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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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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
mikakuja wrote:
I can hardly wait to see the interior start going together, lookin good so far tho. Looking at yours I wish I had taken the extra step, gutted and re-designed the rear of mine instead of sticking with the origional layout....I would have really liked to have put in a rear bed, I'm not looking forward to using the bunk above the cab. I'm having thoughts of doing away with the booth and putting in a fold out bed so the kids can go up top instead. Going to have to do some measuring and drawing to see if it will work.
Yeah I wish I had the room for a rear bed, If I had the extra cash I would have added 5 or 6 feet to the rear, Would have to buy all new metal to do that so I have to stick with what it is, I think the bunk beds in the rear corner will excite the kids.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

mikakuja
Explorer
Explorer
I can hardly wait to see the interior start going together, lookin good so far tho. Looking at yours I wish I had taken the extra step, gutted and re-designed the rear of mine instead of sticking with the origional layout....I would have really liked to have put in a rear bed, I'm not looking forward to using the bunk above the cab. I'm having thoughts of doing away with the booth and putting in a fold out bed so the kids can go up top instead. Going to have to do some measuring and drawing to see if it will work.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I will be ordering our bathtub Monday, They say it takes 8 to 10 days for delivery, So I'm hoping the weather will be good in two weeks or less so I can unload everything out of the RV and get started back to work, I'm so ready to go camping, I have got to get a lot finished up.







She has a lot more loaded in the inside than this photo shows, I will try and take a photo of how she looks on the inside right now Its a mess and still loaded up real good, I just barely can get through the door.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
dodge guy wrote:
I do remember clicking on this thread when it started. I never kept up with it because I actually thought you would have given up on it! LOL. I guess you proved quite alot of us wrong. LOL your daughter will love going camping in it I can see it already. that`s what RV`n is all about, enjoying time with family.

HURRY UP ALREADY, we are all waiting for the finished product!
LOL Thank you, We sure are ready to go camping and fishing that is for sure, If it was not for the move along with the money it cost for us to get into the new house the old dodge would have just about been finished, Anyway we will get to do some camping with the old dodge this year, I sure wish I could hurry myself....LOL I'm ready to take her out on the town.:B
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
I do remember clicking on this thread when it started. I never kept up with it because I actually thought you would have given up on it! LOL. I guess you proved quite alot of us wrong. LOL your daughter will love going camping in it I can see it already. that`s what RV`n is all about, enjoying time with family.

HURRY UP ALREADY, we are all waiting for the finished product!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
American_Dream_RV wrote:
Excellent Thread.

I am doing exactly this with a Dodge 1978 Sportsman with 440 Block.

Shipping Costs are a little prohibitive on heavier items but I'm surprised how many parts are available.

Cheers. Steve.
Do you have a place with photos,??? I just love looking at the photos of this stuff.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
dodge guy wrote:
WOW! what an interesting thread.I was really into it untill I read about your dad........and then your mom!!! how sad. I`m sure they are together again. and watching you enjoy what you are doing with your family. it took me a few hours, but I went through all 201 pages!!! very impressive. keep up the good work. maybe this year you will be able to take it out on some trips?

Have fun!

I`ll keep checking back for updates.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy it, I'm going to get started back on finish work reel soon.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

American_Dream_
Explorer
Explorer
Excellent Thread.

I am doing exactly this with a Dodge 1978 Sportsman with 440 Block.

Shipping Costs are a little prohibitive on heavier items but I'm surprised how many parts are available.

Cheers. Steve.

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
WOW! what an interesting thread.I was really into it untill I read about your dad........and then your mom!!! how sad. I`m sure they are together again. and watching you enjoy what you are doing with your family. it took me a few hours, but I went through all 201 pages!!! very impressive. keep up the good work. maybe this year you will be able to take it out on some trips?

Have fun!

I`ll keep checking back for updates.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
MichaeleH wrote:
:B hey don't be showing my head off lol ๐Ÿ˜›
I was not doing that, I was showing off your Mower......LOL
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

MichaeleH
Explorer
Explorer
:B hey don't be showing my head off lol ๐Ÿ˜›

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
LOL I know you all will like this one.....:B

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
The RV done very good on hauling the big load and pulling the trailer and it loaded down, The wife misplaced the camera so I did not get the good photos of the rig and trailer loaded but believe me its was loaded with everything I could fit in a hole and she run great. More photos coming soon.......for now we are just getting settled in the new place..........:B
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
4Eddielee wrote:
oldtrucker - damn, she sure looks good just as she is! I'd be proud to drive her looking like that. Keep the build going and the picts coming in....eddielee
Thanks man I will get started on her before long now the move is done....Thank GOD.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Earthroamer82
Explorer
Explorer
Took over an hour but I just read this whole thread and man what an awesome story, keep the build going and please keep the picture coming too.
Happy building