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trashbag · 04-07-2020, 11:35 AM

finally got all the windows cleaned polished and put back together. it was a lot of work but got them all in

Atomic_13 · 04-07-2020, 06:51 PM

Nice! That’s a lot of effort! Keep up the good work.

Camper Crazy · 04-08-2020, 10:44 AM

Just found your thread. Your project is really coming along. The original interior of the ambassador is so similar to my '72 overlander. You are completing what I am going to start this year, nice to have your experience to refer to. Thanks for the great pictures
CC

trashbag · 04-15-2020, 01:09 PM

using rivnuts and ss bolts to attach awning hardware. looks better than the large rivets and lags that were on it previously

trashbag · 04-20-2020, 08:09 AM

got more awning hardware attached. also got the hinges on all the compartment doors. just a few more exterior items and I am ready to put the floor in. sorry for the photo orientation

dbj216 · 04-20-2020, 07:45 PM

I put hinges on my cargo doors too. I didn't like the "J" hook Airstream used. The "J" hook is okay for the windows, but they have operators to help hold them in position. The cargo doors would just fall off if you opened them too far.

Very nice awning reinforcements. That art work takes more tooling than a pair of tin snips.

David

trashbag · 04-21-2020, 01:25 PM

found the hinge idea on the forum. makes a lot of sense. keeps door off ground and from possibly being left behind.

the patches at the awning supports cover the 2 sets of holes that were there. one was obviously from earlier damage the other one I think was misdrilled at installation. both clean and not blown out like the other.

steinVT · 04-22-2020, 03:22 AM

I like your patches a lot. I am removing an old CD/short wave antenna and will be needing one. Maybe I missed it in a previous post, but what tools did you use to create them? I agree with David, seems like more than tin snips. Also are they the same thickness as the skin or thicker? Thanks - Mark

trashbag · 04-22-2020, 02:05 PM

its the same as the exterior aluminum. I use snips to cut it as close as possible. on curves and spots I cant get to with snips I will use a Dremel with a cut off wheel. then I just use files.

dbj216 · 04-22-2020, 07:53 PM

Heck, I figured you had a CNC laser in your garage.

It takes a real craftsman to make artwork like that out of aluminum.

I made a patch for the front of my Overlander to cover the former hole for the crazy two plug umbilical cord Airstream was using in the mid seventies. I made one of those fancy state patches so folks might see where our home state was. It was a real challenge to make.

I live in square Colorado.

David

trashbag · 04-27-2020, 11:54 AM

tail lights are in. couple items left and I can start putting the floor in.

trashbag · 04-28-2020, 12:27 PM

fresh water tank fill

Minno · 04-29-2020, 07:53 AM

Wow, you've got some nice bling on your trailer! I like it!

Kay

trashbag · 06-25-2020, 09:52 AM

got the front and rear subfloor in. using a 7 ply plywood that I am putting 4 coats of a marine grade spar varnish.

knowmercy · 06-25-2020, 10:01 AM

Just happened to find your thread. Your '72 looks great! I really like the details you put in for the awning supports and fill location! I've got about 20 patches on our '73 and it makes me want to do something similar. Your floors are looking GREAT! I see that you hinged your exterior doors. I did the same thing on ours and I really like the decision. Cheers, and keep up the good work!

dbj216 · 06-26-2020, 06:57 PM

Well, the new floor is going in. Looks like you want it to last longer than the old one did. Of course, the main thing is guarding against rainwater leaks, always a problem with Airstreams.

David

trashbag · 08-24-2020, 12:00 PM

got the floor replaced and the shell bolted down. shell on floor replacement wasn't really that difficult. there is plenty of flex in the shell to allow me to slid the flooring in place.

Bubba L · 08-24-2020, 01:50 PM

Looks like a nice clean slate. More fun to come. Great job and good luck going forward.

dbj216 · 08-24-2020, 07:09 PM

Wow, you have completed one of the harder jobs in Airstream renovations. Can you give a bit more detail on how you did it. Was the floor material in smaller pieces going east/west, say 48 by 62? Did you use wedges or something to lift the c channel and body up enough to slide in the flooring. Doesn't your trailer have "F" channels along the straight sides that the flooring fits into? Mine does.

I need to learn to do this as I don't have a good way to lift the body off the frame and subfloor.

Thanks

David

Minno · 08-25-2020, 07:57 AM

We did shell on, and it worked well for us. If we were to do another complete reno, we would try to do shell off. It would make working on the frame much easier, and we could have put a least part of the belly pan on without being on our backs under the trailer.
We had to sand the edges of the floor along the shell to enable them to fit into the frame. Chris also made a specialized come-along to pull the edges of the shell in properly before we bolted it down.

Kay