Will This 1977 Winnebago Run And Drive 400 Miles After 20 Years Abandoned???
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ธ.ค. 2024
- Abandoned in a barn in Wyoming for the past 20 years! can we get this iconic luxury Winnebago Chieftain up and running and then drive it 400 miles back home? 440 Mopar power, bad fuel and bad tires for only $500 what could possibly go wrong???
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I'm 72, and I had one of those back in the day!! We used to take it to stock car races all over! The 440 ran great, never gave us a bit of trouble. In fact, the whole thing never gave us any problems ever!! Way different than the junk we've had since!! I hope your not going to cut it up and destroy it 8( They are a solid old unit, and built very well! Tires, springs, shocks, all rod ends and anything that holds grease and it could be a solid driving unit!! Some weekends and TLC would make it a great old camper!!
Well you sure got my heart pumping with great old memories!! It's a great old unit!! 8) Peace --gary
You just knew the old lady wants to live when she turned the music on half way through. She's a keeper.
When I was a boy we owned a campground outside of Toronto and every once in awhile a Winnebago would pull in to camp and I'd be in awe knowing that these people drove hundreds or thousands of miles to camp with us, great memories, please restore it to its original condition. Thanks for finding it.
Back in the early 2000sI lived out of a 1976 21ft Brave for five years, It had a crate motor 440 big block with a six pack 475 hp. Where every I went, I was the life of the party!
they are so awesome! I'm gonna have to keep saving these!
Check oil. Water. Trans. Power staring and wind shield wiper fluid often.
I'm 83 yrs old. , Back in September of 1975, I bought a 1975 Winnie "Brave" 23 ft with a Dodge 440 engine. At that time I was a mechanic at SFO for United Airlines and I lived in it for about three and a half years. I loved it. Some of the most enjoyable years of my life in my "Winnie" It looked just like the one in this video except it was a little shorter.
Thanks for sharing!
This one is definitely a keeper. As great shape as it's in, it deserves a period restoration. Keep it as true to itself as possible and have yourself a real old fashioned Winnebago! This one will be real fun to watch.
My dad had a 78 Winnebago chiefton he bought in 82 my whole family raced motocross for 5 years in in all over the us...brings back such great memorys....
What a time capsule. The fact that it was kept dry and out of the sun this long has preserved this old girl so well.
That is the reason he didn't have that much trouble with it. It was kept indoors alotta years.
OH YEAH! Grabbing some popcorn so I can thoroughly enjoy this one. Love these RV videos!!!
Its a long one! hope you enjoy!
@LifeofLind I enjoyed every second of it! I personally think it's perfect as-is in terms of the interior as it's all original and damn near perfect. Maybe add a few things here and there, fix up the little things and take her down the road again. These old rigs tend to fix themselves if they want to and this one didn't let us down!
I'm watching too🎉
Good Luck Walt & Jesse
I just came here to make sure there was a Breaking Bad reference, its 11:45pm PST, I can go to bed now. lol
The window coverings in your barn find were called woven wood blinds , very expensive and popular in the 70’s
You two are nuts! Great find, and a great video. It's amazing that you got that puppy running. Good luck, look forward to where it ends up.
LOL... from the thumbnail, I thought you somehow got your hands on the RV used in "Breaking Bad"... now THAT would be ICONIC!!!
Hehe, same thought😅 looks exactly like breaking bad, hehe😊 such a great program 😊😊
That Winnebago is screaming to have another life indeed👍👌💯🔥
License plate should be shitters full . 😆
It's worth all the effort and fatigue.. It's special.. Clean.. And strong..
indeed!
What a classic! Our family had a '77 Dodge 440 Sportman C class. Lots of good times but almost needed the fuel truck to run beside it 🙂
great rigs bad fuel mileage!
😂😂
Great rescue great video I'm glad you boys are safe keep up their great work I think you have a gem.
I have a 77 motorhome that looks close to that one and has the 440 in it . I drove it to Bozeman and was cruising at 80 MPH. I got 6 MPG going there. It's been sitting for 15 years.
