'74 Argosy 20' Motorhome restoration/rebuild

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Scrap that idea Brad! The shop just left a voice mail saying the pin was made of such poor quality steel that it wouldn't hold a thread when they tried to cut it. Back to the drawing board.

Would have been nice if they had worked out.

I'll have to get one of the pins removed and see about getting a few machined out of stainless.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Would have been nice if they had worked out.

I'll have to get one of the pins removed and see about getting a few machined out of stainless.

The issue I have with the one good one I have (the passenger side) is the roll pin is under 1/16" (probably 3/64") and I can't get a drift small enough. I suspect the one broken one I have was actually caused by using a 1/16" drift to drive out the smaller pin early in the renovation which just snapped the end of the pin off.

I am going to get a couple of different size indexing pins from these guys as the seem to be very close in size, and are available as lock-out, just to try.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/milancent...p2047675.l2559

[Boom Sounds]

Originally Posted by martin300662

If you are looking for some 'busy work' whilst you are on light duties......

I found these for sale on eBay in UK, not great quality but the 'pin' unscrews from the pull and can be adapted to fit our cockpit windows. Not sure if you can get them direct (including free shipping), if not I can send you over my spares.

(https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302499441897)

Attachment 321430

Can they be used to repair the springs within the black latch/lock mechanism?

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Boom Sounds

Can they be used to repair the springs within the black latch/lock mechanism?

Not easily Nick. The original 'locking' system was an indexing pin that retracts to let the cockpit slider, well, slide. This engaged in a hole in an aluminium plate that attaches to the rear edge of the slider. To act as a handle, a second aluminium plate attaches to the front edge of the slider (you can just about see this on an old photo during Bella's restoration).



No doubt you could remove what you have, have the two aluminium pieces made and fit an indexing pin, but it is probably better to fix/replace what you have.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Not easily Nick. The original 'locking' system was an indexing pin that retracts to let the cockpit slider, well, slide. This engaged in a hole in an aluminium plate that attaches to the rear edge of the slider. To act as a handle, a second aluminium plate attaches to the front edge of the slider (you can just about see this on an old photo during Bella's restoration).

Attachment 321549

No doubt you could remove what you have, have the two aluminium pieces made and fit an indexing pin, but it is probably better to fix/replace what you have.

Personally I'm not impressed with the later version (Nick's) of the cockpit window latches that Airstream used. I think I'd rather have the style used in the 74 and early 75 Argosies.

Zero progress made on my Argosy the last few weeks. I can't wait for the doctors release for me to resume all of my activities!

Brad

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Personally I'm not impressed with the later version (Nick's) of the cockpit window latches that Airstream used. I think I'd rather have the style used in the 74 and early 75 Argosies.



Zero progress made on my Argosy the last few weeks. I can't wait for the doctors release for me to resume all of my activities!



Brad

The failure of the last parts I tried, actually made me search a little harder and I think I have found some indexing pins which are a straight bolt in, plus have a function to lock open. They arrived this morning so I can see they are close to perfect but I am working near Dortmund Germany this week so will have to try and fit them next weekend.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

The failure of the last parts I tried, actually made me search a little harder and I think I have found some indexing pins which are a straight bolt in, plus have a function to lock open. They arrived this morning so I can see they are close to perfect but I am working near Dortmund Germany this week so will have to try and fit them next weekend.

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what you've come up with. Having them individually made on a lathe could get somewhat expensive.

Brad

[martin300662]

It is so simple it it frustrating!

What we current have is a wide channel and a narrow channel, the narrow channel is what the aluminium 'tongue' inserts into. The current indexing plunger is in pieces and is made up of a 6mm barrel (or US size equivalent) with a 4mm pin. This means there are two holes in the frame (6mm for the barrel/4mm for the pin). The plunger is assembled such that a spring is compressed when the pin is pulled back to let the tongue slide, but pushes the pin to engage when it is not being pulled. This shown below



Up to now I have been trying to recreate the same, when it is totally unnecessary! The new 'cartridge' type indexing plungers have all the springs and stops in the barrel and as long as the barrel is long enough to reach across the deep channel, it is then held in place by its lock nut at the correct depth. The only issue is the cartridge type indexing plungers have a pin size linked to the thread dia so an M6 plunger has a 3mm pin, so slightly undersized - I bought the M6 and M8 (which has a 4mm pin) to try. Also the pin is a prefined depth so you need to increase the hole size in the side of the deep channel nearest the tongue to let the indexing plunger barrel be inserted flush with the glass side of that channel, ie drill the hole from 4mm to M6.

The new type plungers can be bought in stainless steel for around $7each so definitely cheaper than having something machined!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

The issue I have with the one good one I have (the passenger side) is the roll pin is under 1/16" (probably 3/64") and I can't get a drift small enough. I suspect the one broken one I have was actually caused by using a 1/16" drift to drive out the smaller pin early in the renovation which just snapped the end of the pin off.

I am going to get a couple of different size indexing pins from these guys as the seem to be very close in size, and are available as lock-out, just to try.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/milancent...p2047675.l2559

Attachment 321503

Martin,

Any progress on the indexing pin?

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Martin,

Any progress on the indexing pin?

