i must be crazy.

[bluebird3208]

I recently purchased a prevost Marathon conversion. I decided that
most of our RV use is RV parks and long distance uns. The
Wanderlodge being only 35 feet was great for the national parks, but
we rarely seem to camp at one. No one in the family likes to dry
camp. So I elected for the better ride, power and room. The Prevost
is not a camping coach, but is certainly a superior Highway coach.
My 82 that I have upgraded and restored is for sale to a serious
buyer.

Here is a partial list of the work done on the coach.

1982 Blue Bird Wanderlodge
Purchased with 6000 miles on rebuilt 3208T, Transmission, Rear end,
drive shafts, Brakes, and exhaust system.

From April 2001 to May of 2002

Removed entrance and screen doors.
Had door skin re welded. Weather proofed and installed
hardware, adjusted door and installed new weather stripping. Replaced
inner door cover with oak plywood. Replaced screen in door and re
poprivited all parts. Rebuilt automatic screen door closer and
installed new Velcro. Repaired and sealed doorstep light. Replaced
stairs well cover hardware.

Overhead panel:

Due to lack of functionality (The dash air when working will
not keep the driver cool on a hot day) Removed dash air and built
custom walnut overhead. Installed new TV to operate off of the
inverter. Loomed all wires overhead, and installed new
inside/outside temp gauge. Installed new back up monitor over driver
with camera in rear. Trimmed out CB volume controls in walnut.
Installed new diodes in musical horn to make it operative, and new
outside speakers for horn and CB. Replaced searchlight with new.
Fabricated covers for old AC outlets. Installed new sunshades.
Installed fans and wired them into old AC blower controls. Installed
automatic speaker relay switch so that front speakers play audio /
video system through them until the dash stereo is turned on.

Instrument panel:

Replaced all warning lights. (Amber, blue, yellow and red)
replaced instrument bulbs. Replaced several instrument switches and
installed relays on all blower motors and running lights to save
switches. Ordered and replaced one AC blower switch, which was
burned out. Calibrated Amp meter and adjusted alternator for better
charge rate. Replace electrical water gauge with accurate mechanical
water temp gauge. Reupholstered dash and replaced all heat foam with
soundproofing heat resistant material.

Audio/ Video system:

Trimmed out Audio Video entertainment area and installed new
coaxes and source switching system. Installed new DVD, VCR, Tuner and
Satellite receiver. Installed new TV bracket and TV/VCR in back
berth area.


Forward area:

Trimmed out seat switches in walnut. Rebuilt drivers and passengers
windows had new rubber put in Windshield and drivers and passengers
windows. Installed new remote control mirrors. Removed and resealed
all clearance lights. Ran wiring to power lumbar on seats. Installed
new reeds in air horns. Installed one new air horn cover. Replaced
block heater switch so is now lights. Cleaned block heater. Resealed
drivers and passengers outside access panels. Installed a new cruise
control with vacuum generator system.





Interior:

Replaced several florescent fixtures and all the bulbs.
Installed new blinds in forward lounge and bathroom. Installed
curtain system for windshield area. Installed new overhead vents and
trimmed them with walnut. Replaced all non-operational overhead
locker hold ups. Removed and painted all heating vents. Trimmed in
refrigerator with walnut. Built ducting for new center propane
heater. Repaired electric heater in bathroom. Installed new shower
curtains and doorstops. 3/20/04 Replaced all florescent bulbs and
replaced 12 ballast in fixtures. Removed carpet and wood from step
well. Welded up hole for filling leveling jack hydro pump. Replaced
entry with granite steps and wood flooring continuing through kitchen
area. 7/05 Replaced carpet.