Our first family motorhome was a Winnebago Brave.... It was a beast... We stripped it out and rebuilt it ... When we finished it was in top shape... I loved taking it because it was perfect for a couple of people and it was relatively cheap to operate... It had a 318 with a torque flight... We actually sold it for way more then what we bought it for... Doc.
yeah this is my third one and id say the best so far!
Just did 950 miles in one day from Sonora CA to Elko NV to pick up a skoolie.... you have my deepest sympathy. FORTUNATELY ours ran well..... still, we did it in one extremely long day....gaaack.....
That is an awesome RV, in amazing condition for its age! I'm finishing up a restore on an 83 brave with a 454 that I bought for $100 about 2 years ago. I love the all metal shells. You can make those 70s Winnebago's into awesome resto-mods. It will last another 50 years.
they are the best looking rv's out there!
Keep it all retro and use it! She’s a beaut! I had a Chieftain back in the day and loved it! Nicknamed her Chieftaint😬
hahaha
Another great video. I would love to see it stay vintage looking with a good inside and outside detail.
Once you get the chassis side of it figured out I think a good bolt in EFI kit would make it run even better with better mileage!
Looking forward to this video series.
I was just looking up EFI kits actually, hmmm 1200 CFM with a 2.5 bar map... wonder what we could do with that ...
@
That would make for a good content for a couple of videos. I’m sure there are a lot of people with older carb engines that would looked to update the fuel system.
Mr. White!! They’ve found your mobil lab! 😂😂
I should have mentioned we had sway bars installed and best decision we ever made. At 65mph I had a right front blow out and motor home never swayed and didn't even realized there was a blowout. Best money spent
Love the coordinating woven wood shades and shag carpet. Still pretty after all these years!
Keep that time capsule in tact, and get it on the road again! Those decals are gorgeous! And that carpet is amazing!
Healing itself a little at a time..... better get rid of it before the "Christine" sketch starts! LOL
Cousin Eddie’s “RV”from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!😜
Shitters full . 😆
Ive owned a 77 elledan II. I loved my rv, Those engines are bulletproof, and they are built way better then the stuff you see in modern class A.
Definitely clean enough to restore.
agree!
This channel is the “Vice Grip Garage” of recreational vehicles 👍👍
Except this guy is real without adding fake clown stuff, VGG is just an actor/show, since he got fam on TV I ignore his channel, I'm not into fakery but just watching plp be real. This is def a good channel, just found it today.
@@patrickthebaptist-sharingt428
Except Derick has real trouble shooting skills developed by working alone most of his life. These two aren’t funny either.
I'd rather have one of this vintage, than any of the new stuff, as they were made properly back then and were made to last. Some of the new junk come off the lot already broken.
This would be fantastic to see brought back to its former glory.
The new ones are bristling with electronics and sensors. Everywhere. Sensors can be your friend but they also can be very very frustrating and expensive
Thanks for the adventure. Do what you can to restore it. it is a piece of history.
I watched your travel home journey and it was a miracle. Driving on MayPop (May pop) tires was amazing and the engine performed incredible to suck down so much rust to run.
Keep it, it's an awesome find, I Thank God you are able to work on it, I got a 1982 pace arrow, waiting for someone to look at my engine to bring it back to life. For now I'm just making interior renovations and living in it, everything works in it.
This is my bucket list all time dream RV.
Thanks for the look down memory lane... I lived in the same model parked in lovely Victoria B.C. Canada... oh, the fun we had ^&$^>(😮
Love it. Make me feel old. I was 14 When this was New. Lol. Great to se it. Looking forward to see it revived.
I had a tonka version of this rv and loved it Still in a box in my basement. Love to see more videos on the restore of this beauty
Scored Bro 👍she’s a goer. Restore it , for sure .
That thing is super cool and deserves restoration and maybe a modern drive train!
Awesome find and I would keep it too.
Clean fuel, new plugs and leads, she'll be fine. As you said, you've got some great friends there.
I was a welder at Winnebago in 1966 & 67 brings back memories.
