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Pianodan · 03-04-2010, 08:42 AM

Hi, I thought I'd check in and re-introduce myself. My DW and I live in the "frozen Nort" in MN. We've had our "classic" motorhome now since '03, it's seen a lot of miles (coast to coast), and a lot of upgrades/changes since we bought it. Here a list from most recent to when we bought it:

Remote operated shades on driver's and passenger side windows

New Re-man engine from Reviva Mfg through GearHead Engines | Remanufactured Engines | Crate Engines | Reconditioned Engines | Used Engines | European Engines , real good people, 24 month unlimited miles warranty, got about 10k on it so far and 9 months (old engine had #1 piston meltdown). Collateral repairs included new bushings on the front springs and stabilizer bar and new gas charged shocks.

New Allison factory Re-man 545 tranny (old 542 had a reverse gear issue, common to 542 trannys at about 100k mi) going on 3 yrs old. Collateral repairs included new brake pads all around (the calipers were frozen up, and the pads were almost to the metal).

New Dometic fridge in '06, original blew out the ammonia that year.

Renovated interior from kitchen forward, rebuilt top cabinets, flat screen LCD TV, Surround sound home theatre system, new tight weave indoor/outdoor carpet in living room (brown), new captain's chairs up front, simulated wood floor in kitchen, roll vinyl that looks so much like real oak it's fooled a lot of people, and new remote controlled Fantastic vent fan to replace original.

I think there's probably more, but I can't remember it. When I had to replace the engine (I did the job myself), people were wondering why we didn't just sell it and get another one. I told them, we own this one lock, stock and barrel, I've got most of the bad stuff corrected now, why borrow to buy another, even if the price is good. I'd have to start over again.
Since we bought it I've bought 5 new tires, got two new BFGs on the front, a pair of new Michelins on the right rear, and I'll be buying another new pair for the left rear this summer. That way, I only have to buy new tires two at a time every 5-7 years.