1973 Winnebago Brave Restoration Update (one year later)

[@randyscrafts8575]

Bathroom is huge for a camper. Nice job overall. Looks like home with the wood. Good taste. Modernized old camper. 👍👍

[@wotracer49]

Thank you!

[@robertwhite9898]

Wow wow! Outstanding on the remodel that ole gal ! Looking sharp !

[@richardarmstrong5490]

I just bought a 1972 Winnebago Brave for $100, your video’s are helping a lot! Thank you for making them, I’ll be making my own shortly!

[@darrincambridge2377]

Cool. Beauty in simplicity 😎

[@georgetorres8834]

Beautiful machine... WOW so so super nice. Blessings and safe travels 😎

[@tallblonde1976]

Wonderful RV, you're living my dream.

[@Edgar-Friendly]

Sweeeeeeeeeet to this again. Many not be perfect, but then what is? This is the project that inspired me to seek out my own project. Much appreciation and respect. ✊

[@sarahj.8372]

I am 60...from East of the Rocky slope Montana and when I was 14 dad rented one from friends just like yours give or take a year to drive to Disneyland and see an uncle in CA. 6 in immediate family. It was mostly fun..lol. I can not tell you how impressive and nice you made it,,have seen several online. You guys that do this for your families and make it work are the best. Many buy new or even used out of a comfort zone and things get too tight...it is especially impressive in these tight times...thanks for sharing and it is gorgeous and you came up with great options for snags..I mean brand new UBER UBER fancy ones get out of people's ability to fix this or that zone. Very impressive. I remember dad talking to us on intercom..."Girls (4 of us)...Look left..that is the Vegas Strip and as close as you will ever get to it under my roof"..LOL. Thanks so much for pics.

[@wotracer49]

I love hearing those stories, thank you for sharing. God Bless

[@sarahj.8372]

@@wotracer49 I was 14 and could not go to park on HS grad parties I could hear.....no sanity at that moment..lol..so glad you are having your time with your kids and travel...God Bless Back.

[@grannieannie1371]

It's looks like the perfect way to make memories for your family. It has so much personality.

[@lamoflorxoxo]

very, very nice, congratulations on your wonderfull work!

[@jspate61]

Excellent work. She's a real beauty. I'm green with envy. Cheers from Montreal QC.

[@kozinator]

Soooooo Glad you did a follow up, it means a lot to us! Would love to see a video on what u would do different and performance such as mpg, power (such as sustainable speeds on the flats and hills) braking, cooling (I know u touched on the transmission issue) and how it handles the AZ heat and mountainous climbs of AZ (like I-17 and 87 both up and down). Best Brave restoration on you tube!

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

Looks great!

[@DaveD2488]

Wow... you did an amazing job. Looks like it just came off the assembly line. The paint job is amazing.

[@stevengee3475]

thanks for posting man. I'm getting focused on a similar restoration. yours looks radical!

[@laurijorgenson6683]

Loved the video. What a great job on the RV. I love that you mentioned some of the mechanical things you did. I’m updating a 1995 Class A and it is really nice to know some of this things I could do on mine. Like the lock up switch for the rear diff. Any time you want to cover more things, like mechanicals for the RV house, I’m all ears. Great job!

[@wotracer49]

The lock up switch is for the transmission torque converter lock up (no slip means lower transmission temps)

[@troyjackson9740]

Great job sir. I recently updated our RV from an older JayCo popup to a new 2018 rockwood roo 183. I have found that RV's are like airplanes they need a lot of maintenance but I love it so much. We live in mesa as well and love all the pictures of your adventures.

[@michaelscot4744]

You did an amazing job...rescued an old Winnie and made it your own

[@wotracer49]

Thanks

[@pmag3200]

Great update thank you and great build ... by the way I'm so jealous😁🍺 enjoy more and have a great time with the family

[@wotracer49]

13-16 mpg

[@jacklatta1890]

I’m restoring same model. Same year. You are really inspiring to me. Damn I had no idea how much it takes to do what you have done, and I’m teaching myself as well. So glad for your family for the project...keep it up. Cheers amigo!

[@wotracer49]

Thank you, it was a long project....and its not over yet.

[@righteyeartistry156]

@@wotracer49How much money have you spent n this so far?

[@wotracer49]

@@righteyeartistry156 about $15,000 all included, but that was mostly in 2018 prices

[@spiritwardiaries]

Labor of Love👍💗🥰🙋‍♀️ the auto paint looks perfect.

[@dariomendoza1518]

looks great man my project is a shasta 1986 p30 454 chevy i just barely started .thanks for posting it!!

[@ghandigps5]

Outstanding Build Young Man #Outstanding ....🇺🇸👈🏾❤️ 💯💪🏿.... And May Wind Be Upon Your Backs....

[@johntovar554]

Bro, it looks awesome! I've watched all your videos and they are very helpful. I'm rebuilding a 1986 Winnebago Chieftain. Just put a rebuilt Holley carb. It's running great! 454 is solid. Keep putting out more videos!

[@fredkeller3813]

Job well done! Thanks for sharing!

[@AlbertaAdventurerFamily]

Still an inspiration for us; we hope we can make our 74; Indian just as nice. So jealous of the adventures you took your Winnie on! Great video

[@Joans20thCentury]

Nice clean job 👍

[@sanremodude]

Such a cool RV, you did an amazing job. Nice work 👍🏻

[@xozindustries7451]

Thanx for the update, I love the build, if the Trans fluid gets over 300 degrees make sure you change it right away or it'll burn up the clutches because it looses the lubricating properties

[@Murlocsforthewin]

👍👍Now that you are done with it, your next project should be building one for your brother...

[@kmgates]

This is awesome! Great job on the restoration and update video!

[@marcellebaudry5786]

belle restoration cool pierrot 85 ans de paris amitiers

[@mikesally1876]

Very nice job you did

[@CurtisDrew1]

Now I've got to go back and see your other build vidoes. I have been rebuilding and upgrading my 89 Fleetwood Limited since 2000. Every year I add or modify it more and more. I replaced the EFI 460 Ford motor with an 89 12 valve 5.9L Cummins Diesel, back in 2003, and my mileage when from 6 MPG to 9.5 mpg with the old style Allison AT542. ( NO overdrive or lock up torque converter.) I have since built an Allison World 1000 5 speed with OD and Lock up. We built a stand alone computer for it and made it completely programmable on the road from my laptop. I put an AFC Live on the motor and can crank it up to 400 HP when I need to get over the mountain. Expecting to see 13~14.5 MPG. It never overheats because I put a Semi Truck Radiator/ Intercooler cobo up front. It took up all the hole there was in the front, but it works like a champ. And all the other coolers are going to make this "The Rig" to take to Moab. I do a lot of 4 Wheeling in my TOAD. And we use the Class A as our Base Camp. So nice to see your old Winnie. Love those old Girls. Yours turned out nice. I'm currently redoing and upgrading my Limiteds interior. (Floors, wallpaper, and AC Units to mini splits with solar) Rewired most of the coach and installed Marine Grade switches, LED Lighting and electronics, but had to take a break because I broke both legs and shatterd both feet right before Thanksgiving last year, (2019). Finally back on my feet but still hobbeling some. Great Job and your Kids will have many cherished memories. My Parents took us all over the USA in a 16 foot Shasta Camper Trailer as we grew up. Good times! We will cross paths soon I'm sure. If we can ever get this World sorted back to normal.

[@wotracer49]

My 12 valve is still bone stock, is the AFC Live worth it?

[@CurtisDrew1]

@@wotracer49 I absolutley think the AFC LIve is worth it, even on stock sring and injectors. Once in, you can run it on mild setting, and then turn it up to get more HP for hill climbing. And of course it will make adding in bigger injectors and going to a bigger spring really easy. I'm conservative on mine and will stay under 400 HP because I'm still planning on using the 1000's OEM torque converter since the transmission is rated at 350 HP as is. Plus It came out of a Delivery truck so it's built for strength. I didn't build mine to drag race or blow peoples doors off. My goal was to be able to pull my 4x4 rig behind mty Coach and go anywhere I wanted without having to crawl up any passes. It may slow down a little, but never crawl. I just wanted the option of being able to turn it up when I need it. That steep climb out of Denver to Moab was a struggle with the EFI 460 gasser. Haven't done that climb with this new engine yet, but it should be no big deal now. I, of course, put all the gauges I'll need to monitor my drive train. Engine / transmission oil temp gauges, Boost and Pyro. I even had Speed Hut match my Factory gauge faces and went with a GPS speedometer to eliminate the hassles of the regearing and drivetrain issues I was going to have to deal with. I did regear my rearend and added a limited slip to it for better soft sand manners. I have a tag axle and have never bogged down in sand, while others couldn't drive out. I just went around them in my 37' Class A to get off the beach. The OEM Speedo and the Speed Hut GPS Speedo faces are almost identical. Other than the OEM registered to 85 MPH and the GPS reads up to 100 mph. Once they got the Face colors and markers placements down and recorded, I can have any of my gauges I need upgraded to Speed Hut units later. They matched the new Boost and Pyro gauge faces to look like the OEM gauges.

[@mattneaderhiser4658]

So what mpg are you actually seeing now on your diesel swap? I’m strongly considering a similar swap.

[@loyalsonofamerica5185]

Wow, she hung in there nicely. You did great work and excellent choices all about. The door latch by the back bed with the bins in it seems fine to me. Quite good actually but I'm not hands on there so I was just sayin'. ahahahahah LATER, and again, fine job good lad.

[@SWATgonIBIZA]

Preciosa, increible trabajo, felicidades !!!

[@wrecktec]

Truly Badass!!!!

[@wotracer49]

Thank you!

[@1moorekevina]

Thanks for that video! Really appreciate it. I believe I'll be buying a 1972 later this week. Overall good shape somebody put a Dodge 440 in it which only comes with later models. Really like what you did with the front bed! Really like the idea of a Cummings diesel!! Mine won't be getting that LOL.

[@clarencemcgregor8568]

In 1973 I was stationed in West Germany and our CO had a Winnebago Brave as his POV.

[@dustindark8124]

Thx I actually found a guy in Washington. He's got an rv dismantling shop. Lots of old stuff well priced and had it in 2 days

[@travis8404]

love it great job you got skills , i hope to do something like that some day ,you should publish a book on how what to do ,and what not to do , with parts list . for green horns like me.

[@jminsd]

Good job! Love it!!!!!

[@abelflores580]

Es gran trabajo amigo

[@AZdirtdog]

Do you have an idea of mpg with the Cummins, I’m planning on doing this swap but I’m thinking a 4:10 rear outa something with disc brakes is cheaper then gearing old axle

[@wotracer49]

I'm getting between 13-16 miles per gallon, 4.56 gears and I also plan on swapping it to a 4.10 to help with the low rpm diesel

[@AZdirtdog]

@@wotracer49 thanks for Reply, you can get a gov spring kit for 4k rpm that will give you a 3250rpm cruise.

[@Racerp51]

Outstanding work. We restored/upgraded our travel trailer and am now looking for something like this as our next project. Have you considered SumoSprings for the leaf suspension? Might help with the compression and jounce.

[@anthonyransfer4188]

Very nice. Would like to hear the engine inside and outside the coach. How does it handle on the hills? How many gallons of gas does it take? I really like it. Doing some renovation to my rv too. Gettiing some ideas from you.

[@wotracer49]

It handles like a 1970's RV, not the best but it's OK. I get between 13-16 mpg depending on how fast/hard I'm driving it, and it has a 40 gallon tank, so it goes a long way

[@charleneross6340]

Beautiful restoration! We have a1973 Winnebago Indian and are ready to do the walls and the ceiling... what is the white glossy paneling you used and where did you purchase it please?

[@wotracer49]

It is white board paneling from Home Depot ( like the stuff you write on with dry erase markers), it is great but make sure you fix all of your leaks, the backing shouldn't get wet.

