Just the next New Guy

[someoldmoose]

Hey y'all,

Just like the title says, I have fallen into the never-ending abyss of bliss that is owning, restoring, and (hopefully) living in a piece of history. I have arranged to purchase an M820 expansible van with the intention of it becoming my retirement home. I have done and am doing as much research as I can prior to taking delivery of my dream. I have experience in several trades going back to the late '70s. These skills have been dormant for a while and I am looking forward to using them regularly again.

Sooooo anyway, just wanted to say "Hi" and hope to enjoy playing (paying) on this new adventure. Thank you in advance for answering any questions I might have (I know, check the threads first ) and I will gladly (and probably too often) respond to questions I see tossed on the field. Happy Motoring !

Chris "Moose" Herr

 

[Tinstar]

Welcome to SS!!

It is a wonderful addiction!

Ask away when you need to.
The guys here are a invaluable asset of information and experience

 

[General Hood]

Hey y'all,

Just like the title says, I have fallen into the never-ending abyss of bliss that is owning, restoring, and (hopefully) living in a piece of history. I have arranged to purchase an M820 expansible van with the intention of it becoming my retirement home. I have done and am doing as much research as I can prior to taking delivery of my dream. I have experience in several trades going back to the late '70s. These skills have been dormant for a while and I am looking forward to using them regularly again.

Sooooo anyway, just wanted to say "Hi" and hope to enjoy playing (paying) on this new adventure. Thank you in advance for answering any questions I might have (I know, check the threads first ) and I will gladly (and probably too often) respond to questions I see tossed on the field. Happy Motoring !

Chris "Moose" Herr

Post up some photos when time allows. And welcome from SE Oklahoma

 

[m715mike]

Welcome from Texas!

 

[jcappeljr]

Welcome,not far from ya..

 

[someoldmoose]

The pic of it opened up is from another vehicle. The super singles are at the top of the list right after all safety items and PMCS items.

Mr.Appel, already saw ya on here. Sure I'll be in touch at some point.

 

[FloridaAKM]

Welcome from Florida!

 

[simp5782]

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The pic of it opened up is from another vehicle. The super singles are at the top of the list right after all safety items and PMCS items.

Mr.Appel, already saw ya on here. Sure I'll be in touch at some point.

I think you need a M934 Expando unit to tow behind the M820 so that you have some place for the old lady to sleep!

 

[someoldmoose]

Already considered it. Don't have an old lady anymore though. Thought it would make an awesome billiard room and bar.

 

[simp5782]

$1500 and it is yours or $2200 delivered. It tows really easy.

 

[m715mike]

Already considered it. Don't have an old lady anymore though. Thought it would make an awesome billiard room and bar.

I like the way you think!!!

 

[Cape Coastie]

Hey Moose, welcome from Cape Cod, MA, nice looking rig. If you had the trailer that would be a serious road train! Good luck on the build. Keep us updated. We like pictures.

 

[someoldmoose]

Thank you simp5782 sir. Don't even have the truck just yet but I will certainly keep the option on the table. Appreciate the offer though,

Cape Coastie, a trailer is absolutely on the list. Considering options but it'll be a while. Will absolutely be MV based. Documentation of the work will be provided ( I like pics too ). Saw a thread on here where a member started on one then apparently some bad stuff happened. I'm hoping that won't be the case for me but my crystal ball gave up loooooong ago.

Also, thank you thread gods (honestly, no sarcasm) for fixing the thread title. Wanted to adjust it but wasn't sure how.

 

[ageregunner]

Welcome from the Lehigh Valley.

 

[red]

Good platform to start with. Planning to build the living quarters first or some truck upgrades?

 

[someoldmoose]

Punch list :

Whatever the chassis needs to be safe and reliable. The seller is very good about that but I am a total nit picker when a vehicle weighs 27,000 empty.
Super single wheels and tires ( have a few leads, always willing to listen to an offer -- PM please, request not in the thread ).
Lights -- changing most to LED bulbs in the original housings where possible
Reality -- update filters to spin-ons
Dream -- repower with Cummins ISX and Eaton automated 10 spd (as if)

Have basic floor plan laid out on graph paper. Planning total gut of box interior and start with any needed framing repairs ( a strong house needs a strong foundation ) then building from there.

End game is to be totally self-sufficient for electric, water, and fuel ( WVO converter )

This is not planned to be a quick job. Have three years left until retirement. Wanna do it right, not fast.

 

[simp5782]

you may want to consult profo on here. His name is marty. he did a camper build on his 927 and it is far nicer than any camper you would pick up on an RV lot that costs $200k or more. and his is all aluminum. But then again marty is like "Lifestyles of the rich swamp people"

 

[someoldmoose]

Affirmative simp5782. Want the outside to look more or less as issued with a nice home inside the box. All tips and ideas are welcomed.

 

[red]

Rayzer's M146 camper build, to give you ideas of what the interior could become. http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?68575-M146-RV-Conversion

How tall of super singles do you plan to go? I'm running the 395's (47" tall) on my m816 wrecker, 38,000 lbs. Cruises well at 54mph and 2000rpm.

 

[someoldmoose]

red. planning on the 395's also. Was told that with the van body I will lose a lot of articulation and be very tall going to 53s. Just looking for a few more m.p.h. over the 1100 - 20s and being easier to air down and back up without the inside duals on the rear.

Just read through the build of Mr. Rayzer's Taj. All I can say is . . . BRAVO ! Very much what I have in mind. I will be having a clothes washer/ dryer and dishwasher in mine as I plan to live in it full-time after retirement. Finish level will hopefully be in the same realm. Again, congratulations. Excellent work.

Rough draft of my twisted dream :