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RVing message boards => Bus Conversions, Buses => Topic started by: terry735001 on June 10, 2013, 09:23:16 PM
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this is a story of my RV and how the fire started WHY and rebuild to get it back on the road
this is going to be a very long post and i hope ppl like
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hello every one and thanks for taking the time to look at my work i have never really showed off my work
but every one is so nice here i am sure to get good feed back ????hope???? lol
i well start with my name my name is terry and i lived in FL all my life from a kid i have made parade floats for a living and i have all way been good with my hands
i did this all my life in tell my wife became ell and as we all do we try to find a new way to go in life for us RVing was it
i fond this RV in a junk yard and the guy feel on hard times that owned it ...GUESSING... and set it on fire at the gen to stop making payments on it and could tell it was a fake
so i fond it with a good title but every that could make money was gone
all i had was a floor walls 2 slides and thats about it what you see in the pics is what i got all most free i made a trade for some parts lift over from my company so no cash moved hands
i made a A frame and towed it home
as i add pics i well tell of what i did and how i made the parts
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this was a 2006 cross country sportscoach on a freightliner XC chassis
i am a tall guy i am 6.2 high and inside this thing the roof was only 6.3 some thing like that so it had to goo
so i added 16inc to it i all most have now 8 feet inside truth 7.10 some thing like that and the out side roof high is 2inc higher then the top of where the AC units would have been
and well get to where thee ac moved too
so here is the pics of it gutted
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here i was starting to fix the walls and more of the roof is starting to go up
i was working as fast as i could to get the RV out of the shop so i could start installing more of the RVs systems and i was all so on a time line as i only payed my rent for the place i was staying to only so long
the shop was some thing left over from the company
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the time line jumps around some here but you can see the roof over the back room ...bed.. and the fiberglass part i had to make to feel in where the front cap did not make it all the way up
i was going to make my own cap but as the time line got low i just fond 1 off a 07 RV most can tell off the bat what it came off of so i pulled it and it did fit really good
price was good 1500$ for every thing and same yard i got the rv from so the guys was good to me there
the side wall was made in one hole part all so was the slide wall i had to remake
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sorry i know there is alot of pics to look at
as you can see it all most did not get it out of my shop had to leve the air bags down
it only was 2 days latter and it was ready for rain at this time from pic 1 to the last pic here was 5 months
yes thats me in the pics
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so now at 5 months i had 2 more months to get this thing on the road and can live in it
at this time i was going to install a GM 8.1/allison 2100
but i got stuck with a what i had on hand GM 350/TH400 so i hand made the parts fast and drop it in
so i told my self get the parts and do the right install when i can down the road ??????????? 2 years latter and i just now have a 8.1 and allison but working on the wiring to install
good thing about the older 350s you can drop it in any thing and in 2 days have it moving down the road .. my time line was more a week as i had to send off for the drive shaft
drives like a loaded 1 ton but i am stuck to only moving arond FL no hills for me lol
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here you can see the cap i pulled off to make work with my unit
and more small work here and there
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at this time to get in some RV parks it was time for some paint
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making the plug for the mold was very hard as in coming up with the right shape i wanted some thing cool but not to over do it
the plug was made of wood and was to just get me a rufe shape
so from there i pulled the - shape from it then pop a so so part from that
its gives me some thing to work with
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now for the AC
i am running all solar so 75% of the roof is used soon it well be more
all so thats why the core of the roof is still for the wight that i put up there
the gen bay is now only a battery bay so there is no gen on this system every thing runs off the SW invert
the inter well be moved from where it is to down in a bay
my home was all solar here in FL so i just pulled that system and moved it over to my RV
it is not sold in the USA but there is a 24vDC ac units out there that i can have shipped over the cost is high so when the time comes i well look in to the in a 24v setup or find a really really good low amp setup here
there is a lot of work still inside and out
soo is there any thing any one would like to know or ask
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I've resurrected a couple cars after engine fires. Did you look at it and think " oh, that'll buff out " ?
