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Topic: First critical project  (Read 935 times) previous topic - next topic

First critical project

After driving my new to me 03 U320 1200 miles I knew right away what I was going to eliminate first.

Banged my head 5 times coming into the coach and have no need for a TV up front.

My TPMS, GPS, Backup camera, silverleaf, and anything else I feel like will be highly visible up there.

Not an easy task.  Hardest part was finding stain that fit in with the 20 year old walnut cabinetry.  Old masters special walnut was the best possible match I found. 

My head will thank me down the road. 
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: First critical project

Reply #1 –
For future reference, the original cabinets are black walnut with (yes) Sherwin Williams sanding sealer as a finish.  That is per David Flanagan at Foretravel (and we used it for a couple of projects with good results).
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: First critical project

Reply #2 –
Very nicely done and it looks oem.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: First critical project

Reply #3 –
I got rid of my head banger too and built the TV in tight to the cabinet. I like your blinds up front
is that OEM for that year. .
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: First critical project

Reply #4 –
Not sure if the blinds are OEM for that year.

I spent $60 at Sherwin Williams on stain with multiple trips back to get it right. It got worse as we went. 

That cabinet is not all walnut and on mine the colors are all over the map from light to dark.  I was mostly trying to match the cabinets to the right and left.

The stain was the pain in my case.

2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: First critical project

Reply #5 –
I used walnut stain on cherry wood and it came out super close.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: First critical project

Reply #6 –
That's the first I've seen that has 2 shades up front. Who ever did it did a great job.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: First critical project

Reply #8 –
The shades are the same as on my 2005, they are original.  Driver and passenger side are on separate switches  What i really like is when driving into the sun I am able to adjust to block direct light. 
Gary Mauck
Deerfield Beach, Fl.
2005 U320 40' PBGB

"Elks Care, Elks Share!"

Re: First critical project

Reply #9 –
Well covered, but I want to add:

If the white rabbit grabbed your pocket watch and you want to follow him into the hole to retrieve your watch:

You can color your own wood stain, and or mix your own wood dye to match your existing wood.

Where was the internet when I was young?
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: First critical project

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –

You can color your own wood stain, and or mix your own wood dye to match your existing wood.
I have done this to match the walnut in my coach with limited success. By far the best match was just finding a similar piece of walnut hardwood and using a satin polyurethane with no stain. Once you start looking closely, you realize that much of the original wood doesn't match perfectly either.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: First critical project

Reply #11 –
I notice he still has the old sun shades which I took off as I use the blind to block the sun
when driving into it.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: First critical project

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Gary & Jeannie –
The shades are the same as on my 2005, they are original.  Driver and passenger side are on separate switches  What i really like is when driving into the sun I am able to adjust to block direct light. 
Same here on my 2003 U320.  Original from what I see in the manuals.  They are MCD's.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: First critical project

Reply #13 –
Quote from: oldguy –
I notice he still has the old sun shades which I took off as I use the blind to block the sun
when driving into it.

I considered using the power shade to block the sun but with 20 year old electronics I saw a vision of driving down the road with no vision.  ;) 

I kinda like those swing arms. They do junk it up a bit but they function well. 
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: First critical project

Reply #14 –
Well with exception of the plugs in the trim I'm done for now.  Have some room for expansion to boot.

The laptop runs the VMspc.

Gonna add the AC port to the power bank and build a charging shelf to hold phones and anything else that needs to be charged while parked. 
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: First critical project

Reply #15 –
Nice job on the setup and color match!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus