Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Some newbie GMC questions! (1975 Eleganza 2 new owner questions )
| Some newbie GMC questions! [message #322677] |
Sat, 26 August 2017 11:51  |
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Hello GMC'ers!
For a movie I worked on last July, we purchased a 1975 GMC Eleganza 2 with around 70k original miles on the engine. I bought it from the production after it was done, and have had it basically getting worked on here and there for the past year as $$ allowed. I just now got it back from my mechanic's yard and took it up to an open air storage place where I'm hoping I can do some work on it myself. I should preface by saying I know NOTHING about cars, mechanical, or electrical problems, or even basic bare minimum maintenance. I think I changed a headlight bulb on my old Taurus once, and thats the extent of me ever working on any kind of vehicle. And I don't really know anyone close to me here in Los Angeles who DOES know much about cars, let alone RVs- so purchasing a 42 year old rv was probably not the smartest move, but, well, After reading through this forum, I can see you'll all understand how I saw the coach and couldn't help it!  And I'd had it in 3 shops thus far and every mechanic that's driven it has been over the moon with how good of a condition the engine is in (Which is a relief!) And I'm 100% wiling to learn how to care for i! And excited about the prospect of getting it road-worthy.
I've included a list of the things I've had done, and I'm wondering a couple things...
1) Is there anyone in the area (its up in Aqua Dulce, CA) that would be willing to run me through some basic troubleshooting of the coach and what to look out for on the road? Maybe some basic common repairs I'll end up having to do if there's trouble? I have AAA roadside but I don't want to rely on that for minor things that I should know how to do myself. I've literally driven it once so far, and the biggest thing I drove before this was the Taurus! So while it's 'small' to some this thing is a monster to me!
2) Is there anything big I'm missing from the list below that I should do before I try to take it out on a trip a few hours away?
3) I'm hoping for my first attempt to replace the vinyl inside thats on the walls/ceiling - its sagging/missing in a lot of areas. Also the particle board (i'm guessing thats what it is?) That's underneath looks pretty gnarly. I'm wondering if I need to pull that out too and replace it. I've watched some videos on youtube about that, my big thing isn't the aesthetic so much as getting some insulation in there... which brings me to #4
4) There's no blinds, or the ones that ARE there are the originals and pretty rotted/bad off. Its so hot inside! I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find the dimensions for them, or for the windows themselves. It was suggested I drive with generator running and AC on but I don't want to do that and drain the gas...I'm thinking I'll remove the current ones and put up something temporary for the moment while I'm sprucing up the interior. Hoping to make curtains as the end game. I've seen interior diagrams online but nothing with the window-specific dimensions. Can someone point me to a link there?Or if someone has made curtains for theirs, what size they made them to best fit? I swear I've googled this to no end! And lastly...
5) I see a lot of the rv's up at the storage place have covers over all of their tires (the 'storage place' is basically a huge fenced in/gated dirt lot - it does have a hose and sewage dumping station and I think air to fill your tires but nothing else) - the storage owner said its to keep the wheels from rotting in the sun....is that something I need to worry about??
Thanks everyone for any suggestions or tips!
Cheers,
Roxanne
Upon purchase 07/16 had:
New refrigerator - runs on propane and electric
New roof AC unit
New tires
Original Onan gennie starts but won't draw power/or power house (replaced, alas)
New toilet
New brakes
New batteries (original mechanic i took it to replaced these and charged me  lesson learned!
10/16-12/16
Replaced Fuel pump
Replaced Fuel lines
New Engine batteries
New House batteries
New Oil cap
New extended exhaust pipe (6') to deal with fume problem in back of RV
Changed Engine oil
Roof resealed for leakage
Rear window replaced (broken) (this was due to the production - if you're interested, it's called XX and it's on Amazon Prime, the section with the GMC is about 20 min in -we threw someone through that rear window)
01/17-08/17 (in work yard/stored entire time)
New headlights and taillights and rewired
Generator: Replaced Onan generator, added new control board, oil and air filters changed, tune up, fuel hose, electrical box and wiring, electrical remote pigtail, exhaust down pipe, wood and metal supports added to fit compartment
New seals on all windows and reglued stationary glass
Replaced upper running lights front and back, rewired
Solar system install 200 watt system
2500 watt inverter/remove panel on/off switch installed
Resealed water tank (custom end plate built & adhesive bond to cracked tank, new sensor installed.)
New water pump
New ladder installed
Seatbelts installed front bucket seats
Interior electrical checked and rewired/replaced where needed
2 roof top max air vents installed
Front driver seat window replaced
New battery isolator & aux. battery cables
Roxanne Benjamin - 1975 Eleganza II 26'
East Los Angeles!
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