1973 GMC 26' Glacier Build

[Matt Colie]

Kid,
The only minisplit install I have seen pictures of has the condensing unit on the rear bumper. That going to make anything aft of the rear window problematic. I believe one should carefully consider restricting that option.
But Hey, it's your coach...
Matt

 

[kidjedi]

Kid,
The only minisplit install I have seen pictures of has the condensing unit on the rear bumper. That going to make anything aft of the rear window problematic. I believe one should carefully consider restricting that option.
But Hey, it's your coach...
Matt

The guy who posted the unit I linked installed his where his propane tank used to be (he runs all electric with Lithium Ion and plenty of solar). It's completely invisible. If you are starting from "scratch" (not sticking to the original layout and components), I think there are plenty of other options for mounting the condenser unit as well. I also think the rear can be an OK option as long as you plan wisely.

 

[Moabaz]

I apologize, I might’ve missed a previous post. Are you guys saying that you can put a mini split system for a house in your coach? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

 

[kidjedi]

I apologize, I might’ve missed a previous post. Are you guys saying that you can put a mini split system for a house in your coach? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

We're sort of derailing Bikertrash's build thread and should probably start another thread on this topic, but yes. There have been several people who have successfully installed household mini-splits in their coaches. They are many times more efficient than the roof top units (the one linked is 18 seer!), but more importantly (at least to me) they are almost infinitely more quiet inside the rig. You can actually have a normal volume conversation while your A/C is running! Plus, a lot of the units are also heat pumps, and can heat the rig as well (albeit only by electric). A point of note: heat pumps have become much more "usable" in the past 10 years. It used to be they only worked down to around 35 or 40 degrees F, but the one previously linked will actually work down to 0 degrees F. (!!!)

 

[Moabaz]

Kidjedi, Thank you for your reply. I apologize for what will seem like dumb questions. I am new to the forum and do not know where to find the link you mention. Does anybody have any photos of the way these are mounted? I am rebuilding a coach from the ground up in January. This setup is intriguing to me. Does it use the same 4000w generator? Where do you put the compressor? It would seem it needs to be on the outside of the coach.

 

[kidjedi]

Kidjedi, Thank you for your reply. I apologize for what will seem like dumb questions. I am new to the forum and do not know where to find the link you mention. Does anybody have any photos of the way these are mounted? I am rebuilding a coach from the ground up in January. This setup is intriguing to me. Does it use the same 4000w generator? Where do you put the compressor? It would seem it needs to be on the outside of the coach.

Annoyingly it is on Facebook (I wish the Facebook people would just join this Forum). You may need to join the Facebook group Classic GMC Motorhomes to be able to see the link, but the group has some decent information every once in a while. Here is a specific link to one of Riley Gibson's posts on the "installing a minisplit in your GMC" topic...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/classicgmcmotorhomes/posts/3058673427590507

Riley Gibson has posted (on Facebook) the most specific information on the topic, and has been using his set up successfully for most of the summer.

 

[Matt Colie]

I, for one, am glad that the FB people stay away. I only got there to try to inform some new owners of the community and what it can help them with, but while watching I saw two owners of saveable coaches either scrap them or sell them for the towing fees because they took the wrong (very wrong) advice.
Matt

 

[kidjedi]

I, for one, am glad that the FB people stay away. I only got there to try to inform some new owners of the community and what it can help them with, but while watching I saw two owners of saveable coaches either scrap them or sell them for the towing fees because they took the wrong (very wrong) advice.
Matt

Yeah, that's why I didn't write "all" the people. ;-) But there is definitely some good info. over there. And definitely more of it. I'm used to the Airstream forums. There is a lot of garbage to sift through ("How do I change my house battery!?"), but there's also years and years of tons of really valuable information.

 

[Matt Colie]

Kidjedi, Thank you for your reply. I apologize for what will seem like dumb questions. I am new to the forum and do not know where to find the link you mention. Does anybody have any photos of the way these are mounted? I am rebuilding a coach from the ground up in January. This setup is intriguing to me. Does it use the same 4000w generator? Where do you put the compressor? It would seem it needs to be on the outside of the coach.

Moabaz,
The minisplits are interesting, but there are trade-offs always.
They are quieter and more efficient than most of the available roof top units.
You should be able to run one on the Onan BF APU with no difficulty.
They can be purchased a heat pump so they both heat and cool, but only with APU or shore power.
Servicing will not require climbing.
The owner on FB mounted the condenser and compressor on the rear. This would be a disadvantage if you chose to two or carry anything on the rear.
The evaporator will use internal storage space, this can be a toss-up if you remove the OE heating system.
I have seen this in other RVs.
Matt

 

[Moabaz]

Yeah, that's why I didn't write "all" the people. ;-) But there is definitely some good info. over there. And definitely more of it. I'm used to the Airstream forums. There is a lot of garbage to sift through ("How do I change my house battery!?"), but there's also years and years of tons of really valuable information.

