Well well well, the axle was finally replaced today. I had been procrastinating for the past few weeks. I have read so many threads about how difficult Dexter axles can be, and to be honest, this was quite possibly the easiest project yet. Easier than polishing....

So, we lifted the whole trailer, set her on railroad ties and 6x6 posts high enough that the wheels were off the round, put both jacks under the old axle and jacked it up. With the jacks holding up the old axle, it removed...

64TrotterAtl

Naked Airstream. That is what I finally ended up with. Well, naked in my eyes. I have not given her a name yet, but it is definitely a her.

So I was unable to change out the axle that I ordered from Dexter. I had forgotten that I needed the new wheel and tire. not to mention that steel rims that hold a baby moon, are not something most stores have. So I figured I would do other things, like finish removing the interior skins, remove fiberglass, cut out od wires, and finally remove...

64TrotterAtl

I spent most of the day Saturday finishing the bolting down of the floor and shell. Over 60 elevator bolts. I spent Sunday doing a single pass over the skin with Nuvite F-7 compounding polish. i was pleased with the outcome for the first pass. I have ordered some of the heavier duty compounding polish. Here are some pics. My blog online is at Restoration of 1964 Airstream Globe Trotter

Thanks, Andrew

64TrotterAtl

OK, what a week. Lot's of welding and refitting the pan and blackwater tank, and attaching the subfloors with elevator bolts and fanged washers and lock nuts.

Today was the day I have been waiting for for 3 weeks, or more likely since I bought it. I now had a treated frame, new sub-floors, new bolts, POR-15, new wheel wells, new pan for waste tank, new cross members, new U channel on the sides. Today we slowly dropped the shell with 3 ton floor jacks, and massaged it back into place....

64TrotterAtl

Well, it has certainly been a long week for me. I finally feel like I am educated on my current task of installing he black water tank, sub-floors, replacing some of the U channels, etc.

I started the week by purchasing wood and elevator bolts with fanged washers as well as self tapping screws and lock bolts. I put two coats of polyurethane on both sides of the wood. I used oil based polyurethane I had from refinishing my hardwood floors and other misc. projects.

Upon...

64TrotterAtl

So I had a pretty good day. My buddy visited this evening. While he was telling me all about politics and how historic tonight's speech is going to be. The whole time he was talking about his opinion on everything, all I could think about was this..............."I sure do hope I cut the shape of the new sub-floors correctly based off of the shape of the U Channels..." or "I am going to need some of those Clecos." This is when I new that I was in the right place and doing...

64TrotterAtl

Today, I awoke covered in black POR-15 and Sterling Silver top coat. I pushed the project forward and accomplished my goal. I painted the remainder of the frame (top, side, and bottom) with a silver top coat. It kind of began to sprinkle all day due to hurricane Gustav. So I quit early and watched the once ugly trailer begin to look more polished.

I also was given the nickname "Pig Pen" since I am always so dirty. My best friends wife gave me that title today and even...

64TrotterAtl

Finally, after two weeks, we were able to remove the shell. This allows me to repair the frame, seal it with POR-15 as well as some other to do's. I spent most of today making a mess with the POR-15. This stuff really is a second skin once it ets on your hands. It reminds me alot of polurethane used on floors, the oil based stuff. Oh, and it stainds driveways really well too. I kisked th can over while ainting this afternoon. Needless to say I was immediately jumping for joy.....Tomrrow...

64TrotterAtl

The next step was to remove the lower interior panels as well as the sub-floor.

64TrotterAtl

I started the demolition and removed everything into my basement.

64TrotterAtl

Up to now, I have been posting my updates, now I think I should simply create a blog.
Attached are all of my photos from the day I bought it, till today when I sanded down the frame and put POR 15 on it. I will continue to post to this blog. I have owned this trailer for 2 weeks and alot has gone into it so far, lot's of time.

64TrotterAtl