Step replacement

smily · 08-29-2002, 08:40 AM

I am about to replace the missing steps from my 71 Overlander.

I have purchased an aluminum set of steps from a fellow out west and he is shipping them to me.

I have seen photos of them and they look as though they are in great shape.

My AS has remnants of the old ones but it looks as though someone has removed the actual steps and added a piece of angle iron to the threshold.

The "new" steps are due in any day.

Has anyone replaced a set of steps and do they have any tips on what I will find when I get behind the rusted parts of the old steps?

Smily

smily · 09-09-2002, 06:58 AM

Completed step installation this weekend.

Whew what a job to get the old frame out. It took me about three hours to get the old ones out.

I had asked the gentlemen that sold me the steps if I needed to remove the flooring to do the job.

He told me that I would not have to remove the flooring.

It was a good thing that I was replacing some rotted flooring around the door because I would have never got the old steps out or the new steps in without removing the flooring.

My sawzall,( reciprocating saw), sure earned its keep this weekend.

Any way, a success story. The replacement steps work like greased lightning. They works so well and fast that I am considering a warning sign next to the lever, "Stand Back". If one is standing to close to the trailer and you relaese the steps, you will have a very sore shin.

My wife is now happy that I spent the 100 dollars on the used steps. She was not happy at first. She claims that I love the AS more than I love her. She is very wrong.

No more heavy portable steps for the Smillie family,

Smily

BobbyW · 09-09-2002, 10:26 AM

Did you take any pictures? How about posting a picture or 2 of the completed job.

Congratulation on a completed project.

-BobbyWright

smily · 09-09-2002, 10:39 AM

It is about time that I delve into the issue of posting photos.

I was a little embarrased of the appearance of my old 71' but modesty to the wind!

I will photograph step installation. I actually did consider photos of the whole process but I guess I will have to convey the procedure in writing to any one interested.

I will be posting photos soon of the improvements of the ol' 71'.

Thanks for the vote of confidence,

Smily

InsideOut · 09-09-2002, 10:50 AM

As "they" say, a picture's worth a thousand words!

I am a huge proponent of taking pictures all along the way. They document the progress you have made and how things are put together. Whenever you get overwhelmed with a project, you can reflect back at all the "Before" shots, take a look around at your work in progress & pat yourself on the back for a job well done...

They also are helpful for documenting the value of your trailer if/when you ever need them for insurance purposes...heaven forbid you need them for that, but at least you have them.

Click away!

Shari

P.S. Check out our webpage for the good, bad & ugly pictures of our restoration in progress

thenewkid64 · 09-09-2002, 11:26 AM

One of the benifits that Shari did not mention was that if you document the "before" you have a record (depending on the camera and your abilities) of how it should go back together. I find that I take scads of pictures before I disassemble something so I have them as a reference to reassemble it all later. This especially helpful when it comes to taking cabinets and wiring apart.

smily · 09-09-2002, 11:41 AM

Your are so right.
I usually make drawings of wiring projects before disassembly as I did with my control panel and the wiring harness for my tow vehicle but now I know to take a picture before starting.

This would provide for long intervals between start and finish time of any project.

Thanks for the sound advice.

Smily

smily · 11-11-2002, 01:04 PM

I received PM asking about step replacement. I was called on my threat to post photos,

Smily

smily · 11-11-2002, 01:08 PM

file size?????

smily · 11-11-2002, 01:10 PM

shot from underneath

smily · 11-11-2002, 01:18 PM

There were many support pieces behind the underbelly around the steps. They were rusted out for the most part. The underbelley was all messed up so I pieced in some new aluminum around the steps and reinforced the rear side with new brackets.

It is amazing what you can do with aluminum self drilling screws and some good old pop rivets.

It was a good thing that I was replacing some flooring around the door. I could not have done this without removing the floor.
The original frame of the steps was welded to the trailer frame all the way around the step frame including on the top. I had to grind the welds down to seperate the old steps from the trailer frame.

About three hours to remove the old steps with a grinder, a reciprocating saw and a drill.

Only about an two hours to do the replacement including taking out the rust on all metal parts and recoating with cold galvanize. Welding in the new steps and puting new aluminum "flashing" around the hole.

Smily

niftypkg · 11-11-2002, 03:03 PM

Smily, PIECE OF CAKE,eh?? Looks great, last another 30 years! Are they Al.? I know you took out the flooring--mine is OK-- is it positively necessary to remove it?
Tom

smily · 11-12-2002, 06:01 AM

It would be a total bear and you would probably wind up removing the floor anyway.

The welds are on top of the frame which is butted to the botom of the wooden floor.

The frame is steel but the steps are aluminum.

Here are some photos of the steps before installation.

smily · 11-12-2002, 06:03 AM

more steps pics