toedtoes
California
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Joined: 05/17/2014
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I love my am radio - so much that I left it intact and installed a new stereo in the glove box. I did add new speakers in the doors and behind the cab seats.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)
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Griff in Fairbanks
AK
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Carling makes a DPDT ON-ON-OFF switch with a black bat handle. (They may make a toggle version ... and I'm still looking for a rocker version.) You'd probably have to order the switch from a major distributor such as Mouser or Newark.
Note: ON-ON-OFF and OFF-ON-ON are the same thing. I prefer having the OFF on the left side due to mild CDO. (CDO is OCD with the letters in correct ascending alphabetical order.)
1970 Explorer Class A on a 1969 Dodge M300 chassis with 318 cu. in. (split year)
1972 Executive Class A on a Dodge M375 chassis with 413 cu. in.
1973 Explorer Class A on a Dodge RM350 (R4) chassis with 318 engine & tranny from 1970 Explorer Class A
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StingrayL82
Nampa, Idaho
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Joined: 06/27/2017
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Griff in Fairbanks wrote:...On another note, I really hate -- really, really hate -- really, really, really hate -- working inside a dash. Working on the backside of instrument clusters and similar dash 'faceplates' is okay but actually working inside the dash isn't. (Did I mention I really hate working inside a dash?) I'd gladly trade rebuilding an automatic transmission to have someone else do the contortions required to actually work inside a dash.
It's actually not that bad. When the RV manufacturers cut the middle section out to fit the A.R.A. A/C system, it really opened everything up. Taking the instrument cluster out really opens everything up, and if you take the glovebox out, you can access absolutely everything.
What I really don't understand is why the RV manufacturers installed these A.R.A. aftermarket A/C units, rather than just order the MB300 from Dodge with factory A/C already installed. I actually broke the original plastic A.R.A. shroud....shattered into a thousand pieces, and I freaked out, because A.R.A. is no longer in business and what are the odds of finding a replacement online?
Well, I got real darn lucky, because I found a shroud on eBay. I did some plasti-welding and then took my heat gun to the whole thing and annealed the plastic, releasing any stress that might have built up in the shroud over the years. A quick cleaning with soap and water, rubdown with alcohol and then I hit it with Krylon Matte Black.
The AM radio was dirty but intact, so I cleaned everything up, inside an out. I used the condenser from my old unit, because I know it works. The nice thing is that this shroud has small side vents, in addition to the three front vents...my old shroud didn't have them, although the condenser was pre-cut for them.
Fred
Retired Army Guy
2005 Monaco LaPalma 37PST
Workhorse W24 chassis
8.1L Vortec
Allison 2100 MH
Onyx Color Scheme
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StingrayL82
Nampa, Idaho
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Joined: 06/27/2017
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By the way, here's what that replacement shroud looked like, when I got it. I also reused my original switches and knobs, as the replacement ones looked like they had spent time in the elements.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/y2FUSNll.jpg)
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/rdCvQNOl.jpg)
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/fUSZwx3l.jpg)
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/2LEXVQil.jpg)
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StingrayL82
Nampa, Idaho
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I just took a picture a few minutes ago of the interior with all the lights on. It's not touched up, they're actually that bright.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/967UZ5tl.jpg)
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RvFNG76
Michigan
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Joined: 07/14/2017
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Just found a salvage yard in Jones,mi that has BOATLOADS of 70-90's RVs off the beaten path just replaced one of my windows in my rig for $20. Wish i could post pictures of the before and after using my cellphone.
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RvFNG76
Michigan
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Now the next question is how to replace the seal in my bunk window.
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Griff in Fairbanks
AK
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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RvFNG76 wrote:Now the next question is how to replace the seal in my bunk window.
Most of those used butyl sealant tape which does deteriorate over a span of decades. It's also used on boats and yachts.
There's also marine sealants, for the same purpose, that comes in caulking gun tubes. Personally, I'd use the butyl tape as it has proven to be relatively durable.
For everyone, I have some windows, especially the 'slanted' ones, reclaimed from some early 70's motorhomes. They are complete, with the interior trim ring.
There's also sources for the u-channel seal if you want to refurbish sliding windows. (I don't have bulk sources at hand right now but auto glass shops may have it by the foot.)
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Griff in Fairbanks
AK
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RvFNG76 wrote:Just found a salvage yard in Jones,mi that has BOATLOADS of 70-90's RVs off the beaten path just replaced one of my windows in my rig for $20. Wish i could post pictures of the before and after using my cellphone.
Please see if you can post their address, phone number, and email. (Most places like that don't have websites so won't show up in a google search.)
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RvFNG76
Michigan
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Joes Auto Salvage 61084 Woodlake Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093 (269) 244-5864 No email address google maps will send you the wrong direction gotta go towards the cell tower. Cool guy really friendly but be prepared to walk for awhile too lol
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![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/uaTqdNJl.jpg)
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/RcGICs6l.jpg)
