Thanks Bud! I sent you an email a month ago when I was still in the planning stage, you didn't respond, I started to worry a bit lately.
Dad would have had a ball working on this with me. Would have kept us up nites figuring and fooling around. I guess I do so much of this stuff because of him...and my Uncle Sid, his younger brother by 2 years and my favorite uncle.
Thanks Burl,
The cushions of the sofa have 2 velcro pads that correspond with the ones on the extensions. They grip strong, probably stronger than the adhesive!! A couple of staples would help that on the wood part. The main cushions only have one each, mainly 'cause I ran out of velcro. They stay in place real well for now.
The expandable sofa idea was trashed because the seatback + angle ate up about 10" of space, and the frame was too restrictive IMO to route wiring, etc. However the old sofa seat is the bed on the old dinette side. The frame easily disassembled and all we had to do was cut the flap that attached the seatback to the base.
Cab seats each come out easily with 4 bolts, but unplug what I guess is the seatbelt connection wire before you lift the dr. seat out. I wanted to do one piece, but it would have been a nightmare. The cab needs some 'prodding' to fit into and under the doghouse and other areas. I made a new transition from the cab to the coach. It's approx. 3 1/2" wide, 1.5" at it's thick end and 1/2" at the thin end of the taper. I also trimmed it to fit(and not put pressure on) the wire channel that goes to (then under) the coach from the driver's side. After the cab was done, I cut the piece for the coach. That area has regular rug pad, only in the carpeted area. It, and the rug is held down by regular carpet style crown staples. Where the 2 rugs join, (you won't believe this) I used my dog's clippers to thin the pile on both to about 1/4" or less, like a lap joint. I then dampened the coach end, folded it over and used 1" staples to hold it down. Seems to be fine, and feels....great!
There is no real shelf in the tv space. When stored, the tv lays on the front 'cradle' and on a padded 4" shelf in the front end of the box. Its all held in place by small but very aggressive bungee cords. This is what allows me to stuff 2 fullsize pillows into the open area in there.
I'll be installing the pleated shower door today. Then we have to work out our eating surface. I am thinking of re-using the old dinette table, but cutting it so it fits in the wardrobe in the rear of the coach, with folding legs.
I need to replace my hastily removed decorative strip around the living area. Dumb mistake, cause it's crazy hard to find anything like it, and I'm not referring to the design, the material itself!
In the spring I will remove the weathering-away TrailLite emblem on the top front, and move the so-called fog lites (cheapos) to the rear to aid in backing and set up at night.
That's all I can think of now. I do wish all the bench hinges were the spring loaded type, but that was my own fault, and it's fine.
Now, about a built-in vacuum system......
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the complements. I've never had a hot rod and even tho' my coach has 300 hp, it's no stormer, but it has evolved into my project "car/toy". One great thing about this project and change was the overall cost. The biggest expense was $140 for the carpet and about $120 for hinges. If the whole thing cost more than $600 I would be surprised. Comparing that to the alternative purchase of a new RV, it's awfully cheap.
I do love this forum.
Cheeze - Great looking finished job. Really opened up some space. I have subscriped to this topic to make it easier to see if there are any new postings. I have checked daily and watched, but stayed out of the chatter. I am impressed with the appearance of the cushions. I see the same fabric around the windows. I missed any discussion on how you went about cutting the cushions to size and covering with fabric etc. - sent it out or did it yourself? Have you considered one of those round chrome posts for setting up the table top?
Thanks Gene!
We thought about the pedestal, but didn't want to ruin the flow of the rug especially after we got a nicer rug than we expected, I'm working out a way to make the old dinette top into one with folding legs that fits in the wardrobe near the bath.
The cushions on the passenger side are the old dinette bases, with the seatbacks acting as extensions for sleeping. Underway, they go back to the other side to act as seatbacks for the sofa base. My DW shortened/resewed the cushion covers and I sharpened up my carving knife to cut the foam.
The window boxes are original. The seatback on the passenger side is the old base for the jackknife sofa. The big buttons cover the old duct holes.
Ok, I feel safe in assuming we are a mature group here.
I have a delicate(?) question. I'm 6' tall, and I believe Burl(you are up early today!) is 6'4". Has anyone had any thoughts about 'knee-room" when using the toilet? When I close the door, I'm usually covered by the towels hanging there, and there is no reading room. I know the simple answer is leave the door open. That's fine most of the time, but there are times....well, I've gone into enough detail.
I thought about building the door frame out a couple of inches or making a 'bumpout' in the door itself.
I hope I don't regret this one!!
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When I close the door, I'm usually covered by the towels hanging there, and there is no reading room. 
