<strong>UPDATE <br>AUGUST 4th, 2013</strong><br><br><em>Engine/Electrical: </em><br>Terry was right. The Radiator shop recommended I buy a new radiator rather than get the 20-year-old one cleaned. Cleaning would cost $140, a new one is about $150. Fun Fact: it was "flowing" at about 50% capacity. No wonder I was overheating! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br><br>The spark plugs on this were a beast. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> I will never do it myself ever again. There are 8 plugs and the last two are so difficult to get to...let's just say I was not a pleasant person to be around. It took me about 6-8 hours, I can't be sure. <br><br>I also took care of some rust and my electrician (aka Dad <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">) started on the electrical system. The previous owner had wired the alternator directly to the battery isolator, completely frying the isolator. We also discovered that the fridge was wired directly with no fuse. A new isolator and a circuit breaker is on order. I still haven't picked out a house battery yet. <br><br><br><em>Tires/Suspension:</em><br>All five tires are over ten years old. I'll replace them all eventually, but for now I'm just replacing the front two. I ordered two new tires from Walmart.com (about $350). To save cash I'll remove the wheels myself and bring them in to get the new tires mounted and balanced ($11 per tire). <br><br>I've decided I want to install new front shocks myself. I used to work for a shock/strut manufacturer so I'm confident I can change shocks myself. It's a pretty simple two-bolt job. The new tires and suspension should dramatically improve handling. When it get's rolling again, I'll take it to a shop for a proper alignment and some fluid flushes.<br><br><br><em>Interior:</em><br>I removed 99.99% of the 20-year-old carpet. The previous owners must have loved the beach because the entire rig was covered in sand! I'll be painting the floor under the bed with a durable enamel and leaving it unfinished (this is where the water tank, propane, and electrical will be). I just need to remove the dozens of screws and staples and little carpet scraps that are left. Then I can lay a new floor covering. I'm trying to decide between rolled vinyl or Pergo floor planks. <br><br>Since the carpet had to come out I took out all the seats. Of course the driver and front passenger seat will go back in, but the two rear passenger seats will not. They are just a waste of space for me. They fold down into beds, but only a child or little person would fit on them. Should I keep them in storage or try to sell them? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>The front overhead cabinet had to come out for some electrical work. It's not going back. I like the wide open space for storage. I'm thinking of installing a cargo net and that's it, K.I.S.S.<br><br>The rear bed area had some extensive water damage to the "benches" that make up the two ends of the bed. The rotten wood was removed, as was the rusty seat-belts that were probably never used. The ceiling in this area is water-damaged as well, so I'll be taking it down. As a bonus, I'm sure I can get some extra storage space back when I replace the ceiling. <br><br><br><em>Kitchen:</em><br>The fridge needed some re-wiring so I removed it and gave it a good cleaning inside and out. The cooling unit on the back was all rusty so I gave it a good scrub with a wire brush and painted it with high-temp Rustoleum. We set it up in the garage and turned it on using the 110. I haven't checked it yet today but hopefully it's cooled down overnight. Fingers crossed I don't have to buy a new fridge. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>I was able to move the circuit breaker box out of the kitchen. Why it was mounted there in the first place is a mystery; so much wasted space. It will be re-installed under the bed with the rest of the electrical. There is plenty of lead on the wires so it won't be a problem. This resulted in a significant increase in storage in the kitchen area!<br><br><br><em>Plumbing:</em><br>The plumbing is in really good shape. I don't think I have to do anything there other than a sanitation flush. I did remove and sanitize the water tank. It had a black ring around the inside (yuck). The toilet had to come out to get at the carpet underneath. I discovered a big hole where the animals must have got in. A little Great Stuff foam will fix that.<br><br>The drain pipe for the sink crosses the RV right where the bed begins. The factory put this big, bulky steel box over it to hide it. It cost me several inches of clearance. I pried it up and I'm considering not putting it back. I think I'll just leave the pipes exposed, maybe paint it, maybe add some foam insulation is it's noisy. It doesn't really bother me, and I like the extra space. <br><br>There was also a false floor in the bathroom/closet area. I removed it and gained a few inches of space. Again, it exposed some plumbing but I'm ok with that. I think I'll leave it as is. <br><br><br><em>Summary:</em><br>All said it's been four long hard days. I'm bruised, cut and achy. Today is my day off. I'm so grateful to have supportive parents. The rig is parked at their house, right next to a workshop full of tools! Dad has been great at the electrical and general RV questions/guidance. Though he does tend to "escalate" the remodel (I've had to turn down his suggestion to move a wall, shelf and cabinet to gain a few inches in the bathroom). <br><br>Sometimes I think I'm overdoing it. That I should have just driven away with the rig as-is. I need to kept telling myself that the work I'm putting in now will save me money and frustration later. <br><br>Despite the fact that the rig looks like a disaster now, it's actually not far from being ready to go. Just a few parts to install and the engine will be running again. The wiring, while kind of a mystery, is actually pretty simple and when a few parts come in it will be up and running in a day. With any luck the fridge is in working condition and be reinstalled in just an hour. The plumbing is 99% ready to go. <br><br>I'm imagining the flooring will be a challenge and there is some carpentry to be done. I haven't tested the propane system so I may be in for a surprise there. Then there's the exterior aesthetics: rust and paint mostly. All in all I'm optimistic I can have it ready in another 10-12 days. <br><br><br><em>Pictures:</em><br>Seats Gone:<a href="/file?id=1609036" rel="lightbox" target="_blank"><img src="
http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1609036" class="bbc_img" alt="P1010673.jpg"></a> <br>Overhead cabinet gone: <a href="/file?id=1609037" rel="lightbox" target="_blank"><img src="
http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1609037" class="bbc_img" alt="P1010675.jpg"></a> <br>Rear bed removed:<a href="/file?id=1609038" rel="lightbox" target="_blank"><img src="
http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1609038" class="bbc_img" alt="P1010681.jpg"></a> <br>Carpet Gone: <a href="/file?id=1609039" rel="lightbox" target="_blank"><img src="
http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1609039" class="bbc_img" alt="P1010686.jpg"></a> <br>Fridge removed:<a href="/file?id=1609040" rel="lightbox" target="_blank"><img src="
http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1609040" class="bbc_img" alt="P1010690.jpg"></a> <br>Rotten bed frame wood removed and my electrician checking out the system: <a href="/file?id=1609041" rel="lightbox" target="_blank"><img src="
http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1609041" class="bbc_img" alt="P1010697.jpg"></a> <br>New storage in kitchen created by moving electrical: <a href="/file?id=1609042" rel="lightbox" target="_blank"><img src="
http://files.websitetoolbox.com/82529/thumb/1609042" class="bbc_img" alt="P1010699.jpg"></a>
