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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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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
I took the seats out today And will start to tear out the cab interier soon.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
This is the Stove Vent hood it was all rusty so I gave it a good sanding and a bit of paint I just have to put it back together And there will be a bit of black Paint on the front lip of this thing.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
John H wrote:
Ot, will have to agree whole hearty on you cost thus far. In my mind it was easly twice that amount. Good going thus far.

On to a futher note, Again trying to point out thing that you might have missed: Did your class c have an out side TV cable hook up? Were you aware that the new model have them ? Now would be the time for the rough-in if not ?

What about exterior helpfull lights~~~ beside door, beside water & AC hook-ups, stairs, outside excess storages compartments.
You know Come to think about it, this RV had a TV hookup inside But it did not go to the outside?? I will get that in place As for lights The stairs will get one I have no storage compartments on the outside I have thought of building one somewhere under the RV and may extend the rear bumper and make a place back there for a box And I was going to add some bright back up lights and a back up beeper. The light at the Propane tank would be nice too. Thanks John.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

John_H
Explorer
Explorer
Ot, will have to agree whole hearty on you cost thus far. In my mind it was easly twice that amount. Good going thus far.

On to a futher note, Again trying to point out thing that you might have missed: Did your class c have an out side TV cable hook up? Were you aware that the new model have them ? Now would be the time for the rough-in if not ?

What about exterior helpfull lights~~~ beside door, beside water & AC hook-ups, stairs, outside excess storages compartments.
John H

ALnCORY
Explorer
Explorer
For all of those old enough to remember the 413 engine is mentioned in the Beach Boys song "Shutdown"...
It happened on a strip where the road is wide
Two cool sharks sitting side by side
My fuel injected Stingray and a 413
Revvin' up their engines and it sounds real mean
Tach it up Tach it up buddy gonna shut you down.


Trucker,, you are doing real well on the cost, I am impressed.
I don't think anyones dying statement ever contained the words "I wish I had spent more time in the office", so lets go somewhere!

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I added up all of my receipts, And so far I'm at $363.53 That leaves me $1636.47 So far so good.:W
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Teacher_s_Pet
Explorer
Explorer
Here's a recall list for Travel Equipment Corp, one of two references I found on line.
'06 Phaeton 40' QSH
'14 Ford Flex SEL AWD Toad
'04 R-Vision Trail-Lite 213
Scottiemom's Pet or husband to Dale
RV.net Rallies 13, Other Rallies 21, Escapades 7
Fulltimers since 2005, Where are we?
Our Travel Blog

brumley_inn
Explorer
Explorer
it is a m400 chassis. the title says Coachmen,but the little sign by the door says Challenger, made by travel equipment co.

brumley_inn
Explorer
Explorer
according to this link http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/tech_resources/VIN_decoders/DodgeVINdecoder.html
it's a 413.

Mike_and_Paula
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
brumley inn wrote:
i think my last pic worked out.
it has a 413.
Did Dodge make a 413 just checking are you sure its not a 440????


The 413 was a fairly common engine used in the M400 chassis in the early to mid 70โ€™s 23โ€™-28โ€™ footers. I look at a lot of Class A Winnebago in that time frame and size saw a lot of 413.
Some Wiki info on the 413
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_RB_engine
84 Class C Holiday Rambler
Mike - Navistar Instructor (1/01-12/09)
GM Instructor (12/09- Present)
Paula - Medical Transcriptionist

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Well its raining here again today Friday and Saturday should be nice so I'm sitting here waiting on the week end.:R
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
brumley inn wrote:

i'll have to try again later.
sorry for messing up your blog. i hate it when you can't read every thing without scrolling across the screen.
terry
I tell ya....Man what a little paint would do for this thing it would be really sharp I would like to find one of these jewels to fix up.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
brumley inn wrote:
i think my last pic worked out.
it has a 413.
Did Dodge make a 413 just checking are you sure its not a 440????
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

ALnCORY
Explorer
Explorer
Nice find Brumley,,,, can't wait to see what you can do with it... post some pics of the interior if you can.... I love all these old dodges,,, so much character.
I don't think anyones dying statement ever contained the words "I wish I had spent more time in the office", so lets go somewhere!

brumley_inn
Explorer
Explorer
i think my last pic worked out.
it has a 413.