Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » just curious
| just curious [message #219896] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 17:46  |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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I just recently took a great trip out to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Mnt Rushmore and Custard Park. I drove my Scion XB and stayed in a cabin on a ranch, the lodge at Old Faithfull and Motels and the way back. On all the drive I kept seeing different motorhomes. The open plains I saw alot of the big diesel motorhomes, but when I got into the parks I would see alot of the class C motorhomes from rental outfits and also private owned. I was asked several times if I took the GMC on the trip...just wasn't wanting to do that on this trip...feel like I need to have TBI and disk brake conversion if I were to consider it. My question is do you guys hop around in the mountains and take these lengthy trips in yours? I'm in KCMO so it would be a drive to get out to the parks.
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
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| Re: [GMCnet] just curious [message #219897 is a reply to message #219896] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 18:03  |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Tom,
We use our coach typically 10K to 12K miles a year. We did Florida this past winter and Tucson the 2 previous winters and will be going back again to Tucson this winter. We really enjoy the West and winter 2012 after leaving Tucson heading home we did Yuma, Lake Havasu, Kingman, Hoover Dam, Skywalk, Grand Canyon NP, Flagstaff, Albuquerque, The Steak house in Amarillo and on to OK and the GMCMI Spring Convention in Shawnee. From Shawnee we headed home back to Midland, MI If you keep waiting to do things to your coach then it will never leave the yard and be a yard queen.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
On Aug 25, 2013, at 6:46 PM, tom geiger <tgeiger@burnsmcd.com> wrote:
>
>
> I just recently took a great trip out to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Mnt Rushmore and Custard Park. I drove my Scion XB and stayed in a cabin on a ranch, the lodge at Old Faithfull and Motels and the way back. On all the drive I kept seeing different motorhomes. The open plains I saw alot of the big diesel motorhomes, but when I got into the parks I would see alot of the class C motorhomes from rental outfits and also private owned. I was asked several times if I took the GMC on the trip...just wasn't wanting to do that on this trip...feel like I need to have TBI and disk brake conversion if I were to consider it. My question is do you guys hop around in the mountains and take these lengthy trips in yours? I'm in KCMO so it would be a drive to get out to the parks.
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] just curious [message #219899 is a reply to message #219898] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 18:14 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Forgot to add, my 403 has 106,000+ miles. Burns a quart of oil in about
1200 miles. Engine has never been apart. Drive em. That is what they were
made for. If it isn't a crime to let one sit, it should be.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 Gmc Royale 403
On Aug 25, 2013 4:08 PM, "James Hupy" <jamesh1296@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have a 78 Royale with a 403 w/quadrajet and headers. I have a 3:70 final
> drive and a manny tranny. Stock rotors on the front w/Heavy Duty calipers
> w semi metallic pads. Std MC and drum brakes w semi metallic 2 3/4"
> linings. I do have larger wheel cylinders on the forward bogie and
> stainless flexible brake hoses front and rear. Last year we crossed west to
> east through the mountains that are a continuation of the Cascade range
> that included 18% uphill and downhill grades. Also crossed the Canadian
> Rockies as well as the Grand Tetons in the USA. 7005 miles in one trip.
> Also crossed the Siskiou summit on I 5 4 times. No brake problems or wheel
> bearing problems either. I do not tow.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or.
> 78 gmc Royale 403.
> On Aug 25, 2013 3:47 PM, "tom geiger" <tgeiger@burnsmcd.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> I just recently took a great trip out to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Devils
>> Tower, Mnt Rushmore and Custard Park. I drove my Scion XB and stayed in a
>> cabin on a ranch, the lodge at Old Faithfull and Motels and the way back.
>> On all the drive I kept seeing different motorhomes. The open plains I
>> saw alot of the big diesel motorhomes, but when I got into the parks I
>> would see alot of the class C motorhomes from rental outfits and also
>> private owned. I was asked several times if I took the GMC on the
>> trip...just wasn't wanting to do that on this trip...feel like I need to
>> have TBI and disk brake conversion if I were to consider it. My question
>> is do you guys hop around in the mountains and take these lengthy trips in
>> yours? I'm in KCMO so it would be a drive to get out to the parks.
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
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| Re: just curious [message #219903 is a reply to message #219896] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 18:40 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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| tgeiger wrote on Sun, 25 August 2013 15:46 |
I just recently took a great trip out to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Mnt Rushmore and Custard Park. I drove my Scion XB and stayed in a cabin on a ranch, the lodge at Old Faithfull and Motels and the way back. On all the drive I kept seeing different motorhomes. The open plains I saw alot of the big diesel motorhomes, but when I got into the parks I would see alot of the class C motorhomes from rental outfits and also private owned. I was asked several times if I took the GMC on the trip...just wasn't wanting to do that on this trip...feel like I need to have TBI and disk brake conversion if I were to consider it. My question is do you guys hop around in the mountains and take these lengthy trips in yours? I'm in KCMO so it would be a drive to get out to the parks.
