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07-18-2008, 08:48 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Lisle
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,270
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Wheel well replacement
I am thinking of replacing the rotting steel wheel wells that are in my 1968 Overlander with new Airstream factory ones. I am pretty sure that the axle spacing has not changed and the tire size is the same.
Other than cost, and thoughts?? I would think that this would save the problem of future rusting.
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Tedd Ill
AIR#3788 TAC IL-10
No trailers...
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07-18-2008, 09:09 AM
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#2
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Tedd, if they are steel, why not just make new ones out of sheet steel? I know the wheel wells in ours are plastic, so current replacements from Airstream would likely be plastic as well.
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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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07-18-2008, 09:34 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Lisle
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,270
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I am sorry Terry, I should have mentioned that the current ones are plastic. I had called Airstream a couple of years ago when I was tying to rebuild my '67 Ambassador and found out that the wheel wells are plastic and that Airstream believe that they should fit.
I was hopping to update to the current standard and avoid future repair issues.
Or maybe I should see what the local sheet metal shop would want to fab a pair for me. I would like to go to something a little stronger than the thin stuff I have. That was part of the thinking behind the switch to the current plastic ones.
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Tedd Ill
AIR#3788 TAC IL-10
No trailers...
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07-18-2008, 11:35 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by till
I am sorry Terry, I should have mentioned that the current ones are plastic. I had called Airstream a couple of years ago when I was tying to rebuild my '67 Ambassador and found out that the wheel wells are plastic and that Airstream believe that they should fit.
I was hopping to update to the current standard and avoid future repair issues.
Or maybe I should see what the local sheet metal shop would want to fab a pair for me. I would like to go to something a little stronger than the thin stuff I have. That was part of the thinking behind the switch to the current plastic ones.
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The plastic wheel well covers work fine.
They have been used for over 30 years.
Of course, misuse can damage anything, even a sledge hammer.
Andy
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07-18-2008, 12:36 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Lisle
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,270
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Andy,
Thanks. I just heard back from Airstream and will be talking to the local metal shop about making new wheel wheels. I will order not covers when I get to that point.
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Tedd Ill
AIR#3788 TAC IL-10
No trailers...
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07-18-2008, 12:46 PM
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#6
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Trailerite
1971 23' Safari
Riverton
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by till
I will order not covers when I get to that point.
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Till, what are "not covers"? I thought it might be "new covers", but that doesn't sound right.
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Michael.
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07-18-2008, 01:04 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Lisle
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,270
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Happy fingers.......
I will order the wheel well covers when I get to that point.
Man I need to slow down and proof read my posts.
Sorry about that. I always gets this way with a new project. It seems even more so with my wife buying into this one. I will make my best effort to slow down and check my posts.....
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Tedd Ill
AIR#3788 TAC IL-10
No trailers...
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07-18-2008, 01:13 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1986 25' Sovereign
Southern Middle
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,319
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I was wondering if he meant "new" also or if he meant he will "not order covers" at all. Anyway, I though that I might mention that the outer fender well the factory put in my trailer in Dec. 07 was wider at the top than the one it replaced. It seems the corners are not as rounded as the one on curbside of my '86 Sovereign. I got a close comparison because of the street side damage caused during my Oct. '07 trip to VA. and while inspecting the fender well on the curb side while replacing brake backing plates. I noticed a crack in the curb side fender well, repaired it with butyl caulking and a sheet of aluminum per service manual instructions.
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Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
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07-18-2008, 01:35 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
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Tedd,
I glassed-in fiberglas cloth on the underside of my plastic wheel well covers. Messy, but effective.
Surprisingly, I don't have pictures of the effort.
Tom
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07-18-2008, 01:41 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Lisle
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,270
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Tom,
You didn't have your camera with you when you were working on Airstream stuff?!?!!?
I think I will do the same. I plan on "glassing-in" the fridge vent and AC shroud also, so I may do the covers too.
I am glad I have one wheel well that is about 90% intact for a pattern for the metal shop.
__________________
Tedd Ill
AIR#3788 TAC IL-10
No trailers...
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07-18-2008, 01:49 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
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BTW, it still looks good
Quote:
Originally Posted by till
...I plan on "glassing-in" the ... AC shroud also, ...
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Oh, so you want your own frankenshroud, eh?
Tom
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07-18-2008, 01:58 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Lisle
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,270
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Yep, yours seems to be standing the test of time. Why not use what works. I am even willing to put a "TomW patented Frankenshroud" mark on the sides. Just send me the art work and I will have the decal made.
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Tedd Ill
AIR#3788 TAC IL-10
No trailers...
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