5/07to 6/07 Removed rear bunks, stripped to bare floor and water
tanks. Removed aft dinenet base. Removed carpet from forward
dinenet base. Installed partition wall with dutch door just aft of
refridgerator and befor aft bunk area. Partition is constructed of
walnut veneer with pure walnut edges. Door is made of popular frame
overlaid with walnut panel to conserve weight. Installed Perko
marine door hardware, and bladwin dutch door latch.
Replaced water tank overflow hoses , and cut out new exit
holes to allow for new bunk base construction. Built up starboard
bunk base with false bottom above water tank. Installed three
heavyduty accuride pantry slides with airram so that starboard
bunk can slide over to port bunk making one bed. Cut into accessory
air line under port berth and installed air manifold to get air to
strarboard bunk. Installed air tank with check valve to run air
ram. Installed air ram control valve under forward dinenet base for
ease of access and emergency manual operation. Wired 12v dc air
valve to master switch in starboard aft overhead locked, and three
momentary switches. Two over bunks and one in aft overhead above
dinenet. Installed new bunk fans. Built up port rear bunk base.
Repositioned winterizing controls and built new drawer in base
area. Rebuilt aft dinenet base with new drawer for easy access.
Covered forwad dinnet base in walnut veneer. Stained and lacquered
all wood areas. Built custom solid walnut dinnet table and
installed.
Remove nutone food processor and sink. Removed counter top
and installed new full size stainless steel sink with new faucet and
instahot water unit. Replumbed all of same in copper tube.
Refabricated sink drain, and made small modifications to top large
drawer to allow for the larger sink. Removed old water filter and
used space to create a large shelf area under sink. Sanded clean and
restained shelves and drawers. Reworked, adjusted, and lubricated
all drawer hardware. Recovered counter and backsplash with more
current formica. Installed new refer with ice maker.

Removed starboard aft window to replace cracked glass.
Rebuilt same window with new felts and tempered glass then
reinstalled. Remanufactured TV bracket for rear bunk flat screen and
reinstalled. Had new screen built for main salon windows. Had
forward glass and newly installed glass tinted as required.
Removed all upholstery and recovered, had aft bunks made up
of 3.5 inches of dense foam, and 2.5 inches of memory foam for sleep
comfort. Had new upholstered foam back for both forward couches
made. Removed U-line ice maker and removed cabinet. Increased depth
of wine storage area and built and new formica covered door for the
cabinet. Reinstalled cabinet for trash can storage area.


Fresh water system:
Replaced water heater, water pump, and accumulator tank. The
water pump is quieter and uses fewer amps delivering the same amount
of water. The accumulator tank helps to reduce pump run time. The
new water heater is better insulated and will hold hot water
overnight. Replaced water heater switch so that the switch
illuminates in the on position. Rebuilt the built in water pressure
regulator valve. Re oriented bathroom vanity faucet so that hot and
cold are in the right direction. Rebuilt toilet so that water now
stays in bowl. 05 Installed new toilet and rebuilt cabinet and
installed new above counter sink, and faucet. Put granite in bath
area.

Engine area:

Sound proofed engine doghouse. Installed new doghouse hold
up. Replaced forward rubber on doghouse cover. Re Engineered Air
Cleaner system to get the right quantity of outside air into engine.
Pulled right valve cover and fabricated a bracket so that the PCV
properly mates to the valve cover to stop an oil leak. Removed old
dip stick from forward right side of engine and got new parts from
Cat. Converted oil pan to rear sump, and moved oil dipstick to rear
of engine to make it more accessible and to give the pan more ground
clearance. Rerouted throttle cable to get it away from the exhaust
system. Re designed throttle bracket so that the oil fill on the
left side is now accessible. Replace transmission modulator cable
due to a leak on the old one. Removed radiator and had it rodded
out. Replaced radiator hoses. Repaired and put engine warning
system on line. Hooked Raycor fuel filter gauge back up. Installed
pyrometer and boost gauge. Replaced Rubber fuel lines near engine and
heat insulated them. 3/20/04, Installed transmission temperature
gauge. Fabricated and installed radiator misting system with dash
switch operated electric solenoid and filter. Installed propane
injection system for more power up hills. Fabricated a custom
transmission cooler and installed it parallel to the drive shaft had
new transmission hoses made to hook up the unit. 4/5/04 to 4/30/04
Removed radiator and had fill neck replaced. Converted radiator to a
swing out system with all new lifetime hoses. Rebuilt power steering
pump and replaced all power steering hoses. Replaced bearing and
shaft in water pump idler pulley. Replaced rear bearing in fan clutch
and installed new rubber dampener. Repaired small oil leak at
tachometer sender. Cleaned and painted all front engine parts.
Replaced all belts with high quality gates. Replaced rubber fuel
lines with special high temp lines and re-insulated. Removed intake
manifold and turbo charger. Drilled and taped ½" pipe hole for water
injection nozzle. Inspected turbo for play and wear none noted.
Reinstalled intake manifold and turbo, replaced lock washers where
needed. Installed hobs pressure switch set at 4 lbs per sq in to
operate new solenoid valve for water injection. Wired in complete
system. Installed pac-brake exhaust brake. Installed new air
cleaner element. Relocated fuel filter to rear of engine compartment
for ease of access. (16500 miles). Replaced water hose to air
compressor. 9/04 Had new stainless steel braid hoses made for
connection of air compressor to governor and air dryer. 11/04
Installed electric fuel pump to purge out diesel filters after
change. Installed radiator mid ship for additional cooling of water
returned from hot water heater. Radiator has a thermostatically
controlled fan. Changed out drivers valve cover gasket. 7/05 Replace
o-ring seals for injector inlets through head. 7/24/06 (24939.9)
Replaced engine with Reviva complete rebuilt 3208 250 hp Cat engine.
Rebuilt air compressor. Painted out engine compartment and inspected
all lines and electrical. Replaced Height control valve with a Hadex
94100466

