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Old 04-01-2014, 09:18 PM   #1
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1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs , Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 883
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360 Diesel Pusher

Hello all,

I have been a member here for a few years. Mostly to research and learn. My wife and I were interested in camping with 'all the comforts' of home a few years back. We started doing research and as luck would have it, a family member wanted to off-load their fifth wheel. We got it and never spent a night in it, because it was infested with mold from a leak they never fixed. After that sour experience we decided to do a bit more research. We started looking around for what lasts, and saw fifth wheels do not make it too far past 10 years. Then we gave up and started looking for what was around that had been around. This killed off the fiberglass coaches and trailers. That left prevost and airstreams.

We decided on searching for a 30' s/o or 34' airstream. During the search for a couple years we had two close deals, but after two years of searching we ran across a classic motorhome. Both of us said "THAT'S IT!!!" We started searching, but alas we only found 454 gassers. We are a diesel family, and wanted diesel. Almost wrote the whole thing off, then during a night of research we came across viewrvs.com and just happened upon a diesel for the first time. Sadly it was an archive.

The important lesson here was the diesel airstream existed. So... five years ago we started looking for an airstream. Three years ago we discovered the diesel airstream existed. Last month we purchased our first airstream. Our new to us 360 Diesel Pusher. We are planning on taking her on a shakedown cruise this weekend. We are going to get the steering adjusted, alignment set, and dash A/C looked at on Friday, and then will go for an overnight at a state park, two if they can get her fixed up fast enough.

Things already done: The dash blower motor was making a horrible sound and would die. Took the kickplate out, had a look, and PO had a small wire for the ground, so added a thick bolt, large eyelet, and large wire to make a solid ground. Blower motor works great.

Things done:
1. Cleaned and detailed bumper to bumper.
2. Corrected wiring on Dash blower motor.
3. Installed a seat belt in the seat across from the couch. (PO forgot to pull theirs from their original seat when they installed the new one.)

Things to do:

1. Steering adjustment (Friday)
2. Alignment (Friday)
3. Dash A/C (Friday)
4. Plastic surround at the rear is cracked on either side and wooden cabinets are causing the split to grow (using a flexible epoxy, used a scissor jack some wood scraps to prevent points of pressure and a PVC pipe as an extension to jack up the shelves for the setting of the epoxy, awaiting the full cure time complete tomorrow)
5. Repainting the whole rear plastic surround thing to cover the patina of aged plastic.
6. Solar system: Amazon.com: Go Power! Solar Extreme Complete Solar and Inverter System with 480 Watts of Solar: Automotive
7. Backup Camera repair (might replace the CD player with this and run a camera to it: Amazon.com: Jensen VM9414 Single DIN MultiMedia Receiver with 7-Inch Inch Flip Out Touch Screen, Integrated Navigation System: Car Electronics)
8. Tranny fluid change
9. Oil change
10. Air filter change (in route for delivery)
11. Reupholster the dinnette

If I won the lottery
1. In-motion cable
2. Quiet Diesel 5500 generator install, with fuel line from main tank
3. Hire a nanny/driver to deal with the pauses in between fun
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Old 04-02-2014, 06:54 AM   #2
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Ludington , Michigan
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Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy ours.

20,000 miles in 3 years and it's never let us down. It has become my endless project. Care and preventative maintenance are the key.
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Old 04-02-2014, 08:56 AM   #3
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360 Diesel Pusher

Just a heads up. Like your heater motor, mine had a few DC electrical issues. They have all been due to poorly implemented grounds. Many of the grounds on mine were a screw through the carpeting. As the carpet compacts over time the connections become loose. This was the case on my HWH leveling system, vacuum pump, dash heater motor, and coach power solenoid. Correcting the grounds solved all the problems the PO had been fighting. Possibly why he unloaded it.
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Old 04-03-2014, 08:14 PM   #4
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1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs , Colorado
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This is the plastic rear surround repair. The rear cabinets were overloaded, and caused the surround to crack. PO used screws in the top at a 45 deg angle down to secure. Used a scissor jack with wood and a pvc pipe to lift it while the adhesive cured. 72hrs later Significant improvement, repair is aesthetically pleasing.

Bad News: The truck repair shop canceled my appointment tomorrow for the alignment, steering adjustment, and dash AC diagnostic/repair.
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Old 04-03-2014, 09:06 PM   #5
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1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Saint Petersburg , Florida
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uh-oh, thinking I need to go out and look at my bedroom cabinet wrap. Sure hope that not cracks. Always have used it strictly for bedding (Sheets, pillow cases, and if I'm lucky, an extra blanket. Heavy stuff needs to be low in motorhomes anyhow, don't need to raise our Center of Gravity any higher than it already is....
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Old 04-05-2014, 12:54 PM   #6
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1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs , Colorado
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Did a shakedown cruise at milford lake, have another day to go. Found a neat bonus tucked away in one of the drawers. Airstream key chain, motorhome version! Working on the aisle lights, and discovered every one is burnt out. Will pick up 8 bulbs, four for install, and four for our spares drawer.
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Old 04-06-2014, 07:45 PM   #7
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1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs , Colorado
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During the shakedown cruise we had a lot of firsts with the RV experience. It was an absolute blast. The family and I actually relaxed. As a result of the weekend I have ordered the following:

1. LED replacement bulbs for all of our interior lights except florescent fixtures.
2. Ordered one cabin bright replacement for a florescent fixture to see if it is worth it. If so will replace others.
3. The plastic slide cover on the screen door was cracking at the top and bottom closest to the outer door frame when closed. I used more automotive goop on it. This is the same adhesive I used on the rear plastic surround repair. Seen below.
4. The screen was in rough shape, so I pulled the spline, and ripped out the old black nylon screen and replaced it with an aluminum screen. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes. Only wish I had taken a before pic.
5. Went around and tightened all the cabinetry handles with my Phillips head SD.
6. Noticed the TV up front was not wired into the coach's speakers, but the stereo had an auxiliary input. Ran a male-male 3.5mm wire from the headphone input on the TV to the stereo so we can watch movies with decent volume.
7. Added a decorative front license plate to her, but need to find a new one. The one I had was one a friend of mine gave me. Just better than the PO's old plate sitting on the front.
8. Joined Good sam club, and cummins diesel power club.
9. The skylight's inner plastic was cracking and curling in at the corners, pushed them back out, and used automotive goop to repair.

