350 LE project

[keithmac]

I’m new to the motorhome side so I jumped in with a non-running 350 LE with 32,000 original KM’s on it. This one has spent most of its life sitting in a barn as I understand it. It was vandalized and sat for about 10 years waiting for someone to give it some love, cash and attention (not in that order)... It’s now running and at home and I’m digging into renovating the interior. A few shots from the beginning.

[Magnet18]

Welcome!!

Is this the one that was up just across the border into Canada?

Excited to learn more about it, glad you got it running!

[keithmac]

Yes this came out of Langley.. if anyone has information on it I’m interested to hear about it.

It was Vandalized with the Genny stolen plus a lot of wiring removed as well as the sofa and drivers and passengers seats.

The wiring was figured out, a high flow external fuel pump was added and I went through three fuel filters prior to the run home which was about 400 km into the Okanagan. No major adventures on the way home aside from some charging issues and the discovery that the fuel gauge isn’t reading properly.

A lot of cleaning and now replacing the flooring. I’ll just do short shake down trips this summer while I go through some of the mechanical items and maintenance. On the up side the engine seems strong. Down side I’m trying to get the shore power figured out.

[Magnet18]

Depending on the state of the wiring theft, shore power shouldn't be too hard to figure out, pictures will help others point things out. Search for the service manual with wiring diagrams, I think there is a pdf floating around somewhere.

If they stole wiring related to gauges, I'd think probably cut to the chase and just start fresh there, gauges are always troublesome on these rigs.


Sounds like a good idea to drop and inspect your gas tank if you went through 3 filters, and a new sender while you're in there.

Replace the rubber fuel lines!!!! #1 source of these rigs going up in flames.

[keithmac]

Yes dropping the gas tank is a big one on the list..

[sraab928]

Looks like a nice find! Keep us posted with the progress - we love pictures!

[keithmac]

Trying to decide on painting out the wood work to either light grey or some variation on white. Not sure I’m ready for that yet but the carpet and hard wood are completely stripped out now. The step well was a bitch. Airstream I discovered uses the wall material as spacer material surrounding the step sandwiched between the metal frame and the plastic step. A perfect material to absorb and hold water. Seems like a disaster by design. Anyway that mess was cleaned out in prep for new flooring.

[keithmac]

With carpet removed I found some past mouse damage under the sofa location after pulling out the signal controller. Insert swear words. Under the open ended plastic cover was a perfect spot to build a food stash apparently. At least no wires were chewed completely through but now I’m paranoid and checking wires everywhere. Now to fix the wire insulation.

[sraab928]

At least your subfloor looks in good condition. Thats a nice bonus.

[bobmiller1]

Dam mice.....always a problem. Good find on the wires. The sub-floor looks decent. Why Airstream used particle board shows how cheap their manufacturing was, although they charged the highest prices. It’s obvious to me that these units were not designed to last for more than 10 years, which appears to be the industry standard. Regards, Bob

[keithmac]

Bob I have to agree, I was a bit shocked actually.. I have a 1975 25’ Tradewind as well and the build quality was better in it.. I decided to paint out the wood work and I spent the day doing what the factory should have done.. gluing joints! So much of the cabinetry was just held together with an L bracket and some small screws it had me shaking my head. I’m not sure why but probably 1 out of 4 cabinet doors needed help with glue and clamping as well to straighten them. On the up side 1/2 the wood work has made it through 2 coats of primer and filling and final sanding.

[keithmac]

New flooring is going in..also decided to build a sofa bed with storage after looking at several such as IKEA and considering modifying them. But getting the dimensions right is nearly impossible.

Also repainted the dinette to black as the white it was thought would start to mark up with use and kids.

[keithmac]

Also painted out the brass look inserts.. sprayed with a matte black. The finish turned out really nice actually. Also repainted the light fixtures.. for now they work.. not the same colour as I didn’t want black
Over kill.

[Magnet18]

Wow, cranking right along, looking good!

[keithmac]

Have to thank mom for these.. my parents stopped in on their vacation to help out and visit kids. The result was new curtains for the rear and central divider. What would we do without mom! We reused the original curtain clips but found two cracked.. nice to then discover they can be picked up at the dealer for 35 cents each.

No wood work is safe now.. the rear bedroom has been dis assembled and now has three coats of primer as of 11:30 tonight. I have been finding some bleed through of the oak stain maybe due to something the previous owner applied to the wood. It has become more work but with sanding between coats the wood grain is really minimized. Paintbig out the wood will probably picss off the traditionalists but I plan to use this, I’m done with oak cabinetry, and feed back from women touring it so far is more white paint the better.. I figure we are on the right track for resale if there is a women in the equation on the buyers side.

Also pulled out the old bedroom factory TV mount and I am returning that to a flat wall. More work relocating the rear thermostat and light switch. I’m planning on rebuilding the console above the diver/passenger to accommodate a 32” TV so I’m thinking no TV in the rear... I think.. probably..

[Magnet18]

My thoughts are
1. Luxury is relative and really just a state of mind
2. many things come in and out of fashion, and if I paint everything white in another decade or two it'll be tacky and dated again, whereas the original finish will have plodded further towards being cool and retro.

But if it makes the women in your life happy it's definitely a good thing