If you could go 70 plus miles per hour. Imagine how fast it could go. Not that you would want to, but imagine how fast it could go tuned up with a fresh fuel system. Great video! Love it!
Some friends of ours had one just like this back then. The classic Winnebago. And that powertrain is bulletproof. I've had several 440/Torqueflites, and they were great. Keep this one and enjoy it!
16:30 What's the loose wire down by the throttle pedal?
28:30 Dude - IT's a CAMPER! Sleep in it... 🙄
29:00 I thought plugs & wires from the git go...
34:00 And the carb finally loosens up! What a ride man, congratulations
Can’t wait to see some armor all on that dashboard 😊
yeah!!!
I might be the same age as old people but they really did make engines nigh on indestructible back then 😊
it's super nice for it's age!
Worth some love! Just think of the fuel economy in smiles per gallon
agreed
Love these old RV treasures! Some major work but I think it's worth it.
This is an awesome camper, a real tidy example. do keep it and do it proud
So excited! I love these
thanks me too, its my favorite kind of video to make!
I spend 4 years restoring a 1976 24’ ft Swinger by Georgie Boy. It was parked next door to me at the ocean for several years while the owner lived in it while he was building his home. I replaced EVERYTHING that was metal bolted to the engine and elsewhere. The 440 ran great.
Wow! Great find! It has the bones to turn out really nice! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
my absolute favourite camper of all time,they just have a cool angry face.
So glad I ran into your channel the other day! Seems very honest and sincere, not to mention highly entertaining.
I can't believe that you drove on that tire!!
Still, you have some great friends, and a really sweet project, right down to the shag carpet!
I've just picked up a mint 1995 Dodge B350 Coachmen Saratoga that hasn't been started in three years, so your video gives me hope.
Subscribed, and following the fun.😊
I was gonna watch this before bed but now I’m gonna have to wait for sure 48m long hell yeah that’s so awesome and it’s about rescueing an old camper I can’t wait !!!!
The front end looks so cool.
i agree!
Keep it and keep it original
This is pretty cool! I remember going out to the Oshkosh airshow in one of these with my family as a kid! For what to do with it.. - I would get it mechanically sound, bring the interior back to it's original glory, but make some tech improvements long the way (LED swaps, backup camera, etc) - That's what I'm going to be doing on my Coach rescue..
i think this is the route im gonna go
What a nice classic rv👌👍
Greetz from the netherlands
Just got a 1980 Brave 23' on a Chevy chassis for free!! It ran & drove, brake master had no fluid in it! Thankfully both front tires were new! Sold it in two days for $1,200 bucks! They are surprisingly solid rigs!! 😎
I was on the edge of my seat for you guys. So glad yal made it safely. I did all the clickity clicks lol.
It was a drive for sure! Thanks for watching!
Just love your videos and your adventures getting these great pieces back home, already waiting for the follow-up,
Nice find good job getting it running. But the big question is, does the horn work? LOL?
Was that the right music for this on the radio ? Heart of gold ,and im getting old . That old camper was talking to you boys. LOL
Great video. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
I love it. 10 years ago I drove a 1976 class C motorhome from Baltimore to the Florida Keys. Lots of oil and gas but she made it. Made it back home to Baltimore and she died outside the gate of the backyard. That was her last voyage. 😊
Definitely a keeper. What a fantastic time capsule!
O Riley's best customers ! 😊
Everyday you work on that you'll grow more and more fond of it. The workmanship and quality far exceeds things of today. I acquired a 23ft '79 Triple E, class "A" 11 months ago. It has a 440 also. It is in excellent shape and have people always asking if I want to sell. The thing rides like a big boat catching the surf.
Enjoy and congrats!
$500? I feel like the 440 is worth that alone, but man that thing is CLEAN! I say you'd be crazy to get rid of it. Maybe get a different trans and rear end to put the 440 to better use and enjoy it!
looking a a gear vendors overdrive to make it a 6 speed rig!
@@LifeofLind Hell yeah! I'm looking forward to updates!
Upgrade the wheels and tires to common size, change both gas tanks,fuel lines. Keep it ;it's cool.
