sidneygruber

[latrans]

I was encouraged by the pictures of barkingspiders repair. I just discovered that my 72 tradewind needs 3 feet of rear frame replaced as well as the rear channel and 2 feet of rear floor. The shower drain had no tightening nut on it and all the shower water had drained into the floor, possibly from new.

I had a sheet metal shop bend up two 4 foot sections of new frame, and am looking for a welder to install them. I removed the old rusted frame with a sawzall from underneath. I plan to replace the frame and channel now, and remove the bathroom later to install the new floor. I had to cut the frame off directly under the converter. I will supply pictures.

[hhuber]

Welcome to the forum sidneygruber!
This is the place to be for a restoration like that!
You'll find lots of help here. Good luck.

[latrans]

I wonder if the original frame crossmembers are still available to replace my rusted ones. Does anyone know if the stamped crossmembers of the 70s are still used today? I could have some bent up by a sheet metal shop, but would prefer to use the original if possible.

Originally Posted by hhuber

Welcome to the forum sidneygruber!
This is the place to be for a restoration like that!
You'll find lots of help here. Good luck.

[markdoane]

I had crossmembers made at a local mfg shop. Keep in mind that they might be cheaper if you get them locally, and you can make them thicker if you want.

I have heard that the frames on some of the 70's were marginal to begin with. Something about reducing weight during the gas crisis.

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by sidneygruber

I was encouraged by the pictures of barkingspiders repair. I just discovered that my 72 tradewind needs 3 feet of rear frame replaced as well as the rear channel and 2 feet of rear floor. The shower drain had no tightening nut on it and all the shower water had drained into the floor, possibly from new.

I had a sheet metal shop bend up two 4 foot sections of new frame, and am looking for a welder to install them. I removed the old rusted frame with a sawzall from underneath. I plan to replace the frame and channel now, and remove the bathroom later to install the new floor. I had to cut the frame off directly under the converter. I will supply pictures.

Looking forward to your photos. I am working on the rear bath of my '75 Tradewind. The frame is degraded. I have a weld shop working on replacement sections. I am looing to extend the rear bumper an extra foot while I'm at it.

[malconium]

I made a new cross-member for the back end of my AS using 2" x 2" x 1/8" angle iron and some 2" x 1/8" flat stock for veritical memebers. I wrote up something about it in post #49 of the following thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forum...t=cross-member

There is a photo of part of the new cross-member there. The new cross-member is definitely both heavier and stronger than the original. I thought this would be fine for the one at the very back but it might be sturdier than necessary for other locations. It does work though and nothing special was needed in the way of fabrication other than welding it in place. I had a welder that makes house calls come by and do it for me since I do not weld.

Malcolm