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martin300662 · 10-19-2015, 06:25 AM

Looks great in the photos. If you ever chose to replace rather than repair, they are still available direct from Airstream at $110 each side. I got a pair from Airstream Supply drop shopped direct from Airstream about 6 weeks ago and have them as a custom back-up if Brad isn't able to get a mold off his Argosy valance.

Gregsch · 10-20-2015, 06:02 AM

I wish I had known that before I spent all that time. I thought I
saw them somewhere priced at $450.. Clearly I should have replaced them. Oh well, it was good experience. I used the same technique for other ABS repairs and I am sure the skill will come in handy again sometime in the future.
By the way I like what you are trying to do with the Argosy specific front bumper.. Hope it works out for you and Brad.

martin300662 · 10-20-2015, 06:24 AM

Some of the other vendors do sell FRP versions for $450 Greg, I am assuming they have gone through the 'take a mold, reproduce in FRP' route when the ABS ones weren't available (I can't think if another reason).

I also remember a post that many of the old ABS molds got destroyed and those that didn't Andy at Inland RV had obtained and was making them, so maybe they are making FRP reproductions from the ABS molds....who knows!

I do wish Airstream would publish a list of parts that are available, because several times I searched high and low for used parts only then to find they were still in production, but also in a couple of cases had assumed they were still available only to to find they weren't after starting a task.

I am all for repairing something that is repairable so more power to you for doing so!

Gregsch · 10-21-2015, 06:41 PM

Nice day,70 degrees, low humidity and calm winds. Not likely to see another day like this before winter. Not really ready but, today is the day. By the time I got it sanded masked and pre-cleaned it was nearly dark. No stopping now. Painted it with a trouble light in one hand and a paint gun in the other. No idea what it is going to look like. I guess I will know when the sun comes up tomorrow.

bkahler · 10-22-2015, 11:32 AM

Suns up...

Gregsch · 10-24-2015, 08:52 PM

Yea it is, and the nice days just keep coming, trying to take advantage of each and every one of them. Decide to take this opportunity to take care of a few more lose ends before the weather shuts me down for the winter.
The paint job turned out pretty good all things concidered. There was one spot that got missed and one run by a latch. A little more orange peel than I would like but overall I am pleased.
It would be a shame to put a nice new flag pole in this old rusty trailer hitch.

bkahler · 10-25-2015, 04:11 PM

Interesting pattern of holes in the frame member. I haven't seen that on an Airstream chassis before.

Maybe Airstream was trying to save weight...

Gregsch · 10-25-2015, 06:12 PM

Yea, that's what I was thinking. Made a nice place for the mice to build a nest but, I don't think that's why they did it.
I like using POR-15 for rusty metal like this. Note to self ; buy it in quarts next time. Had to cut a hole in the lid to get it open. When it dries it gets really hard!
Went ahead and painted the front while I was at it.
Might as well paint the grill while I am at it. Does it ever end????

bkahler · 10-26-2015, 08:22 AM

Greg, looking good

I've always used a product called Miracle Paint by Bill Hirsch. It has similar if not the same properties as POR-15. The difference might just be in the price, Miracle Paint seems to cost about $6 more per quart.

I plan on doing exactly what you've done with the exposed chassis areas, paint paint and more paint...!

Brad

Gregsch · 11-02-2015, 06:59 PM

When I took the grill apart to paint it, I found that the high beam inner headlight ring was all rusted out. I took it all apart and marked all the wires very carefully. When I put the grill back in and connected the head light wires they went haywire on me. When I put the head lights on they seem to work fine. When I hit the brights the lower bulb comes on as it should but, the upper bulb goes out completely. The other side seems to work fine (I never disconnected any of those wires). Any ideas ?

On a lighter note the new flag pole and flags came in this week. Super nice quality American made pole. Someday I hope to fly them someplace besides my back yard!

bkahler · 11-03-2015, 07:20 AM

Greg,

Check your ground wires closely. I've seen odd things happen with headlights due to a bad ground.

That headlight bucket certainly was rusty. Good thing these rigs are made out of aluminum!

Brad

Gregsch · 11-05-2015, 05:56 PM

For a MH that spent (as far as I know) its whole life in Ohio there is very little rust on this MH. The inner headlight trim was a mess. Thru the magic of Google and a little persistence I found a new inner mounting ring at ClasicParts.com. At $24.95 it was the deal of the century. They also had the adjusting screws. 81-88 chevy pick-up seems to be the key cross-reference. They did not have the spring I need , I will keep looking.

PeterH-350LE · 11-05-2015, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregsch

For a MH that spent (as far as I know) its whole life in Ohio there is very little rust on this MH. The inner headlight trim was a mess. Thru the magic of Google and a little persistence I found a new inner mounting ring at ClasicParts.com. At $24.95 it was the deal of the century. They also had the adjusting screws. 81-88 chevy pick-up seems to be the key cross-reference. They did not have the spring I need , I will keep looking.

So, there are 4 different ones? It looks like the one you needed was the cheapest and the others are double or triple?

Gregsch · 11-06-2015, 02:30 PM

When they shipped me the inner mounting ring they sent me a catalog with it. They also have an assembly for all four that includes the inner ring , the outer ring and the light bulb for $27.95. The part I received appears to be OEM. I suspect the assembly is imported,
Looks like they have the front turn signals as well, including the screws and the gaskets.

jm2 · 11-06-2015, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregsch

When I hit the brights the lower bulb comes on as it should but, the upper bulb goes out completely. The other side seems to work fine...

would love to hear what you find - ours does the same! on the list of fix-it to-do's....

PeterH-350LE · 11-07-2015, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregsch

When they shipped me the inner mounting ring they sent me a catalog with it. They also have an assembly for all four that includes the inner ring , the outer ring and the light bulb for $27.95. The part I received appears to be OEM. I suspect the assembly is imported,
Looks like they have the front turn signals as well, including the screws and the gaskets.

Thanks for the link and the info. Do you have the part number for the front turn signal. I found the side markers but not the turn signal.

bkahler · 11-07-2015, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Thanks for the link and the info. Do you have the part number for the front turn signal. I found the side markers but not the turn signal.

I didn't see any link posted?!

PeterH-350LE · 11-07-2015, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

I didn't see any link posted?!

Link to the classicparts

H/L Body Mntg Ring-R/L-DHL-Classic Chevy Truck Parts

Gregsch · 11-07-2015, 04:28 PM

Got he headlights fixed!
I took the working side apart and checked the wires with a multimeter.
brown wire - low beam
black wire - ground
green wire - high beams
greenish yellow wire - high beam to upper bulb

My problem was the greenish yellow wire was loose in the wire nut. What genius thought it was a good idea to use a wire nut in a motor vehicle?!!

Now the turn signals won't work. ARGHH!!!! Flashers work fine just no turn signals, Here we go again.