Top 5 Upgrades

[Rick D]

I’m going to ask the collective one of those open-ended, subjective, maybe even cringeworthy questions:
What would be your top 5 mechanical updates/upgrades (besides the engine)?
My goal is to get my recently purchased GMC project as mechanically sound and dependable as possible, already planning on engine, transmission, radiator, etc). Thanks!
Rick

Rick Drummond
1974 re-Painted Desert named B.O.B.
1976 33’ stretch under construction

 

[B52sRule]

Headliner
Flooring, remove the carpet, laminate
Honda seats
R&R Bathroom fan, use a fantastic fan
LED lights everywhere

> I’m going to ask the collective one of those open-ended, subjective, maybe
> even cringeworthy questions:
> What would be your top 5 mechanical updates/upgrades (besides the engine)?
> My goal is to get my recently purchased GMC project as mechanically sound
> and dependable as possible, already planning on engine, transmission,
> radiator, etc). Thanks!
> Rick
>
> Rick Drummond
> 1974 re-Painted Desert named B.O.B.
> 1976 33’ stretch under construction
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
--

*Len and Pat Novak*

*1978 GMC Kingsley*

*The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!*

*Las Vegas, NV* new email: B52sRule

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375

www.bdub.net/novak/

 

[Jim Hupy]

Mascerator. Bogie greasers, Ragusa step, Ragusa inside door handle.
Parabolic side mirrors, back up camera. Zip-Dee awning if you don't have
one, that ought to keep you busy for a while.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

> Headliner
> Flooring, remove the carpet, laminate
> Honda seats
> R&R Bathroom fan, use a fantastic fan
> LED lights everywhere
>
>

>
> > I’m going to ask the collective one of those open-ended, subjective,
> maybe
> > even cringeworthy questions:
> > What would be your top 5 mechanical updates/upgrades (besides the
> engine)?
> > My goal is to get my recently purchased GMC project as mechanically sound
> > and dependable as possible, already planning on engine, transmission,
> > radiator, etc). Thanks!
> > Rick
> >
> > Rick Drummond
> > 1974 re-Painted Desert named B.O.B.
> > 1976 33’ stretch under construction
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >
> --
>
> *Len and Pat Novak*
>
> *1978 GMC Kingsley*
>
> *The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!*
>
> *Las Vegas, NV* new email: B52sRule
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
>
>
>
> www.bdub.net/novak/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[bdub]

Rick, you been here a long time. I think you already know.
16" Alcoa Wheels
Macerator
Smart Charger / Convertor
Fantastic Fans in Bath and living room.
Ragusa Step

> What would be your top 5 mechanical updates/upgrades (besides the engine)?
>

 

[Carl Stouffer]

Mine came to me with several of the best upgrades, but I added a smart charger, 16" aluminum wheels, Six wheel disc brakes/reaction arm system,
electric booster fuel pump. Jackknife sofa, 3-way fridge, and solar charging system. Hey, wait a minute, that's more than five (and I could name a
few others as well).
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

 

[Larry Davick]

My beloved PO took care of much of the list
1. Gears - Marvin Peck gears (ratio?)
2. Maserator.
3. EFI + Computer controlled distributor
4. True-tracks
5. Atwood AC

Honorable mention:
- Ragusa stuff everywhere
- LED interior lights
- Yandina combiner
- Viair compressor
- progressive Dynamics combiner

Wish list:
1. Reaction arm rear end.
2. Rear disks.
3. Working parking brake
4. Gotta finish the Pertonix on Onan.
5. Aluminum wheels.

Major dream list:
Big lithium battery bank
Solar roof
Receiver hitch
Toad
Reupholster
Paint

Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976 Palm Beach
Fremont, CA

>
> Mine came to me with several of the best upgrades, but I added a smart charger, 16" aluminum wheels, Six wheel disc brakes/reaction arm system,
> electric booster fuel pump. Jackknife sofa, 3-way fridge, and solar charging system. Hey, wait a minute, that's more than five (and I could name a
> few others as well).
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:

 

[Matt Colie]

Well folks,

I know I am going to be the old-man-out here and I really don't care, this group aka community is so friendly and understanding that anyone's position
is acknowledged and respected.

So, here goes my big ones. (In order of installation only)

Pertonix replaced the points. (I see this as essential it is a mod I have a lot of experience around.)
Real CDI on the main engine. (This allows almost forever between tune-ups and platinum plugs last forever. She is a 73 remember.)
Progressive Dynamics converter. (After I killed the first house bank.)
Reaction arms on the rear drum brakes. (I think this is up there with canned beer.)

The next two are a serious dead heat....
A good radio and overhead speakers in the cab. (This one is now 16 years old and showing its age.)
A better cruise control with resume. (I think this is Mary's favorite.)

Both the cruise and the CDI are period correct (or close) they came out of my collection from past vehicles.

I do carry an original set of points in a jar because I am somewhat paranoid. The CDI box can be removed with the only change being that I would have
to hammer the plugs back down to 0.035 or she will misfire.

And finally two honorable mentions:
The Pertronix trigger for the Onan points. (This made that otherwise reliable machine into almost a "forget about it".)
The Trimetric real battery monitor (That lets me always know the status of the house bank.)

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[LQQKatJon]

top 5, would be ragusa step, LP fridge, roof A/C, dash A/C and macerator. I think every coach needs a modern converter and battery isolator
valves, and a pusher electric fuel pump.

if you are asking about the stretch, I would be looking at some 3.7 gears, and I would just refurbish what you have for the rest. go through the
bearings, brakes, fuel systems, and a set of airbags. you can always go to disk brakes at a later time once all other systems are in check.

should get that thing road worthy before sept, so you can take it to GMCMI.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/

 

[scott nutter1]

I’m going to go with the comfort package. When she is happy he is happy…
Lay flat wall hugger recliners.
Tankless water heater.
Atwood air conditioneer.
Memory foam mattress.
Electric bicycle.?

--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas

 

[CGeils]

Electric fuel pump
Modern battery charger
Alcoa wheels
Norcold 12/110V fridge (no fire risk compared to propane fridge)
Backup camera
--
Chris Geils - Twin Cities / W Wa
1978 26' Kingsley w/ very few mods; PD9040, aux trans cooler, one repaint in stock colors, R134a, Al rad, Alcoas, 54k mi