A '63 Overlander Followed us Home

[HiHoAgRV]

Flooring day. Today I fitted all of the floor panels, cut the "C" channel to length and made the opening for the black tank dump valve. The dump valve was a challenge, I had to test fit the bath to see where the gray tank ended up.

I have ordered my epoxy, a 3 gallon kit = $150, it's due in this week along with the gray tank.. I still am looking for a source of the bolts I want, self threading 1/4-20, wide flat head #2 phillips...they are used in the later model 'streams...ideas?

[Lance M]

Moving right along Vernon,
Are you using the gray tank from VTS? Where are you using the self threading screws? VTS has some screws like this. I found the same exact screws from Fastenal. You aren't using elevator bolts and hex head bolts through the C channel?

[HiHoAgRV]

Hey Top,
I'm using this tank...20 gallons, $150ish plus shipping...don't get me started on the rip off 'shipping and handling' is now 'days...

The bolts I'm lookin for resemble elevator bolts...wide flat head...but it has a #2 phillips in the head AND the end is 3 or 6 sided like a tap...you have to pre drill but they cut the threads...reason?...some of my cross members are rectangle tubing...kinda tough to put a nut on the end! These do give me the option of nuttin the ones I can get too....I spent 1/2 hour in the Fastenall store Friday...ran out of time so I will play on their website while TDY...

Then comes insulation, new sheet aluminum for the bellypan and dump plumbin'...

[Lance M]

Ok I understand. That looks like a Ronco drawing. Am I correct? That should work well.

I don't think I've ever seen a screw like you are describing. I'm sure you can find it from Fastenal or McMaster-Carr. You might want to call the 800 number and speak with the "support staff"

So, are you going to install new axles? Just kidding. I know you are. I heard your question on the VAP two weeks ago. I think It's your turn to try an axle from Al-Ko Kober. I haven't found anyone that has gotten an axle from them yet. You could be the first!

I also think you should do more testing with and without shocks on new axles when you have the Olander road ready.

TDY? Government worker huh? Where are you headed? Japan?

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by Top

Ok I understand. That looks like a Ronco drawing. Am I correct? ...I don't think I've ever seen a screw like you are describing. .. I think It's your turn to try an axle from Al-Ko Kober. I haven't found anyone that has gotten an axle from them yet. You could be the first!

I also think you should do more testing with and without shocks on new axles when you have the Olander road ready.

TDY? Government worker huh? Where are you headed? Japan?

Here's the closest bolt I have to the one I'm searching for. These would work except for 1) the end isn't self tapping and 2) the are almost $1 each at the big box store!

Yes, thats a Ronco tank I bought thru PlastiMart.

Axles? hummm...as you have seen, I've done the Dexter route - I have considered AXIS but have sent a couple of e-mails to Colin and never heard back. I'm still on the fence on that one. I hadn't thought about continuing the Shock vs no-shock but that may be possible...

Japan? nah...the folks found out I am restoring a '63 Airstream and figured I have a loose nut...they were looking for SMART folks!

I did get the wheel wells fitted and most of the holes drilled thru outrigger/floor and C channel. Awaiting on Epoxy and bolts. I'm supposed to be in Atlanta in a week or two...Aircraft Spruce may get to sell me some bellypan aluminum!

[HiHoAgRV]

Supplies have arrived. 3 gallons of epoxy (details forthcoming) and the gray tank are now in the garage. I still have to find some bolts to use...out of town all week and never had free time to web-surf for them. I hope the big-o-box stores have something I can use...

Next comes insulation, plumbing...

More photos as the floor install moves forward.

[HiHoAgRV]

Epoxy away!

We were up bright and early...a ribbeting tale of frogs in the back yard...Olympic, buck or pop Ribets?

I'm using RAKA Epoxy...it worked great on my kayaks and is a bunch cheaper than West System, 3 gallons with pumps delivered for just under $180. Roll it on...so far I'm 1.5 gallons in and the floor has 1 coat top, 1 coat bottom, 2 coats edges and around the perimeter.

A final touch...sign it and epoxy right over...

[slowmover]

I think It's your turn to try an axle from Al-Ko Kober. I haven't found anyone that has gotten an axle from them yet. You could be the first!

TxIceman [Ken] recently went from a Silver Streak to an Al Ko Kober axle'd Avion and is recently conversant with replacing those axles versus Dexter. I'd PM him.

Gettin' hot here in the brush country of South Texas (for you Yanks, it's the "onset of winter" coming) so what's the next project on that MS A/S before the heat slows or stops the work? Sure am enjoying this thread as with your others.

.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

I think It's your turn to try an axle from Al-Ko Kober. I haven't found anyone that has gotten an axle from them yet. You could be the first!...
.

Geez REDNAX....I ain't never been skeered to go against the crowd...if it makes sense to me....public record is available...but...I ain't made sense of this yet...Al-Ko is still on even odds with me rebuilding the original axles...(i've done dumber things...)

[slowmover]

Top and I are both Texans . . but was his suggestion.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

... so what's the next project on that MS A/S before the heat slows or stops the work? Sure am enjoying this thread as with your others.

.

Next before the Heat? well...I'd like to get the shell back on the chassis and the roof AC set onto the roof with temp wiring...

In that vein...final coat of epoxy went on the floor this morning. The last little bit of POR15 that was left from the last floor job...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...oor-54952.html

was used to spray the wheel wells and the rebuilt corner jacks.

And based on my sweaty, stinky clothes...the heat and humidity is already making it's charge south...

[HiHoAgRV]

Somebody make me stop!

Today I just couldn't stop until I was so tired I couldn't function...

At that point I had bolted down the 'C' channel and assembled 2 of the 4 jacks...

Give the 10 count for the day...I'm down and out.

I did find some bolts that I'm going to use.

[Lance M]

Looks great Vernon! I saw that bolt at Fastenal the other day. They had this huge board with every kind of screw imaginable screwed into it. I was thinking that you could use the self tapping screws from VTS (Also can get the same ones from Fastenal) and find a countersunk washer to place under the head. With the right washer you could have a self tapping screw with a very large diameter head.

[goransons]

wow that's the coolest looking subfloor ever. I'd be tempted to leave it exposed

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by goransons

wow that's the coolest looking subfloor ever. I'd be tempted to leave it exposed

I would be too. It does look good. Here is a pic of the floor I'm leaving exposed. It has water based stain, three coats of epoxy and three coats of Defthane floor finish.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by goransons

wow that's the coolest looking subfloor ever. I'd be tempted to leave it exposed

Thanks Scott...I have to confess it does look better in the photo. I will have to give it a light sanding to remove some of the airborne debris.

the plan is to use some type of vintage lookin linoleum...I just dont have any idea what pattern!

[Mr & Mrs S]

Believe it or not I just stumbled arcoss this thread while Im sitting in an airport on the other side of the globe. I read the thread from start to end and all I can say is wow your doing a great job. I used your Excella floor thread to fix my AS and now your almost making me want to buy an older AS to do a full monte. ALMOST! Keep up the good work!

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by jsmith84

Believe it or not I just stumbled arcoss this thread while Im sitting in an airport on the other side of the globe. I read the thread from start to end and all I can say is wow your doing a great job. I used your Excella floor thread to fix my AS and now your almost making me want to buy an older AS to do a full monte. ALMOST! Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the positive feedback...surfing the 'forums while 1/2 around the world...ya should be over on this side campin! (I do know what you are talkin about though)

I did get a bit of work done today...that marvelous sound of a drill bit popping thru the wood floor and 'clank' onto the targeted crossmember...and the sickening 'swish' when the bit finds no steel...just air...

Time to seal the holes with epoxy, then I can attach the flooring to the frame...if the bolts finally arrive...

[HiHoAgRV]

Back in posts 53/54 finalcutjoe and I discussed flashing to prevent rain from being channeled under the floor in the bumper area. I decided to try something similar, but different. Using a technique I saw my father use to make ribs in a homebuilt airplane, I made a plywood form that mirrored the shape of the floor in the curve where the water enters. A piece of soft (scrap in this test) aluminum is clamped between the forms and slowly hammered over. This will fit behind the shell and roll the water toward the rear instead of the original piece that rolls it under the floor.

[slowmover]

Sweet!