It is finished.

[michigandon]

Well, most of the 'teething problems' have been ironed out, and there's just a couple nitpicky things that need to be taken care of.



Here's the new dashboard. The only thing that is not operational at this time is the tach. Guess I cannot complain too much.



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The labels got cut off in the picture, but the LED indicators at the bottom are for turn signals, brake warning, hi-beam, wait to start, water in fuel, and overdrive locked out.



Grid heaters, cruise control, and speedometer all essentially function the same as they did when in the original truck (yes that VDO speedo is being driven off of the OEM speed sensor!). Here's a shot of the PCM mounted in its new home next to the CB:

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Wide open 4" ehaust. All 4" pipe almost immediately from the turbo back. Only has to go through 3 90s and then out the side. Don't think you can get any less restrictive then that!

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Back on its wheels (finally!) and ready for ANOTHER 30 years of service and enjoyment:

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Don

 

[Sojourner]

Nice! Nothing like an oldie but goodie.

 

[BV]

Congrats Don - It might be old but shes better looking then my FrankenDezul with 321,000 farm miles

 

[83 crew cab]

Don you get any mileage figures yet we just a got a 90 cummins to put in our 88 georgie boys was courious on what kind of milage you might get thanks George

 

[michigandon]

Don you get any mileage figures yet we just a got a 90 cummins to put in our 88 georgie boys was courious on what kind of milage you might get thanks George

I haven't tired to figure it out accurately, but we took it on a short shakedown cruise to Houghton Lake and back last weekend and I think we're getting about 12-13 MPG. As long as it gets anywhere in the double digits, I'll be happy. Oo.

 

[Sojourner]

Don, what were you're biggest challenges in doing the conversion?



I really like those older Travcos like yours, and they're just as nice as the old GMC motorhomes and probably more durable and economical relative to driveline/suspension. I think you've got a great combo there.

 

[michigandon]

Don, what were you're biggest challenges in doing the conversion?.

Installing the engine and transmission was the easy part! IMHO the worst part was getting all the related ancillaries hooked up and working properly. I had several really great ideas for different thing that seemed like the schiznit when I installed them... then when I went to bolt on the next piece I would discover that the previously installed componenent was in the way, and I'd have to scrap everything and start all over again. There was many and hour spent just standing around wearing the ol' "thinking cap", and even more time spent going like this: #@$%!



I though the wiring was a real nightmare! Luckily, my better half is a the better electrician on the team, so she hooked everything up using the '93 Dodge Pickup and the '73 Dodge chassis wiring schematics. We did go with a few options that made it a bit more complicated than necessary (you don't HAVE to use the PCM of course, but we wanted an electronic speedometer and an working cruise control). She was 100% successful in making everything work except for that stupid Isspro tachometer! :{ #@$%! But like I said, if that's the only thing not working I can't complain too much.

I really like those older Travcos like yours, and they're just as nice as the old GMC motorhomes and probably more durable and economical relative to driveline/suspension. I think you've got a great combo there.

I've heard several people say that those old GMCs are a real beeeyach to work on. I've also heard that any time the rear air suspension needs to be repaired or serviced, it cost mondo $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I think I'll stick with the rugged simplicity of the Dodge M-400 chassis, thank you.

 

[83 crew cab]

thanks don that is what I was hopping for also

 

[T. Baker]

I just want to say congratulations. Most people who haven't done it don't know how much work it is. People ask me how long it took and I always say does that count sitting there with a cup of coffe pondering how to do the next thing at 3am?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Luckily, my better half is a the better electrician on the team, so she hooked everything up using the '93 Dodge Pickup and the '73 Dodge chassis wiring schematics.

She sounds like a nifty lady. I've only had one GF that would help me out with stuff like that... and it was obvious that she didn't have any interest whatsoever.



I'm glad you got it up and running - the results are well worth the effort.



Matt

 

[RGuzzo]

now thats what I call traveling in styl. congratulations and good luckand hope to see you somewhere in this beautiful country we live in. If your ever in the neighborhood stop by you know they dont call Maine vacation land for nothing . We can bunk you for a night and you can camp right on our own small pond.

 

[edgrim]

Very Cool Hope you enjoy yourself now and take a rolling vacation Oo. eg

 

[Flexiheep]

this may help.

Hey Don,

First off, I like it, very good looking and it will probably suprise a few people to boot, turn up the fuel and start racing it! :-laf

I don't know what tach your running, but it looks like mine, so here is a link to how I finally got mine to work, hope it helps you out.



Isspro tach wiring

 

[michigandon]

Hi Flexiheep.



We have already made quite a few truckers do a double take, not to mention set off the occasional car alarm whilst driving through town. :-laf :-laf :-laf



I wanted to crank up the fuel on her a bit, but Greenleaf did NOT recommend doing so, and I wasn't about to argue with him.



As far as the tach is concerned, your thread was one of many that we used as a reference. Karen wired everything up EXACTLY like everyone said to do so, tried TWO different Isspro tachometer heads... no dice. #@$%! Soooooo... we said to hell with it and installed an Autometer tach at the cookout last weekend. Not sure how accurate it is at the moment, but at least its working. Now I gotta find something else to put in that open spot in the dashboard. Fuel pressure? Oil temperature? Clock?? Suggestions????

 

[HoleshotHolset]

How about an attitude/horizon indicator? Altimeter?



Matt

Now I gotta find something else to put in that open spot in the dashboard. Fuel pressure? Oil temperature? Clock?? Suggestions????

 

[I-6DZL]

Congrat's Don and Karen!!

Glad to see everything fell in place as nicely as it did. Everyone is telling you congrats without seeing the nice workmanship you 2 put into it. You 2 deserve more than congrats, you deserve a pat on the back and a nice weekend out. I'm sure after everyone see's the nice work, they'll supply the pat on the back, and the weeekend out is up to you 2 :

I got to see it in person through a couple of stages, half, and finished, and am happy for you both of you.



Not hi-jack your thread or anything, but would you guys want to take on another repower??

I have a late 70's Ford motorhome, bout the same length, in very good shape (both inside and out) and am looking for the best offer on it. I can supply pictures at request (hopefully if the camera will cooperate) If anyone is interested pm me and i'll give you specific details.



once again Don Congrats

Curtis

 

[michigandon]

Not hi-jack your thread or anything, but would you guys want to take on another repower??

Ummmm, thanks but no thanks. I think it's going to be a mighty long time before we ever begin another project of this magnitude again, if ever. And if we ever do (emphasis on IF!), I'm thinking either a 32' Travco or better yet, a 6CT/allison combo into the back of a late '40s/early '50s Flxible Clipper.



Don