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Old 07-04-2011, 09:41 AM   #1
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Shell off headroom epiphany

Well in the process of jacking up my shell for lift off I discovered how much nicer it felt inside with 6+" more headroom.
mine is a 71 model . Did they make taller AS? Was the design height a function of aerodynamics?
Has anyone ever added interior height to their AS? You would have to mod the door, batt hatch, fridge duct, lengthen vents etc..

Just having one of my consider anything days staring at my shell floating in mid air
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Old 07-04-2011, 09:49 AM   #2
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Wonder if you would notice at first glance the second belly band?
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Old 07-04-2011, 09:53 AM   #3
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I think I remember a thread in witch the subject came up, and as I recall Andy may have done a custom for one of his Taller clients. Someone, step in and correct me or elaborate.

Dennis
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Old 07-04-2011, 09:54 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by batman
I think I remember a thread in witch the subject came up, and as I recall Andy may have done a custom for one of his Taller clients. Someone, step in and correct me or elaborate.

Dennis
Can't find the thread
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Old 07-04-2011, 11:06 AM   #5
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Never done one. Have not seen one. But, have talked to a guy who worked in a shop (colonial) that did a 6" ceiling lift for a customer. 6" added in the middle where the seam is. Door, cabinets, ribs, wiring, etc all need extending. He said they lifted the top section from the top by putting a padded 2x12 lengthwise and lift cables through the vent holes at each end.
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Old 07-04-2011, 11:33 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill M.
Never done one. Have not seen one. But, have talked to a guy who worked in a shop (colonial) that did a 6" ceiling lift for a customer. 6" added in the middle where the seam is. Door, cabinets, ribs, wiring, etc all need extending. He said they lifted the top section from the top by putting a padded 2x12 lengthwise and lift cables through the vent holes at each end.
Well that's a cool idea.
I had thought of a 6" aluminum horizontal rib between the deck and the beginning of the vertical ribs made of c or box tube
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Old 07-04-2011, 12:57 PM   #7
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How about a total knee replacement and femur shortening surgery? Might be simpler (just kidding).

Kay
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Old 07-04-2011, 02:37 PM   #8
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How about a total knee replacement and femur shortening surgery? Might be simpler (just kidding).

Kay
That's like saying find a short girlfriend and call it a day...
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Old 07-04-2011, 03:03 PM   #9
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The ceiling will look higher if you take your shoes off. A short girlfriend will make the ceiling look higher too. Mirrors on the ceiling will also help and you can install a pole too for that dancing short girlfriend.

If you cut the ribs to fashion a clerestory in the middle it will look cool, but won't you lose the strength of the U-shaped ribs? I would think you'd have to substantially strengthen them and that would add a lot of weight.

I was looking at your thread about your restoration. I couldn't help thinking of this: I had a neighbor who was building his house for nearly 20 years, always coming up with new ideas, ripping out sections and redoing them. I kept telling him he couldn't live long enough to finish it if he kept doing that. He didn't. Nobody takes unsolicited advice, but I hope you get to enjoy a finished project soon.

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Old 07-04-2011, 04:31 PM   #10
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Gene, good point and I am guilty of that. The good news is the AS is a given space that can ultimately only contain so much weirdness so I have a good shot of finishing it before I expire ... I hope ...
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Old 07-04-2011, 04:50 PM   #11
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Sorry for the dumb joke! I'm 4ft 10in.(in my shoes) so I always get the short jokes. There are SOB trailers out there built for tall people but I don't think Airstream has joined that band wagon yet. Too bad for taller people, I do see where you might get claustrophobic.

Kay
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Old 07-04-2011, 05:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno
Sorry for the dumb joke! I'm 4ft 10in.(in my shoes) so I always get the short jokes. There are SOB trailers out there built for tall people but I don't think Airstream has joined that band wagon yet. Too bad for taller people, I do see where you might get claustrophobic.

Kay
Haha no problem Kay, at 5'11" I'm not really tall , I just like the space
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Old 07-06-2011, 10:24 PM   #13
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Did a little messing about on the computer to visualize an 8" stretch.

- My apologies to whom ever this photo belongs to -
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Old 07-06-2011, 10:40 PM   #14
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The good news is, you will have more hot water capacity judging by the increase in water heater door size!
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Old 07-16-2011, 08:04 PM   #15
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Well the frame is about half way built and I need to decide if I want to add any height to the interior.

Its one of those things that would be fun to do from a technical standpoint...

Frame so far...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f251...ml#post1019149
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Old 07-16-2011, 10:46 PM   #16
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Old 07-17-2011, 09:30 AM   #17
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I was reading specs on Vintage AS & 1968 was the last year of the taller models... they shrunk an inch or so in 1969 to be able to expand the width.

just an odd fact I found interesting & @ 5'1.5" it makes for a lot of head room
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Old 07-17-2011, 10:29 AM   #18
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The only motivation I lack is for someone to dare me to do it
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Old 07-17-2011, 12:25 PM   #19
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I dare you! Make sure to post lots of pics.
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Old 07-17-2011, 12:54 PM   #20
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I double dare you!
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