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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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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
This is with the key off, After we added 7 gal of gas. The next is with the key on.





Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I Just need to build the end piece to hold the filler neck.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
The tank is in...........

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Here is the sending unit ready to be put in, I had to make a ground because the two pieces of the unit broke the ground so I just wrapped a wire and solder it to the fuel tube and used a hose clamp to hold to two pieces together.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Now to get the tank put in, The short was under the dash.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

skimask
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
Find a fuel sending unit thats as close of a match to the Original as I can find, This one came out of an old Dodge 4X4 Truck, Here is My old sending unit next to the one that I found for free. Sorry but I had already cut it into before I took the photo.

How old of a Dodge pickup are you talking about?
I get the feeling I'm going to be in the same boat eventually too...and I'm all about modifying something and making it work...

You know...
"Beat it to fit, Paint it to match"
Incidentally, I was replacing all of the timing chain components in my '98 Nissan and broke a chunk off the end of the exhaust cam that holds the timing sprocket centered on the cam. I called in a favor and had a guy at a local machine shop make a bushing that keeps the sprocket centered on the bolt. Beats the heck out of buying a new cam/lifters/bearings/etc for a little over $400
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJvC4fQrnyg
starting at 4:08 into the video)

Replant
Explorer
Explorer
Trucker,

This could be a source of material that you may need down the road.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Well the gas tank did not go in today, I have lost power somewhere on my fuel Gauge wire so I will have to find out why, It had power before and I don't know why the power is not there now, I'll have to check this out first, Anyway the fuel sending unit will work good when I get the power back.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
tboss wrote:
hey deiver ,,it looks like your gonna be in your camper just abt the same time I launch my boat that I have been workin for 5 years...1986 christ craft 26.5 scorpion crusier with all the extras including a/c...my wife threatened to make a big flower bed out of it,,,I have just finished rebuilding the trailor and am ready to sit her down on it and then on to the rest of the repairs....man this thing is expensive to repair...
Cool...I too would like to do a boat, Especially one of them small cabin cruisers. Or a large pontoon. Ya got a photo of it.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
coloradohoosier wrote:
I'm not sure if you have the round, swivell seat bases in that Dodge that are im my Chevy, but I took an angle grinder and created extra stop points in my passenger seat and the second row seating behind it. I simply ground additional slots into the bottom plate where I wanted the seats to lock in. Now the front and back row passengers can face each other and play cards (or whatever) while on the road.
This one has square swivells thats bolted onto a round stump but I think they work the same.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

tboss
Explorer
Explorer
hey deiver ,,it looks like your gonna be in your camper just abt the same time I launch my boat that I have been workin for 5 years...1986 christ craft 26.5 scorpion crusier with all the extras including a/c...my wife threatened to make a big flower bed out of it,,,I have just finished rebuilding the trailor and am ready to sit her down on it and then on to the rest of the repairs....man this thing is expensive to repair...

coloradohoosier
Explorer
Explorer
I'm not sure if you have the round, swivell seat bases in that Dodge that are im my Chevy, but I took an angle grinder and created extra stop points in my passenger seat and the second row seating behind it. I simply ground additional slots into the bottom plate where I wanted the seats to lock in. Now the front and back row passengers can face each other and play cards (or whatever) while on the road.
I used to backpack.
I used to drive in, then sleep on the ground in a tent.
Now I have to climb all the way up on top of the cab!

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Teacher's Pet wrote:
Hope it works. The impedance in OHMS of the sender, needs to match the gauge. Hopefully DODGE used the same ratings on senders and gauges.
Yes I checked this before working on it with my OHMs meter and it too is 0 to 90 it will work as good as a new one.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Teacher_s_Pet
Explorer
Explorer
Hope it works. The impedance in OHMS of the sender, needs to match the gauge. Hopefully DODGE used the same ratings on senders and gauges.
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Lady_Trucker
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
When you sit down and put the old brain to work, Its Amazing what you can come up with,...:h.....The Gas tank will be put back in Tomorrow.:S
Great Job honey!!!!! :S lol
Lady Trucker ๐Ÿ˜›