Classic Winnebagos & Vintage RVs

Topic Boards => Project Blogs => Topic started by: kerryb on February 11, 2017, 01:57 PM

Title: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on February 11, 2017, 01:57 PM
Gotta start somewhere...so this is it.
We bought an '84 Winnebago because the price was right, all the systems worked, and the bed was in the right place.
Of course when the seller delivered it for final inspection the response was,  "I can't camp in that, it's too ugly!"  After further discussion, the main points of cost and suitability won out, but it was still "too ugly" so it was decided I would spend the winter working on an interior refit to cover up the "ugly".  Personally, I didn't think it looked to bad for the price.  It doesn't hurt to be a little color blind and fashion-clueless!  I just wanted to try out motor-homing on the cheap!
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on February 11, 2017, 02:07 PM
The first improvement was to rip out all the carpet, only took two days to get the front seats out!  Some things like kitchen cabinets stayed in and I just cut the carpet around them.  Dinette was removed to get the carpet out, repair the floor sags, remove the rear folding couch/bed (its available), and repair the shower drain connection because it was leaking.
My decorator (my wife) accompanied me to the store to select fabric, and I scoured the want ads for a appropriate sewing machine.  (Had to build a table to put my new 1960's machine in) Since I had done a little sewing in my back-packing days, I figured it shouldn't be too difficult to copy the old cushion covers with the new fabric.  Pics to follow show the current status.
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on February 11, 2017, 02:30 PM
Since the counter tops were swelled with water damage, I got a quote to replace them from the local kitchen shop.  $600 was beyond what I could justify, so for $100 in materials I've been practicing my Formica skills.  They will certainly draw your eye away from the carpet!

If anyone has suggestions for polishing the SS sink, I'm listening carefully.
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: brians1969 on February 11, 2017, 04:47 PM
Looks good! Did you use new foam? Did you cover the foam with batting?
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on February 11, 2017, 04:56 PM
I used the existing foam which was in good condition as was the batting.  I'm still debating the use of the "quilting" buttons.  I have to figure out how to cover them with the new fabric.  The new covers have the pleats sewn in to allow for the buttons so I may be forced to re-install them to make the covers behave correctly.
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: Winnebago Warrior 94 on March 23, 2017, 11:55 PM
You did a great job on sewing those cushion covers ..my dinette cushions are in great shape still ..I washed mine and I just covered them in the clear plastic to keep them clean ..the fabric shows through but you can just wipe up any spills from food or drink ..keep up the good work😃
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: BrandonMc on March 24, 2017, 05:01 AM
Looking good! I redid my cornices and hung new curtains, but this is getting into it!
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 12, 2017, 09:43 AM
I keep trying to post and keep losing my work.  When my frustration settles, ill try again.  Nearing the finish line!
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 12, 2017, 10:44 AM
Windows...removed, repaired, replaced.  Brake cleaner works to remove the putty with a wood stick.  "Krud Kutter" works ok to get silicone off, but only with vigorous fingernail action.  Last step to seal the putty in with silicone around the outside edges.
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 12, 2017, 10:46 AM
Working under my "tent", I can keep going even in the rain.  Gets cooler inside with the windows out!
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: LJ-TJ on July 12, 2017, 05:02 PM
 :)ThmbUp WOW! Good stuff. :)clap
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: legomybago on July 12, 2017, 06:53 PM
glad to see you are still at it.
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 14, 2017, 05:35 PM
Removed the exhaust manifolds, only broke three bolts that hold the exhaust pipes to the manifolds.  I was able to drill out the broken studs and clean the threads with a tap.  Only broke one tap!  Can you tell i've had some practice at that job?  Put them back on without gaskets on the advice here and my favorite mechanic.  Had to re-hang the whole system due to rust and earlier poor installation.  One pipe was touching the grey water tank and had even started to melt the plastic, whew! Dodged that bullet.  She runs nice and quiet now. 
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: demon on July 14, 2017, 05:51 PM
awesome! gonna look great!

Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 16, 2017, 05:55 PM
Here are some more pics to show progress...We want to use this soon!
Cab carpeting was interesting, used contact cement around the edges and regular carpet glue in the middle of pieces.  Glued down padding first to help with heat and noise reduction.
Still debating what the backsplash will be, but the countertop and stove are back in.  rebuilding the water heater bypass was interesting...good thing you can heat form pex tubing!  It still took up double the old space...oh well.
Next issue to slove is making the dinette seatback fold down so the driver seat can turn to watch TV.  A piano hinge and some locking pins should work.  The new seats came out of a Ford conversion Van, direct bolt on to existing pedestals...woohoo.
Stay tuned, capeting is coming soon!
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: TerryH on July 16, 2017, 08:57 PM
Suggestion re your driver's seat, dinette, and possibility of the seat rotating:
consider the obstruction caused by your steering wheel. That is why many RV driver's seats will not rotate anywhere close to 360 degrees, never mind 45 degrees.
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 16, 2017, 10:31 PM
Ooooh,, good point...I need to check that.  The good news is the wheel has tilt, and the forward/backward travel of the pedestal mount might reveal enough room for the seat to turn 180 degrees.  I think a steeringwheel prop on the paasenger side may prove it.  Glad you mentioned it, just the work to fit cores in the hollow wall for a hinge would take appreciable time to do.  I'm going out to play with seats!
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 17, 2017, 12:08 AM
Good news!... with the dinette seatback removed, there is room for the drivers seat to rotate 180 degrees.  It does require the steering wheel to be tilted upright (level), and the base travel full forward to complete the turn.  A few more measurements show the hinge will need to be at the level of the cushion support, but that just means the cushions will sit on top of the seatback after it is folded, not a big deal. They will make a nice ottoman for the driver seat!  Now to put the table in to prove there is room for the back to fold down all the way with the table up.  Sure is an aweful lot of engineering just to spin the seat around!
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: plockit007 on July 17, 2017, 12:38 AM
That's a great looking rig. Nice job on the interior. It does not look ugly and I would take that anywhere to camp with. It just seems like the places we want to go don't like older rigs..maybe they will catch a virus or some other weird disease.


Thanks for the Pictures :)clap :angel:
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 17, 2017, 06:26 PM
Thanks Plockit, we haven't actually spent a night in an RV yet, but we have heard some parks have an age limit on equipment.  I would assume that national and state parks don't have this issue so for the forseeable near future it won't bother me.  I suppose if I were driving a $100k rig, I wouldn't want a $5k bus spoiling the neighborhood.  I ride an '83 goldwing with a teardrop trailer when I camp on two wheels.  Motorcycle campgrounds don't have these issues.


Update: I replaced the rotted wood on the rear sill/bumper area today.  Now the ladder doesn't wiggle when you climb on.
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on July 20, 2017, 01:24 PM
So I got lucky!  There was enough clearance to split the dinette wall with a piano hinge to make it fold down.  Now there is room for the driver seat to spin 180 degrees to watch TV and the cushions become an ottoman for the seat.  I still have to replace the cushion at the top of the wall and put a bumper and latch on the sidewall for the dinette wall to fasten to.  And...No, you never have enough clamps!
Title: Re: '85 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on August 02, 2017, 02:05 PM
The carpeting is "IN", not glued down yet, but all the pieces are cut and fitted.  I used 24" square carpet tiles because there is no way I wanted to wrestle a big piece of carpet and figure out how to fit all the non-square corners.  Now I can start at the back and work my way forward with glue... oh fun!
Pics to follow...
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on August 11, 2017, 09:07 PM
The backsplash in the kitchen was going to be that retro tin ceiling stuff till I found out how much it would cost...not worth it for my purposes.  We settled on peel and stick floor tiles at .88 each.  Cuts easily with a razor knife and pops right into place.
Got the carpet glued down too.  too bad I didn't take a better picture.  I'll have to catch that one on the final tour.
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: CapnDirk on August 11, 2017, 10:27 PM
I've NEVER seen anyone (upholstery shops included) that good on working with a pattern fabric.  You need to do work for the rest of us  :)clap


"Winnie cushions Inc"  Seriously


Nice job!!
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: Rickf1985 on August 12, 2017, 11:21 AM
Don't you worry about the VCT over the stove warping from the heat? It is only plastic and not heat resistant.
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on August 12, 2017, 01:47 PM
Quote from: Rickf1985 on August 12, 2017, 11:21 AM
Don't you worry about the VCT over the stove warping from the heat? It is only plastic and not heat resistant.

