ron_dittmer]

johng1974 wrote:
My first major body project is beginning to be highlighted here http://midasrv.blogspot.com/ its only some overcab problems, nothing compared to this one 😮

I am in at the deep end, but it's the only way to make my way to the surface...

if anyone has a few tips on the bowl shaped roof I would be greatful

This is why I always say to buy a motorhome with a domed roof. What to do about it now???? Caulk, caulk, caulk..

[TreeSeeker]

For those hungry for more rebuild projects (with photos), there is an interesting one going on now in the TT forum:

Airstream - The Whole Enchilada

It is in Florida so they are working on it now.

[mikim]

Be careful here...This is similar to how Lazy Daze motorhomes came into existance. 2 Brothers decided to build their own pick up camper and now one of their sons runs the company.

Just think, you can start mfg your own motorhome with the knowledge that you have already learned.

[johng1974]

hi all, first posting! as with others, I am joining based on this mammoth and addictive project! I was kindly sent the link to this post, by a dodge owner 'over here', who has also done some overcab work to his C class

I will try to introduce myself somewhere else, but as a quick note, I brought an expensive truck of small horrors, and I am sort of doing my best to work through them whilst I live in it! its an '84 GMC 23'Midas, and resides on a farm in England.

My first major body project is beginning to be highlighted here http://midasrv.blogspot.com/ its only some overcab problems, nothing compared to this one 😮

I am in at the deep end, but it's the only way to make my way to the surface...

if anyone has a few tips on the bowl shaped roof I would be greatful 🙂

anyway, sorry to highjack, will follow the rest with interest..

John

[ron_dittmer]

Understood and agreed!

[PapPappy]

ron.dittmer wrote:
About your piers.....Around here home improvement centers sell Sono-tubes.

Ron: I agree with you about the use of the tubes...makes the job much easier, but I believe that Malcolm was hitting too much rock when he was trying to dig...so was going for an easier alternative.

Keep in mind, the quicker the gets this new project completed, the sooner he'll be back on the RV!!:)

[ron_dittmer]

About your piers.....Around here home improvement centers sell Sono-tubes. They are 8", 10" and 12" diameter cardboard tubes that are 4' long. To make your project more accurate, and move along faster, I advise to cut 12" diameter tubes into 3 equal length sections. Dig 9" deep holes and set the tops of them level with eachother, using a line level, averaging 7" above grade. Add pea gravel when neccessary to help in leveling them with eachother. Then fill them up with concrete and "L" bolt. All your cement piers will be level with eachother, so you have a perfect level foundation to start your framing. If you have a frostline that is deeper than 9", then make the tubes long enough to get down to that depth.

Wooden deck foundations are made that way all the time, at least where I live.

[CISCO8325]

I don't care what your frost line is, just get back and I want that rv finish. I'm getting anxious..hee heee LOL

[davepcpowernet]

As regarding the height of the bolt above the concrete pier, many builders here in the NW will hold the bottom of the post above the nominal "splash zone", that is the height that the rain will splash above the ground in most of the rains that we get here. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, our rainstorms come as fairly gentle ones that don't splash very high. By keeping the bottom of the post above that area it not only allows more drying and thus less susceptible to rot, but it does keep the sidewall a little cleaner. It also allows the slab inside to be hosed off and the wind to blow through and aid in the drying of water tracked in.