Visit our Popular Forums

Skatiero · 06-11-2014, 08:41 PM

Lol we LOVE b-vans, but none of them seat enough people to use as our tow vehicle! We sure have fantasizes about it, though!

GAStreamin · 06-11-2014, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANSD

like Brad and Karen...the B van is a great alternative to the trailer..could always make it a seperate bedroom

We have actually thought about doing that.

ALANSD · 06-12-2014, 02:24 PM

they seem to be affordable, if you can find one.

Aviator · 06-14-2014, 06:10 PM

It was a bit of a slow weekend. I managed to get a couple of more windows finished, the Airstream letters, and nameplate.

ALANSD · 06-17-2014, 05:15 PM

I did my Overlander emblem recently too...but painted it. Yours looks good polished

Aviator · 06-18-2014, 07:46 PM

Thanks

drchris66 · 06-21-2014, 10:48 PM

Wow! Just went through 14 pages and 10 months of incredible work. This thread has been tremendously helpful to me. I just bought a '70 Sovereign 31' last week. Got all the rivets out for shell lift today. Ran into trouble with the fact that my side panels hang down below the trim and act as the side wrap. On my curb side only! I noticed yours does it on the other side. I ended up cutting them off so I can get my sawzall blade under the "U" channel and cut all the screws and bolts in one swipe. Worked perfectly!

And thanks for explaining the "C" "U" "J" "Double J" and "F" channels. Mine only has the "U" on the plywood like yours. Many of the other threads were quite confusing until I read through yours. Wasn't sure which way I was gonna lift it but after seeing your experience I definitely decided on using gantries.

I'm looking forward to seeing more progress from you. About time I'm putting her back together you should have some great interior ideas for me! Keep up the great work...

Aviator · 06-23-2014, 07:26 PM

Thank you for the kind words. The next steps will be some wiring for running lights/brakes, holding tanks, and insulation.

spenceea · 07-26-2014, 05:15 PM

Hi Aviator. We just purchased our 1970 Overlander a few days ago. The floor and components are already removed and I can see a lot of rust on the frame. I have noticed that many people do a shell off restoration of the frame and I am curious as to what made you decide to do that. I'm sure I haven't looked close enough yet, but can you not do a frame restoration without taking off the shell? Thank you for your advice. I have read through about 1/2 of the 14 pages and posts and will be reviewing this regularly to benefit from your lessons learned. Thank you!

Aviator · 07-28-2014, 07:33 PM

It is possible to do the work without taking off the shell. I think it is easier with the shell off. As we were removing the interior, I put my foot all the way through the 3/4" plywood floor. That is how I knew we needed to replace the floor. There were numerous other spots with too much rot to save as well. To get a good look at your frame, crawl underneath and drill out the rivets holding the belly pan on; drop the pan; remove the pink insulation; then all will be revealed....

Aviator · 07-28-2014, 07:37 PM

With my son's help bucking rivets, we managed to get a good start on reinstalling the trim moldings, and corner banana wrap. It's hot working in a metal tube in the Georgia sun at the end of July, but he was a real help. When I took all of the trim off, I noted that it was installed with pop rivets. I don't know if that was original from the factory, but since we have the interior skin out we are bucking them all back on to lower the chances of a leak down the road.

Aviator · 09-18-2014, 06:16 PM

Slowly the work progresses. The banana wraps are riveted up so that they won't drag when I tow it from the storage yard to the house for some of the work, and today was the start of wiring up the lights in the back.

A big shout out to Vintage Trailer Supply for the aluminum light cans which replaced the nasty rusted out steel ones, and to LED4RV for the new LED tail light kit including new reflectors.

Skatiero · 09-18-2014, 06:32 PM

Looking good, Craig!

TennTex · 09-18-2014, 08:43 PM

Looks great! Thought I would mention - from experience with these cans - you may want to seal them only around the front edges. Use much more Trempro than that and they are almost impossible to remove due to how they fit in the frame.

Alan

Aviator · 09-20-2014, 06:05 AM

Thanks, Alan. That is a good point.

Deerfish · 09-24-2014, 09:27 AM

Aviator
Do u remember the part#s from vintage trailer supply on the led tail lights I have the same problem and want to up grade ours to.
Thanks
Deerfish

Inland RV Center, In · 09-24-2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deerfish

Aviator
Do u remember the part#s from vintage trailer supply on the led tail lights I have the same problem and want to up grade ours to.
Thanks
Deerfish

Complete 4 1/8 inch LED tail lights are available that do not need the can, and are even cheaper.

Andy

Aviator · 10-21-2014, 07:41 PM

A bit more progress on the trailer with some insulation going in and rewiring the exterior lighting. I also found a set of 16" Aluminum wheels which are now shod with Michelin LTX/MS2 235/70R16 tires.