Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Body off Frame Total Restore How To
| Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #183969] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 05:25  |
ronxxx
Messages: 11
Registered: September 2012
Location: Indiana
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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We just purchased a 1973 Glacier 2600 and it has never been updated at all. My plan is to take the body off the frame and completely restore from ground up. I am hoping someone has details on what would be the best way to handle this. (videos, pictures and text form if possible.) Does anyone have any ideas.
Thanks, Ron
rwroth1@frontier.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #183976 is a reply to message #183969] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 08:03  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Ron,
There are LOTS of photos to help you and others will direct you to them;
you'll be overwhelmed with information.
But before that happens, let me fulfill my responsibility as
resident curmudgeon: Are you SURE a '73 model is what you want to invest
a couple of years of your life in restoring? Remember that there were a
LOT of improvements made in the basic structure and the accessories between
the '73's and the '77-'78's. Just to mention a couple: The floor
structure of the '73 was completely redesigned for '75, along with a lot of
other improvements. A little higher up the chain, the dash A/C was
redesigned for '75, and AGAIN for '77 -- only then did it achieve
acceptable performance. You'll learn more as you study the available
information.
It's your time, sweat, and money, but if I were about to jump in to this
wonderful pool for the first time, I'd at least start with a '75+ basic
coach.
JMHO,
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 6:25 AM, ron wrote:
>
>
> We just purchased a 1973 Glacier 2600 and it has never been updated at
> all. My plan is to take the body off the frame and completely restore from
> ground up. I am hoping someone has details on what would be the best way to
> handle this. (videos, pictures and text form if possible.) Does anyone have
> any ideas.
>
> Thanks, Ron
> mailto:rwroth1@frontier.com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #183977 is a reply to message #183969] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 08:07 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Ron,
Not to be wise a$$ but my idea is "Don't do it."
Use the coach for a while. You may discover that you don't like it for any number of reasons.
Better to find that out now before you've spent countless hours and dollars on something that may not suit you after completion.
Over the past 10 years I've seen posts on this forum from many people that start huge projects with their coaches but get overwhelmed and offer the coach for sale without ever having used it.
Others seem to be doing multi year restorations and never use the coach.
The netters who seem to be having the most fun are the ones who get the coach safe and mechanically sound and then drive it regularly.
Jmho.
Sent from Trails Rut RV Park- Gurnsey Wyoming beside the North Platte River along the Oregon Trail in a GMC.
Virgin Mifi not working In case Gene Fisher is watching.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #183980 is a reply to message #183969] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 08:21 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| ron wrote on Tue, 11 September 2012 05:25 |
We just purchased a 1973 Glacier 2600 and it has never been updated at all. My plan is to take the body off the frame and completely restore from ground up. I am hoping someone has details on what would be the best way to handle this. (videos, pictures and text form if possible.) Does anyone have any ideas.
Thanks, Ron
rwroth1@frontier.com
|
Welcome to the net Ron,
This link is to one of the more thorough frame-off's -- but he is also doing a lot of custom modifications.
http://www.cathy-ron.com/GMC%20MAIN.html
While I understand the opinions vary on the 73 models -- if you have a good example for a project -- why not.
Dennis
BTW, the above project may be for ssle -- as the owner has other priorities.
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #183994 is a reply to message #183977] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 10:23 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Ron,
I'm probably the poster boy for doing something DUMB! I bought a GMC Downunder that had been gone through but the quality of the
workmanship didn't meet my standards so I tore it apart. I got the front end and steering rebuilt completely then I started on the
interior which I gutted. That was 4 years ago, it's still in pieces (a fact that Helen reminds me of quite frequently). I SHOULD
have gone through the mechanicals and left the rest alone and used the bloody thing!
Double Trouble on the other hand has been a rolling work in progress and is slowly getting better and better. The only major project
is the rear bogies, I want to disassemble, clean, inspect, and replace the bushings if necessary. I do have a Paterson engine and
Manny (Switch Pitch) Tranny to go into it but that won't happen until next year.