Only partial success so far Brad.

The M6 ones I got fitted the hole in the tongue fine but where not long enough to reach across the wide inner channel. The M5 ones I got were a little longer and reached but were loose in the hole.

So I am in search of a longer M6 version....the frustrating thing is I found a supplier with them previously, and now I can't.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Only partial success so far Brad.

The M6 ones I got fitted the hole in the tongue fine but where not long enough to reach across the wide inner channel. The M5 ones I got were a little longer and reached but were loose in the hole.

So I am in search of a longer M6 version....the frustrating thing is I found a supplier with them previously, and now I can't.

Been there, done that!

Have you tried using google's search history to see if you can find it that way?

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Been there, done that!



Have you tried using google's search history to see if you can find it that way?

I tried that after you mentioned it Brad but it is buried somewhere in 1000 plus pages of detail. Doesn’t help most of the websites now don’t have separate addresses for each page visited, just the initial site address.

There is another type of indexing plunger which has a longer threaded barrel but I am not keen on the lever design.

[WayneG]

Have you tried these guys?
http://www.mcmaster.com/indexing-pins

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by WayneG

Have you tried these guys?
http://www.mcmaster.com/indexing-pins

Yes Wayne, when I lived in the US I used McMaster Carr, at lot, I had a business account with them.

The nearest they have is this one (https://www.mcmaster.com/8497a51)



It is the right diameter but only 13mm long, we need around 22mm.

[bkahler]

Earlier today while I was trying to find a picture for Rob of the hatch cover on my Argosy I ran across this picture that I had taken several years ago while dismantling an Excella trailer. I just happened to glance over at the Argosy and saw this view, I thought it was kinda cool......




Brad

[bkahler]

For the longest time I wasn't sure what to do about the left rear quarter panel that has been dented and gouged. Looking at InlandRVs site they listed replacement panels for trailers but not motorhomes. After discussions with Peter_H we determined that the right front Argosy panel is the same as a motorhome left rear panel.

So I tried contacting InlandRV about purchasing a replacement panel and all I got was the run around. They would not return phone calls and acted like they could care less if they sold something to me. So I decided to try contacting Airstream directly and they informed me that yes, I could order the correct left rear panel for my Argosy motorhome but I had to purchase it through an authorized Airstream dealer.

So I contacted Arbogast RV in Troy Ohio and talked to their parts department. They were more than happy to work with me so I was able to order the correct panel directly from them. Since they are only about 3 hours from me I opted to drive up to Troy and pick up the panel directly from them rather than having it shipped, which would have been expensive considering it's curved shape.

You can't tell much from the pictures because I've left the bubble wrap in place until I'm ready to install.



Total cost was $549.14
$466.49 for the panel
$32.65 sales tax
$50 freight (they drove 74 miles round trip to Jackson Center to pick up the panel)

This solves the one big problem I was worried about with the shell.

Brad

[mayco]

Awesome Brad.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by bkahler

For the longest time I wasn't sure what to do about the left rear quarter panel that has been dented and gouged. Looking at InlandRVs site they listed replacement panels for trailers but not motorhomes. After discussions with Peter_H we determined that the right front Argosy panel is the same as a motorhome left rear panel.

So I tried contacting InlandRV about purchasing a replacement panel and all I got was the run around. They would not return phone calls and acted like they could care less if they sold something to me. So I decided to try contacting Airstream directly and they informed me that yes, I could order the correct left rear panel for my Argosy motorhome but I had to purchase it through an authorized Airstream dealer.

So I contacted Arbogast RV in Troy Ohio and talked to their parts department. They were more than happy to work with me so I was able to order the correct panel directly from them. Since they are only about 3 hours from me I opted to drive up to Troy and pick up the panel directly from them rather than having it shipped, which would have been expensive considering it's curved shape.

You can't tell much from the pictures because I've left the bubble wrap in place until I'm ready to install.

Attachment 327105Attachment 327106

Total cost was $549.14
$466.49 for the panel
$32.65 sales tax
$50 freight (they drove 74 miles round trip to Jackson Center to pick up the panel)

This solves the one big problem I was worried about with the shell.

Brad

Great move, Brad! To clarify, the panel is the right front Argosy trailer panel. Can't wait for you to fit it. Please let me know in advance, if I need to hide in the closet

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Great move, Brad! To clarify, the panel is the right front Argosy trailer panel. Can't wait for you to fit it. Please let me know in advance, if I need to hide in the closet

Actually Peter, Airstream required that I provide the Airstream vin number of my Argosy before they would let me order the panel. I did talk to the girl at Airstream and she said I was probably correct when I mentioned that the Argosy trailer right front panel was the same as a motorhome left rear.

Oddly enough, the part number for the left rear panel I had them quote for Peanut didn't match the part number for mine. She said it had something to do with the pano windows on mine where Peanut was a rear bath. I've looked at both panels closely and don't see a difference so there must be something hidden that I can't see.

Based on my conversation with her I came away with the impression I was ordering a part specifically for my Argosy. With that in mind I don't think you need to worry about finding a closet

Brad

[Magnet18]

Glad to see airstream kept track of some things, hope it fits well!