Under Carriage:

Steamed cleaned and inspected. Removed front left and right
rear leveling jacks and sent them to the factory to be rebuilt.
Reinstalled same. Replaced forward shocks with factory recommended
shocks. Expensive, but an incredible difference. Repaired
connections on speedometer pickup at right rear wheel. 4/20/04
greased under carriage (16500 miles) 10/04 Replaced leveling Jack
hydro pump with factory rebuilt. Installed pump on new bracket so
that the old step fill can be done away with. 7/24/06 Removed front
right jack and had it rebuilt and replaced. 4/07 installed another
hydro pump because new one was leaking. 7/07 had slow leak at valve
stem on inside passenger tire. Interior lug bolts show
cracks..replaced all interior lug bolts both sides.

Air conditioners:

Replaced thermostat in center air. Replaced clamp on
Schrader valves evacuated and recharged. No leaks and unit cools
well. Serviced (Cleaned) forward air and installed additional sheet
metal screw to secure evaporator from squeaking. 9/04 Replace all
three roof air conditoners. 11/ 04 replaced roof vents with Fan-
tastic fans.

Exterior:

Replaced all locker weather stripping. 3/20/04 replaced pin
switches on lockers and cleaned and repaired all light fixtures in
lockers. Installed new fire extinguisher in forward locker.
Installed new heated windshield wiper blades. 6/04 Removed dents and
dings, welded up holes for forward roof AC, doorbell, bugler alarm
key, and front turn lights. Removed and rebuilt galley and rear berth
windows. Painted entire coach with Dupont emeron. Purchased and
installed all new clearance and marker lights mostly with led type
lighting. Updated headlights including relays for full voltage.
Replaced turn signal flasher with electronic type. Fabricated
stainless steel wind deflectors for drivers and passengers front side
windows, and installed same.


Generator:

Had fuel injection pump rebuilt. Installed new fuel lift pump
and lifter cover gasket. Had radiator rodded out and replaced all
radiator hoses. Steam cleaned and identified oil leaks. Replaced
valve cover gasket. Tightened pan bolts, and replaced front oil seal
after installing an oil saver on the front pulley. Replaced water
pump and belt. Replaced flex exhaust line with new stainless flex
exhaust line. Welded up door brackets and adjusted generator door.
Sound insulted generator compartment to reduce noise and vibration.
9/04 Replaced generator set with used 3000 hour 10kw HANCO
generator. Raised generator drawer 3" and installed generator
parallel to bus. Installed battery bank in generator drawer complete
with fuses and "O" cable and supplied to new Freedom inverter
charger, Installed freedom 40 battery charger to replace the old
units. New generator has been modified with updated fuel filter and
two radiators with electric fans. Installed custom exhaust and
soundproofed cabinet. 4/07 Replaced generator voltage regulator,
added additional cooling fans to move and extract air from gen set
area.


General:

Re positioned battery cables and re designed battery hold
down to accommodate new 115 amp Trojan batteries. Installed luggage
pod on roof. Repositioned CB antenna and installed new TV antenna
forward. Installed new dump valves on gray and black waste tanks.
3/20/04, Fabricated and installed black tank macerator pump. Wired
pump to drivers rear fuse area and installed outside switch and hose
fitting. 11/04 Installed battery combiner to insure proper charging
of both battery banks, and a battery switch in the passengers
forward overhead locker to run house DC on either front or rear
battery banks. 11/04 Replaced air step solenoid with new unit.
12/1/04 had date code checked on very good looking Goodyears. Rear
tires 1993! Front 1999. Replaced all tires with Toyo's. ( I can't
stand giving the French a dime.) 11/05 Macerator removed and
portable unit bought. Refitted all drain plumbing. 6/07 Removed and
greases both dump valves. Used locktite to fasten roof deckplate
screws into place.