Mad skills, man, mad skills.
Bill
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That is sure some restoration project...Nice work.
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Yea, but it looks more like resurrection to me and a depletion of the pocket-book.
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I'm a bit confused - you started with a Coachman Sportscoach diesel pusher and ended up with a rear gas-powered Fleetwood Excursion? Or did you use an Excursion front cap to replace the Sportscoach front end? I must have missed something...
Anyway, that is one heck of a makeover!
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Nice job... Wsh I had 1/20th of your ability!
I also caught the sports coach but a excursion front cap ......
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yes it was a 06 Coachman Sportscoach diesel pusher and ended up with a rear gas-powered that still drive like a 1 ton and the cap did come from a Fleetwood Excursion 06 07
the junk yard i talk of is a you pull it for RVs i fond the cap there
some one talked about cost tires is where all my cost is 250$ each with rims X 6 all so came off the excursion...
in all i have around 9.000 to 11.000 in the rv thats with the new allson trans i just for and 8.1 not installed
and freightliner well lates say the tampa dealer sucks i can get in and out of a doc office faster gerrrrr i am not going to get started on them
PS every sorry for spelling errs not so good at typing
edit: deleted duplicate pictures - LS
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O and i know some one well ask i can do 75mpr down the road if i want but to get good MPG i need to stay 55 to 60MPR to get 7 mpg
the 350 stays arond 2200 rpms at 55mpr the RV can move around just fine with this setup
but my Gear Ratios for Reverse is way off so i have to get down on it harder then i want to back up :-[ aaaa i think it can i think it can :-[
the allison has first at 3.10 this is what i wanted to install and well when i get the wiring made
the TH400 first at 2.48 this is what i had on hand and just drop in to get it to move around
Gear Ratios for the at is 4.8? .11 have to look again
so if i get stop at a red light at the start of a hill i am suck in first going all the way up
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This just goes to show that if a person is motivated and has the skill you can do almost anything. This is awsome. I feel your pain on the typing. I have the same issues.
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Awesome skills Terry, Are you still at the Eagle in Holt? If so I will try to swing by some time and see it for my self.
Steve
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With your skills..... Swap to the 8.1l and throw a turbo or two on it..... Should be able to get 500hp plus that way :)
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the 14 of this month i well have better internet so i well add a lot more pics
thanks every one for being so friendly
this is the 2ed place i have showed pics and talk about the RV i was not happy with what ppl started to say over on irv2.com so thank you again every one
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This has to be one of the most gifted man that I've seen in a loooooong time.
I admire his talent and capability to address all of the issues in this rebuild.
I thought that I was a pretty good 'hands-on' guy, but not so much now.
Keep on with the restore and continue to let us know how you are doing.
God Bless You
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Terry,
I drove by this morning and WOW. I wish I hd half of yourskill. That will be one fine coach when you are done. I am amazed at the way you rasied the roof and fitted the front cap.
My hat is off to you my friend.
8)
Steve
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captsteve
you can see how much i still have to do on the paint and more wish i was there when you stop by would have showed you the GM350 down in it a lot of ppl don't believe that its really in there and the RV can move
thanks for being the first to say its real
there are some ppl to say its not or Photoshop the pics
and the part for the bumper was just made .. have a lot of sanding to do on it but what did you think of the shape
as there is no part to fill the hole i had to hand make some thing and i am not sure if it looks cool
and the funny looking wing on the back gets more parts /// small window under the wing in the back// and more when every thing is added you cant tell its a wing tell you look at it from the back
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I think that when you are done the front peice will look like it belongs there. I does look pretty cool. I really like the way that you fitted the small windows in the side of the roof extension. I would think that if they can be opened it will allow for some nice ventilation and allow heat to escape from a normally dead air space.
Let me know if you you will be there at anytime over the weekend and I will try to swing by.
