As we finalize our plans to get the GMC project underway, there are always a few setbacks - Like being able to drive or move it!  Such is the case with a recent melt-down of the diodes under the suspension switches.

After some conversations with Jim Bounds, his analytical and diagnostic skills appear to have our coach close to being back on the road.

Jim sent me one of his "short" instructional emails... I did exactly as Yoda instructed - connect this, check that. Disconnect this, check that. Lo and behold it appears his plan narrowed things down to the relay at the compressor. I'll know for sure  when I switch that out.

Here's the picture of the initial melt-down of the diodes. The connectors are melted too so they have to go.

I left things exposed and hard-wired a few sacrificial diodes to see if that was the problem or if it was down-stream. They melted upon ignition.

Here are the new connectors installed. All clean and pretty. When I removed the switch panel, I discovered an old towel that had been stuffed into the wall to hold up the map pocket. It was hard, moldy, crusty and well - disgusting.

Here are the diodes prepped for installation. They MUST be installed with current flowing in the correct direction. As I write this, I'm going to check again to make sure!

Looks okay in this picture - the diode stripe to the striped wire. Notice two wires have black tape around them - that's so the left and right don't get confused.

After checking for tight connections, everything looks good and I cover with electrical tape for insulation.

Here's the culprit under the back sofa by the air compressor. That relay appears to be defective. Jim sent me four different part numbers and the auto parts store scratched my head until his computer found the Everco relay. Just the same, I'll call Jim to make sure - one melt down is enough. No fires are even better.

This is the harness that goes into the relay. I have to check the original electrical schematics to make sure some one along the last thirty plus years didn't make some change that is a problem as well.

Well - the relay is on order. The chassis battery is refusing to hold a charge. That's another problem - but I'll deal with that once I can get the suspension "up" and running - sorry, I couldn't resist! More as it develops...

PS - All GMC owners CLICK HERE for an important note on GMC wiring and a potential fire hazard. It's a flaw in the original design and Jim has an easy fix for it!

After the coach sat for a while in storage - I got it home and charged up the batteries. So far so good. We'll see if they hold a charge in a few days.  In the meantime - I fired up the ole girl to fill up the air suspension.

Smoke was coming out of the side panel above the suspension switches. I smelled an electrical fire brewing.  I removed the panel and saw two funky connectors. You can see the one circled in "red" that was melting and causing the smell and smoke.

Glad I had my halon extinguisher nearby, and was parked so I could remove the panel and avert a potential disaster.

I contacted our friend Jim Bounds at GMC Coop, and he's walking me through this so I can avoid any further problems.

Most importantly, you can't ever forget the potential for fire - and must always remain prepared and mindful. RV Buddies will be devoting a lot of attention to fire control this year. Feel free to check out FireFight1.com to see where we got our fire extinguisher.

Stay tuned for more updates on the ongoing GMC project.

Now live on RVBuddies, the 3rd Annual Florida Sunshine Statesman GMC Drag Race from Orlando, Florida.

Eastern correspondent and friend of the program, Jim Bounds, owner of Cooperative Motor Works, hosts this RV Buddies Online special event show-casing the historic GMC motor home.

Born of automotive heritage, the GMC boasts a 403 or 455 front-wheel-drive drive train – revolutionary for its time. These cult classics can still be seen throughout the United States and Canada.

There are a number of shops specializing in the restoration, and in some cases – "severe modification", of these classic coaches. RV Buddies is currently involved in a massive GMC project. Jim Bounds is known for his extreme projects which include dramatic styling changes, high-end audio and video systems, and of course – performance from turbos, new engines and diesel transformations.

Some GMC owners drove thousands of miles to attend the event. The camaraderie, along with the pride of ownership makes this one of the closest-knit communities within an already close RV world.

There are over 20 clubs nationwide under the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association),  umbrella dedicated to these GMC aficionados alone.

There was a lot of fun at the event. Besides the GMC RVs - motorcycles, trucks and cars ran down the drag strip. Initially, the audience was a bit taken back by the site of the motor homes. The video shows some traditional "trash-talking" as spectators and contestants alike brag, boast and predict all possible outcomes. Strategies included whether to empty the holding tank or not for better traction on the track. One racer pondered turning the TV on during his run for entertainment.

Action in the pits was ever-present. GMC owners and experts helped each other out with maintenance and upgrade issues. Fire Fight, a provider of fire suppression systems  was on hand to educate the GMC owners on the value of these life-saving devices. Besides the practical pit-side activities – much food and beverage was shared.

There is nothing as American as an RV. And RVers love NASCAR and drag races. So the idea that the front wheel drive of an RV can burn rubber down a drag strip has to be a dream-come-true.

The winner of the event who set a new record (22.514 seconds at 62 MPH), was Bob Heller, driving #9587, a 1974 GMC running a 455 big-block engine with 110,000 original miles. Bob does all his own work and maintenance.

Many more events are planned for the future; and all who participated vow to continue to set new speed records.

It has been a hectic few weeks. I was supposed to get the smog certificate to the DMV by today, but alas they are closed on Saturdays. We're starting to shoot a special show on Monday (more news on that soon), and this week is hectic to say the least. So I have to hope the DMV will be understanding when I see them in two weeks.

In the meantime, I decided to take the GMC out for a drive last night, but all the house batteries were dead. It appears the converter part of the charger/converter works, but that's about it. I was upset so today, without the threat of impending darkness, I drove the coach around town and for lunch. That was fun. I have to work out some clearance issues in the remodel - I hate always hitting the drag wheels. It reminds me of when I used to own a sports car and had to be careful of the front spoiler. If this is going to be a good camper - I need to get this chassis to be a tad more functional.

Hopefully, I will get the pictures of the coach boiling over last week to show you. It's pathetic to think after all the work we've done to have over-heating be an issue, and at the same time - kind of funny. Today the drive was in range, even though traffic was stop and go. I won't tell you it was 84 degrees here today. Oh, sorry, I just did!

Part of me wants to get on the road with a simple restoration, and the other part of me is excited about a full rebuild. I think it will come down to costs. Either way, the labor should be about the same. We'll have to see what the material cost differences end up as... For now, I'm back to preparing for Monday's shoot. Have a great weekend.

Oh - here's a VERY IMPORTANT message from Jim Bounds of gmccoop:

"On the insurance people side of vintage motorhomes, take a read on my daily pose this morning about the difference in "full coverage" and "Agreed Value" coverage. An old motorhome has very little value in the book, the value comes in with all the stuff that is done to it, if there is no actual "agreed" price you will be screwed if something happens. This is a "soap box" issue that anyone with a vintage motorhome must understand - a vintage car or lawnmower too for that matter! Progressive writes agreed value policies, I do surveys for them and anyone else seeking such coverage - this is the #1 issue on insuring vintage iron."