77 ElaII

D

dwayne jacobson

New member
Dec 23, 2005
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I have questions that I know some of you have the answer.
We are recent first time owners of a GMC Classic.
1.Not sure what the best products to a. clean the exterior, b. polish/wax?
2.We have the extra large drivers and passenger seats - I mean huge!!! Two
can ride side by side in the passenger seat.
a. would these be the originals, and how would I be able to find out?
Comment - they provide little space between to access, and for the drivers
seat I found myself sitting in the middle of the seat but had to adjust my
driving habits to handle the steering which is off center to the left. I
tried sitting directly behind the steering wheel but found I had to
compensate my body for it to stay to the side. Somewhat uncomfortable for
long distances.
b. after seeing many units on web sites - many have smaller - adjustable
seats - leather, etc. Which ones adapt well?
c. Being that it appears everything about our GMC is original - and would
like to retain as much as possible - what are you suggestions?
3. The vacuum - original - I figure to remove it and the box below and
build an insert that could be later removed and the vacuum reinstalled if
"Original status" is wanted. How have you handled this one?
4. In the rear we have a king size mattress - and had to go on a search
each night to find my wife. when the water pump quit pushing the water but
just ran - I lifted the heavy mattress and got to the storage compartment
but had to brace my back against the mattress to hold it up. Too much
weight and size for us. Anyone using the air mattress? Also any one
converted this area to a smaller bed and used the storage space better?
5. Outside storage is min. to say the least. I see some have talked about
removing the large tank and installing smaller ones. This idea would suit
us fine. What kind of smaller tank works well then giving more storage?
6. We haven't had much rain so far since we have the it but have noticed
some caulking applied in poor workmanship manner on seams - top side. I
plan on removing the caulking and applying new. Any best product to use?
7. A number of running lights not working - top front and back. I removed
the lens and saw the fitting had rusted off. Anyone modify these to work
again or just buy a new one? I saw articles using led bulbs - which I
would consider. I also figure I'll take the unit off and re-puddy and
install.
That's about all for now.
Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians!!!!

Dwayne Jacobson
White Rock
77 Eleganza II

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Hello Dwayne and welcome to the group. I will give you some feedback on a
couple items. I"m sure others will respond also an hopefully get all your
items covered.

From: "Dwayne Jacobson"

> I have questions that I know some of you have the answer.
> We are recent first time owners of a GMC Classic.
> 1.Not sure what the best products to a. clean the exterior, b.
polish/wax?
> 2.We have the extra large drivers and passenger seats - I mean huge!!!
Two
> can ride side by side in the passenger seat.
> a. would these be the originals, and how would I be able to find out?

The seats sound like original equipment to me. Your passenger's seat is
called a buddy seat. Many of us have switched to other types. I got mine
at a junk yard out of an astrovan. Cost me 22.50 each and $350.00 total to
have them reupholstered. These are comfortable, have adjustable back
position and have arm rests on both sides. If you get luckey you can find
these with 6 way power adjusters. I had to get 8 "S" brackets (4 for each
seat) to adapt them to the GMC pedestals so I could retain the swivel
function.

Here is a link toa picture of my new seats. This photo site has a wealth of
information so you should plan to take some time exploring it.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showpic.php?aid=601&uuid=rssbob&pid=6670

> Comment - they provide little space between to access, and for the drivers
> seat I found myself sitting in the middle of the seat but had to adjust my
> driving habits to handle the steering which is off center to the left. I
> tried sitting directly behind the steering wheel but found I had to
> compensate my body for it to stay to the side. Somewhat uncomfortable for
> long distances.
> b. after seeing many units on web sites - many have smaller - adjustable
> seats - leather, etc. Which ones adapt well?
> c. Being that it appears everything about our GMC is original - and would
> like to retain as much as possible - what are you suggestions?
> 3. The vacuum - original - I figure to remove it and the box below and
> build an insert that could be later removed and the vacuum reinstalled if
> "Original status" is wanted. How have you handled this one?

Prior to my taking ownership the PO (previous owner) had already discarded
the vacuum and converted that space into a spice rack / dry food storage
area. This had no bearing what so ever on my decision to buy this coach.