Steve
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to the nice guy talking on saving cars this is one of the salvage titles i did here in FL 8 months of work and how i got to know the 8.1l
this was all so the 8.1 i was going to pull to put in the RV at first but timing got low
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ok i know i well get some ppl in here going i know you are seen that befor going down i75 i275 i4 some thing like that LOL :o
this is what i did for a living and where my skills came from
i have did this for a living all my life from just a small boy
it was sad when i had to stop and give it up ///cut it up and crash it all /// all most some of my work is still out there
just really wish i could get my RV going and on the road to have some thing to show for it
long life story i am sure every one knows what i mane
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i have tryed to look this up and i dont want to make a new post so i hope some one may have this info too
as a lot of you guys know i am installing a 8.1/allison in to my RV
i am trying to copy the 2006 Workhorse ufo Chassis 81L
i am looking for the part numbers for the
ECM
TCM there are 5 def types of this tcm so this one would help alot
TAC module i think i know what one but making sure
so if any one has a 06 and can look at theres it would help alot
i all so have ..if any one needs.. the 2006 Workhorse ufo Chassis 81L wiring schematic PDF
i am making this wiring harness from the ground up
...wish some one had one setting around LOL ....
all so need a VIN for programing so when one shows on ebay i can get that
thanks to every ones help
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ok moving the Rv to a friends house now going to do alot of work this month hope the drive gos ok 50 miles with no cell phone yeaaa
drop my phone in the sea fishing a few days ago even had it in a safety bag it was the note 2 only had it 8 9 months
want to give a big thanks to George for sending me some CDs / info i needed
well late every one know how it gos and pics
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Incredible!!!
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Terry-
What you lack in spelling, you certainly make up for with your incredible RV resurrection.
It was a pleasure scrolling through your post and seeing your progress.
I just wish I could help with the 8.1 information.
Brett Michaels of "Rock My RV" (the TV show) would do very well offering you a job. Your abilities amaze me.
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well made it
the rv set for all most 9 months so i was hoping nothing would pop up today
1joester2 thanks for the pat on the back and every one else i need it over my spelling and just life at the min its hard to keep the feeling up
i am 33 years old M and wish my spelling was batter
i am a good man and can do big and good things with my hands but there still alot to hold one back in life
but on the good side thanks again to some good info i got i can now start the install of the 8.1 so starting next month i think i well start on that if every thing looks good
here in FL when the rain stops i well start working again and add pics as i go
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started putting up the head liner over the last 2 days 28 feet all one part 4 feet at a time
that 3M glue can get you :o had all the windows open still did not help with a fan
still along ways to go
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Really looking good! :)
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Hey Terry, I made it over here. I'll see what I an do about the TCM/ECM TAC stuff.
Are you sure its a 2004 Allison? What is the trans out of? What engine was in front of it stock?
I ask because there was a few years where there wasn't a 6 speed Allison available in the GM trucks, only a 5 speed Allison. We have to set this beast up using the parts from where the trans came from, not what you want it to be like. If the trans is from a 1 ton Suburban, you dont want to set it up like a gas pusher.
I realize that you have a 2006 wiring diagram , Workhorse R26 UFO Chassis 81L 2006, but we need to know exactly what Allison transmission you have sitting there. What vehicle did it come out of? You said the VIN was 1F6NF53Y560) the "0" signifies a 2006 vehicle, but then you said you were lied to and it might be might be from a 2004 1/2?
Are your 8.1 engine and Allison trans from different vehicles? We can control the 8.1 easy enough, it will run using any 1999-2007 PCM/ECM so long as we use the 24 x crank signal and 1x camshaft signal from the 8.1 and send it to the ECM?PCM.
The tricky part is sending the correct info from the ECM to the TCM, that's why we need to know exactly whaty the trans is.
OK I gotta take a break, supper time for me up here. Been at this for 5 hours now.