Hi i did have a Winnebago brave 23ft had a 6.5 diesel engine year was a 1976 it was brilliant, Great video guys
This camper van is really superb.
Good job 👍🏾😊
I love how you sit in your lounge whilst working on the engine
convenient and comfortable
I had some time with a 76' she had a rotted out roof on the mid section so i cut out the bad roof and raised the mid section 2 feet and put in a long opening window to vent the desert heat from the peak. Some 2x4s, plywood and metal roof and flashing and you're done. She sits in TorC N.M.
That radio looks like a clarion 8 track player. Had one in my 1979 ford pickup.
This Winnebago is perfect just the way it is.
Brave man.. We had a 77 class C.. had the hood cover off once.. didn't switch tanks quick enough and it didn't want to start.. Had both front doors open.. starting fluid and turned over, about the 3rd try it threw flames out of the carb! No doors on that one to escape!! Loved the 440-4bl
Kevin at Junkyard Digs calls the Mopar starter "sick dolphin".
Kevin is the man! haha and yes it does sound like that
Professional Tech tip: Those clear filters do great at giving the visual clues about the condition of the fuel...and the massive rust in the tanks.. But, in the future. Run a couple of those clear filters... Then a 2008 ford taurus fuel filter. It's only $13.00 and it's designed to catch all the debris. It has a massive filter internally.... and if the carb was good. (which yours seemed to be) You will save yourself the issue of messing with the carb. Those small filters allow an amazing amount of rust to pass and it will all end up in the fuel bowl. Now, you may have had to clean out the fuel bowls anyway... But, that motor sounded amazing at the first key hit. Also... that yellow fuel... will have a very stick property to it If you didn't have any sticky valves...that sticky fuel will gum them up... and foul the plugs... hence the dead hole. VGG still hasn't learned this lesson. No Nonsense Know How... also .. as brilliant as Chris is... still makes that same mistake over and over. Sorry Chris... Sticky fuel... gummy fuel... is a NO NO.
That would be a dream come true for this old man. I don't guess i will ever have any kind of vehicle again. Had plans to retire and live on the road, boondockimg . But bad health, crap time with 401k, losing what i was going to sale n buy some kind of unit to travel and camp in . But it does me good to see you try n bring that beauty back to life. Ill never have anything to drive but i can still dream.life is hell when u can't get to see a dr. Pure hell trying to get to the store forva little food.great video, should be playing that song " Dream On" by airosmith
This was a great vlog. Looking forward to see it all cleaned up
This is remarkably similar to my 2015 Winnebago Brave - they nailed it
Luck was with you in so much that the engine kept running and that the tires didn't fail.
That nest next to the carb can catch fire, I had to use a gas station windshield wash bucket to but one out on a bus once. The manifold heat riser ignited it.
This was a fun vid! Subscribed. Thanks a bunch!
Awesome, thank you!
This is the same layout as a Winnebago Indian. It’s a Chieftain but has the Winnebago Indian layout, except that the back bathroom has a shower on the right and the closet on the left instead of a tub on the left and a closet on the right. Have you ever seen the Tonka versions of these motorhomes?
I rescued two Winnie Chiefs, a 69 Dodge pop-up and a 70 Coronado when I was younger. This is all armchair, but I've never attempted to rescue a RV without having a Holley Economaster and a Pertronix electronic ignition along for the ride.
Been a while since I visited your channel, epic video. Very entertaining 🤩
5:16 Herculon is the fabric
thanks!
The trans fluid didn’t leak from the front seal. The fluid leaked back from the torque converter and overfilled the sump. The fluid that came out, came from the vent which is inside the bell housing.
If you beat this up, I will hate you forever. and never, ever, call it a turd! This is the floor plan of the 28' 69 I grew up vacationing in. Gosh I miss that thing! I remember messing with the reading lights and the smell, oh the smell was glorious as a 9 Y.O. That is called Therrmopane construction. Aluminum skin, foam, plywood. State of the art in the 60's
it's getting sealed up and restored so it will be around for a long time!
The tires must have inner tube's otherwise you would have had a few blowouts.
Howdy from London.
howdy!