A 1963 Overlander named Moonraker!

[reinergirl]

A few more....

Completing the “wire wheeling” of the chassis.


Applying “metal ready” to the complete chassis, then rotated to allow drips to fall off & aid drying


Applying CPES to end grain & sides of floor panels


Frame completely painted with POR15


Painted frame & floor panels ready to be mated


Step rail outriggers during fabrication.

[safari62]

Originally Posted by mutcth

Wow - lots of work happening fast!

Got to say, part of me is scared to see all of those modern trailers parked at Colin's awaiting work... I'm sure they're just there for improvements and modifications, not repairs... :P

Tom

They caught my eye also....

I somehow don't think they were sent by the factory to act as moral support while Shelly's trailer goes under the knife.

But think of it this way...maybe the 63' Overlander started leaking sometime around the mid sixties and it took this long for someone to care enough to finally fix it.

But it does make one ponder the age old new verses vintage question does it not?

Enjoying the documentation of the rebuild. Keep up the good work!

Gary

[reinergirl]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Whooo Hooo! Progress on another '63 Overlander!

Whats your plans for the interior?

I'm keeping the original floorplan, but redoing all the cabinets in birch, I had hopes of keeping the old ones but they fell apart when we removed them.

I'm planning on adding a 50's vibe back with some more curves, like you but with less skill .

Rv 500 and a Dickenson for heat, Two fantastic fans, maxxim skylight , 2AGM batteries, solar undecided.......

I like the idea of converting the twin beds to a super sized bed so probably will do that. Sofa in the front, but not a traditional gaucho. I'm still torn between placing the batteries on the tongue or under the sofa so advice is appreciated!

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by safari62

But it does make one ponder the age old new verses vintage question does it not?

I've had both - had a nice renovated Argosy Minuet before the 2007 Safari. Just a different set (and rate) of problems - but couldn't deny that I like the modern stuff better. To each their own, diversity is neat, etc.

Having gotten those scary phone calls from the restoration shop -crossmembers rattling around loose in the belly pan! - I greatly respect (and in some ways, envy) those who restore vintage, especially like what Shelly is doing here. It takes fortitude and patience and creativity.

Put in solar. It doesn't cost much - the starter Go Power! 95W kit we're installing was under $600 and it can easily be expanded. We did it basically to make sure the fridge keeps going no matter what. (We do miss the old reliable Dometic with no parasitic draw - but it's nice to have a bigger modern fridge...)

You might want to consider a layout like our Safari - big L-shaped lounge in front, with a little credenza/cabinet that houses a roll-out table. We LOVE this set-up as there's plenty of stretch-out space for two. Plus we found out from the Argosy that a dinette didn't really work out for us...

Tom

[nmbosa]

Originally Posted by mutcth

Put in solar. It doesn't cost much - the starter Go Power! 95W kit we're installing was under $600 and it can easily be expanded. We did it basically to make sure the fridge keeps going no matter what. (We do miss the old reliable Dometic with no parasitic draw - but it's nice to have a bigger modern fridge...)
Tom

x2 on the solar. Wish we had done that during our restoration. We've had the fridge draw down the battery. Very annoying.

[65CV]

Shelly,

Great progress!

If you don't do solar right away, you might want to consider adding the wiring for future expansion. We ran a 12 gauge line from where we're putting our charger to the center roof vent. The line comes into the opening for the Fantastic vent through a grommet, then goes back, loosely through another grommet, towards the back of the trailer. I can pull out the excess line when we do solar. I'm thinking that we can penetrate the roof or fan right there and that the best location for the panel is between the rear two openings -- that is the largest expanse of roof real estate.

Battery location? Depends on where your water tank will be. We are locating our water tank very far forward (where it was originally) and put 2 AGM's just aft of the wheel wells. If you are considering putting batteries on the tongue, does that mean your water tank is behind the wheel wells? If not, you might have too many things on the front side of the see-saw (axle), giving you too much tongue weight.

I like the idea of putting the batteries on either side of the trailer to balance weight. Colin ran two 4 gauge wires below the floor so that we could connect the batteries with minimum length wire runs. I have more than enough wire left over and can send it up to Plattsburgh if you'd like. Looks like you have to act very quickly if you are interested!

John

[reinergirl]

Thanks Tom and nmbosa, nice to hear that the solars been useful!

I will look at the L shaped lounges, I stayed in a Silver Streak at the Restoration Rally in NM that had one and it was nice! No dinette for me!

Hey John, how do you have time to be on the forums?

I definitely will at least wire for solar, your idea makes sense thanks!

My water tank is going back in it's original position, under the ss twin bed. It will be larger than one that I could fit under the gaucho. I'm planning on putting an air conditioner on the floor curb side that will balance the weight out somewhat side to side.

I like the idea of having the batteries up front because they are a dependable front weight, unlike a water tank which is sometimes full, sometimes not. I would like them to be on the tongue just to gain the space under the gaucho and to avoid the venting issue. But then they are exposed to varying temperatures and theft. It's not an immediate issue so I was just interested in hearing what others have done.

