Now that we figured out how to get the 2 parts together, we need to make them fit together. Here are some of the special things needed to fit this whole project together.
Jesse is now moving into the coach to build
floor supports for the front area. With Kevin building up the area around
out modified driver "A" frame window
,
it's like a blizzard without the cold
The sanding dust is getting on everything but Jesse needs to stay on task with
the floor so we work in the snow.
Oh man, the clean up from this is a killer! Jesse's floor frame is really
looking good
Everything in the floor has to be fabricated forward to both support the body
with rubber bushings and give a platform for the floor panels. The cost of
aluminum is skyrocketing! This material was close to $200, copper, steel,
aluminum all are costing more-- stinks but hey, what can ya do? We are
actually using as much scrap on the steel from the Workhorse wheel liners as in
the battery boxes and aluminum from the pattern coach but long runs and
consistent bars like the firewall and floor require must be new material.
The Driver side "A" frame window is taking
shape
The frame and custom cut glass is still out but Kevin has the opening pretty
much shaped and ready to go. Now the pressure is on for our new
"frameless" side windows and the ground effects.
With much of the front floor framework in
place, the next step is to cut and fit the floor panels
Jesse had gotten pretty good walking the frame like a high steel worker but I'm
not quite that nimble. We're turning the attention to the dash area next,
making removable panels to access the motor for servicing. I see that as a
major snafoo of many of the RV manufacturers-- they make it so hard to access
key components that the maintenance procedures are insane. I mean we had
to cut a hole in the floor of one coach to replace the brake master cylinder!
Oh and how bout that Airstream diesel when re had to replace the alternator--
that was stupid! I wanna make my coach service friendly so we will have
removable cover panels to give access to the entire drive train.
Big news, yesterday evening while I was being
pelted with rain still trying to get work done, Willie (our ground effects guru)
stopped by to say the foam materials were in and maybe tomorrow (that would be
today) he and Jimmie Fiberglass might be able to get started on the lower coach
exterior facelift. So guys, take a long last look at the GMC body
because HUGE things are about to happen!
_________________ 7.19.07
Jesse haxs been busy relocating the oil and
trans dip sticks for access and the oil fill. This is one of those things
I see that many of the "SOB" (some other brand) machines don't think about.
They make it so difficult to access the motor, we are making removable access
panels for the dash and floor panels to solve this plus relocating the fills and
dip sticks. Jesse has also used "Micro foil" as a non flamable heat
barrier on these panels
which will be removable in the front floor
. We anticipate many performance modifications will be added over the
years to the coach and I sure don't wanna be the one to tell Raymond he can't
get to a part!
Here is it---- the first finished interior
piece
I know it does not look like much but this is the first panel, pleather covered
black, that will go up against the bottom of the windshield so from here it will
get pretty interesting.