Mid 80s Grandby

[milehijeepguy]

So we had discussed replacing our Mid 80s Grandby but have decided that with the lack of used FWC, we will just keep it! So, I have a few things I want to work on. First, is it possible to put standard manual jacks on the corners with this model? Seems there is not enough space on the driver side rear.


Also, I have considered doing some wood work on the inside and think that is fairly straight forward but, I should probably consider replacing the main floor. The rear passenger side is a bit damaged. My questions, how easy or not so easy is it and does anyone have anywhere they would point me for some insight on that process? I guess my first thing is how the heck to support it in order to remove the floor?

I am going to continue to look for an early 2000s model, or even late 90s but until then, we are pretty content with our current setup.

Thanks in advance for any insight that you may be able to share.

 

[K6ON]

Give Marty or Jeff over at ATC a call, they can answer your questions, and will work on the camper if it needs repairs. I have a 20 year old Grandby and they just installed a new kitchen for me, and I couldn't be happier. (916) 565-1600

 

[Dusty Roads]

As to the replacing the floor pack, look at some of the build threads. There is a separate sticky for the build threads. There are also threads here about the same topic. Some of the threads have good pictures. It has been done before. P.S. You may find that it is about as easy to replace the whole floor pack as to fix the soft spot(s). I did the whole floor pack on my 1977 Grandby. It wasn't that hard. I would also recommend that you modify the base of the camper (the floor pack) for modern pickups in case you upgrade trucks and to keep the value.

Good luck!

 

[wuck]

Here are a couple of threads that might help:

This old Granby build

Keystone Rebuild

Hmm, ColoradoCJ might be close to you . . .

 

[wvtradbow]

I had thought about doing the same jack idea when I redid mine. I had some aluminum corners welded up to mount the jacks on,but just as you have, I have that same propane setup and I didn't want to remove an redo that side an the only alternative was to mount on the rear corners instead of the rear side and I didn't really believe that would work either,so I scraped the idea..Now if you really felt energetic and wanted to remove the propane holder and was somehow able to match the siding or at least figure a way to cut the propane door around the jack corner plate..I hope you would post some pictures…. You can still jack the camper up without the main part of the floor..I think I replaced piece by piece one side at a time if I remember correctly ,just be real careful and do it on a LEVEL SURFACE (my big mistake).. This old Granby build was my project last year and I learned a lot and as a matter of fact,I'm going to redo the vinyl again this year,wasn't real happy with that..

 

[milehijeepguy]

Thanks all for the responses! I have the camper on the ground right now. Removed the over cab portion, paneling and just the passenger side rear most small 12" x 8" section of the floor removed. I am undecided on what I will do with the floor. Part of me says, replace only that small section that is really bad, but I also have the idea that while I have it in the current state, just replace all of the wood. We will see!

 

[Dusty Roads]

To support the camper wile you remove and replace the floor...... I looked at some of the build (or rebuild) threads. On some of them, the builder removed the bottom 2 or 3 pieces of siding (mine was stapled to the frame) and ran an 8 foot 2x4 on the inside and outside, and bolted them together. Then used the old style jacks with the mounting plates under the 2x4s, and then cranked up the jacks a few inches to allow me to remove the floor pack. The floor pack comes out easily. This is what I did.

Due to the location of the propane locker, I would not use corner jacks. My camper (1977) came with 3 jacks that have a mount or bracket that goes under the wing area. I looked on Craigslist and found another set for sale. The plan is to use 4 of these jacks. I think the jacks I have were made by Reico-Titan.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Dusty

 

[milehijeepguy]

Hey Dusty, I have been looking at rebuild threads for a number of weeks but I have not seen what you are suggesting. Do you by chance have a link to that one? Thanks!

 

[Dusty Roads]

Haven't gotten the hang of posting links. But I just saw a build thread and one of the links there was for Sheefdog's build. IIRC, he did a whole floor pack replacement.

Dusty.

ETA: It's the Turtleshell build a few posts below.

 

[ski3pin]

Turtleshell Build

 

[wvtradbow]

Yea Dusty is correct ,try to find an extra jack.That 3 jack system was horrible to begin with,I found a single jack on ebay for a reasonable price….I've had this camper 20yrs or so and the 3 jack put on and take off always scared the heck out of me even under the best conditions..

 

[milehijeepguy]

Well, I stripped the Granby down and jumped into a pretty substantial rebuild. Replaced passenger side rear most corner of the floor. Repainted all. New insulation and paneling. Pull out bed now instead of old hinged version. New cabinets under the bed area. Shortened the passanger side bench to make room for potty just inside on the right. Next, rebuild the hinges and the countertop/cabinets. Oh yeah, putting a hot water heater in where the old furnace was! Think that it, for now!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10207783754424763.1073741834.1621233770&type=1&l=6129e0b1ab

 

[Dusty Roads]

Got any pix of the interior? I would like to see pix of your slide out bed conversion.

Thanks,

Dusty

 

[milehijeepguy]

Did the link to my public album on Facebook not work above?

 

[Dusty Roads]

Yes the link worked. I was just hoping for more detail on the bed. Any issues with it? Top close OK?

Thanks,

Dusty.