'74 Argosy 20' Motorhome restoration/rebuild

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Aerowood

Look for airspeed indicator on eBay, with aircraft going digital the old surplus analog units are getting cheap

Pricey little buggers aren't they!

I think I need to learn a little more about them before making any buying decisions.

Thanks!

Brad

[bkahler]

As I get closer to moving my Argosy into the shop so I can start working on it again I'm considering my options for replacing the ABS plastic tailing housing assembly with a couple of different Airstream trailer choices.

Here's a picture of my current tail light housing. It's unique to I think 73-74 Argosy motorhomes and trailers. Lenses are no longer available. It's big, bulky and prone to cracking.


I have a set of each of the assemblies in this picture. The bottom assembly is from a 74 Excella 500 trailer and the top assembly if from an earlier Airstream trailer.


Not sure where I stole this picture from but you can see what the earlier trailer tail lights look like on an Argosy motorhome (note the painted endcap). The later Classic motorhomes used a similar style only with square lenses and the early trailer assembly is cast aluminum where the Classic motorhomes used a cheap plastic housing. At least the 310 I owned used a cheap plastic housing


This is a variation of the Argosy lights used on I think 75 and 76 Argosy motorhomes.


I have all the parts necessary to install any of the above, I just need to figure out which to use.

Thoughts anyone?!

Brad

[mayco]

Cant go wrong with cast aluminum.......in my humble opinion

[bpg_austin]

Brad, no question in my mind. If you've got a metal piece it needs to go on. I'm with mayco.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mayco

Cant go wrong with cast aluminum.......in my humble opinion

Originally Posted by bpg_austin

Brad, no question in my mind. If you've got a metal piece it needs to go on. I'm with mayco.

I agree with both of you. However both of the tail light assemblies in the picture below are cast aluminum. Personally I'm leaning towards the bottom one from the 74 Excella trailer. More lights means more visibility

Oh yeah, the top one is missing a reflector that I would likely change to some sort of LED light if I decide to use the top one.

[bpg_austin]

No ones going to miss your Argosy on the road, even in the dark. I think its all about style Brad, and the rounds in post #262 on the polished unit are unbelievable. But.. I do get the practicality of more lights..

[mayco]

Kinda boils down to personal preference on "style"........how much night driving are any of us gonna be doing really. I shouldnt speak for others, I have avoided it though. Hate pulling into a new campground in the dark.

[martin300662]

Must admit I have a preference for the round lenses, especially if embedded, but that is a preaty permanent modification.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by bpg_austin

No ones going to miss your Argosy on the road, even in the dark. I think its all about style Brad, and the rounds in post #262 on the polished unit are unbelievable. But.. I do get the practicality of more lights..

The main reason I have been leaning towards the square lens units was the extra light in place of the reflector found on the round assembly. However replacing the reflector with an appropriate LED light sorta makes that a moot point.

One thing that is a detractor for the square light assembly is it's considerably heavier and surprisingly is only held on by some rivets from the back side. That has been a concern for me.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mayco

Kinda boils down to personal preference on "style"........how much night driving are any of us gonna be doing really. I shouldnt speak for others, I have avoided it though. Hate pulling into a new campground in the dark.

Personal preference definitely has a lot to do with it. One of my big problems is I always seem to over analyze things and then I really get confused!

Anymore I seem to prefer evening and night driving due to the lower traffic volumes, at least when I'm east of the Mississippi

When we first bought the 310 the deal was concluded in the early evening and by the time we got the the campground where we planned to say for the first night I was using the overhead spotlight to light the road to the campground. Both of the 310 headlights had failed during the 10 or so mile trip from the sellers place to the campground!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Must admit I have a preference for the round lenses, especially if embedded, but that is a preaty permanent modification.

Martin, it certainly is a permanent modification!

I've definitely made up my mind I'm not going to use either of the earlier ABS plastic housings due to their propensity for cracking all the time.

More than likely I will install the smaller round units first as they use a slightly smaller opening in the shell than the larger square lens units do. If I decide I don't like the smaller lights I guess I can always "upgrade" to the square ones.

Hmm...maybe I just made my decision

[bkahler]

Very minor update. Last night after having the front end sitting on blocks with the front hubs removed for over two years I finally managed to get the front hubs and wheels back on. It's now sitting on all four wheels again

The plan is this weekend to pull it out from beside the shop so I can hot pressure wash EVERYTHING. It's got moss growing on it and who knows how many mud dauber nests and spider nests.

Once it's clean and has had chance to dry I'll figure out a way to get it backed into it's parking place in the shop. Once there it won't see the light of day again until the 454 is installed along with a whole other other tasks as well!

Brad

[martin300662]

Sounds like major progress to me!

[ViewRVs]

It is amazing what you can do when you are not mowing grass!

[wxbuoy]

Good news!! Look forward to your updates!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[bkahler]

Yeah well unfortunately I still have to mow grass, at least through October

I'm looking forward to getting it moved into the shop. I think I've found someone that's willing to paint it for me (whenever I get to the point), all I'll have to do is build a plastic tent around it. That should be fun

I'll try and snap a few pictures while I'm trying to move it.

[PeterH-350LE]

we all should plan a spring road trip to Brads House. That will keep him on his toes

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

we all should plan a spring road trip to Brads House. That will keep him on his toes

I don't mind supervising...

[bkahler]

I managed to get the Argosy pulled away from the shop tonight after work.

The Argosy has been parked on the North side of my shop for just about 5 years. A lot has happened over those past 5 years but hopefully I can now find the time to start tinkering with it again.


It actually rolled easier than I thought it would considering the rear wheels were sunk into the gravel about 2 inches or so. Probably wouldn't have sunk quite as far if I'd had all four tires on the rear.


The drivers side that was parked against the shop is actually grungier than the exposed passenger side although the passenger side has more moss growing on it. Hopefully the hot pressure washer will take care of the mess.


While looking it over this evening I noticed this little guy went along for the ride Whadda ya know, m first passenger


I've set aside this Saturday to do nothing but try and get the outside and underside washed.

Stay tuned...

[wxbuoy]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

we all should plan a spring road trip to Brads House. That will keep him on his toes

Originally Posted by bkahler

I don't mind supervising...

I'm in! I will bring the grape libation!!