I'll check in later.
peace
Hog
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well hog was a very very good guy that know his stuff got me all the info on the TCM/ECM
so over the last 2 months i have not got as fare as i would like too as i am saving cash up for the motor parts i need so its been small things here and there as i can
the P side windshield was pulled out and reinstalled so its not falling out any more now just need a new drive side windshield
got a lot more of the roof in and started to play with some cabinet work
it is hard to tell but the center of the roof is head liner and you can see wight paint on the side it all looks the same
but now its starting to look like some thing inside
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:) You got some serious TALENT 8). LOVE the pics its an inspiration for me. I was feeling down about little repairs but now NO BIG. I'll just go back and look at what you have done for a pick me up. Looking forward to MORE pics of your progress.
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FANTASTIC!!
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Terry,
You are da' man!!!
I'm a do-it-yourselfer to some extent, but you take it to a different planet, awesome job!!!!
I know what your next career should be! When I need to replace those shades (on the dinette side, behind those cabinets) on my MH I'm coming to see you!!! ;D
GREAT JOB.....whowzer!!
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had to move the lights around to get some good pics
installed more head liner drive side more work in the cabinets on the top there and started on the pass side over door as you can see the blue block is where the solar charge controller is going right next to where most of the info centers go
the bigger box in the roof is where the roof fan is going ..... giving how high my roof is i am looking at just one type of fan to install its around 380$ or some thing
sorry for get the name of it but it has the panel that you can install on the wall to make it open and has the top on it that can be open in the rain and fold down out of the way
all so with the big box you see a smaller box next to it thats to suck air from the fan out of that hole to out side or push air in
i have to make a big center pice that is going to run along way up and down the rv to pull that hot air out of the roof fan well have a door on it with a flap so i can take air and make it move any way i want for them nights with out AC in no where land
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today's work
more head liner
i have all the tools to make the cabinets box's but i cant make the doors for them well have to find some one with a good router table and bets
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going down the passenger side up to the roof
this is the floor for the cabinets . i was just test fitting it and seeing how it looks
i well start making the face for it soon
the long looking box cut in over the window is for the TV to slid up and down on a 12v DC motor
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OMG!
You are a visionary, and a VERY talented person.
When I first saw those before pictures, I had a panic attack.
I'm mechanically inclined, and fix most anything, but I wouldn't have known where to begin on this project.
Best of luck.
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sorry guys know i have been postting smaller news some where else on here so i well add what some may have not seen
its been a few months working on and off over the bad weather we have had
pulled the older GM 350 / TH 400 out sold it for 300$ nice guy came out and help me pull it .. so its not going in his hot rod car
started to drop the 8.1l in there and found it did need some work
so that put me back a few months
its now in there with the allison 1000 MH
started on wiring and fuel system motor mounts and more
i was all so pushed back on the exhaust system and the flags where hard to find was 3 months of looking to find the right parts
but the exhaust is now in and ready to go but i again i wanted to go with the truck exhaust so the tran mounting had to be made in a way to stay out of the way
power steering pump was all so a fun one again wanted to stay with the truck setup as i all ready had a high flow unit
i had to edit the pulley to make it work flip it around and install it back word
doing this would give me room for the air pump for the brakes i well install latter a tu-flo 550 that was used on the 8.1l
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this is when i say hand made .. there is power tools .. but parts just flow out of me i guess ,,, hey no bad jking added
this is the tans mount i was talking of in some pics you can see the older one i made years ago for the TH400 trans
i well be adding a base for the mounts on top of the frame if any one asks
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here is the power steering pump pulley that i had to edit
you can see i did add a shaft so i can use a puller latter to get it off if need be
last pic LOL the only motor bay i know of i can stand up in on 2 feet if i want too
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i am looking at old videos and so trying for the frist time at video editing
video is very old
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosV788AzDE&feature=youtu.be
that is the RV day one
i well be making more
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last pic LOL the only motor bay i know of i can stand up in on 2 feet if i want too
I was going to say that's an interesting hydraulic footing you have there. Must get lots of comments at campgrounds. :P
Stan
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you know i had to really think about that when you said ... interesting hydraulic footing...
