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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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

[oldtrucker63]

I have been fixing and putting together the small stuff, I'm just about ready to install the carpet into the front and rear and after that I will finish the Interior in the cab, Then start building the dinette seats and the table.

[oldtrucker63]

I just can't wait until after Christmas, But I will have to, The baby girl comes first around here, But Jan 1 2011 I will be back buying the finishing few parts for the Old Dodge, It is turning cold here in the far eastern part of Kentucky so the painting the outside might have to wait until spring but at least by then everything else will be finished'
More finish work coming soon.

[oldtrucker63]

EMD360 wrote:
We know you stick to a project once you start. Take a little time off for some fun these nice fall days. Are you taking the 4 wheeler hunting?
You've stuck to this through the move, winter weather, and all the other incidents of life in the last couple of years. Just throw up a photo or two every once in a while so that we can see that beauty. 🙂

Thanks and yes I will still be doing a little fixing on the parts that I have now, It will not be to long until I get started back on her, Yes I will be deer hunting with the 4 wheeler and myself and a friend of mine is planing on a black bear hunt and videoing it, And I will also be Videoing some good deer hunting, I will post the videos to my You-Tube page.

[EMD360]

We know you stick to a project once you start. Take a little time off for some fun these nice fall days. Are you taking the 4 wheeler hunting?
You've stuck to this through the move, winter weather, and all the other incidents of life in the last couple of years. Just throw up a photo or two every once in a while so that we can see that beauty. 🙂

[oldtrucker63]

Just need some time to build up some more funds, The 4 wheeler took the RV funds, It will not be long, I will have to build a small garage to put this 4 wheeler in for the winter weather and also all of my tools, I have my table saw sitting out side because it will not fit under the house, The door is too small, and also lets not for get that Jesus birthday is coming up soon too, But one thing for sure the old dodge will be ready when spring get here, (Before that) But it will be out on the road with us and our 4 wheeler and the boat at times too, She will never be forgot about, She will be new again real soon.:B

[jones4110]

Sounds like somebody is distracted by a 4 wheeler. No updates on the rebuild. So sad.

[oldtrucker63]

Ran the Generator for two hours today, It should be good until I get it installed.

[oldtrucker63]

skimask wrote:

oldtrucker63 wrote:
If I had one I would try to pull it with the old dodge 440, I'm not that far from the lake, I think I could make it..

Remember what happened to the roof trim when you (and I for that matter) jacked up the back of the rig with a floor jack at the hitch?
I'm wondering if hanging any significant extra weight off the hitch would do the same thing...move the trim around that is...

Yes I remember,..But I jacked mine up from the body just in front of the drive axle, On mine it is built right from the frame add on back and when I put the extra frame onto the rear for the generator I will reinforce it even more....I believe after my buddy get done welding it will tow big and should have a 5000lbs hitch.

[skimask]

oldtrucker63 wrote:
If I had one I would try to pull it with the old dodge 440, I'm not that far from the lake, I think I could make it..

Remember what happened to the roof trim when you (and I for that matter) jacked up the back of the rig with a floor jack at the hitch?
I'm wondering if hanging any significant extra weight off the hitch would do the same thing...move the trim around that is...

[oldtrucker63]

hotbyte wrote:
M & P, Very NICE looking jeep...especially color of the top. We are Georgia Tech (White and Gold colors) fans but have mostly had red vehicles over the years. Friends that are Univ of Georgia (Red and Black colors) fans, and there are A LOT of UGA fans, give us a hard time about that but we just like red vehicles! But, if we get a convertible we try and avoid a black top on red car. Before DW got her red VW Jetti she had a red/beige New Beetle convertible. We had to have it shipped in because all on the dealer lot was red with black top. So, your jeep would be perfect for us 🙂

But, to bring a little boating into the RV and 4X4 thread, I need something that will pull our bay boat which is probably 2800~3000 sitting on trailer.

Great looking boat there, If I had one I would try to pull it with the old dodge 440, I'm not that far from the lake, I think I could make it..

[oldtrucker63]

skimask wrote:

oldtrucker63 wrote:
Anyone have a 20 foot old dodge that Might know the GVW of the rig, With full tanks, I was just thinking about my build here, This old dodge will not be as heavy as it was when new, I dont think anyway, I have not yet weighed the dodge so I dont know its weight, I would like to have something to go by, I'm thinking my old dodge will be 1000 lbs lighter than it was when new.

I think mine 'says' 10,500lbs GVW on the tag inside the driver's door, but yours and mine are a bit different. And as far as I know, that's a tire/suspension/brakes limitation, not necessarily a "frame" limitation. I'll double check it tomorrow.

I will check mine also but I think it said 10,500 Not sure.

[skimask]

10,500 must be a generic number for those types of frames. I looked at a friends older Ford chassis this morning, same thing, as well as another guys Chevy. Both of them read 10,500lbs GVWR. Maybe it's a licensing thing.

[TreeSeeker]

Oldtrucker,

My tag also has GVWR 10,500. Mine is a '79 Fleetwood Jamboree Ralley and is 24ft.

[skimask]

oldtrucker63 wrote:
Anyone have a 20 foot old dodge that Might know the GVW of the rig, With full tanks, I was just thinking about my build here, This old dodge will not be as heavy as it was when new, I dont think anyway, I have not yet weighed the dodge so I dont know its weight, I would like to have something to go by, I'm thinking my old dodge will be 1000 lbs lighter than it was when new.

I think mine 'says' 10,500lbs GVW on the tag inside the driver's door, but yours and mine are a bit different. And as far as I know, that's a tire/suspension/brakes limitation, not necessarily a "frame" limitation. I'll double check it tomorrow.

[hotbyte]

M & P, Very NICE looking jeep...especially color of the top. We are Georgia Tech (White and Gold colors) fans but have mostly had red vehicles over the years. Friends that are Univ of Georgia (Red and Black colors) fans, and there are A LOT of UGA fans, give us a hard time about that but we just like red vehicles! But, if we get a convertible we try and avoid a black top on red car. Before DW got her red VW Jetti she had a red/beige New Beetle convertible. We had to have it shipped in because all on the dealer lot was red with black top. So, your jeep would be perfect for us 🙂

But, to bring a little boating into the RV and 4X4 thread, I need something that will pull our bay boat which is probably 2800~3000 sitting on trailer.