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04-04-2015, 03:59 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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The Dog House
I don't generally don't develop emotional attachments with mechanical things like boats, airplanes, or vehicles to the point of giving them a name. I do develop a deep appreciation for form, function, innovation, and implementation. That started my search for a diesel pusher classic and the subsequent purchase of the 95. I've spent 3 years striving to make perfect. I've developed an obsession to convert it to air ride suspension. I've done a lot of research and came to the conclusion that the only reasonable approach would be to find a donor vehicle and preform a transplant. I knew the Spartan EC2000 chassis came with Granning Air Ride as an expensive option.
A couple weeks ago a sad looking 94 Classic pusher popped up on eBay. I wouldn't have given it a second look except the description stating it had Air Glide suspension. I immediately called for more information and told the lady seller that if it was still available when I got back in town I'd come down and look at it. Fountain CO is only a hour and a half drive. Within hours the listing showed sold. A few days later the phone rang and she said the deal fell through it was available. We made an appointment and drove down to look at it. I actually had no intention of buying it but thought it would be an opportunity to check out the air ride suspension. And possibly test drive it. My intentions weren't totally dishonorable as some potential buyers wanted me to check it out.
The pictures didn't do it justice as it was uglier in real life. It had a big ugly air scoop stuck to its side, the clear coat was totally deteriorated, the graphics were painted over and pealing. The door latch was messed up making the door very hard to get open. The Kwikee step struggled to extend and looked like it had hit more than one curb or stump. The interior was very dusty and done in a hideous blue.
But one look underneath and there it was!
As I looked closer I couldn't find a spot of corrosion anywhere. Per the carfax it had spent its entire life in desert climates. Closer examination of the skin revealed that it was free from dents and scratches. A perfect candidate for polishing out. The interior was dusty but not human dirty. The fabric was still a hideous blue but in pretty good. Shape. The cabinetry was nearly perfect.
It started right and sounded great. We headed down I25 like a big bird. Great power and not a puff of smoke. The emissions test showed it was running very clean. The ride was the most impressive difference between it and my 95. Even on some unsafe at any speed rotted and worn rear tires.
I crawled around it for another hour. Brakes, steering, hoses, belts, plumbing, electrical, roof... Everything looked great. We decided to make an offer. I asked for there best price and they came back with a price I couldn't refuse. Wrote a check and drove home wondering what I was getting into.
...more...
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04-04-2015, 04:15 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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Drove down yesterday and met the sellers brother at the bank. They cut him a cashier's check and he signed the title. We drove out to his place and I checked the fluids and headed over to the tire shop. I put 6 Michelins on it.
Took a bit longer than planned and I didn't want to drive it home in the dark. We decided to spend the night at a KOA in Fountain plug it in and check everything out.
We spent a bunch of time wiping down surfaces and making up the bed with bedding we brought from home. Lights all worked as did all 4 heaters. We did find this blanked in the closet.
Kota said he didn't mind the blue.
I said, "your a dog! Dogs can't see color!"
...more...
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04-04-2015, 04:38 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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The owner said they didn't have the time to remove their camping gear and we should pitch anything we didn't want. We woke up this morning at the KOA and started going through the drawers. Found some real treasures like this 1983 Emergency CB radio.
Attachment 235596
Some usable stuff like a heavy bottle jack and a nice set of stainless dishes for Kota.
The trip home on the new tires was uneventful and a real pleasure. Much tension as the ride is vastly better. I think it will be great for those long days.
The Palmer divide was no challenge. I ran 70 to 75 all the way. It does shift at higher points than the 95 which I've always felt were too low making it lug. I often over ride it to run a lower gear. The 94 wants to run higher RPMs than I like. You can't over ride it to run a higher gear.
I did notice some shudder in 4th gear with a lesser amount in 5th. I think it's slipping when it gets hot. The maintenance records show a history of transmission issues. I'm thinking the clutches are about shot. I can get the MD 3060 rebuilt for about $2500 or a used one for $1000.
Not a planned expense but somewhat expected based on the inspection of the tranny fluid. I was hoping a flush and filters would take care of it.
Anyway, it's home and safely in the barn.
Dave...
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04-04-2015, 05:05 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Looks beautiful!
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04-04-2015, 05:42 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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It's got a lot of potential but it's going to be a project.
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04-11-2015, 11:22 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 883
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Kota,
Any idea which one you are going to keep?
__________________
1994 36' Classic Diesel Pusher
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04-11-2015, 02:15 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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Both!
Actually, the jury is still out. The 94 has 100,000 miles of drive train neglect. The 95 has been meticulously cared for. Allison synthetic...
I've been through it end to end and it's ready for Alaska. Just starting on the fun and cosmetic stuff.
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04-11-2015, 06:12 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 883
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Nice!
__________________
1994 36' Classic Diesel Pusher
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04-12-2015, 06:28 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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The Dog House
We will use the 95 this camping season or until I get the 94 roadworthy. At that point I figure out which one to continue on with. Lots of work ahead but the experience on the 95 will make this one go much faster.
Evaluating the air ride will be the determining factor. The springs with the Goodyear G630RVs and new Bilstien shocks really improved the ride. It's totally acceptable but I have high expectations of the AR.
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05-13-2015, 06:48 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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The Dog House
I've been documenting my efforts on the "happy camper" in the mechanics corner forum. The hard work it starting to pay off. I have it in a "roadworthy" condition and took it up to Longmont for an emissions test so I could get my plates before the temp tags expired. The previous owners definitely dumped it because they were tired of throwing money at it with no positive results. It apparently had a catastrophic engine failure in 2004 and got a factory reman engine. Soon after the air-compressor came loose and it lost oil. It was towed into Cheyenne Wy. The driveshaft was reinstalled a spline out of phase causing a driveline shudder. The oil leak caused the radiator to plug up with a blanket of dust and overheating problems set in. Most of the problems have been resolved and it running very nice.
The emissions test and oil analysis look great. I don't think any harm was done. I believe the engine has about 5000 miles on it.
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05-13-2015, 07:46 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1982 31' Airstream 310
champaign
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,072
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Nice work Kota. Brought it back to life. Good luck with it what ever you decide to do with it...........WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO WITH IT???? Hehehehehe, one for week day and one for week ends?
Mike
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05-14-2015, 05:46 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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The test drive's not over. Looks like the neglect hasn't resulted in permanent damage. Jury is still out on the air ride. They actually ride and drive very nice on springs. Especially with good shocks, good tires,and proper inflation. There is something eloquent about the simplicity. The air ride needs some work to get the auto levers working correctly. I need to set up the ride height. The bags and probably shocks need replacing.
In any case one will get sold this fall.
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05-14-2015, 05:55 PM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
1991 30' Airstream 30
San Francisco
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 463
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Did the 95's not have rear panoramic windows?
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05-14-2015, 06:44 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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Pretty much identical to the 94
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05-18-2015, 05:59 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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It actually cleaned up pretty decent inside.
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05-18-2015, 06:00 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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05-18-2015, 09:25 PM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
1991 30' Airstream 30
San Francisco
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 463
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Nice! No chair or mini couch next to the door? I wish I had the couch option not the chair...I wonder about getting one custom made?
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05-18-2015, 10:10 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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05-18-2015, 11:14 PM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
1991 30' Airstream 30
San Francisco
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 463
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Looks like they had a TV there...
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05-19-2015, 06:50 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SebasSF
Looks like they had a TV there...
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Imagine the TV on that wall with the sofa replaced with:
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