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Total Rebuild of a 1979 Dodge Class C

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I would say some of you have seen the start of this build that my brother bgriffey had posted, Well I have now bought the RV from him and plan to post the pixs of the build I have found a lot of rot in this RV I have torn out everything on the inside and have the rear opened up and the skin off the lower driver side, I will be buying a camera for my wife for christmas and im sure she will take the pixs if I can learn HOW to post them on here, Please remember its winter here in Kentucky so it will be slow but we will keep the pixs coming, Like I said this will be a total build from floor to walls and roof and custom inside build so I would appreciate all the help I can get this will be my first build and I will be learning as I go so any info will help. THANKS......Tony Griffey.

A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model. If you are retired and use your RV to travel then why not save the money for your travels rather than on spending a large chunk of money on a brand new travelling vacation home. When you decide to have an RV remodel done you can have your old model completely gutted and rebuilt to look just like a newer RV and when the work is done you will not even recognize your old mobile home. Going about having a new RV to travel in this way can save you thousands of dollars and you will not have to worry about the payments on a brand new RV home. Many retired people are travelling this way nowadays so they can travel the country and be comfortable while doing it, and there are many others that own these vehicles that they will take on summer family camping trips. The RVโ€™s that are made today are unbelievable and have all of the luxuries of home at a fraction of the size, these make it great fir families and retired folks to travel comfortably, and having an RV remodel done you can make your old RV look just like a brand new one.

Statistics show that the amount of registered RV homes on the road is growing steadily every year, and much of this is due to the baby boomer generation retiring and wanting to travel the country in comfort and style. Having an RV remodel can make your RV brand new. Some things you may want to consider is having all new beds and appliances put in. Since RV appliances are smaller than your normal home kitchen appliances they are much cheaper, and a complete RV remodel will probably cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000, depending on how many changes are being done. The latter price could even be a little more if you are having your RV completely gutted and redesigned. It will still save you a lot of money over purchasing a new RV home. Another thing to consider during your RV remodel is if you plan on just remodeling the inside or if you want to have the exterior redone as well, and if this is the case the project will cost more money but will still be cheaper than buying a new RV. Most of these vacationing and traveling vehicles have a type of siding on them, and the more modern ones are sometimes made of more durable fibreglasses and plastics, these materials are very nice since you do not ever have to worry about rusting.

If you plan on getting a loan out for this remodeling job then you will first want to get various estimates, much like a home remodeling project. Once you get all the estimates you want you can then apply for the amount of money through your financial institution or credit union. The amount of money you need should not be hard for you to get approved for, especially if you have good credit. If you are a retired individual you most likely can take the money out of your pension or 401 funds, and this would be your best bet due to interest rates. Usually the place where you originally bought the RV can do the remodel for you as well, and if they cannot they can usually refer you to someone who can do the job for you. With the popularity of these vehicles constantly growing there are also many new dealerships and shops that specialize in these vacation vehicles. Having a comfortable vehicle to travel year round in or to just vacation in yearly is a great asset and can also be a great stress reliever. It is also a very popular vehicle for families to use on family camping trips, and the nice thing is that if the kids want to rough it while camping they can just sent their tents up right outside the RV.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's
3,483 REPLIES 3,483

Spectramac
Explorer
Explorer
I'd forget about the stacks, it's hard enough seeing back there in the mirrors without having a big pipe staring back at you! :B
Malcolm

chinook440
Explorer
Explorer
Unless someone swapped it out , Your rig should already have electronic ignition from the factory . Pretty much all Chrysler corp. vehicles had it since 1973

Firebirdman
Explorer
Explorer
Not sure about those stacks.

I've been giving thought to reworking a 24' to my taste since I'd like a full queen rear bed.
But also thinking about the drivetrain since this rig will be for towing my race car. Some of the Chevy's I've looked at have 454's, so I was thinking an Edelbrock performer intake, low-mid torque cam, shorty headers and dual exhaust with X pipe. But I was thinking of dropping 3" pipes out in front of the rear wheels with angled tips.
You'd need resonators and good mufflers to knock down the drone sound though.
Could go over the axle and angle drop them behind the wheels, that'd look pretty cool.

You might be able to find some shorty headers for a 440, long tube might be a PITA on that chassis.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
iowajim62 wrote:
Well if your gonna get some headers.......:C

Might as well consider an electronic ignition conversion kit. And while were at it they also have an EFI conversion kit. Pull the heads and send em out for rebuild and then pull the cam and slap in an RV type. Of course we will have to adjust the budget. :B
I would like to add the electronic ignition but the EFI.....NICE but way to much cash and the RV type cam just may be added in also.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
pete10972 wrote:
i like the chrome stack idea. i have 4" stacks on my GMC. how would you do it? mabe i can con momma into doing that on our 78 midas???:h:h:C
I'm no artist at all but I would put the stacks here...:B
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

iowajim62
Explorer
Explorer
Well if your gonna get some headers.......:C

Might as well consider an electronic ignition conversion kit. And while were at it they also have an EFI conversion kit. Pull the heads and send em out for rebuild and then pull the cam and slap in an RV type. Of course we will have to adjust the budget. :B
Jim Faye and our Lhasa Zakley
1999 Itasca Spirit 29N E450 V10
So almost Retired :B

BlindGuynAR
Explorer
Explorer
I hear you "oldtrucker63" Lets through a turbo charged "Pete" in her as well!
2013 Montana 346LBQ Mountainer edition
2017 GMC Denali 3500HD 4x4 DRW
- B&W Turnover w/Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch
- Transfer Flow 40ga aux tank/tool box
- Gatorback Mud Flaps
- Ultimate Camera Package

pete10972
Explorer
Explorer
i like the chrome stack idea. i have 4" stacks on my GMC. how would you do it? mabe i can con momma into doing that on our 78 midas???:h:h:C
:)Donna (the better half), Paris & Sasha, and Me.:C
1978 Ford Midas Mini

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
BlindGuynAR wrote:
You might think about replacing the exaust manifold gaskets while your in there. As I'm sure you know they always leak and drop ins are pretty cheap. They aren't much fun to replace, but its pretty clear your not affaid of a challenge.

I would like to find a set of headers for it and add a set of chrome stacks about 6 inch for the exhaust system, And have the stacks going up the left and right corners of the RV. I bet they would look good.:h
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Spectramac wrote:
Looking good under there, except for that fuel line and filter. ๐Ÿ˜‰
yes it sure needs a fuel line and filter:B
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

BlindGuynAR
Explorer
Explorer
You might think about replacing the exaust manifold gaskets while your in there. As I'm sure you know they always leak and drop ins are pretty cheap. They aren't much fun to replace, but its pretty clear your not affaid of a challenge.
2013 Montana 346LBQ Mountainer edition
2017 GMC Denali 3500HD 4x4 DRW
- B&W Turnover w/Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch
- Transfer Flow 40ga aux tank/tool box
- Gatorback Mud Flaps
- Ultimate Camera Package

Spectramac
Explorer
Explorer
Looking good under there, except for that fuel line and filter. ๐Ÿ˜‰
Malcolm

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
One easy way to know that you have a 440 is the distributor cap at the front passenger side of the motor.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I also need to clean up the old 440, New valve cover gaskets and a few other things with a good cleaning and some paint, But you never know what will go on when I get started I'm good to not know when to stop.......LOL Never know this might turn out to be one hot 440 I love this kind of stuff.:W
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Without Trucks,....America Stop's