Our remodeled 96 HR Endeavor

[RUNDLC]

Well I am fairly new here but I thought I would share what mods we have done on our 96 HR endeavor. We were fairly certain that we would sell this and move to a DP, however it's not in the cards at this moment. I won't say that if things change in the near future we won't be looking again.

We bought this coach a little over a year ago, not long after my mother-in law passed, she enabled us to get it so we named her "Sweet Rene" The coach had good bones but desperately needed some TLC. New to the RV world we set out on our first trip along the coast of California, we had a great time, learned a lot (still are too) and spent a few "extra" dollars along the way for things that had been neglected. After our fourteen day trip we made it back safely, the wife was ready to rip Sweet Rene apart and "freshen" her up some. I wished we had before pics to share but in our excitement to get started we failed to take any. Here is a link to the near final makeover. We installed new carpet and pad, re-reupholstered the couch and chair, re-reupholstered all the valances, bedroom headboard, new cabinet hardware, new lighting fixtures and added a 22" widescreen in the bedroom, added the eating booth and painted the walls. http://tinypic.com/useralbum.php?ua=...LrbgukLQ%3D%3D

Now since the DP is out of the picture for a while we decided to have Sweet Rene AKA "Ugly Betty" spruced up on the outside. My wife changed her name for a short while because our coach looked really nice on the inside but was looking pretty bad after we decided to remove the aging graphics (thought it would look a lot better) WRONG!!

We searched around for a painter who would work with our budget (not many takers though) after some back and forth Sweet Rene was delivered to Tracy California for her new makeover. I know we may loose money in the long run, especially if we sell with-in the next year or so, but it's a chance I was willing to take.
I will keep the thread updated as I get progress updates from the shop doing the work. Here is a link of what she looks like today;

http://tinypic.com/useralbum.php?ua=...5SopohfA%3D%3D

To date we have had the front leaf springs re-worked, installed the new interior, replaced the carburetor on the generator, replaced back-up camera , and I just purchased a trans-command module off ebay to install when she gets back home. We are really DIYer's as much as possible. She really runs great, but I still need to do something with that pesky F53 exhaust system and maybe some new shocks in the future.

I wanted to show a pic of what she is going to look like but the pic that I found has some kind of copyright attached to it so I can't copy it or save the link.

Looking forward to the complete makover


Thanks for looking

[William Willard]

RUNDLC -- My wife & I got quite a chuckle out of your post -- It sounded so much, like what we`ve done to a couple of coaches -- We enjoyed doing them, & when we finally got a new coach, couldn`t wait till we got it home so we could "personalize" it -- Have fun -- Bill Willard

[RUNDLC]

Thanks William! Yea my better half is pretty picky when it comes to decor. Anytime we are looking for DP's the sales person just wants her to leave because everything has to be "ripped" out and changed! LOL, LOL, LOL

I design custom homes for a living (although not many right now!) and going into any coach I see things that maybe a lot of folks wouldn't see. I always think ok how can I remodel this baby to make better. It just seems natural to me, I kinda think I would like to work for an RV dealer maybe repairing and remodeling RV's

[JMonroe]

The interior work looks great. Can't wait to see how the exterior turns out.

[mook1244]

Really nice work!

[Diplomat Don]

RUNDLC.....Very nice work. Good match/design of interior colors.

Exhaust - I had the Ford 460 in my Class "C" with a catalytic converter. It had a 2.5" pipe coming out of the converter. I cut the cone on the back of the converter back to 3", welded on 3" pipe and connected to a 5 ton truck muffler (generic muffler at any muffler shop) and out with a 3" tip. This was a very low priced, free flowing and quiet exhaust. I noticed considerable power improvement. I'm guessing your coach doesn't have the converter, but the 5 ton muffler will do wonders at a reasonable price.

Shocks - On the rear of my class "C", I double shocked the coach. On my model, the upper shock mount was a hole in the frame with a stud on the top of the shock. The bottom of the shock had a hole where a bolt passed thru. I doubled up the shocks by putting one on both sides of the lower mount and running a longer bolt through both of them. On the upper mount, I drilled a second hole adjacent to the first and installed the shock. Again, this was budget way to improve the handling. I just bought the Gabriel gas shocks for the front and rear. I was peasantly surpirsed how well it handled and the double shocks really kept the rear sway down and the rocking when exiting driveways.

I just thought I would throw these ideas out for keeping repairs on a budget.

[RUNDLC]

Thanks for all the compliments!

DD, I can use any tips I can to save money! I have read so much about the banks system being the best stuff to buy that I am tainted. I would love to put regular headers and a free flowing exhaust on to save money and I guess if I am gonna get rid of it in a few that maybe I should go the most economical route.

I'll see if I can find some Hedman headers or similar and check out the price.

[RUNDLC]

Well after about 4 weeks most of the prep work is about 70-80% complete. I can't wait to see some paint flying. Heres a couple of in-progress pics. I am now looking for some used Thorleys or Gibson headers for fighting those hills. Finding used banks would be impossible IMO







More to come later

[chattacuda]

good job; I bet it will turn out so good that you wont ever want to trade it!

[JMonroe]

Going to spray it yourself?

[PNWGirl]

All day I have been looking at the posts of people remodeling their rigs. Is really getting me motivated for Spring when I will be REALLY getting into my remodel!!

Can't wait to see your final product!!

Sheila

[RUNDLC]

Thanks all,

Jmonroe I wouldn't think of it! I don't think I would have the gusto to tackle this job much to big.

PNW you can always start on the interior unless it's to your liking already. I can't wait to see some paint on her either!

I have been searching every darn site I can think of now to find some exhaust headers, don't want to buy new just yet. What rig do you have? Do you have ideas yet?

[RUNDLC]

Just a small update, I was finally able to find some never mounted Doug Thorley headers for my F53! I did have to purchase a different "y" pipe but that ok. I saved around 260.00 finding these on craigslist.

I now have the banks transcommand for the transmission shifting and the free flowing headers that will allow the big 460 to breath a lot better.Now I just have to wait until she comes back from paint

With all the upgrades inside, exterior paint and exhaust mods I will be out of about 10k so my total investment is right at 21k. Now I may not re-coupe all of it in the next year or so, but the next family that gets her won't have to do much! I will get to enjoy her for awhile though.

[PNWGirl]

Congrats on your find!!! I, also, will likely not get the money out of what I am putting into mine- but that is okay. The important part to me is that I enjoyed it and it's a LOT better for me than some other things that I could have spent my money on! Not to mention what I learned that I can apply to my next one

Sheila