Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Starting the Search (Looking for my first GMC motorhome)
| Starting the Search [message #349379] |
Thu, 17 October 2019 11:34  |
Greg C.
Messages: 224
Registered: October 2019
Location: Knoxville, TN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hi everyone: I have been lurking on this site and others for quite some time as I have always admired and wanted to own a GMC. I have been to a couple of GMC gatherings, and I live about 3 miles from Chuck Boyd (on the Black List) who along with his wife Cathy have been very kind in answering my annoying questions and given me tours of their coaches.
My wife and I currently have a buyer for our second home, which, once it closes, will give me the ability to purchase a GMC. The point of my post is to gain some knowledge of what the majority of the brain trust here would consider a "must have" for a prospective coach. Below are a few of my preferences, open to suggestion:
*Coach is ready to use, with minor mechanical or cosmetic upgrades needed.
*Updated interior
*26' or 23'
*Rebuilt trans with 3:55 gearing (is this a good idea?)
*Rebuilt front end with grease fittings added to the bearings
*Newer paint
*Renovated fuel tanks, new fuel lines
*Working generator
*Ability to tow a Jeep Wrangler
I have the ability to do all things mechanical including an engine replacement, but I'm not as young or gung ho as I used to be. I like doing upgrades and improvements, and putting personal touches on my projects. But I don't have enough life left to get into a full blown restoration, hence the desire for a coach that is pretty much done, or nearly so. I realize that these can be purchased for amounts starting at practically zero to in excess of six figures, and I think I've read somewhere on here that one should figure to spend $30,000 at a minimum, either up front, or along the way, to get a GMC that can be reliably cruised around the country.
My goal right now is to start looking actively after the first of the year and hopefully get a coach by summer.
What should I be thinking about on my preferences? I appreciate any and everyone's advice on this adventure.
Thank you.
Greg Crawford
KM4ZCR
Knoxville, TN
"Ruby Sue"
1977 Royale
Rear Bath
403 Engine
American Eagle Wheels
Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
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| Re: [GMCnet] Starting the Search [message #349384 is a reply to message #349379] |
Thu, 17 October 2019 14:19  |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Greg C.:
I am not an expert but have quite a bit of personal knowledge/experience - owned 5 GMC’s in past 6 years (26’s and a 23’er).
Am not a mechanic but willing to twist a wrench (just once in a while)!
23’s are easier to drive/park although 26’s handle well when properly set up & have more room inside.
In my humble opinion a 3:55 final drive would do well in a 23’, but a 3:70 fd would be my preference for a 26’ if changing one out.
$30,000.00 is about the right figure for a nice and road ready GMC coach. You might spend more than 30k if starting cheap and redoing lots of stuff.
I will have my best coach (a Cross Country Ready 26’ coach - totally remodeled and upgraded w/ rebuilt Dick Patterson 455 and rebuilt Manny Traveo 3:21 switch pitch tranny) for sale in a month or so. It will be in Tx. for the winter (Nov. - April) and at the Glen Rose, Tx. Classics rally in last wk of Oct. this year. No pressure - just info and you might want to look it over to see what a 30k coach looks like!
Mike/The Corvair a holic
76 Eleganza II 26’ (my best) “Elly”
76 Glenbrook 28’ stretch (“Dream Machine”)
78 Glenbrook 26’ project coach
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 17, 2019, at 11:34 AM, Greg Crawford via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Hi everyone: I have been lurking on this site and others for quite some time as I have always admired and wanted to own a GMC. I have been to a couple
> of GMC gatherings, and I live about 3 miles from Chuck Boyd (on the Black List) who along with his wife Cathy have been very kind in answering my
> annoying questions and given me tours of their coaches.
>
> My wife and I currently have a buyer for our second home, which, once it closes, will give me the ability to purchase a GMC. The point of my post is
> to gain some knowledge of what the majority of the brain trust here would consider a "must have" for a prospective coach. Below are a few of my
> preferences, open to suggestion:
>
> *Coach is ready to use, with minor mechanical or cosmetic upgrades needed.
