Villageidiots FWC Grandby Reboot

[villageidiot]

I purchased a well used FWC grandby (1999 by my investigating) in quite poor shape.

got it home, and started assessing things the front wall is obliterated, the floor pack separating, interior breaking apart, canvas holes/screen torn, etc.

through reading here i discovered that ATC does repairs, called and talked to them, then happened to be in the area, so went in and talked to them, made a list, and got it scheduled to bring up to them.

they requested that i gut it to make their life easier and cost me less in repairs.

 

[villageidiot]

first thing i figured i needed was a big ol dolly to roll it around on, (i only used the small dollies to get it in the garage)


so, i whipped up a 4x8 dolly.

 

[villageidiot]

Got the dolly home from where i built it (work, I'm a mechanic if you can't tell by the dyno in the floor) and got the camper on it.

 

[villageidiot]

realizing i don't have the space to work in the garage (can't pop the top) and that work is where 90% of my tools are, i arranged with the boss to shuffle some stuff around and get the camper to the shop to start the repairs.

 

[villageidiot]

first day of gutting,

i removed everything on the passenger side, the little couch thing, and the rear cabinet

also removed the little cabinet on the driver side front

 

[villageidiot]

the next weekend, i took out the main cabinet and systems.

 

[villageidiot]

so, the camper is gutted.

i removed:

-the sink, not planning on re installing a sink
-furnace, ATC will refit the furnace
-propane box
-fridge, broken old 3 way fridge. trashed it

 

[villageidiot]

2-20-21

rented a little trailer and got the camper onto the trailer to get it delivered up to ATC for the rebuild.

got the lil colorado hooked up to the trailer to drag it up there.

 

[villageidiot]

2-21-20

got up at 2:30am, drove to the shop, swapped cars, jumped in the truck and headed up to Sacramento from Orange County, made it to ATC by 10:30 am

Jeff and the boys made short work of unloading it.

 

[villageidiot]

So, now were current.

The Camper is at ATC for repairs/refurb. the list is long, but it should be very nice when done.

THE LIST:

-Resize to 6.5' bed trucks by moving the front wall back the 18"
-New floor pack to fit modern current year half ton trucks (not sure what truck I'm buying next)
-New tent material
-slide out upper bunk
-furnace cabinet/relocate propane tank
-roof lift struts
-new lift panels
-new front window
-new side window (smaller, normal for hawk size)
-new rear door with screen door, this one is very broken
-new wiring
-marker lights, doesn't need em, but i like em!
-fantastic vent
-new headliner with LED lights
-all new siding
-reseal roof, the roof is in good shape otherwise, and to my knowledge doesn't leak, but might as well.

quite the list really.

Jeff said 4-6 weeks ish, no panic for me, i don't have a truck to haul it yet.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Wow, you’ve had fun! The ATC team will do a great job for you.

...and welcome to WTW, we look forward to your build and adventures.

 

[Dphillip]

Outstanding!

Can’t wait to see the finished product!

 

[villageidiot]

Wow, you’ve had fun! The ATC team will do a great job for you.
...and welcome to WTW, we look forward to your build and adventures.

Yeah, its been fun thus far. i bought it 12-1-19 and then just kinda sat on it a little bit.

going back and forth on doing it myself, what do i want to do with it, how do i want it etc.

after talking to ATC on the phone and deciding id let them do the major rehab, then it was easy to just gut it and move forward. reality is, i could do the floor pack, and the frame repairs, but i wasn't confident in my ability to turn it into a 6.5' camper, add to that i wanted the tent done and it would have to go there anyways.

i will build the interior out how i see fit, that is not a problem. its not my first rodeo with a camper.

me and a friend at work did this one for him in 2013. a 1966 aristocrat lo liner. total time capsule, used twice in 66 and parked since, rot got the best of it.

we tore into it day one, and built it back 100% in 3 months.

 

[villageidiot]

all hand rubbed birch paneling inside, poplar framed, glued and pocket screwed together.

the cushions are original and still have the upholstery manufacturer tags on em. all the windows are rebuilt originals. all the aluminum trim inside is original. the appliances are all original.

 

[villageidiot]

Outstanding!

Can’t wait to see the finished product!

me too!

 

[ski3pin]

Congrats on your new project! Excellent decision to turn the structural repairs/changes to ATC. Looking forward to seeing the steps toward completion and on to the finished project. We may have to wander down and see it in progress at ATC.

Good job with the trailer!

 

[villageidiot]

Congrats on your new project! Excellent decision to turn the structural repairs/changes to ATC. Looking forward to seeing the steps toward completion and on to the finished project. We may have to wander down and see it in progress at ATC.

Good job with the trailer!

Thanks Ski, I’d love pictures in the middle of the process but I didn’t want to bother asking Jeff to photo document it.

Jeff said “six weeks” but I know how it is so I’m not gonna bug em.

 

[Colorado Mark]

Hey Vi

Welcome. Been watching your thread on ADV

 

[villageidiot]

Hey Vi

Welcome. Been watching your thread on ADV

Hey right on! Good to see ya here!

 

[WjColdWater]

Wow! Keep us posted on the progress. Pics and details are excellent on your post. Good luck on the build.
Wayne