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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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Firebirdman wrote:
Here is what an engine should look like,...


You mean that's not a before and after shot :h

LOL....I wish.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Chevy has Class C with a 454.........Yes
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Spectramac
Explorer
Explorer
So were all the C Chevy's small blocks? I've seen my same Monaco RV with a Chev front in an ad a while back...
Malcolm

Mordist
Explorer
Explorer
It's going to be extremely hard to find a Class C on a Chevrolet van cutaway with a 454 because I don't think it was an option.

Probably any Chevy class A that you find will have a 454, I just don't think you're going to find a 454 in a Class C.
I could be wrong, I have been before (rarely). ๐Ÿ˜‰
1981 Mobile Traveler 25' Class C
Chevy Chassis 350 cu

Firebirdman
Explorer
Explorer
Seeing your work has got me looking for an older one to modify, don't want the total rebuild, but rework the interior to our taste, and the running gear for towing.
Found this on the local Craigslist, reminded me of yours. Local RV

But I'm going to keep looking for a 23' with a chevy chassis and 454.

Firebirdman
Explorer
Explorer
Here is what an engine should look like,...


You mean that's not a before and after shot :h

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Spectramac wrote:
We've had about the best winter on record up here, wish I could share some of it with you! It's been sunny and 60 here for a few days, I've been able to get some more of my RV shed roofed. A few more days like this and I could get it done. ๐Ÿ™‚
Glad to here that, I would like to build me one of them sheds all I would need is a few 4x4 post and some rough lumber It would not be as heavy duty as the one you have but all I need is something to shed the rain untill I get the roof done.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
OK here is what it looks like around here today very windy , I will have to get me a new tarp this one has met its match.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Firebirdman wrote:
oldtrucker63 wrote:
I would like to find a set of shorty headers for it with 3 inch exhaust That would sure open it up and let it breathe and would get the gas mileage up a little and it would be nice to have an aluminum intake manifold with a new carburetor, and a good RV camm shaft, Do you think this rig could get 11 or 12 miles per gallon.???


From what I remember of old 440's is they could be decent milage engines for the size if you keep your foot out of it.
Not sure about with the extra weight of the RV though.
Need to get some good air into it, that breather is pretty restrictive, and a good intake with a Spread bore carb, low-mid cam and shorty hearders wouldn't hurt, as well as a good ignition. But forget it if you put a Holley on it, even a square bore Carter or Edelbrock probably won't get you there. You need the small primaries of a Spread Bore I'd think.
I don't remember if you said yours had the Thermoquad Carb or not, but if set up right that would be the perfect carb for it. Should be an 850 CFM with small primaries if it has one.
Thats true and i would like the extra MPG This 440 has the Thermoquad Carb and its in really good shape I just need to clean and tune it I believe I will get the intake and cam and a waterpump fuel pump so when I add these I can clean it up and paint The block just try make it look a little beter. Here is what an engine should look like,...LOL The clean part NOT the highrise intake and all the hot rod parts I cant stand 3 MPG...LOL But the clean look I would like to have.
.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Spectramac
Explorer
Explorer
We've had about the best winter on record up here, wish I could share some of it with you! It's been sunny and 60 here for a few days, I've been able to get some more of my RV shed roofed. A few more days like this and I could get it done. ๐Ÿ™‚
Malcolm

Firebirdman
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
I would like to find a set of shorty headers for it with 3 inch exhaust That would sure open it up and let it breathe and would get the gas mileage up a little and it would be nice to have an aluminum intake manifold with a new carburetor, and a good RV camm shaft, Do you think this rig could get 11 or 12 miles per gallon.???


From what I remember of old 440's is they could be decent milage engines for the size if you keep your foot out of it.
Not sure about with the extra weight of the RV though.
Need to get some good air into it, that breather is pretty restrictive, and a good intake with a Spread bore carb, low-mid cam and shorty hearders wouldn't hurt, as well as a good ignition. But forget it if you put a Holley on it, even a square bore Carter or Edelbrock probably won't get you there. You need the small primaries of a Spread Bore I'd think.
I don't remember if you said yours had the Thermoquad Carb or not, but if set up right that would be the perfect carb for it. Should be an 850 CFM with small primaries if it has one.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Firebirdman wrote:
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.
I would like to find a set of shorty headers for it with 3 inch exhaust That would sure open it up and let it breathe and would get the gas mileage up a little and it would be nice to have an aluminum intake manifold with a new carburetor, and a good RV camm shaft, Do you think this rig could get 11 or 12 miles per gallon.???
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
BlindGuynAR wrote:
I hear you "oldtrucker63" Lets through a turbo charged "Pete" in her as well!
LOL....Yeah:B
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Spectramac wrote:
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
LOL...yeah that was a joke that got started a few pages back (Funny) The wife poped that one off and we just got going with it Not room for them anywhere on the rig.....LOL Its snowing here again this morning with high winds My tarp is just about gone I will have to get a new one soon, We have not had a winter like this in 20 years its been storm after storm Thats my luck and im waiting on spring less than 5 weeks its comming I just wished it would hurry. How is everything going up there.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
DaChiNooK-440 wrote:
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
Thats good to know, I have not looked under the cap yet to check But I will look today Thanks.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's