Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

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Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

June 12, 2021, 09:10:34 pm

Never even heard of a Foretravel until a few weeks ago when I answered an ad for a 40 foot diesel pusher. Turns out its 38 feet long and has been sitting for 15 yrs. I agreed to buy it and have it gone in two weeks.
Some coolant plumbing, antifreeze, fuel filter, a battery, some makeshift tail lights and a couple of air brake hoses, it made it the 100 km home without any surprises.
Now to clean it up and give it a purpose again.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #1 – June 12, 2021, 10:43:15 pm

Great and Welcome!!!

Add a signature to your profile and put your year, model and engine in your signature (also your approximate location if you like) - then when you ask a question all that info is already in your post.

Save another beauty -

KM?? not miles? Canada or?

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #2 – June 12, 2021, 10:59:45 pm

Wellcome to the forum. As someone just restored a 91 grand villa last year, I can guarantee you that this forum is the best place for Fortravel. With the help from the members here, you should be able to find the answer for all your questions.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #3 – June 13, 2021, 02:30:53 am

As a recent buyer of a vintage FT I say welcome! This has clearly been the site of all sites for FT related knowledge and hospitality. Please post more pics and share your adventure!

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #4 – June 13, 2021, 07:57:13 am

Yes, I am about 40 miles north of Minnesota border. Coach has about 160k miles on it.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #5 – July 13, 2021, 12:30:50 pm

Cleaning up fairly well considering the environment it's been left out in over the last 15 years. I know who the two PO's are, but am curious as to other owners.
It has motorcade numbers still in place. I'm considering leaving them in place as they add to the overall "patina" of the coach. That and they are extremely well adhered!
I'm not likely to be joining any organizations, but if anyone has any information, I'd like to know.
Motorcade #2293

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #6 – July 13, 2021, 02:00:16 pm

Starting to look good. Keep photos coming as you progress.

Pierce

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #7 – July 13, 2021, 08:55:00 pm

After about 12 hours of pressure washing and scrubbing.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #8 – July 13, 2021, 10:48:08 pm

Now go around and check the tightness of every screw on the outside.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #9 – July 13, 2021, 11:21:33 pm

Welcome to the Forum! We always like to hear from new GV owners. Wish you every success in the restoration project.

Those tail light units are hard to find. Post below has some info on what to look for:

Tail lights 1994 Grand villa U280

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #10 – July 14, 2021, 07:00:27 am

Welcome to the forum. I also have an 89. Howard feed n wax is highly recommended for your woodwork. Available at most home improvement stores

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #11 – July 14, 2021, 08:00:05 am

Quote from: Blacksmith – June 12, 2021, 09:10:34 pm

Never even heard of a Foretravel until a few weeks ago when I answered an ad for a 40 foot diesel pusher. Turns out its 38 feet long and has been sitting for 15 yrs. I agreed to buy it and have it gone in two weeks.
Some coolant plumbing, antifreeze, fuel filter, a battery, some makeshift tail lights and a couple of air brake hoses, it made it the 100 km home without any surprises.
Now to clean it up and give it a purpose again.

We have a fully resorted 86 GV... we are in Grand Marais MN... sounds like not far from you... are you Thunder Bay ?

Also. I think the taillights were from an Isuzu car.. but they are mounted upside and opposite ... meaning the right taillight assembly on the Isuzu is used as the left side GV upside down..

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #12 – July 14, 2021, 08:15:10 am

Quote from: Blacksmith – July 13, 2021, 12:30:50 pm

It has motorcade numbers still in place. I'm considering leaving them in place as they add to the overall "patina" of the coach. That and they are extremely well adhered! I'm not likely to be joining any organizations, but if anyone has any information, I'd like to know. Motorcade #2293

Motorcade #2293 is a very early member number. The current club registry only lists 14 of the early 4-digit numbers. 2293 is not on the current list. It probably belonged to the original purchasers of the coach.

