'59 Pacer Shell-On Renovation

[utee94]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

Besides, as the family grows later in life, I'll need a bigger trailer, so I'll have a chance to make Knight's big brother even better.

And thus the aluminitis grows.

My 4-year-old daughter has already claimed the Overlander as her own when she grows up. I'll have to restore another one for my 2-year-old son, and then maybe I'll get to do one for myself. I just saw a '47 Curtis Wright on Austin Craigslist, maybe that's the one I'll do just for the wife and me...

[worldinchaos]

Doing some spring cleaning. Set aside the hinges and other vintage items that we will be re-using, and decided what remaining items we are going to sell to fund this project. However, before I post it on the classifieds and eventually eBay, I thought I would give my avid thread followers first pickings. Message me if you need any of it...

[REDSLED88]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

First off, you'll be OK, I promise. Don't get dismayed or persuaded from doing it as long as you are semi-handy. It sounds like if you already have some "normal" tools you'll be fine. I think the main accessories will be pop-riveting gun (which I know you asked about on the other thread), an air-powered buck-riveting gun, and some good aviation snips. Of course, you will need some sort of polishing device, be it an angle grinder, drill, or compound polisher. Cyclo is a nice touch, but not mandatory.

Other than those basic tools and the associated rivets, you will need
many tubes of Trempro 635 / Vulkem
gallons of mineral spirits/ paint thinner
lots and lots of elbow grease

Thanks for reading the whole thread, glad it helped. The learning curve really wasn't that bad on all this. I started out knowing practically nothing related to sheet metal, insulation, or true woodworking, and now have done it all. There are certainly errors in my methods here and there, but it'll do. Besides, as the family grows later in life, I'll need a bigger trailer, so I'll have a chance to make Knight's big brother even better.

Now, finish up that GT so we can see the 18' Traveler-- it's a little more my style....

I have probably 50-60 hours of reading so far, so I think I know where I'm going to start (FRAME first). I'll take your advice and just start "collecting" as many tools as I think I'll need. I have started with a "multi tool" from sears, removing the bolts under the C-channel that bolts the shell to the floor, and I have removed two interior skins and old insulation, so I'm off!

Yeah, it's going to be awhile before I get to the 18'ter, but boy I can't wait. I just love the little trailers!

I would take some of those items, but I'm not sure what's what at this point. That's good forum etiquite though, I'm sure someone will take what you have.

Thanks in advance,
TIMK

[silverbacksurfer]

You seem like the the right guy to organize some SoCal rallies.your trailer is beautiful.

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by silverbacksurfer

You seem like the the right guy to organize some SoCal rallies.your trailer is beautiful.

Well thank you. Maybe once she is complete I will try to host some boondocking rallies. They will of course have zero hookups and be in the middle of nowhere, but if people are interested, I'll make it happen.

On the renovation note, been getting some work in on her here and there. The last week and weekend I have been doing some touch ups on woodworking, re-trimming the memory foam mattress after it fully expanded, starting to build a water heater enclosure, and most importantly, doing all the electrical.

Attached are pictures of what I have so far:
(2) Group 27 Batteries -Everstart brand from Walmart. IIRC, they are 115 AH each. I mounted them in a battery box I made with poly'd sides and silicone-sealed seams. The top of the box has a gasket and hold-down clasps. The vent tubing is designed per this calculator: Batteries H2 Vent - Free Hydrogen Vent Calculator
Although I used a different design from what's on their website because of the low airflow required and the fact that thermal effects will not be enough to counteract the dispersion of any generated Hydrogen from the box. These vent tubes route up to the streetside vents under the galley counter.

Also installed the PD4045 converter/breakers/fuses. I have a basic 120V system and am starting to wire up the relays for the inverter power to the breakers. As you can see, put in the tank level monitor and the CO/LP detector, but haven't yet wired up either. Soon.

I also finally got a spare wheel/tire and cover to go on the rear. It's not a special brand or anything (forget off the top of my head), but it will act as a temporary to get to a tire shop.

That's all for now.

[worldinchaos]

Oops. Here's those electrical photos.

[REDSLED88]

Really like the battery box.
Hey Peter, how did you strip your interior?

I used Kleen Strip Aircraft Paint Remover, applied 3 times, but still am not getting the desired results for Zolatone removal. (residual left over in spots)

Thanks in Advance,

TIMK

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by REDSLED88

Really like the battery box.
Hey Peter, how did you strip your interior?

I used Kleen Strip Aircraft Paint Remover, applied 3 times, but still am not getting the desired results for Zolatone removal. (residual left over in spots)

Thanks in Advance,

TIMK

Weird, I used the same stuff. Applied liberally, let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, and then used plastic paint scrapers followed by plastic dish cleaning sponges (the kind that look like loofahs). I learned toward the end that getting new paint scrapers more often was well worth it compared to the energy it took to make worn scrapers work.

In some cases, I would have to put all my force into those tools to get the stuff to come off. The worst was where the stucco on top of two layers of paint on top of Zolatone somehow made this super-paint with incredible adhesion properties.

The results are more than worth it though. Of course, some people just buy all new aluminum. I preferred to use the original, because it gets to a point after replacing the floor, replacing all the wood, replacing the appliances, etc..... that you basically just built your own trailer with the ribs and window frames as a pattern. I had to draw the line somewhere.

Anyway, Good luck!!!

[marzboy]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

Oops. Here's those electrical photos.

Nice! Looks like you are getting a lot of use out of your pocket hole jig.

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by marzboy

Nice! Looks like you are getting a lot of use out of your pocket hole jig.

Of course! I love that thing. However, I'm getting closer and closer to not needing it for awhile.

Going to Coachella this weekend, but after I return, I'm starting in full force on the water system and framing the front sofa. My custom water heater / outdoor shower box is almost done, so I'll have to include some photos soon.

After that, I'm putting in the fridge and framing up the wardrobe and remaining curbside cabinets.

Then I'll have to find excuses to use the jig.

[marzboy]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

Of course! I love that thing. However, I'm getting closer and closer to not needing it for awhile.

Going to Coachella this weekend, but after I return, I'm starting in full force on the water system and framing the front sofa. My custom water heater / outdoor shower box is almost done, so I'll have to include some photos soon.

After that, I'm putting in the fridge and framing up the wardrobe and remaining curbside cabinets.

Then I'll have to find excuses to use the jig.

I am thinking of purchaseing that Kreig Jig you have. Looks like a great tool. I would love to take a look at your trailer in person sometime
Have fun at Cochella my daughter is going. Throw up some West Coast for me if you see Snoop Dogg!
P.S. I heard they are runnin a hologram of Tupac on stage, creepy.

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by marzboy

I am thinking of purchaseing that Kreig Jig you have. Looks like a great tool. I would love to take a look at your trailer in person sometime
Have fun at Cochella my daughter is going. Throw up some West Coast for me if you see Snoop Dogg!
P.S. I heard they are runnin a hologram of Tupac on stage, creepy.

You're more than welcome to see it. I'll be there basically every Sunday after this one, so if you or anyone else reading this wants to stop off the 405 around Torrance area, let me know via PM/email. I just booked my campsites for a NorCal/ Oregon National Parks and Monuments trip with the trailer for 10 days around 4th of July, and I want to have all the major appliances and systems done by then. 9 weeks to do it, so you can bet I'll keep to my Sunday routine.

Coachella will be excellent. Creepy is exactly the way I would describe the Tupac thing, but the engineer side of me is incredibly intrigued. Then again, that's half the reason I'm going. It's not just the music, but my curiosity about this crazy festival.

[marzboy]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

You're more than welcome to see it. I'll be there basically every Sunday after this one, so if you or anyone else reading this wants to stop off the 405 around Torrance area, let me know via PM/email. I just booked my campsites for a NorCal/ Oregon National Parks and Monuments trip with the trailer for 10 days around 4th of July, and I want to have all the major appliances and systems done by then. 9 weeks to do it, so you can bet I'll keep to my Sunday routine.

Coachella will be excellent. Creepy is exactly the way I would describe the Tupac thing, but the engineer side of me is incredibly intrigued. Then again, that's half the reason I'm going. It's not just the music, but my curiosity about this crazy festival.

Awsome! I will pm you my email and we will hook up. This will come in handy as I am trying to plan my electrical.
I booked my anual trip to patricks point state park above oregon around the 4th of july. Where are you going? Mc kinleyvile has a really fun 4th of july celebration. Lots of food and music. Make sure to stop at praire creek redwoods lots of great hikeing. There is even a great swimming hole on the smith river just outside cresent city. If you are interested I can give some great places. I grew up in nor cal ad spent most of my life camping the north coast.
Have fun at cochella!

