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08-08-2014, 09:19 AM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1961 22' Spaceliner
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 270
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How much to fab new wheel wells?
I considered trying to salvage these wheel wells off my '61 single axle Safari...even spent hours getting the rust off and cleaning them up, but now I am resigned to replacing them.
I talked to a metal fabricator and he said that the outside taper is too hard for him to do cost effectively and I should go to an HVAC fabricator.
Anybody know what I should expect to pay to fab these 2 wheel wells?
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08-08-2014, 09:35 AM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
fort lauderdale
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 205
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I'm sure I've seen re-fabricated single axle wheel wells on an airstream parts website. Try a search in the forums, it may come up.
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08-08-2014, 10:22 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2003 22' International CCD
Kiln
, Mississippi
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,779
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Consider having those encased in fiberglass at a boat repair facility. It won't add much weight or wall thickness but they will be very strong.
__________________
Michael & Tina with Layla and Preston BZ The family has grown. 2003 22' INTERNATIONAL CCD
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08-08-2014, 11:43 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1973 21' Globetrotter
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,320
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I looked into getting some fabbed up locally about a year ago, and depending on how nice I wanted them (Pittsburgh seams, etc), they could cost as much as $350 for the pair, which seemed kind of steep. You might be able to find something that will work on Ebay, just search for "wheel tubs", and you will find many guys who make them for the muscle car world. David Winnick also used to sell them on his website, vintagetrailering.com, and I think his prices were somewhere just north of what the local guys were asking.
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08-08-2014, 12:15 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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__________________
Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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08-08-2014, 12:17 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Hendersonville, NC
, North Carolina
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 125
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I paid $300.00 four years ago for a duct work man to fab mine out of galvanized metal. That was for tandem axles plus that included remaking the bottom pan for the black holding tank.
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08-08-2014, 05:41 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
1961 22' Spaceliner
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 270
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Thanks all,
The fiberglass idea is interesting but I would like to end up with shiny sheet metal if possible.
Dave's not selling the wheel wells any more. Shipping problems I guess.
I finally found a shop that does duct fab that is getting me an estimate. The tough parts seem to be the Pittsburgh seam, the tapered top with the flange that goes around the top. It requires special tool and machines to do it cost effectively and most "sheet metal fab" shops don't have 'em.
Dave says they don't need to be tapered and there is a normal gap at the top where it connects to the body, but my originals were clearly riveted all the way over the top. My local AS service guy says they need the taper.
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08-08-2014, 06:35 PM
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#8
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Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
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I paid $130 a pair the last time I had them made.
Tin Knockers Sheet Metal
Temple Texas
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
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09-10-2014, 01:31 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1961 22' Spaceliner
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 270
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Ugh, didn't go so well. They looked great and when placed over the old ones appeared to be a good match. But when I went to install, the flange on the sides didn't line up with the old rivet holes so I had to double up the rivets in places (one to fill the old hole and one to secure the flange).
My 2 wheel wells were different from each other. The guy said he was going to have to take them apart and flatten them out to use as templates...but he didn't take them apart and I never found out why.
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09-10-2014, 02:20 PM
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#10
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Top
I paid $130 a pair the last time I had them made.
Tin Knockers Sheet Metal
Temple Texas
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You have got to love the price of things in the Republic of Texas!!!
In 1/16" aluminum, my guy would charge me $250, maybe $350 each.
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09-10-2014, 02:22 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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I would go the fiberglass route, not doubt. Since you have rather complete tubs you can to it yourself. A can of resin, some hardener and glass matt and you are in business. Tons of youtubes on how to fiberglass things. Once you get them covered, a little sanding and body filler and they will look great. I basically remade the fridge vent in my 68 and saved a ton over the price of a new one. As for the color, a good coat of paint will make it look anyway you choose. A West Marine or Auto body store will have the supplies you need.
__________________
__________________
Bruce & Rachel
__________________
68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
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09-10-2014, 02:50 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
Newport
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,291
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About 60 bucks for the pair at an ac frabricator!
Cliff
__________________
Gotta get busy! Have a great day! Now where did I put those revits?
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09-10-2014, 03:41 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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I don't know if they will fit, but I saw several on the big auction site yesterday....
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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09-11-2014, 07:41 AM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1961 22' Spaceliner
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 270
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My take away for future readers needing to replace or fix wheel wells is that they must vary across models and if you have ones similar to mine, you may be better off patching as others have done. Here are some pictures...
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09-22-2016, 09:09 PM
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#15
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CabMan
1960 22' Flying Cloud
Sunlakes
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 26
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I took one of mine to a local hvac shop, they are put together like a piece of duct work and they duplicated for me for $50 each
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