Not yet, but it could be an issue.  I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on August 31, 2017, 02:29 PM
Ok...so that bridge didn't look so close on the map but here we are!  The tiles were advertised as peel and stick,  but they are actually stick and peel!  After selected tiles fell off the first time, I tried Elmers spray adhesive.  Now that the same tiles fell off again I cleaned the wall with brake cleaner and plan to sand the two coats of kilz primer to rough it up a bit and then try contact cement left over from the formica countertop installation.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: TerryH on August 31, 2017, 03:27 PM
I would think you will need something like contact cement and your formica roller. You would want immediate adhesion on contact, particularly at the edges of the tiles.
May be an idea to try a couple of test pieces of cut off tiles first.
One with the cement only to see if it reacts with the tile/tile adhesive.
One with a scrap of wood closest to the same as the wall glued to the tile.
I've used the gel contact on vertical surfaces with good results.
As an aside, I've had contact cement set off my propane detector when using the cement inside.
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on October 04, 2017, 09:00 PM
Did you know...Joann fabrics has Crocodile vinyl?  makes a nice accent color!  So I just returned from the maiden voyage...47 miles to the 4 mile creek campground at Youngstown N.Y. on lake Ontario.  Finally fixed enough stuff to try it out.  All systems seem to be working well, didn't make a fool of myself at the dump station, and managed to keep it between the lines all the way there and back.  Wish there were a way to get better than 6.5 MPG on mostly level ground!#$%  Here are a couple pics of the progress to date...
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: CapnDirk on October 04, 2017, 10:14 PM
LOVE the hula girl!!!.  Got to have the plastic Jesus and Smokey the Bear butt snuffer to!!!


And enquiring minds want to know (maybe i"m being naive here) how do you make a fool of yourself at the dump station?  It's not like you have to syphon it!   W%


Please everyone tell me I've been doing it right.   ???


P.S.  Magnificent work and very good pics!
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on October 04, 2017, 10:26 PM
Did you see Robin Williams in "RV"?  A crowd gathered to see the newbe do battle with the "dump station, they weren't disappointed when the hose backed up and spewed everywhere!
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: CapnDirk on October 04, 2017, 10:56 PM
OHHHH!!! 


I now HAVE to see that movie!  Christmas vacation movie.  His black water hose draining into the storm drain!!!   :D :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)clap
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: boohoo222 on October 04, 2017, 11:22 PM
that movies worth watching over and over,  :P
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: Rickf1985 on October 05, 2017, 09:44 AM
There ought to be a thread on "Dump station disasters". I grew up camping in my dads pick up camper so I knew all about dump stations but I have seen some real hilarious disasters at the "hole". Blowouts, backups, disconnections, misconnections, forgotten connections, broken valves.
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on October 05, 2017, 03:16 PM
Those are EXACTLY what I was afraid of, so I watched the guy before me REAL carefully.  Now I just need to fit one of those handle extensions on the grey water tank so I don't need to reach so far under to open it.


On a side note, all my guages work except the fuel guage...where should I start to diagnose the reason? (P30 chassis)
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: Rickf1985 on October 05, 2017, 05:29 PM
If you can access the wire where it goes to the tank you can ground that wire and see if the gauge goes to full or empty, I forget which way the Dodge will go. If it goes full range either way the gauge is good and the problem is at the sender. Could be as simple as a bad ground on the sending unit. If the gauge does not move then you need to check to see if you have voltage on that wire and follow it back to the source.
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: Winnebago Warrior 94 on November 13, 2017, 09:24 PM
It is looking all adorable ..looks super cute ..love the fabrics and the red Formica ..I'm on a cell phone and the carpet pic didnt show up ..I like your idea of carpet squares..how did you take out and reseal your Windows ..I need to do this to mine what did you put on it to keep it from, leaking ..I've looked at mine and they seem easy enough to get out ..I have been busy on redoing a house laying ceramic tile and etc ..time to get back on my Winnebago ..taking it to get tje brakes checked tomorrow and and get the brake lines flushed and make sure all is good to go ..ill be steam cleaning my carpets soon ..they arent bad shape but they could use some freshing up ..please let me know what you sealed you windows with when you rrmoved them ..keep up the good work on your cute rig
Title: Re: '84 chieftan interior rehab
Post by: kerryb on March 22, 2018, 10:16 AM
Guess I should check this more often!
I used white (grey) butyl tape from the rv store to reseal my windows.  Sharpened a hardwood stick like a chisel to scrape/peel the old sticky off with brake  cleaner.  The hard part was reinstalling the window centered in the opening.  I also used a pair off pliers to pinch the window frame slighltly where the screws go back in.