Motorcade Club numbers are supposedly only issued one time. They belong to the "person" to whom they are issued - not to the coach. I guess the club would say that the numbers must be removed when the coach is sold, but in real life this often does not happen. It's your coach now, so you can do whatever you wish about the old numbers.

Recently issued club numbers are in the mid 18000's. They have been assigned more or less sequentially over the years, so you get a rough idea of how much time has passed since 2293 was issued.

If you are not interested in going on the club organized group tours (Motorcades), which in my opinion are rather pricey, then the only practical reason to join the club is to get the 10% discount on parts purchased from the factory. Check out the page below for more info in case you are curious:

FORETRAVEL

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #13 – July 14, 2021, 08:24:44 am

If your taillights are in good shape but just don't light up, you can rebuild the "guts" from the corroded printed circuit to hard wired and more durable units.
I struggled with trying to keep my taillights working but finally gave up and converted them.
I have changed three sets for others. I can post the wiring schematic if you desire to do them yourself. It is relatively simple but labor intensive. You will have to order sockets, rivets, backing washers, wire, solder, and last but not least: SHOE GOO!!

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #14 – July 14, 2021, 08:31:40 am

Quote from: nitehawk – July 14, 2021, 08:24:44 am

If your taillights are in good shape but just don't light up...

Nitehawk,

Look at the photos he posted earlier. His light units are NOT in good shape.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #15 – July 14, 2021, 08:57:12 am

Oops, didn't catch that.
But they might be just cosmetic on the outside.
If not, then he might want to upgrade what ever he does find. Seems like a capable individual and I thought it likely he could do the upgrade himself, with a little knowledge I can pass on from my experience.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #16 – July 14, 2021, 09:55:38 am

Yeah, the tail lights are beyond repairing I'm afraid. Generic square boxes were installed over the original. I added the temporary ones to get it home.
Thinking of aluminium inserts and 4" led so that replacements will be easier.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #17 – July 14, 2021, 10:03:52 am

If the inside holder for the green printed circuit "board" is still good, hold on to it.
I might be interested in restoring it for other GV owners that might want to upgrade.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #18 – July 14, 2021, 10:08:05 am

Quote from: Blacksmith – July 13, 2021, 08:55:00 pm

After about 12 hours of pressure washing and scrubbing.

Wow! 12 hours of pressure washing should show you where any leaks are.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #19 – July 14, 2021, 11:22:00 am

Quote from: Travelin' Man – July 14, 2021, 10:08:05 am

Wow! 12 hours of pressure washing should show you where any leaks are.

Yes it did. One air conditioner was loose and a bit skewed. Removed it, cleaned and straightened it and seems all watertight now.
Moss and lichens mostly all removed..

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #20 – July 14, 2021, 11:27:24 am

Quote from: Blacksmith – July 13, 2021, 12:30:50 pm

Cleaning up fairly well considering the environment it's been left out in over the last 15 years. I know who the two PO's are, but am curious as to other owners.
It has motorcade numbers still in place. I'm considering leaving them in place as they add to the overall "patina" of the coach. That and they are extremely well adhered!
I'm not likely to be joining any organizations, but if anyone has any information, I'd like to know.
Motorcade #2293

Number is actually 2239. Not that it will make much difference. I do know it was in Minneapolis area in mid 90's.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #21 – July 14, 2021, 01:07:36 pm

Quote from: Blacksmith – July 14, 2021, 11:27:24 am

. I do know it was in Minneapolis area in mid 90's.

The couple were from Mounds View, MN.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #22 – July 14, 2021, 01:11:44 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – July 14, 2021, 01:07:36 pm

The couple were from Mounds View, MN.

Pamela & Mike

Thank you very much

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #23 – July 18, 2021, 08:51:18 pm

Moved mouse habitats out and smells much better already.

Re: Resurrecting an 89 Grand Villa

Reply #24 – July 18, 2021, 09:05:11 pm

$45 Ozone generator will get rid of all smells. Set for 30 minutes and let the coach stay sealed up for a couple of hours. Repeat until perfect. Gets rid of foul smokers odor, the worst of all odors.

Pierce

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