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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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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
The gray water tank is in and ready to be hooked up, I will be adding some straps to the bottom for support.



Without Trucks,....America Stop's

john_b1
Explorer
Explorer
Hey trucker. Whats all the black spagetti all over the engine?? Ha ha !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.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I'm going to try and install the gray water tank today.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Yes it sure would be nice, It seems like it is one after another, It never stops.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

blackf3504dr
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
tboss wrote:
take it apart and take the starter to any a/c shop and I bet they can match it,,a lot of those things are interchangable....
Thanks I found that the wire was off of the thermostat, It working again.


Wouldn't it be nice if all problems were that easy to solve ?
Mom , Dad , Scooter & K.C ( killer cat )
'96 F350 4dr. Dually, 7.3 5sp.
'92 Holiday Rambler 34'
REAL TRUCKS DON'T HAVE SPARKPLUGS !

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
tboss wrote:
take it apart and take the starter to any a/c shop and I bet they can match it,,a lot of those things are interchangable....
Thanks I found that the wire was off of the thermostat, It working again.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

tboss
Explorer
Explorer
take it apart and take the starter to any a/c shop and I bet they can match it,,a lot of those things are interchangable....

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Its raining again today, I might get to piddle a little today.:B

The AC unit quit again, I think it is trouble in the starter, I'm going to tear into it before long and get that fixed, First I will have to find out just what kind it is, How can I tell what Make and model the thing is, Is there anywhere to find a number or something.??
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
lzasitko wrote:
Thats the nice thing with an electric fuel pump instead of the mechanical. After the carb has been off its empty and with the mechanical you have to crank it until the pump fills the carb up. Mine you turn the key and you can here the clicking of the pump and it changes once the bowl is full, then turn the key. Mine I don't think makes any more than a turn over or two before it starts. Years ago I had a car with a mechanical and it (after it sits a while or has been off) takes a few minutes of cranking before it gets enough gas to start.

Once running yours sounds good, even with no exhaust.
Yes that is just what this old 440 is like, After you get the gas up to the carb
it starts with a 1/4 turn of the motor, Let it sit for a few hours and it has to be cranked to get the gas up, I'm going to add the electric pump also.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

lzasitko
Explorer
Explorer
Thats the nice thing with an electric fuel pump instead of the mechanical. After the carb has been off its empty and with the mechanical you have to crank it until the pump fills the carb up. Mine you turn the key and you can here the clicking of the pump and it changes once the bowl is full, then turn the key. Mine I don't think makes any more than a turn over or two before it starts. Years ago I had a car with a mechanical and it (after it sits a while or has been off) takes a few minutes of cranking before it gets enough gas to start.

Once running yours sounds good, even with no exhaust.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
More photos I took after I started it today.









Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Yes it seems like this would work, I'm going to take both Manifolds to the local Muffler shop Monday and see what the Man says about it, I think they will use a Flat Gasket and a flat flange with the pipe welded to the flange, That is how most 70's era big blocks are fixed, I will let you all know what they say about it, I will have to get a photo of the flared part of the pipe where it meets the manifold collector, It is kinda rotten around that flair part of the pipe so that needs to be fixed anyway, Only the passenger side is rotted, The driver side looks good, So this needs to be changed anyway, I'll keep ya posted.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

14yuTrk
Explorer
Explorer
Here is what I believe John B is talking, I bouth some before for my old IH truck.I have a link to the part: http:unniversal donut
It's flat on top with a part that goes in the manifole for alignment and rounded on the botom to fit the flared pipe.
It is better to remain silent... and be thought a fool... than open one's mouth... and remove all doubt

john_b1
Explorer
Explorer
Going back to your question on the exhaust pipe manifold connection. If the pipe has the cup on the end to fit the cone on the manifold,could you use a donut type gasket the is flat on one side and coned on the other. I know they used to have them on some models like that. Just a thought so maybe you won't need to remodel the headpipes. Jmho jb (Looking Good)
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.

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
First start after cleaning and Paint/plugs/wires/ Still need to put the Exhaust Manifolds or headers on, Don't know what just yet.


Here is the Video.

Check it out
Without Trucks,....America Stop's