[@garyjohnson801]

On the trans you need to put a shift improvement kit in it and drill two holes in the valve body were the lock up valve is in it . It will fix all week areas in the trans for the A618 and you will see the difference

[@Ray96744]

She is beautiful

[@xozindustries7451]

Can you put air bags all the way around to help level it out?

[@wotracer49]

Possible, but more of an investment I'm not ready to make. But I like that Idea

[@welshlyn9097]

First time I seen this.brilliant job Welsh coal miner stay safe.

[@wotracer49]

Thank you! You as well

[@thebruniverse276]

Cool vid thanks

[@susanbreshears3757]

We have watched your series many time as we miss things the first time. I have a question where did you get the flying W and brave outline for painting? We want to paint our on also. Thks!

[@wotracer49]

I actually has a friend that traced and measured it before I painted over it. Then he made a vinyl stencil so I could repaint it with a new color.

[@zracer1099]

What type of brakes you put up front? I have a Dodge M300 chassis with 6 lugs on mine. I want to convert to disc, but not sure what fits.

[@wotracer49]

I found them at O'Reillys under a 1973 Dodge D200 I think

[@marknaimo4784]

Sweet, nice little rig, for the money, you didn't like the green shaggy carpet??

[@stevenmartinez5531]

Dang Dude, that's Sweet! I love old RVs. Do you still have her? Happy New Year!

[@wotracer49]

No, I sold it

[@kozinator]

Hey, how did you have to handle the AZ DMV emissions with title and motor swap?

[@wotracer49]

I had to go to the Emissions station by the PHX Airport and get it inspected. All they tested was that it had all the emissions components from the 1994 Dodge donor truck (only a Catylitic converter). It passed and now I just renewed and it went smoothly. In there eyes its a 1994 Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel. (HD Vehicles have to be tested yearly)

[@jeremyfissell6756]

Hi, I appreciate these videos. I'm restoring a 72' brave currently. I'm wondering if you have any experience attaching accessories to the exterior? Is there studs to attach to? I'm considering using nut-serts to attache to through the aluminum exterior. Any advise or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time in advance.

[@wotracer49]

Not real notable studs to attach to. What are you attaching? How much weight?

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*Really 'Primo' build-quality!* *Interior/Exterior look 'better than new' and likely superior quality in craftsmanship and materials than a 'factory new $100K+ M/H'* ( *This is easily worth $50,000 in todays market, or more* ) ______________ *I would like full 'AGM' solar w/3 or even 4 batteries + 300-watts in panels rather than the generator, but on the other hand the roof-top A/C pulls a hellalotta' power so you need the 'genny' during the day when it's possible to hit 120F in the Southwest* ______________ *I gotta' nice paid-for house w/all the mod-cons and live 1.5 miles from a free State Park overlooking the Ohio River so not having an RV is not causing me any suffering* ( *Besides, I don't have the income anymore to afford leisure travel and I'm terrified of expen$ive break-downs in the 'middle of nowhere'* )

[@nerfcommando149]

If you ever sell this, please announce it on your channel. i cant be he only one who would love to buy this

[@wotracer49]

Sold, last month

[@badhabitmotorsports4047]

Just a quick question on your video what did you do for ceiling supports

[@wotracer49]

I added 1×2 box steel as strength (every 18 inch in the middle section)

[@andrewpuch493]

@Lambson Auto what is your MPG for 6bt ? also here is a spreadsheet for transmission swaps www.transmissiontuner.com/Transmission-Swap-Comparisons.html , some people like the ford www.4btswaps.com/threads/what-about-the-ford-5r110-transmission-behind-a-4bt-or-6bt.26421/ I think one of the diesel mags did a review of ford with 6bt and they are like this was way cheaper than Alison and more bulet proof then dodge trans .

[@wotracer49]

I usually get 13-15 mpg, high is almost 17 mpg

[@lolat70mk3b]

Would you sell the Winnebago ? Great job on every level !

[@adammartin4906]

bro, we ever going to get to see how it runs and drives???

