An Overview on Progress for Our Cortez Overhaul

In an effort to document our Cortez overhaul progress, here is a breakdown of work we have completed per month and what is to come in the months ahead.

↠ WORK WE HAVE ACHIEVED THUS FAR ↞



SEPTEMBER 2019



DECEMBER 2019

  • Battery replaced.
  • Interior removed.

JANUARY 2020

  • Carburetor hoses replaced.
  • Anti-roll bar bushings replaced.
  • Suspension bushings re-greased.

FEBRUARY 2020

  • Transmission oil changed.

MARCH 2020

  • Insulation removed — Full protection necessary!
  • Plumbing, heating, and electrical systems removed.
  • Cork flooring removed — We have beautiful wood floors!

APRIL THROUGH JULY 2020

  • Interior underseal and rust removed — Our first look at the condition of the metal and we have rust and holes!
  • Tachometer installed — A first for our Cortez!


AUGUST 2020

  • Interior underseal that our angle grinders could not reach removed.
  • Mechanical fuel pump replaced (and two extra unneeded electronic fuel pumps removed).
  • Fuel filter installed.
  • Roof stripped — Let’s get this baby prepped for welding and being water-tight!

SEPTEMBER 2020

  • Welder hired — Our first professional help comes from RVA Mobile Welding Services and he is fantastic!
  • New frame supports welded — Six had rusted so severely they were not holding up our roof!
  • Rear storage compartment floor to be welded.
  • Roof holes covered with new metal panels and welded in.
  • Roof rust treated.
  • Roof sealed — A combination of body filler, sealant, and RV roof coating go us there but it looks rough so we now need to correct it!


NOVEMBER 2020

  • Carburetor rebuilt — Andy rebuilt the carb on his own and bossed it!
  • Intake manifold and valve cover cleaned; new gaskets installed.
  • Thermostat changed.
  • Fuel tank treated (first attempt).

DECEMBER 2020

  • Clutch master and slave cylinders replaced.
  • Clutch lines replaced.
  • Clutch fluid bled.

JANUARY 2021

  • Mudflaps created and installed — Sometimes we just want a fun, easy job!

FEBRUARY 2021

  • Fuel tank welded.
  • Fuel tank treated (second attempt) — Our fuel tank is now cleaned, prepped, sealed, and reinstalled!

APRIL 2021

MAY 2021

  • Front shock absorbers replaced — Our steel beast no longer squeaks and the ride is softer!
  • Drop links replaced.
  • Bump stops replaced.

JUNE 2021

  • Engine belts replaced.
  • The start of our most exciting announcement yet, which will be released here and on our YouTube channel so be sure to subscribe to both!
  • Our steel beast is deep cleaned — Our friends at SuperClean have been kind enough to send us products to test and in short: We love them!

JULY 2021

  • Engine oil filter, gasket, pick-up pipe, and pump replaced.
  • Speedometer cable installed.
  • Fuel hose line replaced.

AUGUST 2021

  • Passenger’s side upper ball joint replaced.
  • We return to discuss plans for our most exciting announcement yet, which will be released here and on our YouTube channel so be sure to subscribe to both!

SEPTEMBER 2021

  • Driver’s side lower ball joint replaced.
  • Torsion bars adjusted — We have more lift!

COMING IN OCTOBER 2021

(We are aiming to complete our mechanical restoration this June October!)

  • Investigate transmission leak.
  • Engine valve stem seals to be replaced.
  • Investigate potential brakes binding.
  • Investigate condition of rear shocks.
  • Paint intake manifold and valvue covers.

↠ WORK WE HAVE PLANNED AHEAD ↞

SHORT HAUL/VINTAGE RV RESTORATION

  • Our Cortez needs a name — Leave us a comment to give us ideas!
  • YouTube channel introduction video to be created — Stop by and subscribe to more progress on our steel beast!
  • Start bodywork restoration!
    • Battery box area to be fabricated and welded.
    • Exterior body damage to be welded — Areas around the grill, front passenger corner, rear passenger panel, and bumper are all damaged.
    • Engine cover to be fabricated/welded — Cannot wait to soundproof the engine bay!
    • Interior holes to be welded — Several wheel well and seat platform holes need to be covered!
    • Cracked glass to be removed, rust around the glass to be treated, window seals to be replaced, then glass to be reinstalled.

LONG HAUL/BODYWORK, ELECTRICAL, AND RV BUILD

  • Continue bodywork restoration!
    • Roof coating to be repaired.
    • Exterior to be painted — Leave us a comment and let us know what color you vote!
    • Exterior mirrors to be replaced.
    • Chrome to be polished.
    • New door seals to be fit.
    • Lay-out to be designed.
    • Interior safe to be installed or welded in.
    • Solar brackets, roof-deck, and ladder supports to be welded.
    • Interior twin floors to be lifted — Who knows what awaits underneath!
    • Chassis to be cleaned and painted.
  • Start to RV build!
    • Floor to be insulated.
    • Interior metal to be cleaned, rust treated, and painted.
    • Interior to be soundproofed and insulated.
  • Start to electrical overhaul!
    • Exterior lights, dash, and engine electrical systems to be rewired.
    • Headlights, brake lights, tail lights, and reverse lights to be updated.
    • Additional fog lights to be installed.
    • State registration to be made — Yay!
    • Interior living and solar electrical systems to be designed and installed.
    • Heat and air conditioning system to be designed and installed.
    • Water system to be designed and installed.
  • Back to RV build!
    • Interior to be built — Finally we get to create our home!
    • Roof-top deck to be installed.
    • Exterior lockable storage to be installed — Tools, spare parts, and recreational equipment will have a home!
    • Driver and passenger front seats cleaned and reinstalled.
    • Interior furnished — Finally our Cortez looks like home!
  • Start to Cortez upgrades!
    • Rims and tires to be upgraded and cover for spare tire to be purchased.
  • RV build and upgrades finished — We are hoping to finish in the estimated year of 2022! After that, we plan to save money for a year before starting RV life!

ADDITIONAL HOPEFUL PLANS

  • New timing chain to be replaced.
  • Brake hydrovac unit to be restored and leaking brake master cylinder replaced.
  • Exhaust system to be fabricated.
  • Electronic fuel conversion to be done, which will correct our back-firing issue.
  • Radiator to be upgraded so we can flush coolant and replace coolant hoses.
  • Oil cooler to be installed.
  • Engine to be overhauled.
  • Recovery winch to be purchased.
  • Awning to be installed.
  • Torsion bars to be upgraded.

↠ SUPPORT OUR ACCOUNTS FOR MORE ON
OUR CORTEZ ADVENTURE ↞

Author: L

Hi there! I am the impulsive do-er, the jumper, the one tugging to move past comfort zones to embrace a life of sheer surprise. I am a writer -- a pursuer of stories -- because I believe in the destination over the journey. I am a chaser of sunrises and sunsets and cherisher of the moments between. I have an overwhelming curiosity, an insatiable desire travel, and an obsessive yearn to turn dreams into realities. For all of these reasons, the word that best summarizes who I am is "seeker" -- I am forever a seeker.

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