370 LE start to finish.....

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Kvsterling

How was foam panels attached to the bellypan/frame? I’m thinking glued and screwed. Currently replacing sections of subfloor including bellypan in those areas, but realize screws will penetrate the bellypan...

The Argosy was constructed by attaching a .030" sheet of aluminum to the bottom side of the steel floor framing (prior to setting the shell on the truck frame), then 1" Styrofoam was placed between the metal framework and finally the 1/2" plywood floor was laid down.

The only melting I saw was around the gas filler opening through the floor. Airstream did a butcher job on the floor in that area and it wasn't sealed at all so when the filler neck hose deteriorated the gas flowed onto the Styrofoam and melted it.

The construction of the Argosies, especially the early ones was pretty slip shod. It appears lots of changes were being incorporated in a short period of time. Probably to be expected on any new product line like a motorhome.

Brad

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

The Argosy was constructed by attaching a .030" sheet of aluminum to the bottom side of the steel floor framing (prior to setting the shell on the truck frame), then 1" Styrofoam was placed between the metal framework and finally the 1/2" plywood floor was laid down.

The only melting I saw was around the gas filler opening through the floor. Airstream did a butcher job on the floor in that area and it wasn't sealed at all so when the filler neck hose deteriorated the gas flowed onto the Styrofoam and melted it.

The construction of the Argosies, especially the early ones was pretty slip shod. It appears lots of changes were being incorporated in a short period of time. Probably to be expected on any new product line like a motorhome.

Brad

Luckily they constructed Bella's replacement frame with the 2x1 tubes vertically....so she has 2" styrofoam.

[mayco]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Luckily they constructed Bella's replacement frame with the 2x1 tubes vertically....so she has 2" styrofoam.


Attachment 332688

Stronger too, for a floor anyway.

[bobmiller1]

Hell.....may even float ! Regards, Bob

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

Hell.....may even float ! Regards, Bob

I'm not going to try it out, in case it doesn't Bob!

[Kota]

Bob, here’s what you need!

https://youtu.be/2FtNlfAbc2w

[bobmiller1]

That’s pretty cool,thanks for the info Dave. Regards, Bob

[bobmiller1]

Charly came over from his place near Boston and gave me a hand with a few items. I finished the install of the new sending unit in the bath tub....I mean gas tank. With the addition of the 1/4” spacer it fits perfectly. We also installed the new oil cooler lines with the fire proof sheathing over them on the engine side. All new stainless and grade 8 hardware to hold the original rear rock/mud guard across the back. This weekend we will be installing the new rear transmission cross member and getting a good solid start on the new fuel lines as well as mapping out the under floor insulation. I also took a couple of minutes to map out the new engine battery relocation. Regards, Bob

[bobmiller1]

The new fuel pump is ready to be installed, I duplicated the optional factory rubber mounting system for quieter operation. The clearance is really close on the mounting bracket, so some filing is necessary, Regards, Bob

[bobmiller1]

[bobmiller1]

I finished up the install of the new rear transmission cross member as well as installing 4 new Exide batteries, now that the engine start battery is up front, that allowed me to have all 3 batteries in the box for the house batteries. I’m sure that will make it possible for using more stuff while dry camping. Regards, Bob

[bobmiller1]

I finished the new wiring harness on the left side for the new fuel pump and the cooling fan on the auxiliary engine oil cooler.

[bobmiller1]

Like I can’t leave well enough alone....I found the perfect 4000 watt inverter that will fit into the compartment next to the batteries.....I’ll have to pull down the new kitchen wall to install an inverter only outlet and the remote switch panel to turn it on and off. Since I now have 3 group 31 batteries now I’ll be able to set the coffee maker up at night and have my coffee in the morning. Some state campgrounds don’t allow generator usage before 8 AM and I am up at 6. My Coleman drip coffee maker is my back up but it won’t keep the coffee hot after it’s brewed.....Regards, Bob

[Kvsterling]

I love how coffee is your justification for this part of your project. Bob is a man with his priorities in order. I have a 3k watt inverter going in for the same reason☕️.

I’m intrigued about your 2-speed rear diff...how involved is this modification?

[bobmiller1]

Simple on the 370LE, because of the Spicer housing that Gillig used, its a bolt in job. The hardest part is to re-build the hubs so that they mate with the spindles on the new housing......basically a bearing and race swap so that I can still use the 6 hole polished Alcoa Rims, Regards, Bob

[Air345Fly]

That raises an interesting question: is there a dual speed axle that
will fit my 345 with the standard 454 engine? It would be great
if there were a bolt in gear set for the Dana axle. Does such a
thing exist?

[bobmiller1]

You probably have the same Dana 80 that I have in my 89 325LE. I believe that there were 2 speed tears made for them but I am sure that they are all gone. You might find one in a country bone yard but sure to be used and abused. I lucked out because the Gillis chassis is completely different from the Chevy P32 chassis. What git me thinking about it is that the newer dodge heavy duty pick-up trucks use a Dana 110 rear end housing which is square not round. Regards, Bob

[Magnet18]

Finally just finished reading this thread front to back... Feels like I just ran a marathon

Bob, what paint did you use on the roof?
I saw the can of self etching primer, but couldn't make out what the actual white paint was.

Thanks,
Rob

[bobmiller1]

Snap-On white......of Coarse ! Only kidding, will post later, Regards, Bob

[Magnet18]

Only half surprised you didn't stencil "Snap-On" across the roof in 6 foot letters!

Thanks,
Rob