1974 Winnabago Minnie Winnie (fixer-upper) project

[Brett Webb]

Hello again,

 

I am currently in the process or repair/Restore/modifying my 1974 Winnebago Minnie Winnie (now dubbed the Minnie Webbie).

I have posted short introduction on another page but I thought I would start a projects Page to track my progress and try to show what I have working on.   

 

The first thing that I did, (aside from jumping in head-first by buying the motorhome :) ) was to put together a list of things I plan to do on this project:

 

Projects (in vague priority order)

 

Clean and evaluate

Prime and paint interior

Remove flooring

Fix water damage

Replace leaking vents/roof holes

Re-cover re-seal roof

Evaluate floor plan change

Move appliances

                Move propane connections

Test all appliances

Replace Roof AC unit

Replace Refrigerator

Test plumbing and water systems

                Move fresh water tank/plumbing

Test electrical

                Install improved inverter

Install interior LED lights

Battery replacement

                Engine

                Power battery system

Fix re-seal /windows

Replace tires /wheels

Evaluate drivetrain / leaks

Engine maintenance

Drivetrain maintenance

Replace from windshield

Purchase overhead bunk mattress

Make/purchase Cushions for rear bead/seat

Upgrade / replace cab seats

Fix dash lighting

Cab flooring

Install Curtains / window coverings

Repair / replace roof ladder

Evaluate roof rack

Purchase generator

Upgrade driver’s mirrors

Install upgraded exterior lighting

Install Awning / screen enclosure

Evaluate exterior  

                Aluminum repair

                Buff/wax exterior

                Paint scheme

                Cab/overhead flashing

Headlight upgrade

 

While the list is fairly long, it is probably not comprehensive (unfortunately) since I will inevitably find more things to do, find things I have missed and generally just changed my mind on what or how to do things.

 

So, I will start off with what I am actually working on or have accomplished some progress on.

 

I am multi-tasking many of these items  as you will see:

 

Clean and evaluate                         Complete

Prime and paint interior                   in progress

Remove flooring                              Complete

Fix water damage                           in progress

Replace leaking vents/roof holes      in progress

Re-cover re-seal roof                       Researching

Evaluate floor plan change               in progress

Move appliances (Furnace)              in progress

                Move propane connections

Test all appliances

Replace Roof AC unit                     Researching      

Replace Refrigerator                       Researching      

Replace tires /wheels                     Researching      

 

 

Clean and evaluate                         Complete

 

Before:

 

Cleaning started:

 

After attempting to vacuum, Carpet was the first casualty:

 

 

 

Despite the stains, the floor is solid…. Unlike some of the ceiling area:

 

Vent area above the top bunk

 

 

After pulling back the veneer

 

Too much de-lamination, so I kept removing the Luan board

 

 

I will come back to this later… with the full panel removal and replacement when I am finished.

 

In the meantime, I check the bad spot in the bathroom ceiling:

 

 

Close up

 

 

After pulling back damaged wood and finding more rotten material

 

 

The water had leaked in and gone both directions on the wall, inside the bathroom and outside to the Bunk sidewall

 

 

 

I started pulling and cutting away material until I got to solid foam/plywood

 

 

Finally back to solid material on the bunk wall…

 

 

And inside the Bathroom…

 

 

Well, that was painful… but now that the exploratory surgery is done, the healing can begin…

[So ska noname]

There is a gathering of good old rivers in late July in ohio. If you can come there are lots of people to talk to, check out their Winnie's and other trailers.....

[Joanne Leiser]

Glad to see your persistence, it will pay off. I agree with So ska, the more you drive it and use it the better. I started with a list almost as long. Looks like you have a good plan. We just thought of the Fort as a rolling tent at first. Made it easy to figure out utilities and make do until we could get things fixed. I will be watching to learn for when we start healing the Fort. Great pictures!

[So ska noname]

If you can drive it and sleep in it don't worry about the rest. I took mine all over and could only sleep in it store stuff. It takes time to do all. Your appliances all work that's a plus. If have plumbing, even grey and black drains working that's a big plus. Truck stops have showers. You ripped out carpet and your sub floors look good. I am putting porch paint on mine until redo permentantly. You can wash it. Try and do roof if it needs done soon. A lot of trailers leak around the vents in roof, the caulking dries up. Happy recovery and get traveling soon.

[Brett Webb]

As for a target date, I would like to vehicle to be minimally roadworthy by the end of July.. but maybe not ready for an extended trip by then.  That date will be determined by the drive train condition and how soon I can afford tires/wheels...  :)

[Brett Webb]

Yes, the list is aggressive...I was a little depressed when I put it all down on paper, but I am working through it.    I will still need more time to really evaluate the mechanical parts.  All of the appliances worked inside and the MH drove pretty well considering how long it had sat idle.

The engine/drivetrain seemed intact, just dirty... I will have to change out all the fluids and fix leaks before I know much more about everything under the vehicle.  

I can tell you it drove fine and had no issue driving it home... although after a more in depth look at the tires, i am surprised I  did not have a problem or a blowout, they are dry rotted pretty bad.  

[Dwayne]

I like the project. Stay with it and I am sure you will be driving and camping soon. Do you have a target date to be finished?

[Casey Chinook]

That is an aggressive list but not if you want the interior/ exterior to be right. How is the mechanical on your R.V.?

[So ska noname]

Love the wallpaper. Carpet seems to always go.

[Russell E Johnson]

Healing is good, may take a long time but you will have a very nice MH when you are done.  Good luck.