Peanut lives on!

[bkahler]

I guess I should add I still need to figure out the best way to get the battery cables up into the box. I wasn't impressed with how the factory did it so I'm looking at various options right now.

[bkahler]

No pictures for this update but I'm happy to say Peanut moved and stopped under it's own power today

Ernie came over and we spent the morning bleeding the brakes. Front brakes were a piece of cake, the rear brakes were a total pain in the you know what

Since the front wheels were already off we bled the front brakes first. The fronts went pretty good with no issues. Then we mounted the front wheels to get the front end off the jack stands. Working on one rear wheel at a time we had to jack it up, remove the wheel and bleed the brake. Repeat for the other side.

After the brakes were bled it was time for a short (very short!) test drive. I basically drove it forward about 15 feet and then backed it up about 15 feet. Brakes felt pretty good. It has pretty good pedal although possibly a little spongy. I think the best thing is once the floor and seats are back in I'll drive it slowly down to the auto repair shop and have them power bleed the brakes and install an exhaust system.

Peanut may not be ready for touring the country just yet but he's certainly getting closer to being able to do so


Brad

[Gregsch]

Still need to get two 8" straps for door support hangers and caulk around the seam where the box meets the frame with vulkem. The assembly can't be set in place until the wood floor is installed.

Brad, Have you considered using the Coosa bd instead of plywood? I know it is expensive but, look at where you are working. All that keeps the tire spray from the front wheels from getting through to the carpet is plywood and a thin piece of aluminum laid under it. I would venture to say the plywood started getting wet the day it left the factory. Even if you did not replace the lower floor with it I would suggest you replace the raised floor in the driver passenger area and the vertical step with Coosa. I think once you worked with it you would really like it.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Gregsch

Brad, Have you considered using the Coosa bd instead of plywood? I know it is expensive but, look at where you are working. All that keeps the tire spray from the front wheels from getting through to the carpet is plywood and a thin piece of aluminum laid under it. I would venture to say the plywood started getting wet the day it left the factory. Even if you did not replace the lower floor with it I would suggest you replace the raised floor in the driver passenger area and the vertical step with Coosa. I think once you worked with it you would really like it.

Brad and I kicked this around quite a bit and I believe we would have gone with Coosa apart from, it wasn't available locally and the shipping of just one sheet to do the raised floor was crazy. When we looked into it the Bluewater 26 board was about $350 a sheet and something like $150 delivery. If we could have got it we would.

[Isuzusweet]

Did someone mention Coosa?????

If I had a dollar for all the times I have advocated using this board on this forum you'd think I was on the board of directors.

It was well worth the cost to me in piece of mind and it did help my boss uses a marina that stocks it, so I didn't get charged for shipping.

Still lurking, carry on.

Cheers
Tony

[Gregsch]

Did you try Composites One? I talked to Laura Frizzo (800-334-7498) and she shipped it to my construction site on a 52' semi for $106.00 @ $264.00 each. She would not ship to a residential address . When it arrived we simply pulled it off the back of the truck by hand. Wasn't worth the trouble of going to get the forklift. The stuff is that light.

[martin300662]

We both searched independently, but from my side I contacted Coosa Composites who referred me to a place in Knoxville as the closest supplier to Brad, I think they were Total Plastics(?). They described two different densities of Bluewater board but could only do the higher quality one (26) in 5/8". Looking at the Coosa website they also do Nautical board, so I guess the first question is do you use Bluewater or Nautical board, because there seems a big difference in between what I was quoted and what you paid?

[bkahler]

Well, Peanut has a full set of headlights again



Ernie and I spent half the morning and most of the afternoon fitting the grille, right hand headlight assembly and the right front fender. All things considered I think it came out looking pretty darn good

Still need to fit the lower steel curved panel just in front of the generator compartment, the wheel well trim and the plastic valance.

At some point I'm going to have to temporarily remove the center grill section in order to install the inner panels that surround the engine opening and the AC hoses, etc. That will likely happen sometime next spring.


Brad

[martin300662]

Looking great Brad, good progress!

[Vycan]

Great news Brad!

[bkahler]

From the front Peanut sorta actually looks like a motorhome again

[mayco]

Nice work Brad! That really looks great. Nothing scares you on these rigs does it. Not sure I would have the juevos to attempt such a project. In fact, Im absolutely sure I dont.
Nice job!

