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New2it · 08-02-2007, 09:50 AM

Hi all! Newbie here. Just bought a 1986 AS Motorhome that was originally built by the factory to serve as a mobile computer lab. I'm not sure of the overall length - either 32 or 34.

THE GOOD: Exterior body appears to be in good shape - no dents, no broken glass. It has 5 rooftop airconditioners... It has 43k miles on it but has been serviced regularly. It has a new transmission. The front-end/suspension is all new.

THE BAD: There are no side windows, no plumbing/tanks, no generator, nothing on the interior except a driver's seat! It needs some floor repair work around the wheel wells. The exterior is painted white and some of the paint peeled off when they removed the vinyl lettering/logos.

This thing is truly a blank slate... Now I have to figure out what to do with it!!! I look forward to reading the archives here and will probably need to seek your advice on quite a few things...

This is my first RV (grew up w/coleman pop-up as a kid) so I've got a lot to learn...

I'll try to figure out how to post some pics of the MH for ya'll.

thanks in advance!

lewster · 08-02-2007, 10:06 AM

Hey New2IT,

Welcome to the Forums. You're in the right place.

What an opportunity!!!!!! I would get to an RV dealer and check out the stuff that's out there now, as well as new Airstreams to see what the factory is doing for floorplans. Then go to the Airstream website and look at the floorplans. Actually being in one will help you with the spacial relationships to decide what you want and where.

Not many folks have the opportunity to custom create their own floor plan without first having to rip the old one out.

I don't think you'l really need those 5 roof airs though

. Where did they use this thing......Saudi Arabia? You only need 2, and the rest can be powered roof vents that wil perfectly fill the 14 X 14 spaces, but you must have one hell-of-an electrical system!!!!!

Good luck in your quest and don't be afraid to post here with any questions that you may have.

CanoeStream · 08-02-2007, 10:12 AM

Howdy New2it -- Welcome to the Forums!

I recall postings about a similar moho 2-3 years ago. Is it an Argosy? Yup, it's a blank slate!

1986 computers? Must have had high capacity axles.

Pictures are good!

Measure your between-rib spaces and be prepared to ask about window dimensions if somebody posts about an Airstream they're parting out. Check with members balrgn or Zeppelinium. Another salvage source is Colaws RV salvage yard in Carthage, MO -- they usually have some Airstreams in variable condition.

CanoeStream · 08-02-2007, 10:15 AM

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vswingfield · 08-02-2007, 10:23 AM

With only one poorly working AC on my 34' Excella, I am jelous of your 5. Power to spare.

I agree that replacing some with vents is probably a good idea. Get some weight off the top.

As for windows, the suggestion of the salvage in Carthage looks especially good for you. Only about 130 miles from Tulsa.

I look forward to photos and your progress.

Vaughan

mello mike · 08-02-2007, 10:37 AM

You've gotten excellent advice so far. The thing I have to add is take your time and do your research when it comes to your floorplan. Do you plan on doing the plumbing work yourself? If not, there are several reputable service centers that do that type of work.

The bottom line is that it sounds like you've got good "bones" to work with.

New2it · 08-02-2007, 10:41 AM

Yep, they had a diesel generator on a tandem axel trailer (the kind you see at the Fair, outdoor concerts, etc.) to power all the ACs and about 10 PCs plus Servers, Printers and Networking gear... Can you imagine how much heat this computer equipment would have made back in 1986?

As for the similar post a few years ago, that was me! I became familiar with this unit about 18 months ago and waited for it to go into "Surplus". Then, I had to wait until all other State Agencies had a chance to pick up any of the surplus items they wanted - for free! No state agency wanted it so it went onto the sealed bid list. I'm pretty sure I am the only one who even bid on it. I offered next to nothing and got it! I had posted here 18 months ago to ask ya'll if I was crazy for even trying to take on a project like this. The consensus was - not if I could buy it right...

Anyway, i couldn't remember my old login/password, etc. so I just created a new one today.

I'll try to attach some pics after lunch to give you an idea of the inside.

Thanks!

