Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Print | Close

Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 09/19/07 05:31pm

Just thought of four peace-of-mind maintenance items for older vehicles:

1. Brake line flex hoses ... there's usually three: one near each wheel in the front and one going from the frame to the rear axle in back.

2. Power steering pressure hose ... there's an awful lot of pressure in the hose, especially if it's getting old or has been exposed to extreme temperature, like Fairbanks' minus 40 degree winters.

3. Radiator and heater hoses (including the bypass hose on the water pump/engine:

4. Fan belts.

All of these are usually rubber compounds that get hard and brittle (or soft and spongy in radiator hoses) with age. I automatically replace the brake flex lines, regardless of the appearance of the existing ones. The power steering pressure hose is more a PITA if it goes but is survivable. The third and fourth are mention regularly in maintenance articles and books, assuming you've read them and paid attention.

The brake flex lines are something I'm a real stickler about and something most people don't think about or notice.

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

Posted By: Leeann on 09/19/07 05:31pm

We had to adjust our steering box all the way to tighten up the steering on ours. We found a new kingpin (in the box) under the passenger's seat, but we haven't gotten around to looking at them yet.

That looks normal to me, too.

Definitely replace anything rubber...we have the receipt for the new flex hoses (and front pads) on ours, so we didn't replace them. But we did have to replace the belts and will be replacing the radiator/heater hoses. We have already replaced all the vacuum lines.

'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo

Posted By: glw on 09/19/07 05:45pm

Leeann wrote:

Definitely replace anything rubber

Man you guys are right on this stuff, amazing..... [emoticon]

I did the brakes hoses on that $1600 brake job.... [emoticon]

Also inculded the Rad. hoses, cap, vacume lines, all filters, belts, plugs....So should be good.

Planning about a 300 mile roundtrip up to Precott this weekend, we're gonna try that 1st Hill, see how she takes it. This "360" should have plenty of power on this small rig. Been running great in town, I feel confident. If any probs, I have Road Service...LOL.

Thanks again all,

Gary Webb
Phoenix, AZ

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 09/19/07 05:45pm

What I was saying is check/replace the tierods and ball joints/kingpins before messing with the steering gearbox. Dasgnostic order: 1. Tires/rims. 2. Tierods 3. Ball joints/kingpins. 4. Steering flex joint. 5. Steering gearbox. (Bad wheel bearings are in the list but you should have noticed the grinding noise.)

I didn't mention the vacuum lines because they usually won't stop you ... just make your engine run bad when they suck wind. (Pun intended ... [emoticon]

)

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 09/19/07 05:52pm

glw wrote:

Man you guys are right on this stuff, amazing..... [emoticon]

I've been rehabilitating old trucks all my life ... owned exactly two new trucks in my life and hate all the doodads, electronics, controls, sensors, and******on new vehicles.

glw wrote:

Planning about a 300 mile roundtrip up to Precott this weekend, we're gonna try that 1st Hill, see how she takes it. This "360" should have plenty of power on this small rig. Been running great in town, I feel confident. If any probs, I have Road Service...LOL.

Okay, everybody ... Gary's planning a trip this weekend so let's see how many thread pages we can pile up while he's gone. [emoticon]

Posted By: glw on 09/19/07 05:59pm

[quote=Griff in Fairbanks][quote=glw]Okay, everybody ... Gary's planning a trip this weekend so let's see how many thread pages we can pile up while he's gone. :p[/quote] I'd prefer everyone say a Prayer.........:B Gary Webb Phoenix, AZ

Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.

Posted By: 79powerwagon on 09/19/07 06:19pm

ALnCORY wrote:

Giff, you kidding, painting your vehicle with a roller? Never would have thought of that.... seems like too much texture and roller marks etc... where was that article? Al

Oh yes! Moparts.com Look in the tech archives for a post about 15,000 pages long! It takes forever, but costs nothing! The post is called "Paint job on a budget", HEAPS of info! Most results pretty darn good, too!

Yes, I'm a member there (by the same name). Master Boon Docker WAS a long time member there until they booted him! [emoticon]

I still don't know why...

She ain't purdy, but at least she's slow!

Posted By: whiteknight001 on 09/20/07 03:08am

[quote=glw][quote=Griff in Fairbanks][quote=glw]Okay, everybody ... Gary's planning a trip this weekend so let's see how many thread pages we can pile up while he's gone. :p[/quote] I'd prefer everyone say a Prayer.........:B Gary Webb Phoenix, AZ[/quote] OK Gary, we'll do both. You asked for it,though. hee hee Mark

Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.

1972 Mobile Traveler 20' Dodge B300 Class C
"The Kobayashi Maru" Trans- Prarie Land Craft
"Requiescat in pace et in amore..."

Posted By: huskyhauler on 09/21/07 12:14am

glw wrote:

Leeann wrote:

Definitely replace anything rubber

well heat wont be a problem going over bumble bee. expect cold, and wet. and think you have a great tailwind going up. should have left today.. i was getting 38mph winds here.. were ar you coming fom in the valley? it is only 320 miles roundtrip from Seligman to my wifes office near cave creek and the 101.

Posted By: glw on 09/21/07 02:56am

[quote=huskyhauler][quote=glw][quote=Leeann]Definitely replace anything rubber[/quote] should have left today.. i was getting 38mph winds here.. were ar you coming fom in the valley? it is only 320 miles roundtrip from Seligman to my wifes office near cave creek and the 101.[/quote] Hi Husky, I live over in the NW Valley by Metro Center.(I-17 and Thunderbird Road.) I still have kids in High School or I would be gone right now.....;) I hate this afternoon traffic on Friday's here. Takes an hour just to get outta town with the traffic back up. Planning on leaving about 3AM, Sat. morning. Yep, about 70 for the high up that way, and Rain....Just the way I like it....LOL. Been awhile since I had a "chill" go down my spine:), If there are any spots to camp by the time I get there, I'll probably stay till Sun, but they usually fill up quick.. Going To Lyxn Lake just for a little fishin. Boat hasn't been in the water since June! Be my 1st trip out with this rig really, curious as to how it will go up that 1st hill out of the valley. Had it out and about in the valley here, driving around in this heat checking it out. If Lyxn is full, I have a spot up by Williams (Cataract Lake) I like that I can usually always get a spot at. But that's up that 2nd hill (All of you note I am saying HILL here...LOL) 1st one is about a 3000 to 4000 ft climb and the 2nd is about the same. Up about 7000ft up from the valley. I have no doubts I'll make it, just how fast I'll make it is the question....LOL. Once I make it to Seligman, will be a breeze....Williams is another story up that 2nd hill. But I have confidence....Plus Road Service....:B Maybe we can meet up sometime.....Your the closest I've met on here so far. Gonna head to Alaska and see Griff maybe next summer...that be cool!!! :C Gary Webb Phoenix, AZ

Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.

Print | Close