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(98.148.245.41) | ... now that my FMC is fully functional. The rebuilt 440 was installed and finished at the end of August.
Some of you that follow me on Facebook (facebook.com/richard.truesdell.3) know that I am planning on taking my FMC cross-country. The plan was to drive it eastbound from Southern California north to Reno, then east to Detroit (to see the Kuralt FMC at the Henry Ford) via the Lincoln Highway. I wanted to leave by October 1 but circumstances has made that impossible. Now I'm looking at November 10 but am concerned about weather. If I don't leave bu 11/11 (my 65th birthday), I'll postpone the trip until the spring.
I've posted two post-rebuild videos on YouTube that you can view; the first I picked it up after the rebuild, the second after I updated the bedroom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9irBAVYlng&t=79s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDjcQy3SZmc
Three questions I have. First, who might have a passenger-side front windshield and how much should I expect to pay?
Second, what is everyone doing for tires? Mine date back to 2014 , have plenty of tread but they are showing signs of cracks.
Third, how many of you traveled with your FMC in winter? This impacts on my decision if I will try to drive it east next month.
Now that I've got my FMC operational, expect me to be a more frequent contributor here, especially if I launch my trip next month.
Richard Truesdell
Lake Elsinore, CA
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Location: Victoria, BC. Canada
(108.172.101.233) | Welcome Richard!
There's lots of good info here on glass. IIRC there's a place in Oregon called Coach Glass or something. Expect to pay around $1300 - $1500 a side.
You can get chains for your coach if you're concerned about winter. Living up here I carry a set of 19.5's for mine. They're real heavy with dually's on the back so if the rubber is good you likely won't have too many issues without chains unless it's really slick.
What brand/size are your tires? A 2014 date-code says they're certainly not aged out of service. Should be good for about 10yrs if the tread is still there. If you're still running the stock rims & 17" wheels it gets a little challenging these days to find tubes/rubber for them.
Looking forward to hearing more from you.
Lots of good people that know a lot about these coaches here.
You just missed a good Rally up in Oregon. I didn't make it this year but we did last yr and had a blast.
Good luck!
Terry
#846
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(98.148.245.41) | Terry,
Mine are 19.5s mounted on Alcoa wheels. Yes, chains are a possibility but weight and cost factor in.
I will post my planned itinerary today. I would like to meet and photograph other FMC coaches in my travels. I've discussed with Stephen the possibility of self-publishing an FMC history print-on-demand book/eBook. I have some experience and expertise in this area having self-published more than two dozen print books through Amazon, one of which has sold more than 1,000 copies, on American Motors.
https://www.amazon.com/Legendary-American-Motors-Magazine-Premiere/d...
I can publish a 100-page bookazine, double the size of LAMM, in full color and sell it for $24.95, if I determine there is sufficient demand (at least 250 copies) to justify the time to pull it together.
Thanks for responding,
Rich
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Location: Victoria, BC. Canada
(108.172.101.233) | Sounds like a hell of an idea. You might do well to make a couple of rallies so you could get a bunch of pics and interact with other owners as well.
There are lots of chain sets out there for 19.5" wheels.
Good luck wherever this goes...
Terry
#846 | |
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Location: Cottage Grove, OR
(71.94.238.133) | As to tires, I have been happy with my Sumitomo brand 8R 19.5 tires. If you are seeing any checks, I would definitely replace them as collateral damage from a blowout or peeled tread can get expensive. Your coach has been exposed to much more intense sun than terry’s so tire life is shorter. | |
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Location: Oceanside, CA
(70.183.106.155) | I'm also on 8r19.5, Double Coin RT600's, love them.. | |
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(98.148.245.41) | Len,
They run about $165/each unmounted plus shipping (SpeedyTire from what I see), right?
Thanks,
Rich | |
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Location: Oceanside, CA
(70.183.106.155) | I bought them 4yrs ago, IIRC they were $1000 (set of 6) shipped then, I had to shop around quite a bit to get that price. | |
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