me i was thinking you seen i did not have the stock hydraulic jacks and i put the bigger beefier one on with big feet
i did got get that i added a pic of my foot LOL
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i made some more videos again there very old think it was around the time of the first iphone and cell phone video and even youtube where not a big thing back the
there are some bad words in there here and there as this video was made to be sent to a friend to let him know how things are talking
so if it sounds like i am talking to some one it was him
2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7RDiYIhwRk
3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PHIZP6RnOc
4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72HOCh9zPpE
5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11MN2RPBrU
this video was made today and edited today PS no bad words here LOL
6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2NZXpJ26q8
7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN9o-FVq0Iw
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sorry i have not been posting over here .. i have had alot of ppl pulling me at a def forum
but update it runs
over the 4th i got the last of the wiring in and test started it and it run .
still alot more work in tell it can move or drive
if every thing gos to plan tho i can be test driving it next month
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Quite a project Terry but the results are amazing. Keep up the good work.
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here is a video of the frist real run
i talk of needing help but i did find out latter it was air in the line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esGlot31zWo
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well got to test drive the RV today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi09KpZkg5k#t=18
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Looks Great Terry
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Just found this thread today, and I gotta say WOW!!! Some serious skills there. Very good job!!
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left you a message on your youtube video...
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thanks so much guys
i do have to add again i am very sorry i have not been posting over here for some time
i love this website but it is hard to keep resizing and adding pics here
i hope no one feels wrong of my to post where all new info has been going and if it is i am ok with the DEL of this post here
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/rv-fire-and-the-rv-that-just-wanted-some-love-198780.html
there is alot of new pics and whats been going on there
catblaster i see seen what you said and said some thing on the video right back
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Did the smoke smell from the fire clear up?
Talked to some repair people that fix houses after a fire and they said it is pretty tough to get all the burn smell out.
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yes after pulling the roof off and pulling all wallpaper off the walls you can not smell it
and i still have alot of parts that still need to come out like carpet but every thing that had a real smell to it was pulled and with new roof liner some new paint thats all i can smell
when i can i am going to take it to a RV show where every one can walk in to it
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... it is hard to keep resizing and adding pics here
No need to resize the photos; Just post the photobucket links that you used on the other forum.
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i did use photobucket for some time but they hit me with a max bandwidth limit
and starting asking for money to upgrade
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so friday michelle was feeling good .. one of them not so many good days ... ;)
but any way i pulled every thing i could out of the RV to take it down to get the total weight of the RV to see how bad over i was
mic all so worked right on the Gopro this time
this is real sound and not been played with in any way
i left it that way as some asked about my cooling fan and the sound it puts off as its fixed drive
so i got some good video from under the RV why moving down the road to see how every thing was or was not staying in place
so there is some good video
numbers in the video on weight ...so do i have a fat RV :-\ ::)
this is the last time i am going to take it out on the road in tell i get more work done on it and do a tune up
i would really like to know what every one thinks
i know alot where holding off in tell they seen it run and drive
this is the 3ed test drive of the unit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiCIZdGXuK4
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sorry guys i have been hard at work and i am starting over with videos over some things going on over at irv2 for the last 6 month
i have this one admin that well not leave me alone over my spelling errs
here is a nice video i made to show and tell my story over again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjFTUBglpC4
all my videos where made to support the posting over at Irv2 so i now have to start over on my youtube page so i am working hard to get all my content in line
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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so impressed
jb
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Wow.
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Wow - was mesmerized can't wait for part two!!
Simply amazing....
Jim
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Really impressed with your videos. Great work. Great ideas.
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i am not as happy with video part 2 all so youtube did not like the song i added so thats why no sound on test drive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUjpSuJXn2I
part 5 i just made today all video is shot over the weekend and is up to date
part 5 i am talking at the end of the video about some thing that was going on at ivr2 and not here at all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT44fnaafFo
i am still working on getting all my videos in line and named right
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqkofMXlAb0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SQ1oSmLbIU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Qu029PBpU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh2puy5fbFY
there are still more videos on my youtube
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You've got some mad skills!