> 4. In the rear we have a king size mattress - and had to go on a search
> each night to find my wife. when the water pump quit pushing the water
but
> just ran - I lifted the heavy mattress and got to the storage compartment
> but had to brace my back against the mattress to hold it up. Too much
> weight and size for us. Anyone using the air mattress? Also any one
> converted this area to a smaller bed and used the storage space better?
> 5. Outside storage is min. to say the least. I see some have talked about
> removing the large tank and installing smaller ones. This idea would suit
> us fine. What kind of smaller tank works well then giving more storage?
> 6. We haven't had much rain so far since we have the it but have noticed
> some caulking applied in poor workmanship manner on seams - top side. I
> plan on removing the caulking and applying new. Any best product to use?
> 7. A number of running lights not working - top front and back. I removed
> the lens and saw the fitting had rusted off. Anyone modify these to work
> again or just buy a new one? I saw articles using led bulbs - which I
> would consider. I also figure I'll take the unit off and re-puddy and
> install.

When I disassembled my running lights I found that some were totally filled
with water and others were pretty rusted. I bought a set of LED running
lights for both front and rear plus an extra yellow one for the patio light
to the left of the entry door. The install was pretty easy because none of
the screws gave ma a problem so the old stuff came off without having to get
to the underside via the headliner. I had to move one of the lights a
couple inches because it was too close to my awning. Sorry, no pictures of
them.

Bob Sobrito
La Mesa, Ca
77 Kingsley, 455
Rear twins

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Hi Bob,

Welcome to the best RV support group, bar none. I've only had my '77 Eleganza for 6 months, but the wealth of knowledge on this board will amaze you. Having said that, I'm not one of the amazing ones, but can offer some advice on some things I've already done.

The mattress - My coach didn't have any mattress when I got it. It has the rear opposing seats that fold down into a flat bed. Not wanting to do away with them yet, I bought a foam mattress from the Walmart web site to place on top of them. The stores carry the twin, but my space fits a Full size. Had to order that one from their web site. Came in about 3 days. I love it and plan on ordering one exactly like it for my house (except queen size). Cost was $199. It has 4 inches of regular foam and 2 inches of memory foam. Some guys have just bought the inch and 1/2 memory foam pad to place on theirs and like that fine too. Unless you want to go with a twin, you'll probably have to remove the mattress to work on the water pump regardless.

The LP tank - I believe some guys have removed the large tank and just use a single tank like your bar-b-que uses. These are easy to take out and get filled, plus you gain some additional storage. Mine still has the orginal tank.

Calk for the front and rear caps - I also had to remove mine. In my opinion one of the best products to use on this is PL polyurthane calk. Get it at Home Depot in a calk tube. This is a very durable product and will be there for the long run. I would advise against silicone as it is not paintable. There are some new silicones out that claim to be paintable, but I haven't used them. I removed my old calking with a plastic putty knife, a couple of inches wide. Once you get a place started, it just roots it out by sliding the edge in the groove. It's a good bit of work. Afterwards I cleaned the groove with a rag soaked in lacquor thinner. It needs to be clean so the new calk with adhere better.

Clearance lights - I've replaced all of mine. Luckily they were not rusted bad so I was able to get all the screws out. If the nutsert has to be replaced use a rubber welnut. You can find them at the local Ace hardware. Or better yet, go here:

http://members.aol.com/fantasticvent/ledclearancelights.htm

This site is owned by a Scott Adohen, a fellow GMC'er and he can fix you up.



--
Darryl Howell
Smyrna GA
1977 Eleganza

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Darryl, Bob, etc,

I love PL Polyurethane for its strength, durability, and relative ease of
cleanup when fresh. BUT, don't count on painting over it. Before I committed
to putting it in places like the fiberglass cap to aluminum vertical seams, rear
"hatch" seam, etc., I called the manufacturer of PL and asked them "will PL
stand up under volatile automotive paints?" They said "Sure, just be sure it
has at least 7 days to cure before painting over it."

So, before taking my coach to Topeka Graphics for painting I caulked all those
gaps that I wanted sealed thoroughly. At Topeka I informed them of what I'd
been told & done. They proceeded with the paint prep, caulking with their
preferred product in a couple of places like along the top of the beltline
joint, but did nothing to my joints.

The paint job was done beautifully and has stood up very well for 4 years now.
BUT, after 2 years, the paint popped loose from ALL of the joints where I used
PL. I don't know whether its because of the flexing of the PL or whether it's
designed, like exterior house paint, to slough off its surface to shed dirt, but
automotive paint WILL NOT stick to it long term.

