Total Rebuild of a 1979 Dodge Class C

[oldtrucker63]

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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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

[American_Dream_]

How's the rebuild going Old Trucker?

Would love to see more pictures.

My Project is at the stage of replacing those darned Exhaust manifolds...

Got a pair shipped over....Shipping cost more than manifolds...

All new nuts/studs etc and gaskets...

Sheared one stud on the passenger side even though I soaked them all with release fluid....Grrrrr

Now I have to find a way of getting it outta the block without shearing it any more....

Regards Steve.

[oldtrucker63]

A big shinny Bull bumper would be great, But the cost of one sucks, Even used.

[oldtrucker63]

Yeah, Once it is tied down the hot terminal can't touch in any way, I don't think the ground is touching although it is really close, As long as it's tied down where it never moves it will work like that, When I weld the metal seat in it will be a little lower anyway, So this will work until then, I might just go ahead and fix it when I do the cutting and welding to extend the rear bumper, I need to go out and find me a real nice used Peterbilt bumper for the rear so I can go ahead and get-R-done..............

[TreeSeeker]

OldTrucker63 wrote:
I may be better off to leave it like it is if the Hot would be close to the hood after turning it around.

That was my point. It won't short the battery if the neg. terminal touches the hood. And it seems more likely that the front terminal will hit the hood than the back terminal will hit the body (although it is hard to tell from the picture).

[oldtrucker63]

TreeSeeker wrote:
In the picture it looks like the front terminal (neg) is going to touch or almost touch the hood when it is down. My battery is mounted 90 degrees different (in my '79).

What really bugs me is that there is no gutter around under the hood so rainwater flows down the windshield into the hood/engine gap and directly onto the top of the battery. I have not yet figured out how to fix this.

Yes the water running in need to have a fix, I bet the water along with the battery acid is what rots the plates out in these old dodge van's, And yes the battery should be turned around so the + is on the other side, That is how it was to start I was just in a hurry to start the old 440 and let in run for a little bit, I just tightened it down after I slung it in right fast, I will check the ground and see how much room between it and the hood, I would not want to turn it around and it to close to the hood when it's shut, I may be better off to leave it like it is if the Hot would be close to the hood after turning it around.

[TreeSeeker]

In the picture it looks like the front terminal (neg) is going to touch or almost touch the hood when it is down. My battery is mounted 90 degrees different (in my '79).

What really bugs me is that there is no gutter around under the hood so rainwater flows down the windshield into the hood/engine gap and directly onto the top of the battery. I have not yet figured out how to fix this.

[john_b1]

4Eddielee wrote:
I agree with 1995brave - especially since the positive post is just under that piece of sheet metal. If you can, you probably should turn the battery around so if it bounces, the hot post will not be a problem.

From what can be seen it looks as if the cables may fit better also if the battery is turned around plus the safety of the positive being cleared of the shorting possibility.JMHO jb

[oldtrucker63]

I will be doing a lot of work under the hood, In the future I want everything under there to shine also.:C

[oldtrucker63]

If I drive it before I fix it the right way I will add a hold down and a piece of rubber Inter-tube across the top.

[4Eddielee]

I agree with 1995brave - especially since the positive post is just under that piece of sheet metal. If you can, you probably should turn the battery around so if it bounces, the hot post will not be a problem.

[1995brave]

Don't forget to strap that battery down so it won't fall into the engine area when you hit a bump.

[oldtrucker63]

This is my temporary fix for the battery tray, This will work until I get some metal to weld into it's place, It's a piece of 3/4 inch plywood with the stain added to it to protect it from rot, Just in case I leave it longer than planed,...To fix this right I will have to cut the rusted tray out with a torch and weld a new piece of metal, Maybe I will cut a tray out of an old junk P/U Truck and weld it into the Dodge.

[oldtrucker63]

WOW...........Momma sure liked the glass, Thanks again man.:B

[oldtrucker63]

Thanks man,......Other than the wrinkles in my fingers from staying in the water that beach was nice Although the sand dunes would have been a lot cooler place to take an 8 year old Kid,... It was a memory that I could never forget.:C

[EMD360]

oldtrucker63 wrote:
We are thinking of putting up some kind of stained glass just to the right top side of the bathroom door, About 12 inch's down from the top, It will be just above where the shower head will be, Then lay a small line of tile under the glass, And put up a mirror just below that, Then at the bottom of the mirror some more tile on down to meet the counter top where the sink will be. Maybe not glass but Plexiglass of some sort..At the top anyway, Then the Mirror.:h

I've bought "art glass" from this site when in the clearance area.Home Decorators Like other good suppliers, I don't think their prices have been as good since they were purchased by Home Depot.
Nice interior with that new TV and I like that bathroom door! Can't wait to see your camping pics! 🙂
Ours is the first RV we ever had too and although our only other experience was with a friend's pop up it was just the good old Indiana dunes, not a CA beach memory!
:W