cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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
john b wrote:
Just a thought to share on the trim subject.Have you thought about talking to a continuous gutter maker for aluminum or getting some long lengths of vinyl gutter.In both cases you can cut off one side to make it into a 6 in alum or pvc 90 deg angle that way.Also a siding supplier may have some configuration already around,6in might be a good size.
Also trucker just ib passing when we were a pup bedrail was very available for projects but we soon learned that it was high carbon & not real reliable for anything structural as weldng and it did not agree with one another real well,bolting or riveting was OK. But nowadays it might be a bunch different. JUST IN PASSING. keep up the great work as I sure enjoy your project. Back in the late 60s my son & some friends built first a 23 ft class C from the ground up & then a few years later converted it into a 24 ft class A and in total we enjoyed it for 16 years & many miles. Keep on trucking as I know the fun you are having albeit work too! jmho jb
Thanks for the info buddy, I will check into the bed frame deal, I will be adding two straps to hold the tank into place but I would like the frame to stay in place also, I might have to change to a good angle iron.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

ALnCORY
Explorer
Explorer
Trucker,
I didn't paint my toilet, just upgraded to a high rize, but I did use the plastic paint on my shower pan and turned it from ugly 70's gold to a nice beige color. It seems to be holding up nicely after several showers so I think it would work on your toilet. Good luck, its really coming along.
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!

john_b1
Explorer
Explorer
Just a thought to share on the trim subject.Have you thought about talking to a continuous gutter maker for aluminum or getting some long lengths of vinyl gutter.In both cases you can cut off one side to make it into a 6 in alum or pvc 90 deg angle that way.Also a siding supplier may have some configuration already around,6in might be a good size.
Also trucker just ib passing when we were a pup bedrail was very available for projects but we soon learned that it was high carbon & not real reliable for anything structural as weldng and it did not agree with one another real well,bolting or riveting was OK. But nowadays it might be a bunch different. JUST IN PASSING. keep up the great work as I sure enjoy your project. Back in the late 60s my son & myself & some friends built first a 23 ft class C from the ground up & then a few years later converted it into a 24 ft class A and in total we enjoyed it for 16 years & many miles. Keep on trucking as I know the fun you are having albeit work too! jmho jb
2001 F 350 CC PSD 373 rear,auto
RBW X16 slider,Bedsaver,Prodigy,Fold A Cover,Pressure Pro!
2011 Crossroads Cruiser cf32mk Patriot edit. 5th wheel Fibreglass and all the goodies necessary,Dish,comfy loungers,and a nickel to spend,
Mr & Mrs and the PUP.

rehoppe
Explorer
Explorer
Don't know the brand of the Toilet, but thought I saw a replacement unit (whole unit), that looked to be the same at CW.

Thought I was going to have to replace mine when the trap stuck last year, but I was lucky.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT

Capt_Storm
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
As you can see the photo above,..of the Toilet showing water in the bowl, It's not really that great looking, Is there any kind of paint that we could paint this with, Has anyone ever painted there old toilet trying to get it to look a little better.???:h We are thinking about the paint that Wal-Mart has for the outdoor plastic lawn chairs. Leave the white part and paint the ugly beige.

Fusion paint for plastic.
It might work out well!

mrfixit454
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
rehoppe wrote:
Tony

You probably can get a new seat and lid to just bolt on, I'd hope. Never saw one painted before. Well not a plastic one anyway. I Dunno maybe some high gloss enamel?
I believe this one is the factory toilet from 1979, Ya think we could find a replacement seat and lid, That would be great.


The name of the toilet is inside the lid.. "Aqua Magic xxx"? is a guess. With model number , Camping world or other RV place might have them. Here is a link.. a can of paint is cheaper!
Lids

Fixit
2012 Lance 830 w/Tent Option
2006 2500 Dodge Ram Megacab, Cummins, Auto.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
rehoppe wrote:
Tony

You probably can get a new seat and lid to just bolt on, I'd hope. Never saw one painted before. Well not a plastic one anyway. I Dunno maybe some high gloss enamel?
I believe this one is the factory toilet from 1979, Ya think we could find a replacement seat and lid, That would be great.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
mrfixit454 wrote:
Krylon makes a plastic paint.

Check it out
Hey Thanks,...I believe this is what Wal-Mart has, I think we will try to re-finish the toilet and make it look a bit better.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

mrfixit454
Explorer
Explorer
Krylon makes a plastic paint.

Check it out
2012 Lance 830 w/Tent Option
2006 2500 Dodge Ram Megacab, Cummins, Auto.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Photo taken 12/10/2009 The start of all this.



Photo taken 3/7/2012

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

rehoppe
Explorer
Explorer
Tony

You probably can get a new seat and lid to just bolt on, I'd hope. Never saw one painted before. Well not a plastic one anyway. I Dunno maybe some high gloss enamel?
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
As you can see the photo above,..of the Toilet showing water in the bowl, It's not really that great looking, Is there any kind of paint that we could paint this with, Has anyone ever painted there old toilet trying to get it to look a little better.???:h We are thinking about the paint that Wal-Mart has for the outdoor plastic lawn chairs. Leave the white part and paint the ugly beige.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Capt.Storm wrote:
Man,
You are one dedicated guy..do you ever rest?
Talking about making something your own!
I'm impressed to say the least!
Yeah Captain I rest way to much, It has been two years now, Although I do believe I will finish it completely sometimes this Summer.:B....It's been fun.....Thanks buddy.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Capt_Storm
Explorer
Explorer
Man,
You are one dedicated guy..do you ever rest?
Talking about making something your own!
I'm impressed to say the least!

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Now I guess its time to run the wiring for the Black/gray and fresh water tanks and also the battery and water pump wiring is with the Monitor Panel so I will now finish up all of this wiring and run the generator Start/Stop switch wires too, WOW...A Little more done today, She is getting there.:B
Without Trucks,....America Stop's