| Inaugural run of new to me 1977 Royale [message #348830] |
Wed, 02 October 2019 16:08  |
Stephan Ashe
Messages: 32
Registered: October 2016
Location: Tucson Az
Karma: 0
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Greetings all from long time lurker, GMC tinkerer. Having owned a 1973 26' PD for a few years now I realized i just don't have the time to get into the shape I want. Don't have much $ into it so went looking for something a bit more complete to satisfy the GMC itch. Boy oh boy there are choices out there and I've looked at 5 before making the plunge. Decided on Royale or Avion (dont see alot of Avions for sale) as the hardwoods just add that much more to my eyes and wanting the last generation if only for the dash air. Almost pulled the trigger on a 78 center kitchen in Bell Buckle Tenn but the exterior was to rough and 10k for paint is just to rich. Bounced into a 77 royale on one of the facebook pages. Got a bunch of pictures and some PMs later Bam, good price, good value, and all the boxes checked ! Fun part is that it's in Victoria BC and we are in Arizona. Tried to bank to bank earnest money etc, ended up fedex a cashiers check. Well short story long, my wife and I ended up in Victoria saturday evening and were picked up by the coach. went through the vehicle with Kelly, Carol and John. Everything as described and in good shape, sign the papers, hand over the check. Next morning we are at the ferry 0830 getting in line for customs and boarding for the 1030 crossing. Already a bunch of thumbs up from the crowd. Get to Port Angeles and roll off the COHO to get through customs and importing a motorhome into the country. Again Plenty of thumbs up and please pull over across the street, come back to the office with your paperwork. To easy, officer Johnson recalled a time in his youth when camping in the family GMC. Good stuff and out the door we go. Get all the way to Prosser Wa for an overnight stay and gas up. The dash lights are out so no night driving till we get that sorted. Any way we made it from Canada to Tucson leaving Sunday on the 1030 ferry and got home Tuesday 1830. Couple of nights and a bunch of gas later nothing but an easy drive with only a low air bag to fill up in kingman then rolling strong home. Roy did NOT like the mountain passes, maybe a combo of sea level tuning on the carb and the stock 307 gearing but when shifted to Super we never got below 45. Idaho was 80Mph the whole way. What a great and easy trip. hope to get a bit more involved now that we own a road worth coach. Please excuse my initial Verbosity but man oh man this is gonna be fun! Currently going through all the build provenance from 2001-2005 from the build. looks like a bunch of goodies hiding under the bed in back ...... Kelly, Carol, John if you are reading this thank you for waiting on us and taking the time to walk us through Roy. You were great caretakers and we hope to continue in this tradition.
Stephan Ashe
1973 26-6 painted desert?
1977 Royale sidebath
Tucson Az
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| Re: Inaugural run of new to me 1977 Royale [message #348839 is a reply to message #348830] |
Wed, 02 October 2019 18:59  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Stephen,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....
There are only a few things that I really like to impart to those that arrive here, but you have most of them covered.
You have a good sigfile and you have taken the time to get to know what the coach needs.
Now what you need to do is really get into the community. This community is what makes being a GMC owner more than just the current holder of an new big toy. It connects you to a community that (and your write up says) can be the most valuable part of ownership.
And before I forget, the instrument lights are controlled by the headlight switch and that is prone to failure with age. Check that before you start to work too hard. Getting the switch out is a little complex, but not real difficult and GM used that part for decades so replacements are easy to get. But first, turn the know both ways a lot to both limits and see what happens.
This is an Amazing community and the only other that I personally know of id that of the watermen that are my world. For that reason, I really like to welcome all those that arrive here much as one might be welcomed there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome Stephen
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: Inaugural run of new to me 1977 Royale [message #348859 is a reply to message #348830] |
Thu, 03 October 2019 10:20 |
Stephan Ashe
Messages: 32
Registered: October 2016
Location: Tucson Az
Karma: 0
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thanks for the feedback, guess it's time to pull the radio, sounds like the gray wire may be tied into the ground... digging deep into Gene's site, what a wealth of info and links!
Stephan Ashe
1973 26-6 painted desert?
1977 Royale sidebath
Tucson Az
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| Re: Inaugural run of new to me 1977 Royale [message #348860 is a reply to message #348859] |
Thu, 03 October 2019 10:35 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Great report, Stephan!
I think there are still a couple of spots left for the November GMC Saguaro Jetset rally at Roper Lake. Take a look here:
http://www.gmcsj.com/2019/03/2019-2020-rally-planning-meeting-minutes-by-nancy-ferguson-acting-secretary/
We would love for you to join us for a fun weekend. Joining a club, if nothing else, gives you an excuse to get the coach out every month, at least during the rally season. The group is mostly a social one, but there is always plenty of opportunity for tech talk too.
If you ever need some help or advice, I am in Tucson and on the Black list: http://www.bdub.net/Black_List/GMCAssist.pdf
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Inaugural run of new to me 1977 Royale [message #348867 is a reply to message #348830] |
Thu, 03 October 2019 16:06 |
Russell K.
Messages: 178
Registered: October 2016
Location: Dunedin, Florida
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Congratulations Stephan! Welcome. We like to hear the good reports. It is definitely a labor of love. When you can, put up some pictures over at GMCMHphotos.com. Show off your new baby "Roy" like the proud papa you are.
Safe Travels,
Russell
1978 Eleganza II, Dunedin, Florida
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| Re: Inaugural run of new to me 1977 Royale [message #348872 is a reply to message #348830] |
Thu, 03 October 2019 19:28 |
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pjburt
Messages: 436
Registered: February 2016
Location: Fresno, California
Karma: 1
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Stephan Ashe wrote on Wed, 02 October 2019 14:08The dash lights are out so no night driving till we get that sorted.
Welcome Stephan,
Re: your lack of dash lights. Along with Matt's suggestion to check the light switch rheostat, check the 10 amp fuse in the fuse block in/behind the glove-box.
Jerry
Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
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