CanoeStream · 08-02-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New2it

Anyway, i couldn't remember my old login/password, etc. so I just created a new one today.

Is this you? http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...5-a-24786.html

Pictures may not display if there were any in this thread -- a temporary issue just this last hour...

Otherwise I'll PM you and we'll find your previous incarnation.

Cracker · 08-02-2007, 11:22 AM

Wow! I'll bet that you could sell it to a police department somewhere to convert into a crime lab.

Moonstruck · 08-02-2007, 12:13 PM

Hi,

Have you thought that if you put all the ACs on extract you could go 20mph faster! Of course, you'd need quite a long city cable!

I think you've fallen, as many of us do, for the Love of Aluminium! (That's the English version of the disease!)

You take something on, and through love and strife you become part of the legend. Good Luck!

Marc

Let's see some pics

New2it · 08-02-2007, 01:07 PM

I noticed a couple of errors from that old post. It has 5 ACs instead of 4. It appears to be an 86 instead of an 88, and it has 43k miles on it...

Sorry for the resubmission. I'm not an expert on forums, etc...

New2it · 08-02-2007, 01:34 PM

First attempt to post some pics...

Cracker · 08-02-2007, 05:55 PM

On second thought - it would make a great reefer! I'll bet that with all of those A/Cs cranked up you could freeze meat - right along with the driver!

New2it · 08-03-2007, 09:35 AM

Hi All! Thanks for the warm reception to the group. The pics I posted in the earlier thread aren't great but they give you some idea of The Beast's current condition. There are so many things that need to be done - but now I have to create a project plan that gives consideration to minimizing rework... For those of you who have completely gutted one and started over, I'd be curious to get your guidance on these priorities in the attached doc. Thanks for any guidance...

vswingfield · 08-03-2007, 12:44 PM

May I suggest one additional thing under the hood? Replace all the hoses, including the heater hoses. Brake lines and new fluid would be good too.

Looks like a solid plan. You might consider stripping, polishing, and clear-coating.

Keep us informed. Interesting project.

Vaughan

CanoeStream · 08-04-2007, 10:36 AM

Check out the moho section on the http://www.airforums.com/forums/ page.

This is a blank slate but honestly not any bigger a job than what people face with full rehabs. Water & waste. Electrical. Heat. Cabinetwork. Just be sure to keep the weight down on the latter -- do you have the GVWR numbers for your Beast? I'd suggest getting to a rally and figuring out how much material went into the cabinets on a trailer about your length.

Here's a comprehensive restoration thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...ler-11687.html

I recall some others. But can members please post their favorite comprehensive full rehab threads? Thank you!

CanoeStream · 08-04-2007, 03:01 PM

The above 'A 63 for me' thread is by member uwe.
You will want to browse many subsystem areas in the forums link in my last post. The search function is quite capable but takes some practice.

Here are a couple more --
SmokelessJoe - http://www.airforums.com/forums/f227...ase-18448.html. This is a thorough modernizing and reinstallation of all systems onboard.
A-Merry-Can - http://www.airforums.com/forums/f4/s...ent-17197.html. Maybe more structural than you'll be doing but an excellent thread.

Anybody have others they've liked?

Ganglin · 08-04-2007, 06:51 PM

My wife would love you - she makes lists - then makes a list of the lists.

Good luck with your project....

New2it · 08-05-2007, 12:30 AM

I'll check out the archives! My main goal right now is to figure out the logical order of steps - i.e. remove the floor and then do the plumbing, remove interior panels then replace electrical, flooring and then cabinetry, exterior stuff last, etc.

New2it · 08-06-2007, 07:53 AM

Need some opinions from the pros. My AS MoHo was custom built in '86 as a mobile computer lab. They configured the wiring for a diesel generator on a tandem axle trailer. So, it has never had a traditional MoHo generator...

Where are these typically installed? Do they take up a lot of interior space?

Gas, propane or diesel? My MoHo is a gasser?

Is the electrical subsystem complicated/expensive? I.E. is this a D.I.Y. project?

Guesstimate on what the total cost would be to install a generator?

Thanks in advance!