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Tom,
Living in the Southwest, we have little choice but to "hop around in the mountains". We have owned our coach for a little over five years, and because we both still work full time, we can't use it as much as we would like. That hasn't stopped us from putting over 20,000 miles on it (Four times more than the PO). We have been to all the states that border AZ plus TX and OK and from sea level to 8,000 ft elevation, mostly towing.
Over the five years of ownership, we have upgraded to a 3.70 LSD final drive, Dave Lenzi hubs and knuckles, Ferguson control arms, Chuck Aulgur disc brake reaction arm brakes, etc. But we have driven the coach in all forms from bone stock, to the stage it is in now. No fear!!! Get it out and use it. Make the changes as you go along.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] just curious [message #219904 is a reply to message #219899] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 18:41 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Unless you drive it really hard, there is no need to put on EFI or disc
brakes.
Yes, I sell it all, but there are some fundamental things you need to
address first, otherwise you'll be on the side of the rod with EFI ans disc
brakes.
Call me so we can discuss what you need to address first.
I have and still travel those roads there and know what you can do without
spending funds on something that will not achieve what you need.
On Sun, Aug 25, 2013 at 4:14 PM, James Hupy <jamesh1296@gmail.com> wrote:
> Forgot to add, my 403 has 106,000+ miles. Burns a quart of oil in about
> 1200 miles. Engine has never been apart. Drive em. That is what they were
> made for. If it isn't a crime to let one sit, it should be.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 Gmc Royale 403
> On Aug 25, 2013 4:08 PM, "James Hupy" <jamesh1296@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I have a 78 Royale with a 403 w/quadrajet and headers. I have a 3:70
> final
> > drive and a manny tranny. Stock rotors on the front w/Heavy Duty
> calipers
> > w semi metallic pads. Std MC and drum brakes w semi metallic 2 3/4"
> > linings. I do have larger wheel cylinders on the forward bogie and
> > stainless flexible brake hoses front and rear. Last year we crossed west
> to
> > east through the mountains that are a continuation of the Cascade range
> > that included 18% uphill and downhill grades. Also crossed the Canadian
> > Rockies as well as the Grand Tetons in the USA. 7005 miles in one trip.
> > Also crossed the Siskiou summit on I 5 4 times. No brake problems or
> wheel
> > bearing problems either. I do not tow.
> > Jim Hupy
> > Salem, Or.
> > 78 gmc Royale 403.
> > On Aug 25, 2013 3:47 PM, "tom geiger" <tgeiger@burnsmcd.com> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> I just recently took a great trip out to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Devils
> >> Tower, Mnt Rushmore and Custard Park. I drove my Scion XB and stayed
> in a
> >> cabin on a ranch, the lodge at Old Faithfull and Motels and the way
> back.
> >> On all the drive I kept seeing different motorhomes. The open plains I
> >> saw alot of the big diesel motorhomes, but when I got into the parks I
> >> would see alot of the class C motorhomes from rental outfits and also
> >> private owned. I was asked several times if I took the GMC on the
> >> trip...just wasn't wanting to do that on this trip...feel like I need to
> >> have TBI and disk brake conversion if I were to consider it. My
> question
> >> is do you guys hop around in the mountains and take these lengthy trips
> in
> >> yours? I'm in KCMO so it would be a drive to get out to the parks.
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> 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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>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] just curious [message #219906 is a reply to message #219904] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 19:41 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| jimk wrote on Sun, 25 August 2013 19:41 |
Unless you drive it really hard, there is no need to put on EFI or disc
brakes.
Yes, I sell it all, but there are some fundamental things you need to address first, otherwise you'll be on the side of the rod with EFI ans disc brakes.
Call me so we can discuss what you need to address first.
I have and still travel those roads there and know what you can do without spending funds on something that will not achieve what you need.
--
Jim Kanomata
|
Wow,
If that is not right from the horse's mouth....
(No Jim, I'm not calling you any part of a horse.)
I was about to write that we have a '73 that was well maintained and in case you didn't read my technically boring trip report. Maintain your coach and that is what you can expect. We didn't climb any mountains this trip, but if you go back to the report I wrote in the spring, realize that we crossed West Virginia the WRONG WAY. Windy goat trail roads in second gear for big chunks of time. The term I now use is milling the mountain.
