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Topic: First Grand Villa  (Read 2486 times) previous topic - next topic

First Grand Villa

Finally got my first Grand Villa after 6 months of searching and few failed attempts.
This add in Oregon attracted my attention and responded.
Have a great friend that drove me almost 600 miles to see it.
All was as described and the widow made a great offer I accepted on the spot.
It is a 1990 U300 will 45K miles and a 8V71 DD that started at half a key and run with no smoke at all.
It is incredibly original with nothing changed.
Incandescent bulbs all over and neon lighting.
Only added 4 solar panels but no extra batteries and they get 100% charged in 4 hrs so I need to increase the battery capacity.

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #1 –
Welcome! Enjoy the ride!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #2 –
Welcome! We love pictures. Congratulations on your new to you coach.

Lynn and Marilyn

The selected media item is not currently available.
Lynn & Marilyn Sickel
Tollville, AR
1997  U320  40'
2021 Chevrolet Silverado pickup
Motorcader  17257

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #3 –
We are always happy to see another GV join the Forum.  Congratulations on your purchase!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #4 –
Congrats
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #5 –
All righty then. Welcome to the family and the forum.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #6 –
Hey, Hey.  Another double bumper added to the party.  Welcome aboard. 
Jeff & Lisa
"Optimus"
1990 GV - #3605
U300 Unihome
6V92 Detroit

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #7 –
We were at the first GV reunion at FOT a few years ago.

It's time for another one!
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #8 –
Our first was a 90 460 gasser

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #9 –
The first mention of a '71 series DD in a Foretravel I have  seen
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #10 –
Quote from: craneman –
The first mention of a '71 series DD in a Foretravel I have  seen

Agree.  All I have seen were DD 6V92's.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #11 –
Quote from: craneman –
The first mention of a '71 series DD in a Foretravel...
Possible Unicorn (anything extremely rare, unique, magical, or almost impossible to find)?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #12 –
Thank you all for the greetings.
It was the first 8V71 I ever heard of and was not sure at first but when they assured me the mileage is accurate I had to go and see it.
Owner was a retired trucker and a great mechanic after I inspected the engine bay.
No oil dripping and I inherited all the tools he used.
Trying to figure out how things work and ordered LED bulbs replacements.
Too many mirrors inside to keep clean but ....
Waiting for a cooler day to recoat the roof and looking to add few more truck batteries for the solar panels.

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #13 –
I cleaned the generator area first a looked for issues but besides paint pealing in the actual generator unit didn't find anything.
Both roof AC work really good.

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #14 –
After cleaning

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #15 –
In Harvy North Dakota we drove by this GV and I had TDW take a couple pics. Sorry I didn't stop for any info but thought I would post. Jim. 
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #16 –
It sure looks like my new toy from the pictures.
Brown stripes that are damaged by the sun.
Will redo mine in forest green soon.

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Andrei –
Finally got my first Grand Villa after 6 months of searching and few failed attempts.
This add in Oregon attracted my attention and responded.
Have a great friend that drove me almost 600 miles to see it.
All was as described and the widow made a great offer I accepted on the spot.
It is a 1990 U300 will 45K miles and a 8V71 DD that started at half a key and run with no smoke at all.
It is incredibly original with nothing changed.
Incandescent bulbs all over and neon lighting.
Only added 4 solar panels but no extra batteries and they get 100% charged in 4 hrs so I need to increase the battery capacity.
Lovely looking coach, welcome
            Kev uk
1990 foretravel grandvilla, Oshkosh chassis
8.2ltr Detroit turbo

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #18 –
GV are such fun coaches. I'm always surprised how many positive comments we get on our 240. There just aren't many vintage motorhomes still out on the road.

Andrei, enjoy. They are wonderful machines.

Michael
Michael & Ginny
Frankfort, KY
1992 U240 GV Build #4116
2007 Mini Cooper

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #19 –
Welcome!
Sure would like to see a picture of that 8v71, most likely rated at 318hp given transmission limitations of the day.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #20 –
Big surprise today.
When I inquired about it the lady said V8 diesel and I was suspecting 3208 cat but she was sure it was Detroit diesel and when picked it up the I looked only through side doors at the engine.
Today I decided to lift the bed and take a look at it.
Big surprise when I saw the big turbo  so got a flashlight to read the label.
It was in French and clearly it is a 6V92T.
Just a bit smaller then 8V71 but more HP due to the turbo.
I already saw some cat prints on dusty beam.
Plan to clean it a bit with some pressurized air first.

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #22 –
Another double bumper? I greet you my brother!

By the way, your turbo charger is feeding a supercharger. Won $20 at an RV park when a guest said it was not possible. Well seeing is believing.  Your engine uses a lot of air. Keep an eagle eye on your air filter. Also for motor oil you need to use Delo 100 NOT Delo 400. 100 is for 2 strokes and it is low ash. Available special order from O'Reilys. 3 gallons per case.

Soon you will be finding yourself opening the window when you go thru a tunnel just to hear it roar.
The Starship- 1990 Grandvilla Unihome U300 40ft
6V92 Detroit Diesel w/ 4 spd Allison w/ retarder. Build# 3575 , Foretravel# 17895
The Shuttlecraft- 2015 Ford Explorer
Steve ( N6EKV ) & Lori ( N6JTD ) Faries  w/ Marlee our precious pup.
Patterson CA.

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #23 –
Quote from: steve31 –




Soon you will be finding yourself opening the window when you go thru a tunnel just to hear it roar.

Hey Steve, I for one,  DO slide open the window in tunnels to hear the sweet sound of that DD.  Nothing like it...
Jeff & Lisa
"Optimus"
1990 GV - #3605
U300 Unihome
6V92 Detroit

Re: First Grand Villa

Reply #24 –
Congratulations on your purchase.

One thing that is unique about '91 and earlier U300 and U280 is the manual air leveling.
Here's an old thread on the subject: Leveling Jacks for Grand Villa
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho