Argosy Redo

[rugjenkins]

Installed the new door lock set today! The old one was leaking like crazy. The piece of wood had dead termites in it! No more leaks now and it came out great👍😄

[rugjenkins]

I never really like the old molded abs tail light housing on my argosy! So installed these. They give a cleaner look and they are led.
I had to cut big holes . This is an easy mod but not for the squeamish😄

[Disable]

Matt, this is a dumb question, is your subfloor slightly smaller to fit inside the steel tubing that you welded to the outriggers? If that is the case, does any of the C-channel from the shell get bolted to the subfloor or does is sit squarely on the tubing?

Thanks,

Gary

[rugjenkins]

No dumb questions here👍 the c-channel is completely removed. The shell (the ribs) are bolted to steel stubs welded on the frame. The subfloor sits inside the steel tubing frame. I raised my shell about 3 inches higher than original. The new belly pan is the riveted to shell to give it a clean look. I didn't like the original setup of the shell on subfloor with the belly pan overlapping the shell. (I felt it was improper engineering- it was made to fail) so I took the time to underlap the belly pan so that the water would shed off as it does on a house. Plus the floor can be removed now without taking the shell off. I like it. It's a better common sense design.
Here you can see the new floor, steel stubs/rib connection, steel tubing frame and new belly pan attached to the shell.
Here is a pic of the outside with it all back together belly pan and all

[GoNomad]

Matt, Great thread we are just in the planning stage and have found your thread very helpful. How did the ceramic addition to the paint go? Did you roll or spray? have you noticed any changes in temp? Are you DIY the spray in insulation or having it done?

Thanks again looking forward to following your progress.

[rugjenkins]

The ceramic was rolled on. There is a noticeable difference on surfaces with the ceramic paint. It's one of the cheaper upgrades. The whole camper is DIY.👍😄 I used 2 methods for the insulation: 2 part spray foam and great stuff with a triangle nozzle. 1/3 was done with the 2 part spray foam. The other 2/3 with the great stuff from a can. I prefer the great stuff from the can. It was more uniform with no hazards to my health! Plus it was 1/2 the cost!

[GoNomad]

Just wanted to check in and see how your project is going? We just got started with the gutting of the bathroom to do floor repair and plumbing/electrical upgrades.

Also could you add your information and Vin Number to the Argosy database? it can be found here http://www.airforums.com/forums/f227...se-106682.html

Hope all is well

[rugjenkins]

All is well, home projects take priority so work on the camper stopped. Electrical, plumbing and insulation are done![emoji106] ready to place interior panels. Not sure if I will reuse the interior end caps. Possibly of either wood or aluminum 13 panel. Why do easy, right?[emoji12]

[rugjenkins]

I'll post pics of the finished insulation and my "save a ton of money method" for spray foam insulation [emoji1]

[rugjenkins]

Pics of spray foamed insulation. I used 2 methods- 2 part component and great stuff with a special nozzle.

[rugjenkins]

Finally finished shaving the foam! In hindsight I would spray first then cut channels to run the electrical. I plan on spraying the foam with a semi gloss latex in white to help further seal the foam that was cut. It's overkill. I may even add the rest of the hytech ceramic beads.

[rugjenkins]

I have now repaired any wires I accidentally nicked sawing the foam. Cut, respliced with connectors plus heat shrink over that.

[rugjenkins]

Here the revised floor plan. It has more adaptable/ changeable when the kids grow up and move out. The bathroom is bigger and incorporates a seating/twin bed near the front.


Here's the rough electrical that is already in place.

[rugjenkins]

Great day for the argosy today! I cleaned up the basement where I had put all the spare parts. My daughter who is 12 comes down stairs and says "wow, I've never seen this area of the garage before- in my whole life".
I pulled out all the skins and endcaps plus all the cabinet stuff. Not reusing the front endcaps. Tomorrow I will begin to make a new out of wood.

[rugjenkins]

It's been a productive few days! I don't like the front abs end-cap so I'm making a new one out of utility underlayment. It's thin and I like the wood pattern. I'm buck riveting it together. I really like the look. But 3/8 buck rivets are too short and I have to use washers on the back side to make it work.

[rugjenkins]

Washed all the interior skins. Krud Krutter is the way to go.

[rugjenkins]

Started priming all the interior skins.

[rugjenkins]

I have this hard to find leak on the panoramic window. I resealed them 2 years ago with trempro. This leak is persistent! I removed and resealed. Leak! Resealed the seams at the endcaps. Leak! Resealed the seams on the side frame of the window. Leak. Today I think I finally found it- a leaking rivet. I know they can cause a leak but I didn't believe it. I believe now! Ordered captain trolleys creating crack cure! I will succeed! Update when it come in.[emoji1][emoji375][emoji354]

[chrisetmike]

Originally Posted by rugjenkins

It's been a productive few days! I don't like the front abs end-cap so I'm making a new one out of utility underlayment. It's thin and I like the wood pattern. I'm buck riveting it together. I really like the look. But 3/8 buck rivets are too short and I have to use washers on the back side to make it work. Attachment 304895

Can't wait to see the results. Great idea!

[rugjenkins]

After much studying on the new endcaps. What I have first started will not work right. Winging it usually doesn't work. So I took more measurements and believe I have a great plan that will work. More to come.