The aluminum jelly is available at some hardware stores. However, I have an Ace Hardware store and they do not stock it. I purchase it from another supplier, Handy Hardware Wholesale, which is headquartered in Houston. I know they have several stores in the San Antonio area that purchase from them. The Handy stock number is 456220 . The participating stores only have to order one (not a full case). If you cannot get anyone to order it for you just PM me and I will be glad to help you or anyone else.
I have not been moving too rapidly on my floor replacement because I decided to wait on my axles before reinstalling any more subflooring. They are scheduled to be shipped today and I have new tires (ST225/75R15 8 ply)and wheels ready to put on. I do however have most of the frame painted with two coats of POR-15. I am thinking that the axle replacement might be a little easier with the floor out.
Meanwhile I have tried to accomplish something constructive everyday even if it means getting a little ahead of the plan. I reworked my furnace plenum, replaced the motor in the vent hood for the cooktop and painted it so it is ready if I ever get to that point. I have repaired (fiberglass patch) my bathroom counter where the PO had cut out for a house toilet and we have refinished all of that.
Another project that I plan to tackle after getting my subfloor back in is the replace the lower front exterior skins. I noticed that they seem to have a slight compound curve which you can see in this picture.
Kip (Aerowood) said that he replaced both of his with flat sheets and removed and will replace the vertical rib with a straight one. That makes a lot so sense.
That's about it so far. I will update when I have more news.
So, will it be ready for your hunting lease in time??
-Marcus
I hope so. My wife is even hoping we have enough completed by the end of June to take tin can tent on our annual New Braunsfels trip. I think that may be wishful thinking. We have a fairly new pop-up we normally take and will probally use it again this year.
Kip (Aerowood) said that he replaced both of his with flat sheets and removed and will replace the vertical rib with a straight one. That makes a lot so sense.
That would be the rib on the outboard side of the wing windows. Mine didn't have any rivets through the exterior skin at this location
Vernon, how long does it take to get axles after you order? Nice work on the bathroom counter.
Thanks. I mailed Inland a check on April Fools Day and they received it on April 4. According to the invoice the axles were due to ship May 2nd although I have not gotten confirmation on that. They sent me the shocks, bolts, etc. a couple of weeks ago. BTW - I mailed a check because I was not in that big of a rush and didn't want to put them on a card.
FYI - Andy just emailed me to let me know that my axles shipped from Jackson Center today.
Also, my new 15K Carrier LP A/C just arrived today. If the weather clears (rain, rain, rain) I won't have too many excusses for not getting something done! (Except maybe work)
Vernon, did you order bare axles or axles with drum or disc brakes? I'm considering which way to go? Did you get em yet?
Todd,
I ordered the axles complete with drum brakes and shocks. They shipped on 5/6 from Ohio and I got them on 5/8 by FedEx Freight. I was very surprised that they made it here that fast. If the rain stops I am hoping to install them this weekend. I removed the old shocks last week (frame end that is) and loosened then re-snugged all the bolts so I should be good to go. Before that I had been soaking the bolts with "loosey goosey". They loosened pretty easily.
I lowered the old axles out yesterday. I was surprised at how tight they fitted against the frame. I had to pry them down. This morning we prepped the frame, applied POR, and top coated the frame where the old axles were attached.
This afternoon was when I had picked to install the new ones. I had arranged a friend to come help but I was very fortunate that a couple of others showed up just in the nick of time. Those axles are very heavy. Packing list states 230# ea
Anyway we installed them in about 30 minutes (old axles were out already). I did not have my subfloor or belly pan in. I really have to admire those of you who have changed them out from underneath without having the benefit of the access from inside.
Using measurements before and after I was able to determine that it raised my tongue height a little over 4" at level. 1" or so of that was from changing the tire size from the 205 tires the PO had put on the the ST225 that should have been there already.
I took a few pictures and may post them later. Right now I am going to eat my dinner!
On the axle install I used two hydraulic jacks (6T & 12T that I had access to) and two jack stands to stabilize it.
Well I didn't take as many pictures as I thought but here goes:
This is a picture after the old axles were dropped and the frame POR coated.
Then we top coated with metallic aluminum enamel paint (Ace Rust Stop).
Here is the finished product with new wheels and tires.
This is a view from the inside.
Today my wife and I cut out the next two sections of subflooring, sealed the edges, and washed the wheel wells. I have spray undercoater coming tomorrow to spray the undersides of the wheel wells and then all of that can be installed. I hope to have all the subfloor in by the end of the week. Hopefully!
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I do however have most of the frame painted with two coats of POR-15. I am thinking that the axle replacement might be a little easier with the floor out.
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