Current projects:
1. Install the LED's
2. Do a windshield repair on a small crack (1") in the passenger side glass.
3. Research the banks twin ram air.
4. See if a machine shop will do a forward facing aluminum or chrome scoop for the intake instead of the flush mount black one.
5. Continue researching Solar addition (looking at go power's product still.)
6. Use remainder of the aluminum screen to screen the back side of my refrigerator vent.
7. Zip tie a bundle of wires I found resting on the steering input shaft so it is held closer to the frame. (no damage yet)
8. Zip tie 6" lengths of flea collar to the top of each axle near the tires.
9. Identified a small leak at the water pump. Will need to detach and inspect. What do you gents recommend for a good water pump?
10. Noticed the engine batteries drop to 8v on start requiring auxiliary battery for every start. The PO left the reciept for the batteries in the glove box. Will go to walmart and see if we still have them on warranty. otherwise will need to get a new set of batteries for the engine. Over time I plan to replace all with optima batteries, unless you gents have a better recommendation.
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Old 04-06-2014, 07:58 PM   #8
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More pics. It was too windy for the main awning.
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Old 04-08-2014, 04:54 PM   #9
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Looks like a nice park. We are heading east in a couple weeks and may plan a night there.
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Old 04-08-2014, 06:19 PM   #10
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You know, for that growing crack, try drilling a stop hole right at the end of the existing crack. It works well for aluminum and steel; it should work well for plastic, too.

For a stop hole I drilled to stop the MG's "crack of doom" (do internet search), I then glued in a small plastic screw with flexible glue, sanded down the screw head to make it very thin, and repainted the area to leave what appears to be just a small lump. That was some 20 years ago, and the crack has not advanced at all.


Lynn
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Old 04-08-2014, 08:05 PM   #11
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Colorado Springs , Colorado
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Lynn: Thanks! The top right picture with the crack is before applying automotive goop, the second from the bottom in the left column is the crack after applying and curing the automotive goop. As far as I am concerned it is currently fixed and will require a repainting in the near future. Do not know what to do with it yet.

Dakota: Let me know if you do, would love to have two spots next to each other and get picks of the two beauties together.
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Old 04-08-2014, 08:42 PM   #12
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Vycan, Your patients paid off in a big way...nice rig
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Old 04-09-2014, 05:37 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vycan View Post

Dakota: Let me know if you do, would love to have two spots next to each other and get picks of the two beauties together.

We need to end up in Michigan first part of May. Last year we took the north route and got stuck in a snow storm in northern Minnesota for 3 days. If we head across 70 I will let you know.
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Old 04-10-2014, 08:05 AM   #14
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1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
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Team,

What is the best way to clean your awnings?
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Old 04-11-2014, 12:44 PM   #15
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Vycan. I also have a 95 36 diesel pusher which I bought from the original owner last October. My wife an I have been on the road with it since the end of Feb and are currently in Naples fl I have been quite satisfied with the rig. I'm pulling an 86 vw diesel jetta. Loaded and pulling the car I have been getting 12.8 mpg on the AS so I am ok with that You will enjoy yours. We went to the Fl AS rally in Ohio key and we had the only 36 pusher there among a lot of AS motorhomes. Good luck with it
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Old 04-11-2014, 01:43 PM   #16
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Greenwood , Mississippi
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Any mild dish washing soap- Joy, Dawn-
That is the great thing about canvas vs. vinyl awnings.
Love your rig- my most favorite motor home in the wide world...
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Old 04-12-2014, 05:17 PM   #17
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1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
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Screening the hollows,

I was not happy with the ease of access for critters behind the fridge, so I added aluminum screen to it. They were left overs from my screen door project. After that I added the screen for the hot water heater, and purchased the prefabbed ones for the furnaces. Pics of all installs. Yes, she has two furnaces, but they look the same, so only posted one picture.
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Old 04-12-2014, 05:47 PM   #18
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1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
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PO had an accident just before the sale of their unit.
Attached is the damage right after it happened. Notice the light housing outboard edge is flush with the centerline trim.

Took the time to do some body work with it, but could not get access high enough to fully work it out. Will need to go into the bedroom, and remove some panels to get access to everything. So the second picture is the 80% solution.
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Old 04-12-2014, 05:55 PM   #19
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The first picture is the end of my screen door project. I sadly did not take a picture of it before the completion picture. Before, it was a black nylon screen. Looked like a few grasshoppers had their way with it in a few locations. It was pushed in and ripped all along one side next to the door body, and had the outline of dust they get from age in the areas with the most air flow. This was the result of about an hour of work.

The second picture is from when, I noticed the plastic cover was cracked and splitting (mentioned in previous posts), repaired it with automotive goop.

The last picture was after both were complete and I saw gaping holes from those damned insects to get into our home! Added some foam gasket material to it, and sealed them all up.
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Old 04-12-2014, 06:53 PM   #20
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There are two drain tubes from the roof A/C units. Prime target for the mud dobbers. You will wake up wondering if you wet your Jammie's!
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