| Author | Message | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.167) Rating: N/A |
I could use a detailed explanation of how to remove the MC9 open luggage rack so I don't go taking out screws that don't need to be taken out... and so I don't end up being crushed under the weight of the entire 30 or so foot of the blasted thing landing on my poor weak body. Surely this thing comes apart, right? A step-by-step procedure would be real handy for all new MCI guys involved in this part of the job. Ahhh..... then.... about that floor ductwork? All comments welcomed and always appreciated. Thanks in advance. | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (69.3.74.198)
Rating: N/A |
Here ya go - you couldn't ask for more detail than this. Before you do it this way, also know that one person CAN do the job himself, while leaving all the pieces intact. AND get them out the window. The primary fasteners are along the outer edges of the extrusion and the angle braces from the ceiling. I preferred to leave them intact, rather than complete disassembly as Gumpy has done. There are really four sections that can be done this way individually. The photos are a GREAT benefit in doing the job. Gumpy's Rack Removal Process | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.156.216.53) Rating: N/A |
I've seen people take these out,then try to build cabinets where they used to be....anyplace you are going to have a cabinet...leave them up....... | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.233) Rating: N/A |
Two Dogs: I may not be using any overhead cabinets with the exception of one particular kitchen area. The existing rack design sticks out too far into the isle area, anyway. ChuckMC9: I like the sound of your approach better. I would prefer to take the racks out in sections and not have to disassemble the entire rack. The isle rail appears to be of two sections. Is there any problem of cutting this aluminum rail at each hanger and removing each smaller cut section at a time? They would certainly fit out a window easier. (After reading about "gumpy" tearing out the floor -again- to fix "air beams" makes me wonder if I should have gotten my first choice of coaches..... an Eagle with torsion bar suspension... Oh well...) http://www.gumpydog.com/bus/MC9_WIP/mc9_wip.htm | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.233) Rating: N/A |
The stress of seeing how "gumpy" is managing to build his dream has made me begin to wonder if his way is the "normal" way. Has anyone made a "simple" conversion? One that did not require years upon years of back-breaking work? A conversion that provides all the comfort of a commercial class "A" RV without the tedious effort of tearing out and adding insulation to ceiling, walls and floor and having to rebuild each again? And without having to totally rebuild the bus to conform to a standard it wasn't originally intended? I had planned to make this thing look reasonably nice and be reasonably comfy. The Taj Mahal it ain't gonna be. I'd love to see some pix and plans of the "simple" conversions. Ones that -may not- inspire awe and gasps, but serve the purpose of travelling in comfort for those like myself and wife..... we who do not demand a room at the Hilton on wheels. Are there others like me out here? "1950's Levittown" type bus owners? | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.156.216.26) Rating: N/A |
yeah...there are...I left my luggage racks up...had a guy that works with wood build me "cabenet fronts"...I cut out where the shower,kitchen & tollet go..rest has cabinets...never have enough cabinets (!).. | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.233) Rating: N/A |
TD: Yup. I thought about that before I bought this mc9. I think the '04s and 06s and Eagles have shorter luggage racks than the MCI, or at least they appear that way. These racks stick out almost 3/4 way into the aisle seat area. That wouldn't leave enough aisle space to suit us, since the rack/cabinet would be wider than the counter or furniture under it. It had been my first consideration before I got this MC9, though. Did you make any insulation, ceiling or outer wall changes? I am planning to use a "Pergo" or "floating" floor material right over the existing flooring. How did you do yours? | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (69.3.74.198)
Rating: N/A |
