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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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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
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
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Here is My Old sending unit with the Dodge 4X4 trucks Lower half of the sending unit and My old upper half.....LOL This will work great.




Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
This is whats left of the Old Dodge 4X4 truck sending unit.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
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.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
OK I look at it this way, If your going to REbuild.....LOL Then why stop at something as small as a Fuel sending unit, Why should something this small put the brakes on such a large project, So let's just rebuild this little sending unit our self, But how,...??? would be the question, OK lets find a fuel sending unit thats as close of a match as we can find and take two sending units and just make one, One that will fit and let you know when your gas tank is E.../...F And as long as it tells the truth it should work fine....Right. OK So here is the plan.:h
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
More work and pixs to come this weekend.......Yay..............
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
mobilefleet wrote:
sundancer268 wrote:


Also, why not install the gas tank and provide an access door to the sending unit. You could use a water proof unit made for boats and you would future proof any future access problems and trouble shooting availability.


I've mentioned that one way back near the beginning....I think he's going to do that as it sure would be nice to change a pump in 10 minutes tops if it ever went out on the road:)
There is a cross member right where the hole would have to go so no dice here, The fuel pump is not in the tank on this unit, Its a Mechanical pump on the motor, This I may change to an Electric pump mounted on the rear frame rail.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
sundancer268 wrote:
On your out side electrical, I found with both my Travel Trailer and my Motor Home that an extra electrical outlet on the drivers side has come in handy several times and in your current stage of construction would not be hard to add,

Also, why not install the gas tank and provide an access door to the sending unit. You could use a water proof unit made for boats and you would future proof any future access problems and trouble shooting availability.

Your project is still looking good and I have withdrawal symptoms when the posts slow down.
Glad to know I have Fans like you, Thanks Buddy.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
chinook440 wrote:
I would move that tube as far forward as possible to support the end of that outer channel and then add another tube behind the waste tank and attach the tank directly to the metal with some brackets etc.
To bad you werent closer ...i do metal work for a living and have quite a few cutoffs about that size just gathering dust .

Here,s another cool video of old dodge Motorhome Mayhem !!!:B it,s amazing how well the chassis holds up to those jumps .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn75esRxOsw
Thanks man, The cutoff that I'm using is a cab mount off of a Mack coal truck.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

mobilefleet
Explorer
Explorer
sundancer268 wrote:


Also, why not install the gas tank and provide an access door to the sending unit. You could use a water proof unit made for boats and you would future proof any future access problems and trouble shooting availability.


I've mentioned that one way back near the beginning....I think he's going to do that as it sure would be nice to change a pump in 10 minutes tops if it ever went out on the road:)

sundancer268
Explorer
Explorer
On your out side electrical, I found with both my Travel Trailer and my Motor Home that an extra electrical outlet on the drivers side has come in handy several times and in your current stage of construction would not be hard to add,

Also, why not install the gas tank and provide an access door to the sending unit. You could use a water proof unit made for boats and you would future proof any future access problems and trouble shooting availability.

Your project is still looking good and I have withdrawal symptoms when the posts slow down.
U. S. Navy (RETIRED) 1993
1995 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 34' Diesel Pusher Cummins B5.9 12 Valve Engine, Allison MD-3060 6 Speed Transmission.
TOAD: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite
Road Master Sterling All-Terrain, Airforce One

chinook440
Explorer
Explorer
I would move that tube as far forward as possible to support the end of that outer channel and then add another tube behind the waste tank and attach the tank directly to the metal with some brackets etc.
To bad you werent closer ...i do metal work for a living and have quite a few cutoffs about that size just gathering dust .

Here,s another cool video of old dodge Motorhome Mayhem !!!:B it,s amazing how well the chassis holds up to those jumps .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn75esRxOsw

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Anyone need any parts, NOW here is one BAD ASS DODGE.

DODGE...One Bad DODGE
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
First photo taken from the rear facing the front and the next taken from front facing the rear.....Sorry its the only two I have.

Just to show where I added the brace at the driver side rear corner, Here is a After and before,.... OK Now this is where I plan on putting the septic tank and now this will be right where I need the tank to go, QUESTION.... Can I still place the tank and just frame around this with 2X4's This will only set the tank down lower the width of the 2X4, This will be building a square box frame with a break in the box where this brace will go across, Ya think this will work.????:h

The 2x4's will be bolted to the floor, With the tank screwed to the 2x4's and then add metal straps also.






Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
John H wrote:
Spectramac, any 1 year sheetmetal apprentist could fabricate a set of these. The top has a set length & width with ether a female snaplock, or pittsburg locking joint edge/s. With a givin radious roll design on the sides, they are cut to this with a single male edge along the length. The top would be placed into a set of rollers to match the curve of the sides, then the three snap together. A gutter seal (paste) to double insure the joint seal.
That would work, My AC cover is made the same way..... A Home made one.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's