[65CV]

Originally Posted by reinergirl

Hey John, how do you have time to be on the forums?

I definitely will at least wire for solar, your idea makes sense thanks!

My water tank is going back in it's original position, under the ss twin bed. It will be larger than one that I could fit under the gaucho. I'm planning on putting an air conditioner on the floor curb side that will balance the weight out somewhat side to side.

Time? Unfortunately, paint takes time to dry when it's 37 degrees and raining outside. Final coat won't happen until tomorrow.

Battery exposure to temp? From the Lifeline Technical Manual "The capacity delivered by the battery depends on the rate of discharge as well as the battery temperature. The battery will deliver less capacity as the discharge rate increases and less capacity as the temperature is lowered."

What are you planning for Air conditioning?

John

[reinergirl]

John I'm planning on using a casement air conditioner. There's a couple of good threads about them, one by Toastie and one by Beckybillrae

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...-38289-11.html


http://www.airforums.com/forums/f147...ml#post1147338 Post 261


What paint color did you finally choose?

[65CV]

Shelly,

That is the same installation that we're planning. I ran 120 volt power for the A/C and 12 volt power for the fan that Toastie recommended. Both are run just forward of the original galley, where our trailer had empty space for storing the folding table. We're using a temp galley for our winter trip, then plan to design a longer galley that will incorporate the A/C. We have an old battery box frame and cover from our old Caravel (came out in a panel replacement). I think we'll install it and vent out of that, using the 12 volt fan.

For paint color, we will be using a mix of Camille White and Desert Camo, along with a small amount of discontinued bright red and blue for a little highlight. Just came back from buying dinner for my spray-equipment-expert friend and his wife. He's been a great help!

John

[2vets]

Looking good sis! Keep the photos coming! P.S. How did Colin get his Xmas cookies before me....you are totally playing favorites!!

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by 2vets

Looking good sis! Keep the photos coming! P.S. How did Colin get his Xmas cookies before me....you are totally playing favorites!!

......................and loving them
Colin

[reinergirl]

Step reconstruction. New outriggers, pivots & sandblasted original components




Curbside wheel well only needs minor repairs.




Original step outriggers…………..badly rusted & broken.



Step reassembly.




Step assembly was completely sandblasted, acid etched & washed with Marine Clean before POR 15 was applied. The vertical strips will be welded on as stringers to help support the floor in the step area.



All pivots & sliders were upgraded to 1/2” diameter.
The step outriggers were fabricated out of 1/8” material, .035” thicker than original.




Angle iron stringers removed & replaced with flat bar in the areas where the grey tanks will be installed.


Streetside rear outrigger added as Airstream omitted it in 63



Rebuilt step tacked in place



Finish welding the bottom of the step outriggers, body in background
]

[reinergirl]

Outrigger extension added to support joint in Plywood subfloor. This did not exist originally & can cause flooring cracks if not there




Hole in main frame rail patched & outrigger




Patched frame rail.




Safety chain “loop” welded in place along with safety chains fitted.



All of the upgrades on the frame have been painted with POR 15.

[reinergirl]

I want to learn to weld!!!!

[safari62]

Originally Posted by reinergirl

I want to learn to weld!!!!

Now you don't have too! And no need to buy welding tools and supplies.

Thanks for the progress reports.

Gary

[reinergirl]

Thanks Gary,

Funny story, our big screen TV goes dead a few days before Thanksgiving.... won't turn on. It's only 4 years old! My husband was resigned to buying a new TV because no way was my mother not watching the Thanksgiving parade, and well , football needs to be watched on a big screen right? Well I got on the Internet and it turns out it's a very well known problem with bad capacitors. The day before Thanksgiving I had the big screen TV in pieces all over a table, pulled the power supply board, identified 7 bad capacitors , took them out, re soldered their replacements and for $17 had a big screen TV back! Turns out I find soldering really cool..... And isn't that just welding on a small scale? Anyway, just kidding but learning new skills is addicting.

[reinergirl]

Hey Colin,

I meant to ask , why did Airstream omit the rear street side outrigger? Was there a reason? The black tank plumbing?

[65CV]

Originally Posted by reinergirl

I want to learn to weld!!!!

Try this. Looks right up your alley. Great school -- it's where my son went.

Moving quickly now!

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by reinergirl

Hey Colin,

I meant to ask , why did Airstream omit the rear street side outrigger? Was there a reason? The black tank plumbing?

Yeah, they put the black tank outlet ahead of the outrigger position & outside the rail & had the grey water connection coming through the main rail further aft, so they cut a huge hole in the frame & omitted the outrigger for clearance. With a bit more forethought they could have put the black tank outlet between the main rails & then the grey water connection would be easy. This is how we try to do it. On some bathroom configurations, this is difficult, but this is our ultimate goal. Anyone can make things complicated, but it takes a lot of thought to make it look easy
Colin