Has anyone made a "simple" conversion? One that did not require years upon years of back-breaking work? A conversion that provides all the comfort of a commercial class "A" RV Bingo. Exactly what I'm doing. I consider my 9er as more or less a 'prototype' in Phase I & II, that I will modify as I 'discover' what I _really_ need & want rather than trying to emulate a Marathon in the first pass. That being said, I have the highest respect for Gumpy and others of his calibre who are clearly masters at extreme conversions. (or just plain nuts  ) He has access to tools, patience, time and a _brain_ that I just do not possess. ;) About the racks - you don't really need to cut them up into smaller sections beforehand but it seems like you could - the tricky place would be up against the wall. It's really not that hard to get them out the window. You need some bracing material like a ladder upon which to rest one end at a time and just slide them out at the ends. You need something outside upon which to rest the end as it starts squirting out and slowly just keep sliding. 15 minutes of a helper's time once you're ready to start sliding would help tremendously. | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.233) Rating: N/A |
Yeah. "Extreme conversions", indeed. I too have great respect for those that can accomplish the task of making a "Marathon" out of a sows ear and would never mean to imply that it was not in anyone's best interest to be that gung-ho. Being that "extreme" just isn't -my- bag. I wondered how many readers (like me) that wish to make a nice conversion out of an old used bus, were only reading about the "extremes" and being scared away from beginning such a task. It might be a good thing to see the less elaborate conversions; ones that don't scare the bejesus out of a laid-back individual who doesn't desire to learn a whole new career to be able to take a vacation. After having to tear out the insides of a commercially built stick and staple RV to rebuild it the way I wanted it, I decided that a bus would be easier. What the heck... Start with a bare unit and build up. But if it's going to take a total "tear down" before I can "build up", it'd be no different than the RV I just sold. It's just too much work and too much invested time (for my tastes). I want to spend my remaining days travelling in comfort, not spending all my remaining days building something to travel in. Or more simply: My hobby isn't building, it's travelling. I'm building to get what I need to travel. So, that said.... How many more readers are like me (and you?) | ||
| 1341 (66.168.175.51) Rating: N/A |
I bought my Eagle 10 already converted at about half of what it would have cost mt to have done it myself, and I had it available for use immediately rather than months or years or maybe never if I tried to do it myself. Richard | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.89) Rating: N/A |
Richard: I almost did that same thing. But everyone I had looked at, had things I would want to do different... Like the kitchen counter and appliances... The way the bedroom aisles were too narrow, or the way the bathroom was split up... The shower... or the way the livingroom was assembled. Even ones that were really nice in the interior either had too small holding tanks and no room left for larger ones, or electronics that were terribly done. After looking matters over, I decided that it would be the same as buying a "stick and staple" rv. I'd be spending more time tearing it apart to change it to the way we would prefer it, than it would to build it from scratch! I guess that's why I wanted to post this thread. I think it's important to hear from "do it yourselfers" that didn't go the full route to build a 400k rig out of a old tired bus. I wanted to hear from those that built a decent vacation home on wheels for as little cash and less backbreaking hours, than what we usually read about. Sure, it's great to take great care and feel a real genuine pride of what you've built. But it needn't be the spectacular dream bus that manages to find it's way to the cover of the latest edition of FMCA. It can be as simple as a bus, with all it's original windows, paint and interior, less seats... modified to be lived in, in as comfortable a manner that one can afford. There shouldn't be any need to break the bank or the back. It's nice to know the "right way" to do a professional looking job in the most professional manner and I certainly love to hear from the folks capable of doing just that! But it's also important to hear from folks that have taken some great shortcuts and got their rigs out on the road as quickly and simply as imaginable. For many of us, time, money and/or energy are near tapped out. It'd be nice to see how inexpensively and -easily- we can manage to build a decent RV out of a well built bus. Hearing from those that have done just that, might give all us some incentive. Oh.... and starting with a partially modified rig is a perfectly great way to go. As I said, I almost went that way also. | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.156.216.38) Rating: N/A |
newguy...My eagle luggage racks don't come out too farI'd say they were 20" out from the wall...know other coaches are different...My floor...well Eagle has 3/4 plywood,a layer of cork ,then linoleum...so far...that's what is stll there,WILL NOT...do anything else to it till I get eveything else finished...no need tracking sawdust & getting paint & glue all over the carpet...THAT ..will be the LAST thing I do... |