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by marzboy

Awsome! I will pm you my email and we will hook up. This will come in handy as I am trying to plan my electrical.
I booked my anual trip to patricks point state park above oregon around the 4th of july. Where are you going? Mc kinleyvile has a really fun 4th of july celebration. Lots of food and music. Make sure to stop at praire creek redwoods lots of great hikeing. There is even a great swimming hole on the smith river just outside cresent city. If you are interested I can give some great places. I grew up in nor cal ad spent most of my life camping the north coast.
Have fun at cochella!

You're kidding me!!! We are going to be at Patrick's Point on the 5th and 6th!

The itinerary is:
Lassen Volcanic NP 6/29-7/2--> Lava Beds NM -->
Crater Lake NP 7/2-7/5--> Oregon Caves NM -->
Redwoods NP 7/5-7/7 (Patrick's Point)--> SF 7/8

If you're there the same dates, then maybe we should just go ahead and make this an ad hoc rally. You hear me, all you West Coast thread followers?

And as for the north coast, yes... out of all the trips I've done, backpacking the Lost Coast is still in my top 3. Purely incredible.

[marzboy]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

You're kidding me!!! We are going to be at Patrick's Point on the 5th and 6th!

The itinerary is:
Lassen Volcanic NP 6/29-7/2--> Lava Beds NM -->
Crater Lake NP 7/2-7/5--> Oregon Caves NM -->
Redwoods NP 7/5-7/7 (Patrick's Point)--> SF 7/8

If you're there the same dates, then maybe we should just go ahead and make this an ad hoc rally. You hear me, all you West Coast thread followers?

And as for the north coast, yes... out of all the trips I've done, backpacking the Lost Coast is still in my top 3. Purely incredible.

Hahaha! That's awsome, I am going to be at Patricks Point 7/1-7/8. Definatly going to hook up with you before then. That whole area is so great my kids still bug me every year to go. And they are at the ages where I thought I would have to kidnap them if I wanted to see em!
Are you taking 5 north thru red bluff on the way to Lassen? I learned to ski there btw. If so stop at my dads mexican spot and load up on the best mexican food you will ever get. When we buy chips and salsa they never make it back to LA! Its called Franciscs Pronto Market its on antelope bl (which turnes into 99) right before the lassen junction.

[tinman54]

Originally Posted by marzboy

I am thinking of purchaseing that Kreig Jig you have. Looks like a great tool. I would love to take a look at your trailer in person sometime
Have fun at Cochella my daughter is going. Throw up some West Coast for me if you see Snoop Dogg!
P.S. I heard they are runnin a hologram of Tupac on stage, creepy.

The Kreig jig is the only way to go, I have had mine for 20 plus years and love how quick and easy it makes cabinet frames!
Doug

[REDSLED88]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

My custom water heater / outdoor shower box is almost done, so I'll have to include some photos soon.

Peter, please do post some more info on the water heater/outdoor shower.... I'm going this route, as we tend to boondock, and an outside shower is a great way to go.
Pics of water heater, wiring, hoses, and anything else would be much appreciated.

And pics of the Jig also!

The north coast sounds fun, but I've got lots of work left before I make the maiden voyage. Have fun!

Thanks in advance,
TIMK

[silverbacksurfer]

THIS IS A REALLY QUALITY FIXTURE MAID IN ITALY CHECK IT OUT .Scandvik Recessed Shower 12109 - Discount Yacht Supplies, Vetus Nautical Accessories, Scandvik Parts, Garmin Marine Electronics . I HAVE PHOTO OF IT ON THE PEX THREADS http://www.airforums.com/forums/f446...pex-89885.html

[kennyp315]

I may have a great axle for you. Ewe put my 4200 lb Atlas axle on my trailer about five years ago. It has less than 4000 miles on it and is in great condition. I just dropped my trailer off in TO to get a 6000 lb Dexter installed. My trailer came out beautiful and has been featured in Airstream Life Dec 2005 "Globetrotter Gone Hollywood". I neglected to weigh my trailer before I finished all the new cabinets. Through trial and error, I finally realized that adding close to 1100 lbs that my axle would not be sufficient for the added weight. I have been everywhere with my trailer. I am sailor and surfer and completely love my trailer. My buddy was a ship wright and we designed it to look similar to a Choy Lee sailboat. Let me know if you are interested in my axle. All the best, Kenny

[kennyp315]

Also, Silverbacksurfer and Marzboy are friends of mine as well. I would also like to see your trailer