If you do decide do a ground up restoration you will be following in the footsteps of Steve Southwood and Smurfie. He's doing a
complete mechanical rebuild but not taking the body off the chassis. Helen and I are going to stop in and say Hi to Steve and
Lauralynn this coming Saturday on the way to the Great Lakers Rally in Elkhart, IN.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: gene barrow
Ron,
Not to be wise a$$ but my idea is "Don't do it."
Use the coach for a while. You may discover that you don't like it for any number of reasons.
Better to find that out now before you've spent countless hours and dollars on something that may not suit you after completion.
Over the past 10 years I've seen posts on this forum from many people that start huge projects with their coaches but get
overwhelmed and offer the coach for sale without ever having used it.
Others seem to be doing multi year restorations and never use the coach.
The netters who seem to be having the most fun are the ones who get the coach safe and mechanically sound and then drive it
regularly.
Jmho.
Sent from Trails Rut RV Park- Gurnsey Wyoming beside the North Platte River along the Oregon Trail in a GMC.
Virgin Mifi not working In case Gene Fisher is watching.
--
Gene
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #183999 is a reply to message #183969] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 11:28 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I will echo the comments from others on this topic.
1. Ken has a very valid point in that the structure of the later coaches is superior in many ways to the earlier ones windows/floor/rear wheel wells/rear suspension just to name some big changes.
2. As Rob said, without using the coach you wont know for sure what changes or improvements you desire and you may run in circles making it "perfect"
3. This one is my 2 cents, you can buy a really good coach right now for probably one half to one third of what you will end up investing in your project NOT COUNTING YOUR LABOR. When I started my 77 two years ago this November a "good clean coach" with recent major mechanical upgrades was about 25k plus. Currently I have seen some offered for under 15k in similar condition. If you have covered space to park them I would buy a functional coach and use it while you THINK about ripping into the other one. You may find that you can make a few adjustments to the functional one and be happy. Once you rip the other one apart it will be practically worthless until it is completly finished.
That said, I am finished with the body/glass/mechanical systems on mine and am currently working on finishing the interior. I am using the coach now however we cook on the barbecue and have no functional interior plumbing. The wife has no interest in entering until the interior is finished which simplifies the dirt bike camping I do with my son  . My coach had a recently rebuilt engine/trans/final drive and 6 wheel disc conversion with Alcoa hot shot wheels and bfg commercial ta's when purchased. I am near the stated 25k mark and will have exceeded it by the time the interior and electronics are finished. As hindsight is 20/20, I would not repeat my steps but follow step 3 above. If I did decide to rebuild one while driving another I would definately remove the chassis from the body for the restoration as if you have enough covered space for all of it you will end up with a much nicer finished product with less time/effort and money. Working on the chassis while under the body sucks.
Here are a few photos.
Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
[Updated on: Tue, 11 September 2012 11:34] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #184004 is a reply to message #184001] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 12:03 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 11 September 2012 11:34 |
Dennis,
Ron embodies the definition of PERFECTIONIST that's for sure.
I asked him how much he wanted for the coach awhile back and he noted he hadn't decided on selling it; he might give it to his kids.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Dennis Sexton
Welcome to the net Ron,
This link is to one of the more thorough frame-off's -- but he is also doing a lot of custom modifications.
http://www.cathy-ron.com/GMC%20MAIN.html
While I understand the opinions vary on the 73 models -- if you have a good example for a project -- why not.
Dennis
BTW, the above project may be for ssle -- as the owner has other priorities.
--
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Rob,
I would love to see his coach "in-person" -- he has so many special modifications that would be great to understand.
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #184012 is a reply to message #183969] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 13:15 |
GMC_LES
Messages: 569
Registered: October 2009
Location: Montreal
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Ron,
A few years ago I was new to the GMC world and purchased a 75 Eleganza II.