I can't say the PL rep. misled me: I asked whether it would stand up to the
paint -- it did -- it's still in perfect condition. What I should have ask was
whether the paint will stick to it -- it won't!

I still use lots of PL -- but not anywhere I'll be painting over.

JWILTMS (Just What I Learned To My Sorrow)

Ken Henderson
76 X-Birchaven
Americus, GA

> -----Original Message-----
> ...
> Calk for the front and rear caps - I also had to remove mine.
> In my opinion one of the best products to use on this is PL
> polyurthane calk. Get it at Home Depot in a calk tube. This
> is a very durable product and will be there for the long run.
> I would advise against silicone as it is not paintable.
> There are some new silicones out that claim to be paintable,
> but I haven't used them. I removed my old calking with a
> plastic putty knife, a couple of inches wide. Once you get a
> place started, it just roots it out by sliding the edge in
> the groove. It's a good bit of work. Afterwards I cleaned
> the groove with a rag soaked in lacquor thinner. It needs to
> be clean so the new calk with adhere better.
> ...

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Hi Dwayne and welcome! I have enough space in back to put an almost queen size mattress in there, but lacked four inches side to side. There is a mattress factory in Reno so I had them build one in two halfs and also have a cutout for the tail lights. My wife likes to put a memory foam on top of it (3"? at Costco $119.00) When I need to get to the water pump, all I have to do is roll up the memory foam and put the 1/2 mattress on top of it and the other half mattress. I have a removeable aluminum plate about 13"x16" covering the pump area and the rest is plywood on a piano hinge shoud I ever need to get to the water tank itself. The mattress, custom made, was about $250, and it all works real well for me.
Good luck
--
geo groth '73 260 Sequoia
Carson City Nevada

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Ken;
I've used DuPont #721 for all my leaks. Do you know if it will hold paint?

Ken O'Rourke
1978 Royale
Greenville, SC

>From: "Ken Henderson"

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No, I've never used it. You might want to talk to a paint shop before using too
much of it.

See ya' soon.

Ken


> -----Original Message-----
> Ken;
> I've used DuPont #721 for all my leaks. Do you know if it
> will hold paint?
> Ken O'Rourke

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> I have questions that I know some of you have the answer.
> We are recent first time owners of a GMC Classic. 1.Not sure what the best products to a. clean the exterior, b. polish/wax?
> 2.We have the extra large drivers and passenger seats - I mean huge!!! Two can ride side by side in the passenger seat.
> a. would these be the originals, and how would I be able to find out?
>

That is called a buddy seat and is very popular. If you decide against it, do not scrap it as someone out there wants it.
Often people convert to regular SUV or van seats. These are available through companies who customize vans and often on eBay. Shipping adds a lot to the cost. They don't usually just bolt in, either, but the pedastals are close. If you get the original pedestals for th econversion seats you can usually adapt them. Seat belts and shoulder harnesses need to be considered in the conversion.
As for cleaner polish, there is so much area, and so much work to do, it is probably best to wash with a regular dishwashing soap, rinse well, and use any wax you like. A buffer helps. A high school fund raiser cheerleader wash helps too, but those are rare this time of year . . .

Crashj "Do not wax the roof"

--
Hardie Johnson "Crashj"
1973 26 foot Glacier, White Thing
Enola PA

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In a message dated 10/9/2005 7:55:06 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

>You might want to talk to a paint shop before using too much of it.

When I got mine painted Art told me he would not paint over any sealer I
had used.
They dug out all of the sealers I had used. I was very worried the first
time my lady went
out. Well I have made it through the summer and the paint is sticking on all
the seams
and I have not had a single leak. I am a happy camper.

Take Care
Arch


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Your drivers seat seems, by your explanation, to be offset to the stearing wheel. Since this seat rotates to the right by pulling a lever on the left low of seat; is it possible that the seat has not been rotated completely to the left for driving position?...Brian..77 ele

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Will check it out tomorrow - thanks
Dwayne

-----Original Message-----
From: sperline [mailto:sperline]
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 7:04 PM
To: dwayne
Subject: Re: [gmclist] 77 ElaII

Your drivers seat seems, by your explanation, to be offset to the stearing
wheel. Since this seat rotates to the right by pulling a lever on the left
low of seat; is it possible that the seat has not been rotated completely to
the left for driving position?...Brian..77 ele

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mailto:unsubscribe-gmclist

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