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

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

Posted By: eyeteeth on 06/17/10 05:39am

Skimask and Griff...

Have you guys seen this yet?

PATC 727 to 518 Conversion Kit

#727518. With these four parts you can convert your 727 transmission to a 518 overdrive transmission with locking torque converter. Lets say you drive an average of 400 highway miles per week, at that rate you could save as much as $1000.00 per year on gas, not to mention the 31% reduction in RPM. Your new 518 will have automatic shifts into overdrive and lock-up, no toggle switch needed. Now with adjustable vacuum switch. The instructions are at the bottom of this page. (11-25-06. I just saw this kit on the Internet by the copy cat competition for $1654.00.) Cost $85.00

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm

You'll have to scroll down the page a bit.

Posted By: Leeann on 06/17/10 05:57am

Yup, I've seen that. afaik, that's for cars, not houses on wheels, but I could be wrong.

With the shift kit in our 727 and a freshly rebuilt torque converter, our rig is comfortable at 62 mph on the road. That's as fast as the bf feels comfortable driving it anyway since we do have some rear-end sway when trucks pass, although that is less with the dual-axle trailer than with the single-axle trailer.

We are looking in the junkyards for a rear sway bar to add in (standard on the RM400 chassis).

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

Posted By: skimask on 06/18/10 02:29am

Yes, I've seen that website also, and have the same conclusion as Leeann, cars not heavy trucks/vans/Class-anything.
And the kit, while it does look fine for cars, doesn't do anything for the internals of the transmission. All that kit does is facilitate the physical installation of the transmission body itself. Put a stock 518/46RH into a motorhome, and I'm sure it'll smoke itself within short order.
400 miles per week = 20,800 miles per year. When I get my rig up and running, I'll be lucky to put on two trips per year at most. At the very most, maybe 10,000 miles (5K per trip). This thing ain't a daily driver ya know! [emoticon]

Might be in the future...distant future...but not now.
JDG

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 06/21/10 10:57am

Hi everyone, I'm finely back to working on the RV again after a little time off. I need some advice. I have to make a new counter top for the sink area. I'm not sure if I should use 3/4" plywood or MDF as the base for the formica. I think plywood because of the area that goes around the back and side of the stove is only about 2 1/2" wide and would be prone to getting broken during installation. The guy at the local lumber store said that he thouhgt that most people used the MDF. That would be cheaper, but.....I can be clumsy at times. Any thoughts from anyone? Thanks

Jerry & Gerry, our pets (dogs), Byron, Coco
1976 Monaco, 440 ci. Dodge Sportsman chassis

Posted By: ALnCORY on 06/21/10 02:05pm

Jerry,
You may be better off with the 3/4 ply. I used the mdf on mine but I took the stove out so it wasn't a problem... If you have good enough access to it you could install the mdf without the entire stove cut made and once you get the top down make the final cut with a jig saw, but thats only if you can get to it. Ply is certainly the safe choice.
Al

I don't think anyones dying statement ever contained the words "I wish I had spent more time in the office", so lets go somewhere!

Posted By: Leeann on 06/21/10 02:37pm

Hi, Jerry!

I'd agree that plywood would be the safest choice...besides, it doesn't turn to sawdust quite as quickly as MDF (I'm really bad with liquids).

Posted By: eyeteeth on 06/21/10 04:41pm

I used MDF when I did mine. I also removed the stove when I did the counter. It was only a gas line, and four screws... easy to lift out. It may have been a little easier to route out the groove for the edging.

[image]

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 06/23/10 10:01pm

Thanks for the reply's guys ( & gals ) [emoticon]

, I thinks I'll stick with the plywood. Right now, I'm finally finishing the roof off and ready to re-install the air conditioner, I just have to figure out how to get it back up there now [emoticon]

. I'll get some pics tomorrow and post them. Thanks.

Posted By: TreeSeeker on 06/24/10 12:17am

Jer&Ger,

Others have hoisted the AC this way. Get a ladder, then put a rope up the ladder and down the other side. Tie the rope around the AC (very securely) and get help. One person on the other side hauling the rope, one on the roof and another pushing the AC up the ladder.

I have not tried this, but others have reported it worked for them.

Posted By: Kendas on 06/24/10 12:39am

Yep, it actually works... Just make sure you use a shallow angle and AT LEAST one other person to help guide the A/C unit up. If a new A/C is being installed, leave it in the box and tie securely!

1978 21ft Tioga Dodge 440 Motor,
4.5kw Generac and 80 watts Solar
1984 Goldwing Interstate (Daily driver)
Misc Things I've done to my RV pictures

USAF Retired
To Err is human... To Forgive is not SAC Policy.

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