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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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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
tboss wrote:
now you gonna fall off dat thang and break something and we will never see the finish of da old dodge,, careful dude dares a lot gullys in dem dar hills to run into and day aint got no bottom..
LOL.....Yelp Yur right thur R But I aint doing dat dare.....
Ya know down dar in one of deem dare thingamujiggers you thinking bout..

..LOL:S
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

tboss
Explorer
Explorer
now you gonna fall off dat thang and break something and we will never see the finish of da old dodge,, careful dude dares a lot gullys in dem dar hills to run into and day aint got no bottom..

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I got put on hold going to pick up my 4 wheeler, I was going to get it Wednesday but I'm helping out a friend doing some hauling so I will go and get it Saturday,.....Just my luck.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
When I order the Black water tank and the water heater and also the Onan generator start switch with the hour gauge this old dodge will be ready to finish putting everything together,...Coming soon.:B
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Hoping to go and Pick up our new Honda Rubicon 500 I will need a small trailer to pull the 4 wheeler behind the old dodge.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I found this link somewhere else on here, It's a great site so I thought I would post it on my build also, Just about anything you ever need to know about Onan Generators Check it out and Register.

Register Here.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
K9Sailors wrote:
Nearly three hours to skim all 290 pages of this thread... great stuff!! Got rid of the PU about four years ago, but have been regularly checking in on the forum. Don't know why I've been skipping over the C's, but it's a pleasure to read about this, or any restoration. Thumbs up to oldtrucker for keeping focused & committed to such an intensive and drawn out project. Am looking forward to "the rest of the story"!!
Welcome to the rebuild K9sailor we are glad you enjoyed it, I too just love this kind of stuff, You should check into Skimask rebuild he has a great build going also with good videos on you-tube, My videos are also on you-tube under oldtrucker63 to me not really good videos but a lot of people say they are fun to watch, I'm getting ready to buy a Honda Rubicon 500 so I will not be spending much on the RV right now although there is a lot of stuff to do right now, I have lots of parts on hand that need to be installed, After we get our Rubicon 500 then I will buy the rest of the parts for the RV and finish it, It should not be long To the finish line on this old dodge,...Enjoy
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

K9Sailors
Explorer
Explorer
Nearly three hours to skim all 290 pages of this thread... great stuff!! Got rid of the PU about four years ago, but have been regularly checking in on the forum. Don't know why I've been skipping over the C's, but it's a pleasure to read about this, or any restoration. Thumbs up to oldtrucker for keeping focused & committed to such an intensive and drawn out project. Am looking forward to "the rest of the story"!!

skimask
Explorer
Explorer
For another point of reference, I'm doing basically the same thing 'trucker is doing, but redoing a '76 Dodge Sportsman Travelcraft, a bit shorter than his, different layout, not as much wood damage, but I think I've replaced and/or will replacing more interior furnishing type stuff than him, whereas he had to basically tear his down to almost the bare framework. I've been able to do mine by just ripping apart the insides.
Like 'trucker, I've been keeping track of everything I've spent, put it on a spreadsheet, etc. My estimated total is about $11,500, but in my estimates, I've rounded everything up a couple bucks and included ALL costs (including initial cost, registration, title, etc). I'll likely come in under that amount. Guess high, come in low, be happy, etc...
Even still, if you spend $12K, heck, or even $20K, and get a practically brand new rig, done up just the way you want it, you'll be WAYYY ahead of a brand new rig fresh off the lot.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Inventive1 wrote:
Thanks for the estimate on the time frame. I don't have a garage tall enough for an RV either. All the work will have to be done outside! Yes, a garage offers MUCH BETTER working condiditions!!! I completely understand your situation of working on it when you can fit it in your schedule and feel up to it.

Way back in the first post you estimated a restoration like this would cost $5,000-12,000. Does that still seem like a reasonable budget?
Yes by the time it is all finished it will be about $6100 And that is counting A set of Firestone Air bags/Stainless steel wheel covers and a few other goodies, When I'm finished I will be posting the total cost because I have been keeping all receipts, I still have a few things to buy like the Water heater/Black tank/Air bags/wheel covers/and more.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Inventive1
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the estimate on the time frame. I don't have a garage tall enough for an RV either. All the work will have to be done outside! Yes, a garage offers MUCH BETTER working condiditions!!! I completely understand your situation of working on it when you can fit it in your schedule and feel up to it.

Way back in the first post you estimated a restoration like this would cost $5,000-12,000. Does that still seem like a reasonable budget?

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Monitor Panel HERE
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
The Monitor Panel came today, Not a bad price for what you get, It comes with the wiring harness and Probes for three tanks for $108.11 shipping and all,...I Like it.:B...Now I need to hury and order my black tank and get all of this put into place.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Inventive1 wrote:
Oldtrucker, I've enjoyed following your restoration. Just wondering if you have any estimate on how much time you will have in it when it's done?

The reason for the question: I'm considering a similar project, but don't want to get into something that can't be finished in a reasonable time frame.
Well I have been working on this old dodge for 1 1/2 years but it was done outside in the winter rain snow and the summer heat, I just worked on it when I wanted to so it has been slow, If I had a Garage to work in and the parts on hand I could do all of the work I have done so far in about three weeks, Working outside with all of the parts on hand it can be done in about 3 to 4 weeks, If you plan on doing a rebuild, Plan it out before you start tearing the RV apart, Get as much/many of the parts that will be needed beforehand, It is not really all that hard to do and it sure is a lot of fun, It's just hard having to watch the weather Rain/snow Fact is I'm looking for my next Project RV/Pull behind / Class C / class A ... I just love doing this kind of stuff, Although this is my first RV rebuild I have done many many old 60's and 70's cars in my younger days, This has been a real Enjoyment and I'm sure if you like things like this you will love tearing into one of these old RV's.:B....If I would have had a Garage to put this RV in and work on it inside it would have been finished long ago and it would be a lot better looking around the edges than it is now, Where I worked in the snow/rain last year trying to hurry and get the roof back on caused the edges to be like they are, Although when I'm finish with it they will look great it is just more work than it should have been, A Garage would be nice, I will be building one soon.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
falconbrother wrote:
Trucker,

What are you're plans for the carpet up front?
I have new black Automotive carpet for the front, After laying down some fiber Matt to help hold down the heat/Sound the carpet will go down over the fiberglass Matt, I will be putting the carpet in and get all of the Interior put back together real soon.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's