[@wotracer49]

I Sold it a year ago, sorry, now video, it is a great running rig

[@CampersCoffee]

I have a 1973 Winnebago Brave Looking for some advise on parts

[@wotracer49]

What are you looking for?

[@dustindark8124]

Quick question I own 72 winne our shift cable broke 2days ago. Do you have or know anyone with the cable for 413 , 727 dash board shifter.. we contacted Mopar its discontinued.

[@wotracer49]

The speedo cables are pretty basic, just remove the one you have and measure it, you can order them for different sizes

[@CampersCoffee]

Hasn’t ran for at least five years, it’s missing radiator and I’m having trouble figuring out what originally came in it and if I can get one, also missing key I’ve been looking and it looks like dodge dart was same engine and Brave was built on a Dodge RM-300 chassis

[@wotracer49]

Yeah, a lot of my 1972 Brave was just a Dodge dually chassis, Brakes/suspension and stuff. The Radiator I'm not sure about.

[@mw2strizak]

How much at the end did this project cost?

[@wotracer49]

Everything included i would guess $10k, that is normally what a cummins swap costs alone, I think it was a good investment 👌

[@sarahj.8372]

@@wotracer49 I do too...so impressed.

[@46fd04]

Am easy fix for those loose hinges is PL Premium adhesive. The doors will never come loose. In fact they will never come off 😂

[@Olympiansunrise]

I’m about to buy one needs like plumbing, a water pump reinstall the gas tank and the brakes… What would you say it cost you to restore one outside of that?

[@wotracer49]

I build this one 6 years ago, prices are not the same anymore, but I spent over 15k total

[@beege1968]

What kind of fuel mileage you getting with that cummins?

[@wotracer49]

13-16 mpg, it really does best cruising at 65 mpg (1900 RPM)

[@beege1968]

Thats pretty awsome ...i have a 1995 cheverolet 30 foot jamboree with a 454 it gets almost 6.5 mpg i have a small catapillar inline 6 with trans out of a 1993 transit bus that i am gonna swap some time this year

[@CurtisDrew1]

@@beege1968 Is your Catapiller engine turbo charged? And what transmission does it have? I ask because when I swapped my 460 EFI Ford to my 5.9 Cummins the Allison AT542's (4 speed no OD) were all that was available. I had to wait for the Allison1000 World transmission to come out, then get plentiful in the salvage yards. The Allison 1000 are the ticket behind a diesel motor, (you can use a stand alone computer to make them work with a no computer motor. Not cheap, but not insane $) but if you don't have a strong Turbo Motor you will be dissapointed with a NA motor and non lock up tranny with no overdrive. Trust me on this one. I'm about to pull my AT542 and put the 1000 5 speed in there. I went 5 speed because I regeared my rear end and a 6th speed OD gearing would be too tall to use. I too have a lock up button and can split gears all the way through the range if I need to. Hope this helps!

[@keithpalmer3215]

I have a 2016 brave. Wanting to retro inside ideas ?

[@wotracer49]

I gutted out my Winnebago, all new/modern interior

[@changetheatmosphere]

Use loctite for the screws

[@chrisw.p5665]

Loving the Camper man! Quality build! My dream is to build one of these. Only thing I have to say about this video is the audio SUCKS. Keep on bringing more though!

[@toddpardoll3868]

Let me know if you decide to sell. She’s beautiful!

[@tykehotep2865]

sorry but apart from everything looking fantastic I am not too keen on those red wheels but hey if that's the original colour them who the heck am I to stick my nose in. Anyway great video great camper and all the best from the UK

[@wotracer49]

I actually sold it, and the new owner painted them black and then put Chrome covers on them. It does look better now

[@doc3584]

Stop hittin ur sister,lol. Good vid!

[@noanyobiseniss7462]

1 word, loctite.

[@wotracer49]

Yes, I did that recently

[@mikuohatsune78]

Whatever camera you are using is horrible the audio is scratchy and the video is lagging

[@randyscrafts8575]

Nice that you can show your true colors. 🤔🤪