> *Updated interior
> *26' or 23'
> *Rebuilt trans with 3:55 gearing (is this a good idea?)
> *Rebuilt front end with grease fittings added to the bearings
> *Newer paint
> *Renovated fuel tanks, new fuel lines
> *Working generator
> *Ability to tow a Jeep Wrangler
>
> I have the ability to do all things mechanical including an engine replacement, but I'm not as young or gung ho as I used to be. I like doing upgrades
> and improvements, and putting personal touches on my projects. But I don't have enough life left to get into a full blown restoration, hence the
> desire for a coach that is pretty much done, or nearly so. I realize that these can be purchased for amounts starting at practically zero to in excess
> of six figures, and I think I've read somewhere on here that one should figure to spend $30,000 at a minimum, either up front, or along the way, to
> get a GMC that can be reliably cruised around the country.
>
> My goal right now is to start looking actively after the first of the year and hopefully get a coach by summer.
>
> What should I be thinking about on my preferences? I appreciate any and everyone's advice on this adventure.
>
> Thank you.
> --
> Greg Crawford
> Knoxville, TN
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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| Re: Starting the Search [message #349391 is a reply to message #349379] |
Thu, 17 October 2019 16:20 |
Christo
Messages: 109
Registered: April 2019
Location: Weymouth, MA
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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When I started my search about a year ago I set up a spreadsheet with the features I wanted and the importance of each (1 to 3 points). That way I could easily come up with a score for any coach I looked at. Other than the obvious condition/location stuff, some of the features on my list were: Floorplan, era (73/4, 75/6, 77,8; each era improved on the previous), awning(s), aluminum wheels, airbag setup, macerator, fuel injection, and final drive ratio as you already observed. I agree that 3.50 - 3.70 ratio on a 26' is highly desirable. Best of luck with your search. I know of a really nice one near me that you should PM me about when you're ready to start looking -- I would have bought it if it were available when I was conducting my search.
Christo Darsch
GMC Nor'easters
1977 Eleganza II - "The Komet"
3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
Weymouth, MA
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| Re: Starting the Search [message #349395 is a reply to message #349379] |
Thu, 17 October 2019 20:29 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Greg,
You're definitely on the right track and Chuck is a great asset to have locally. You will definitely want to get documentation on the improvements on any potential coach before you commit to the purchase. An oft quoted adage around here is "if there are no pictures, it didn't happen. Same with receipts etc.
If you are planning to tow something as heavy as a Jeep Wrangler, you would be better off with a 3.70 final drive. Also make sure you have a large auxiliary transmission cooler on it.
The '77 - '78 coaches have MUCH better dash air than the earlier coaches and that might be a factor. Paint is expensive, so a decent paint job is a definite plus. The gas tanks and fuel lines may not really be a big deal, if the tanks are not rusted. If the coach you are looking to buy has been used regularly, chances are the tanks are in good condition. It is a lot of work to change the fuel hoses, but not all that difficult.
$30,000.00 is a realistic price, but you can count on probably having more into it when it is all said and done, unless you have the self control to avoid having to do all the expensive upgrades a lot of us have done.
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: Starting the Search [message #349422 is a reply to message #349379] |
Fri, 18 October 2019 18:48 |
Greg C.
Messages: 224
Registered: October 2019
Location: Knoxville, TN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thank you very much for the replies.
A spread sheet would be a good idea!
I have had a couple of gentlemen reach out to me via PM about their coaches, so it seems that the right coach is out there waiting for me to discover/purchase it.
Thank you for your valued opinions. With just these few replies, I have already reordered some of my priorities and added a couple more. This is exactly what I hoped to accomplish by posting the request.
Thanks again!
Greg Crawford
KM4ZCR
Knoxville, TN
"Ruby Sue"
1977 Royale
Rear Bath
403 Engine
American Eagle Wheels
Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
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