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Old 07-07-2014, 04:50 PM   #1
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1968 26' Overlander
Ocean isle beach , North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 30
New owner new project lots of questions

Hi. I am the proud new owner of a 68' airstream overlander 26 ft. When I bought it it had already been pretty much gutted except the bathroom. Here are a few of my first questions :

Can anyone tell me what is suppose to be attached to the outside front about head high by the right side of the window Click image for larger version

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Also the back panel is missing Click image for larger version

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ID:	215901 any suggestions on what this part is called and where to find?


Here is a better pic of the outside and inside only work I've done so far is cleaning to see what's there Click image for larger version

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Old 07-07-2014, 06:07 PM   #2
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1967 22' Safari
MILAN , Illinois
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Welcome!

The missing item to the right of the front window was most likely a television or radio antenna. The missing rear hatch cover is called the Service Center hath cover and can be ordered from InlandRV.com or VintageTrailerSupply.com. You can see many interior pictures (for Ideas) @ VintageAirstream.com and other sites. One question did you get the title for the trailer from the seller? Ed
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Old 07-07-2014, 06:18 PM   #3
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1968 26' Overlander
Ocean isle beach , North Carolina
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Yes I did get the title and we went and got it put in my name this am. Thanks for the reply and advice
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Old 07-07-2014, 06:35 PM   #4
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1968 26' Overlander
Ocean isle beach , North Carolina
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I can't seem to find that part on either site can you add a link to it?
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Old 07-07-2014, 07:00 PM   #5
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1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
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Well, another one bites the dust! Airstream dust that is. I think the Overlander is one of the more popular vintage Airstreams behind the little Bambi and Caravel that is.

Renovating your Overlander is a huge project. Take your time, do one little step each day. Plan on many, many months of working on it. I have over a 1000 hours in my 66 Trade Wind (one size smaller than yours). There is quite a bunch of Airsteamers than enjoy bring these old trailers back on the road, better than new. Most of them are half crazy I think!

I recommend you plan your project from the ground up. Chances are the tires are shot, the axles are shot, same with brakes and shocks, same with the belly pan, same with the frame, same with the plywood sub floor, same with the drain plumbing, same with the 12v electrical wiring, same with appliances, same with weather seals, and on and on. One step at a time and progress will be apparent. All this stuff was bad on mine. The Airstream aluminum body lasts a long time, the other stuff not so much.

I purchased a used storage compartment door from Silver Trailer Supply. Give them a call and see if they have what you need. They have served me well in the few transactions I have done with them. English is a second language there, so be patient on the phone.

1966-1968 Rear compartment door

Don't panic, have fun doing the project.

David
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Old 07-07-2014, 07:23 PM   #6
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1968 26' Overlander
Ocean isle beach , North Carolina
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Thanks for the reply David. My dad and husband are going to be helping. I had read a lot online and I'm sure this will be a long process I'm just love the trill of a project. I will give silver trailer supply a call in the am. Just hoping to get that pieces so the thing is at least sealed From rain. Would you go for sub floor /frame underbelly next or axles and tires. I was thinking frame subfloor ?
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Old 07-07-2014, 08:39 PM   #7
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1968 26' Overlander
Duluth , Minnesota
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Service Center Hatch

Reproduction hatch is available here:

Rear hatch door new, will fit 1964,65,66,68 Airstream


These doors have a tendency to fly off while going down the road. This just happened to my friend which is why I know this link. We were scheming about a little safety chain to keep it in place in the case the latch pops while traveling. The gaskets in these doors leak a lot. I just ordered new ones from Vintage Trailer Supply. They are the original style that fit into the groove in the frame. Others use a "D" gasket of the door or frame.

Two folks here both restoring '68 Overlanders now. Mine is empty with all of the interior in the garage and new rear floor going in now. I almost envy your blank slate.

Nice job with cleaning round one.

Fix floor and frame first.

Your area in front likely had a TV antenna mount (the crank might be on the inside still?), radio antenna, and possibly a flag holder. Use foil tape (HVAC kind) to cover up outside holes while working as it leaves less sticky residue and looks good too!

Did you get the frame for the front window rock guard? I replaced the plastic with a sheet of perforated stainless steel and am really happy with the result. The plastic stone guards are $$$.

Read up in the '68 Overlander section about the unique windows and window hardware. Can be a challenge.
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Old 07-08-2014, 04:27 AM   #8
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1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
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Stuck window closers can be overhauled in most cases. BigEd helped me with mine. Soak the ball screw and nut in penetrating oil for a LONG time and be very gentle trying to break if free. Otherwise you will just break it! I was delighted learning how this little mechanism worked. Some designer was pretty clever. It's like a little elf hand coming out and grabbing the bottom of the window and pulling it shut.

Yes, the 66 to 68 Airstreams had the unique Corning glass windows. The glass is available as is some of the hinge parts. Otherwise you are hunting for used parts on e-bay and the like.

David
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Old 07-08-2014, 10:03 AM   #9
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1968 26' Overlander
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While you have the penetrating oil or WD40 or whatever is your favorite out, start spraying the fasteners on your axles and shocks frequently.
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Old 07-08-2014, 10:06 AM   #10
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1968 26' Overlander
Duluth , Minnesota
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This is what was up front originally. Nothing magic about locating it here I don't think Antenna technology has changed a lot. There is a crank on the inside that turns the TV antenna which goes in the boxy thing with the chain on it.
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Old 08-12-2014, 01:56 PM   #11
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1968 26' Overlander
Ocean isle beach , North Carolina
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Here is my progress so far thought if share these Click image for larger version

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One more piece to come out inside storing all pieces in our barn until we need them again. Tomorrow I plan on stripping the wallpaper off the inside paneling if the rain cooperates. If not maybe we will start tearing out the floors
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Old 08-12-2014, 06:41 PM   #12
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1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
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You are really going at it! Many vintage Airstream renovations have a barn full of Airstream viscera from the "gutting" process. The old parts can be patterns for new ones.

Isn't fun to figure out how Airstream built these things way back when. Some of the designs of the parts are pretty clever, like the window closers and fiberglass end caps.

Study up on floor replacement before you start taking it up. You need to develop a good pattern for the curved corners front and rear. Duplicating this curve is important when you cut your new floor.

David
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Old 08-12-2014, 06:49 PM   #13
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1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
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Dustycowgirl, I meant to ask you. Does your 68 Overlander have "drip rails" over the windows. I can't tell from your #1 post pictures. It's an aluminum channel that acts like a rain gutter, keeping rain water from the upper hinge area. Maybe you can post a close up picture of one of your side windows.

Just wondering. My 66 Trade Wind does not have drip rails over the windows. I wish it did.

David
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Old 08-12-2014, 07:01 PM   #14
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1968 26' Overlander
Ocean isle beach , North Carolina
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I don't think mine does. I will post a window picture tomorrow though
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Old 08-12-2014, 07:10 PM   #15
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1972 31' Sovereign
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Before you put a new floor in, make sure the shell is water tight if it's stored outside. Doesn't do any good to put in a new floor, and then have it rot out from water leaking in the windows.
Take lots and lots of pictures as you disassemble things. (That advice might be a bit late, sorry). They make good references when you're trying to remember how to put it back together.
Colaws Salvage in Missouri has some used parts, and some new. We have bought both from them and have had no problems. They are on line also.

Kay
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