THE ULTIMATE PROJECT
A GMC MOTORHOME FRAME UP RESTORATION
SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO DO IT YOUR WAY
Note the building height is 12'clear in this area. Techniques described used at your own risk
RUSTED FRAME (note bolt through air bag holes/ keeps them from flopping all over and helps to lift afterwards/ I used two floor jacks to place bolt/ heavy--be careful/ removed both bogies/ all protruding objects from the outside of side rails were removed and labeled)
UP ON 2-4x6x18ft (Note) 2 wheel dolly to move 4x6 into position, /tight to inside of al. side rail / used 2 floor jacks to lift into place/ to back of front wheel well / some areas on top of beam had to be notched i.e. side u body mounts and propane gas lines / coach is still being supported by numerous jack stands(8)(3ton) on original frame/ made 6 heavy duty jack stands non-adjustable 18.5 in. overall with good base 4x3x5/16 angle and 1/4 top plate 3x6in with 2 holes to lag to beam/ 3in 3/16 pipe
UP ON FLOOR JACKS WITH HOMEMADE NONADJUSTABLE JACK STANDS
(Used 4 hydraulic automotive type 2.5 ton or better/ raised up coach on one side high enough to lower adjustable jack stands approx. 2in under frame/ weight now on car jacks via frame rail (I used 2'2x4s to increase the footprint of the floor jack against the frame rail)/ lowered automotive jacks to allow coach to rest on wood beam. One side of coach on wood beam and frame rail resting on the adjustable jack stands on one side. Did the same on the other side. Note: I did this by myself, so I went back and forth many times raising and lowering the automotive jacks so as not to spring the coach. The coach is now being supported on the wood beam/ lag bolts to beam)
KIND OF SCARY, 2 PULLING IN FRONT, ONE STEERING FROM UNDERNEATH AND ONE CHECKING CLEARANCES ( Holding tank removed before, gas tanks drained before, all connections from engine to coach disconnected and labeled with same color tape to each end, note the fabricated jack stands were made not to protrude past footprint of wood beam, although maybe not needed to be made this way- they work great! and they are not in your way while you are scooting around on a shop dolly making things better underneath?)
A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS , SOME GRUNTING AND IT IS OUT
NOW YOU HAVE 2 LARGE THINGS/ other uses/ cut side frame 10' back reinforce(remove tension on torsion bars) put on trailer wheels, seat, small gas tank, voila- large go cart (probably a real screamer)/ remove engine frame leave underneath(if not rusted), fabricate trailer frame to replace engine frame, voila, 25 yr. old GMC trailer/ cut fenders off, fabricate fifth-wheel trailer hook up. So don't just throw your very adaptable GMC / invent a new use!
"REAR OF ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION"
"DRIVER SIDE RAIL AND GAS TANKS -- On my coach, the sending units made indentations and holes in the al underbody pan, original gas lines, hard and brittle, original, gas tanks not leaking, the long fill tube from outside fill was rusted at fastening areas, it is made out of steel and coated with lead, gas tanks renewed by Renu.
REAR SECTION WAS REMOVED BEFORE PULLING OUT FROM UNDER COACH BODY - side rails are 16'8" long, the closest 3 cross members make up the boogie frame, the holding tank fits bwt. rear section of boogie frame, the darker areas along the side rails are where body and frame rest together. I was amazed that coach is only attached to frame in 8 places, four of them through plywood !
REAR BOGIE FRAME WAS A SOB TO REMOVE -COULD NOT CUT RAILS WITH TORCH- NEEDED AS PATTERN - by this point because of all the buildup of rust bwt. bogie frame and side rails I used 4x4s, so I would not distort cross members, bogie frame has moved about 1.5 ft, used hammer to loosen rust, even pulled somewhat at the back, back end of rails were both out about 4in.- still stuck- more hammering and giggling of everything, yea :)! Oh no! Another big thing to put somewhere. Now we have 3 biggies!
GOOD FRIEND AND HIS WOOD LYMAN BOAT(ABSOLUTELY MINT) MY HEAVY MOVER TO THE LEFT
FRONT VIEW OF ENGINE FRAME MINUS SIDE RAILS
REMOVING ENGINE
NOT MUCH LEFT EXCEPT MESS- ENGINE FRAME AROUND THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING BEING SANDBLASTED
TRANSMISSION HANGING FROM BEAM WITH BACK COVER REMOVED SHOWING SPROCKETS WITH MASSIVE CHAIN (WOULD YOU BELIEVE THAT SEVILLE GOT THAT WAY BECAUSE I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ANTENNA AND FOUND SOME RUST? JUST WHAT I NEED, MORE WORK AFTER THIS PROJECT)
ENGINE FRAME SANDBLASTED AND PRIMED
ENGINE & FRAME - A LITTLE BIT LATER- LOOKS NICER- FIRING UP!
FREDDY'S BUTT(Best buddy died7/6/99) AND THE NEW SIDE RAILS MINUS HOLES
SIDE RAIL DRILLING--rails 3/16" x 16'8", inside bwt. 5 25/32" -scribed center lines outside of new rail: scribed center line on inside of old side rail: placed old rail from left side on top of new right side rail; matching center lines through center holes of old rail; clamped every 3ft.; used 17/32, 13/32 transfer punches; 4shock holes bigger; supported rail bwt. 4 wheel swivel dolly and oily drill surface; easily indexed; etc. for other side. CAUTION- MAKE SURE TOPS and FRONTS ARE RIGHT! FUN TO DO! DIFFERENT?"
Other Problems Found
Burnt insulation first two panels above mufflers
Floor bottom plywood exposed, no discernable heat damage
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Adohen
Supply Co (My attempt to offer products used on the GMC at a
significant savings, Fan-tastic ventsŪ, Thomas 317 compressors and pulleys--more
products coming:).
Visits to website since February 19, 1999
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
my.02 cents