We have put 9k on the coach this year and expect to clear 12 by the time I start the winter work. Branson alone will almost do it.
We were part of a classic and vintage RV show about a month ago. We had the map with the colored tracks. People asked if I planned to restore it (some of the little trailers there were beautiful restorations) and I would tell them that I hoped to wear it out. When they heard that we had done 8000 miles that year and would add 3 more by the end of the month, they got the plan that just because it is old (like some people here) there is no reason it can't do what it is supposed to do.
Call Jim and talk to him.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: just curious [message #219907 is a reply to message #219896] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 19:57 |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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This certainly gives me motivation to get it out there next time. I had wondered for safety sake if the disk brake conversion was something I needed to do but it sounds like not.
Some of the things I took away from the trip was that it was absolutely amazing scenery, and I had to have more time out there. So I'm thinking the GMC would be good to take the next trip out. I'll give Jim a call and discuss more on what needs to be done. Thanks guys
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
[Updated on: Sun, 25 August 2013 20:44] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: just curious [message #219908 is a reply to message #219896] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 20:00 |
chasingsummer
Messages: 434
Registered: May 2011
Location: asheboro, nc
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I do 3 to 5 long weekends each year with mine, It has been on the blue ridge parkway. Over the NC mountains with me twice so far.
Mostly stock, I try to maintain it without jumping in over my head. If you are not up to hundreds of miles from home, then find a nice campground close by. Short trips close to home can help with the confidents for longer trips. Just keep in mind anything can break. I am up to maybe averaging 2000 miles per year as a total. Ever trip I take makes me want to take another.
Motors do better being used rather than sitting.
455. 120k plus miles, and I have not started using oil yet.
I pay approx 40 cents more per gallon for the real stuff, and I have always been a fan of sea foam and marvels mystery oil.
I did notice that once I installed my vacuum gauge , that I give staring at my temp gauge a break.
brian
asheboro, nc
75 eleganza, 74 build
119k miles and counting,
DOG HOUSE
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| Re: just curious [message #219910 is a reply to message #219907] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 20:10 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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| tgeiger wrote on Sun, 25 August 2013 17:57 |
This certainly gives me modivation to get it out there next time. I had wondered for safty sake if the disk brake conversion was something I needed to do but it sounds like not.
Some of the things I took away from the trip was that it was absolutly amazing scenery, and I had to have more time out there. So I'm thinking the GMC would be good to take the next trip out. I'll give Jim a call and discuss more on what needs to be done. Thanks guys
|
Tom,
The only thing I HAD to do was the hubs/knuckles/bearings. Even the other front end work was somewhat optional. I chose to do the lower final drive because I tow a lot, including a 4,000+ pound trailer/Jeep combo. The reason I went with the Limited slip is because I tow said Jeep and trailer on a dirt road to a soft, sandy campsite at the dunes. The reason I upgraded the brakes was for my own peace of mind. My original brakes worked well, but would slide the rear wheels under panic stopping.
As Matt stated, a well maintained stock coach will get you anywhere you want to go.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: just curious [message #219915 is a reply to message #219910] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 20:54 |
mschultz
Messages: 113
Registered: September 2010
Location: Maple City, MI
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I think you are getting some good input here. We have taken a couple of 3,000 mile trips in our 403 77 PB. Now that we are both retired, next month we are planning to head west and down the coast and spend the winter in the southwest. Looks to be a 10,000 mile trip over 6 months. It should be an adventure. The GMC does a fine job of getting us there and now we are going to put it through it's paces. We are turning over 100,000 tomorrow on a 4 day camping shake down. I am thinking it is a good omen. I have done just about everything I can and afford to date. Each time I renew or improve the 'Pickle', I know it is a step in the right direction as far as reliability and comfort. As I stated in an earlier post today, The Jim's, the Forum and the black list play a big part in feeling that no matter what, somebody out there in the GMC community always has your back. I know of no other group that steps up to the plate more. Thank You All!
M Schultz
77 403 Palm Beach
Michigan
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| Re: just curious [message #219921 is a reply to message #219907] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 21:26 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| tgeiger wrote on Sun, 25 August 2013 20:57 |
<snip>\Some of the things I took away from the trip was that it was absolutely amazing scenery, and I had to have more time out there. So I'm thinking the GMC would be good to take the next trip out.
<snip>
Thanks guys
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Tom,
Wait until you see that scenery with the HD Wide Screen that is a
GMC Windshield......
And Michael from Maple City =
We came through your part of the state last week. It is a beautiful part of the country.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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