Well, not being a fan of social media, and even less of Zuckerberg, I will have to rely on whatever my new friends on this forum have to say. If anybody has some info (outside of Facebook) to help me, I would appreciate it.

 

[Moabaz]

Matt, thanks for the reply. So, on the bumper or forget it? That might be tough as we planned on transversely mounting a scooter on the back. i really like the idea but am having difficulty imagining it. A picture is worth a million words for me!

 

[Matt Colie]

Moabaz,

Two things here:

First, this is a community of supportive and helping people. So much so that some have been put off by the forwardness of those that write here and on the old forum (yes, there is another and it also contains a amazing amount of information) but do not be. Both here and there we have some with huge amounts of specific experience. The good way to annoy them is to not take the advice as offered. Both here and there, those giving less than proper instructions will get shot down promptly.

Second, all we know for a fact is that you plan a complete overhaul of a coach that is either a 23 or an early coach. All the longer and later coaches were fit with Onan NH. To this end, please include a sigfile. You must have noted that most of us do have one. It would be nice if included a real name. It is so awkward when one meets another owner and it turns out you have known him for a while but did not have a name. A short about the coach helps too. This should include not just the year and model, but major mods that might affect your issues. It is also great if you include a location. This is a supportive community and you may already have a very nearby old friend that you just have not had a chance to meet yet.

So, Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum. Most of us are here to help other owners.

Matt

 

[Moabaz]

Wow, Matt, thank you very much for the informative reply. I will figure out how to put the info at the bottom. My name is Rick Russek. I live in Scottsdale, AZ. I have a 26' 1975 with Avion interior. I own an Off-road Camping Trailer business. We have been making them for 13 years. www.moabaz.com
We are normally slow in January and February so my guys are going to take the body off the frame in our shop and gut it. I did much research on these RVs and decided it was the best shell for my needs. The interior will be completely redesigned with a rear queen and a dry bath and an indoor/outdoor kitchen. I also own a 1976 26' and a 1973 26' gutted by the previous owner. I bought the other two in case I will need parts but will resell them if I do not. My goal when finished is to have a rig that drives like my 2002 Suburban. I do not need anything fancier than that but something as dependable as that.
I have watched more youtube videos about RV minisplits than I can count since this thread started. I am very excited. My plan is to mount it on the rear bumper with a box around the front and the sides but not the rear. I think I will try to figure out how to have motorized louvers open up on the front. I think it will look better than seeing the unit on the bumper but still be functional with airflow.
Thanks again for the short history lesson and taking the time to reach out to the new guy!
Rick

 

[Moabaz]

I am not sure how to add the info at the bottom.

 

[Christo]

I am not sure how to add the info at the bottom.

Go to your Account Details (either via the icon at the top of the page with your profile pic, or via the User Menu at the bottom of the page) and select Signature, then add your signature info. Here's a direct link to the Signature editor:

https://www.gmcmotorhome.org/account/signature

 

[ScottC]

Wow it finally cooled down, I got the exhaust down and taking it to my buddies garage to get new made any suggestions on mufflers? I know I need to get the copper gaskets for the manifolds, any particular brand or style? I will start on the final drive this week.

 

[Christo]

Wow it finally cooled down, I got the exhaust down and taking it to my buddies garage to get new made any suggestions on mufflers? I know I need to get the copper gaskets for the manifolds, any particular brand or style? I will start on the final drive this week.

I prefer Remflex gaskets. Be sure to get the right ones for manifolds vs. headers. Also, I've been happy with the Magnaflow mufflers my PO installed (and the stainless pipes and Thorley headers for that matter!).

 

[ScottC]

I prefer Remflex gaskets. Be sure to get the right ones for manifolds vs. headers. Also, I've been happy with the Magnaflow mufflers my PO installed (and the stainless pipes and Thorley headers for that matter!).

I got a new pair of Magnaflow Glass Packs (18146) with the coach but I figured that would be to loud and drone rolling down the highway. I am not doing the headers, thanks for the suggestion on Remflex I will check into that.

 

[ScottC]

This is what I found

PN 11-003 -- Oldsmobile, 400 ('65-'69), 425 ('65-'67), 455 ('68-'74), Manifold Applications, 2/Set

OLDSMOBILE Header Exhaust/Manifold Gasket

REMFLEX EXHAUST GASKETS are extra thick as well as soft and compressable. REMFLEX gaskets fill voids on warped header flanges and exhaust manifolds. REMFLEX gaskets are good to 3000 degrees. REMFLEX gaskets won't burn out. No retorquing required.

catalog.remflex.com

 

[Christo]

I got a new pair of Magnaflow Glass Packs (18146) with the coach but I figured that would be to loud and drone rolling down the highway. I am not doing the headers, thanks for the suggestion on Remflex I will check into that.

My Magnaflows are shaped like regular mufflers and they're quiet on the highway. Nice throaty sound at idle.