It had been sitting for several years and I new it would need some work. I
decided to do what you are planning to do, a body off the frame rebuild.
Well it is now nearing the end of 3 years of ownership and my coach is
still far from being usable. I now regret going this route as the task of
re-assembly will consume a major part of my personal time, which my
wife reminds me that I don't have enough of as it is.
I can tell you that what ever time frame you figure your project will take
to complete, it will take double that and then some. A 39 year old coach is
going to have lots of surprises lurking in the deepest corners. Most of
those surprises won't stop you from using your coach, but if you pull it
apart, you will want to fix them, and the to-do list will become
overwhelming, possibly to the point that you might be forced give up
without ever completing the rebuild. There are numerous coaches that have
suffered that fate and have been sold at a loss, or have become parts
coaches.
My advice is to do a thorough inspection of your coach and fix anything
safety related. Keep it simple and just start using it. You can always
decide to pull it apart later when you have identified the issues that
bother you.
I am a mechanic that has a hard time trusting the unknown when it comes to
travelling in an old vehicle and being several days from home. I don't like
to be stranded and at the mercy of total strangers. That was the main
reason for pulling my coach apart before ever using it. I wanted to become
familiar with the entire machine. Was it a wise choice? In retrospect, I
don't think so. If you are skilled enough to tackle a body-off rebuild,
then you are skilled enough to handle just about any problem that might
arise while travelling. Just be sure to fix the nmajor issues before
hitting the open road. These coaches are extremely simple and actually easy
to work on compared to modern vehicles.
Happy motoring!
Les Burt
Montreal
75 Eleganza 26ft
On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 6:25 AM, ron <rwroth1@frontier.com> wrote:
>
>
> We just purchased a 1973 Glacier 2600 and it has never been updated at
> all. My plan is to take the body off the frame and completely restore from
> ground up. I am hoping someone has details on what would be the best way to
> handle this. (videos, pictures and text form if possible.) Does anyone have
> any ideas.
>
> Thanks, Ron
> mailto:rwroth1@frontier.com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Thanks,
Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza II 26ft
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Les Burt
Montreal
1975 Eleganza 26ft
A work in Progress
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| Re: Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #184029 is a reply to message #183969] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 15:28 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| ron wrote on Tue, 11 September 2012 03:25 |
We just purchased a 1973 Glacier 2600 and it has never been updated at all. My plan is to take the body off the frame and completely restore from ground up. I am hoping someone has details on what would be the best way to handle this. (videos, pictures and text form if possible.) Does anyone have any ideas.
Thanks, Ron
rwroth1@frontier.com
|
Ron,
I like your plan.
BUT....
You need to consider a few things first:
1.) How much time do you have?
2.) How much time will you have left when done with the coach?
3.) How much money do you have?
4.) How much money will you have left when done with the coach?
5.) How much experience do you have in using RV's in general and GMC's in particular?
6.) How much experience do you have in repairing RV's in general and GMC's in particular?
7.) Do you have space to cover/store your project for the amount of time needed? (This could easily be 5 to 10 years. AND the space will need to be at LEAST twice what is needed to store a complete coach.)
--
To explain some of the questions:
Completing a project of this size will take a LOT of man hours. These could be yours, friends and family or someone you pay to do the work... but anyway you go it will be expensive. (One way or another.) How old will you be when the project is done? IE: how long would you reasonably expect to enjoy the coach when it is done?
For example: I am in my 50's. My grandfather was driving well into his 90's, I expect to be driving at least into my 80's. That would give me 30 years if completed today. If it takes 10 years to complete the project... I would get only 20 years use. So... I had better get started if I am going to get any kind of return on investment! (See below.)
I have thought about this problem, Your plan matches the plan I have for my #3 coach. But I have not really started the disassembly... yet. Good thing too. The wife has announced she wants to move to Arizona! Imagine having to move a coach with the frame and body separated!