Mike

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mayco

Nice work Brad! That really looks great. Nothing scares you on these rigs does it. Not sure I would have the juevos to attempt such a project. In fact, Im absolutely sure I dont.
Nice job!

Mike

Thanks Mike, the fender replacement was actually a joint effort. A friend of mine, Ernie, does body work on the side and he helped cut and fit the new fender section. He knows how to work the metal and I know how they are assembled

Brad

[bkahler]

Just a quick update on Peanut. He got new front suspension air bags today and new front shocks. Replacing the air bags was a real pain in the backside. We opted to pop the lower ball joints and pull the springs out instead of trying to squeeze a ten pound bag into a five pound hole



The job actually went faster than I expected but it was still a dirty greasy job and I'm glad it's over!

Tomorrow will be some window sealing and some more body work.

Brad

[martin300662]

Good stuff Brad, is that the front end back totally together now?

[bkahler]

The front suspension is completely together, only thing left is bleeding the front brakes again. In order for the ball joint separator to work properly you have to disconnect the brake lines at the caliper. I'm leaving Peanut on jack stands with the front wheels removed to make it easier to work on the banana wraps and wheel well trim.

If you mean the front shell, no, still need to install the right front banana wrap, front bumper and the left front banana wrap has to be replaced. The idea of using the stud gun welder didn't work out. All it did was produce a big fireball of sparks

Fortunately we tested on a scrap piece of trim before trying it on Peanut. I'm open for any ideas on how to remove those pesky screws.

Today's effort of sealing the front windshields might be in doubt, Friday I got a piece of metal in my right eye and I have eye specialist appointment at 11:00 today. I was using eye protection while grinding under my Argosy but something still got in my eye


Brad

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

The front suspension is completely together, only thing left is bleeding the front brakes again. In order for the ball joint separator to work properly you have to disconnect the brake lines at the caliper. I'm leaving Peanut on jack stands with the front wheels removed to make it easier to work on the banana wraps and wheel well trim.

If you mean the front shell, no, still need to install the right front banana wrap, front bumper and the left front banana wrap has to be replaced. The idea of using the stud gun welder didn't work out. All it did was produce a big fireball of sparks

Fortunately we tested on a scrap piece of trim before trying it on Peanut. I'm open for any ideas on how to remove those pesky screws.

I only meant the steering/suspension brakes Brad...I am still conscious that he is parked up on your driveway blocking access to your garage! I guess that only leaves the torch on a small flame to see if the suckers will heat shock loose.

Originally Posted by bkahler

Today's effort of sealing the front windshields might be in doubt, Friday I got a piece of metal in my right eye and I have eye specialist appointment at 11:00 today. I was using eye protection while grinding under my Argosy but something still got in my eye


Brad

That is not good news Brad. Fingers crossed it works out OK!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

I only meant the steering/suspension brakes Brad...I am still conscious that he is parked up on your driveway blocking access to your garage! I guess that only leaves the torch on a small flame to see if the suckers will heat shock loose.

Actually I'm using Peanut as a wind break!

I'll be trying the torch next week. Starting today, by the time I get home after work in the evenings it will be to dark to work outside. I might also wander over to the trailer side to see if anyone has a suggestion. I believe the wheel well trim is fastened the same way on trailers.

That is not good news Brad. Fingers crossed it works out OK!

Well, it felt like a boulder was in my eye but after the doctor got it out it turned out to be no larger than the tip of a needle. Sure felt bigger though

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

I'll be trying the torch next week. Starting today, by the time I get home after work in the evenings it will be to dark to work outside. I might also wander over to the trailer side to see if anyone has a suggestion. I believe the wheel well trim is fastened the same way on trailers.

I did search the whole forum when looking for ideas to remove the same trim from the donor, but didn't find anything.

I keep hoping Bob will notice the discussion, and have some sort of Snap-On gizmo to remove screws that are stuck due to galvanic corrosion!

[bkahler]

[QUOTE=martin300662;1873364]I did search the whole forum when looking for ideas to remove the same trim from the donor, but didn't find anything.[quote]

So much for that idea

I keep hoping Bob will notice the discussion, and have some sort of Snap-On gizmo to remove screws that are stuck due to galvanic corrosion!

That does remind me of the fact that I could dip Peanut in an electrolysis tank and that might just get rid of the corrosion! Maybe I'll try it first on one of the scrap pieces I have laying around