Anyway back to you:
With todays market for RV's in general, the prices of nice usable coaches is fairly low. The prices of parts are high or higher than before and labor is fairly flat. It does not make sense to buy a basket case unless you are SURE you want a total rebuild.
As a general rule, in any market, I do NOT recommend to anyone to do any MAJOR work on a coach until they have used the coach for a season or two. As long as you can make it safe and usable... USE IT.
Sully's (sgltrac) comment: "If you have covered space to park them I would buy a functional coach and use it while you THINK about ripping into the other one." has merit. It would also give you something to use when your project is going on. (My use for my #2 coach.)
Then when you know what you want it to end up with, then you can start your project, keep motivated to finish and end up with something you'll want when done.
As to the year of the coach to select for a "total off-frame" project: There are advantages to each year. (Many claim the early 77's are the "best.") The earlier coaches are lighter and the leveling system is a bit simpler and in some states the emissions requirements are MUCH better. The later coaches have other advantages. But as you are doing a complete rebuild, you can "mix and match" for the best features (including non- OEM upgrades) for YOUR use.
Please consider the above questions BEFORE you start.
While I do not have a "real" interest, I do not want to see another coach gutted with high hopes, then not finished and sold for scrap a few years later.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #184042 is a reply to message #184040] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 17:02 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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I totally agree Larry, it depends upon the goal. My goal was to have an attractive dependable motorhome for use. For that end I made the wrong choice. I enjoy working on the GMC but if I wanted a GMC to use in the immediate to near future its not the right call to restore one in my opinion. This is especially true if you are not retired yet.
Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #184046 is a reply to message #184042] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 17:36 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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I did like the comment about emissions standards. I feel the pain, but only from afar. Be interesting to see a list of the differences in the various States, from the most difficult to the easiest. Mississippi and Alabama, you have got to be kidding. Emissions Inspection, what emissions inspection?
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #184051 is a reply to message #184046] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 17:59 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
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Tom, in Washington state no emissions and vehicle qualifies for historic lic plates so no annual registration fees.
Sully
77 royale
Seattle wa
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 11, 2012, at 3:36 PM, Thomas Phipps <tph1pp5@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I did like the comment about emissions standards. I feel the pain, but only from afar. Be interesting to see a list of the differences in the various States, from the most difficult to the easiest. Mississippi and Alabama, you have got to be kidding. Emissions Inspection, what emissions inspection?
> Tom, MS II
>
> --
> 1975 GMC Avion, under forever re-construction
> Vicksburg, MS. 3.7 miles from I-20
> _______________________________________________
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body off Frame Total Restore How To [message #184055 is a reply to message #184051] |
Tue, 11 September 2012 20:09 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Yeah, here in California, 1976 and newer need to be smogged every two
years. I suspect if it fails, you are going to want to fix it just to
improve your mileage, I'm inclined to run 1975 or older, just to be
legal about no longer having an exactly stock motor, intake, and
exhaust. Given some of the other stuff on the thread, it looks like I
want 75 only.
Thanks for the info,
Ron
San Francisco bay area
On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 3:59 PM, Todd Sullivan <sgltrac@gmail.com> wrote:
> Tom, in Washington state no emissions and vehicle qualifies for historic lic plates so no annual registration fees.
>
> Sully
> 77 royale
> Seattle wa
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 11, 2012, at 3:36 PM, Thomas Phipps <tph1pp5@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> I did like the comment about emissions standards. I feel the pain, but only from afar. Be interesting to see a list of the differences in the various States, from the most difficult to the easiest. Mississippi and Alabama, you have got to be kidding. Emissions Inspection, what emissions inspection?
>> Tom, MS II
>>
>> --
>> 1975 GMC Avion, under forever re-construction
>> Vicksburg, MS. 3.7 miles from I-20
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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--
Plato seems wrong to me today.
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1973 26' GM outfitted
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