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Old 08-07-2008, 07:17 PM   #1
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1967 26' Overlander
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I have a lead on a 67 Overlander

My wife and I have been shopping for a vintage AS. We plan to head over and inspect the unit, but I wanted to ask the subject area experts what to put on the top of my check list.

I've already learned (via email) that the owner put a new floor over the soft bathroom floor rather than replacing it. I have printed out the Andy guide to the axles, but I'm inclined to swap in new axles just to have upgrading running gear. By the way, is the axle swap a DIY job or is something to have a pro handle? If you have any tips on what to look for, please let me know. I imagine we'll do our "once over" this weekend.

Thanks in advance to everyone.
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Old 08-07-2008, 07:31 PM   #2
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There are 8 bolts holding the axles in, 24 lug nuts, 8 shock absorber nuts, 4 shock absorbers, and 8 electric brake wires. You will need a good floor jack or a strong-backed helper to muscle them into place, a few assorted sockets and wrenches, some PB B'laster for the old nuts, and 8 wire connectors. I did the last set by myself in about 3 hours (maybe less), hobbling around with a cane, so it should be a DIY project, as long as you know how to swing a wrench.
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Old 08-07-2008, 07:49 PM   #3
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Soft floor

Putting a new floor over a soft floor does not fix it.....be prepared to remove stuff inside to fix the floor--like the whole bathroom. It is really common for the water heater and or other things to leak in the rear bath.....then when you start to use the trailer, the rotten floor starts to disintegrate and the integrity of the trailer is threatened......but if you plan to park it, I wouldn't worry about it. IMHO

......67 was a very good year....the trailer has a nice shape....the windows are very nice and it will polish up beautifully ....there are lots of reasons to proceed...just be prepared to replace the axles and fix the floor...best of luck on your new trailer....paula
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Old 08-08-2008, 06:20 AM   #4
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1967 26' Overlander
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I can swing a wrench, but some days I don't hit anything but myself. My biggest project has been the restoration of a '52 Chevy pick up. My 2004 Titan has too many computer components for me to feel comfortable with shadetree mechanicking.

As for the bathroom, I pretty much figured it was going to be a fire sale... everything must go. I also know that a trailer that seems like a reasonable deal can be a bit less of a bargain after new axles, new plumbing, etc. It's like a string on a wool sweater... you pull it and it just keeping coming. Fortunately, my wife and I have the money set aside for a purchase and for a renovation. The only thing we're missing is a covered space to storage a trailer while under repair. That's something I need to work on. Thanks for the tips. I'll bring a digital camera and take photos for your professional review.
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Old 08-10-2008, 12:55 PM   #5
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Well, thanks in no small part to this forum, my wife and I are buying the '67 Overlander. We won't take possession until the interior is emptied of memorabilia, but that's fine with us. We have some work to do making a place for our "soon-to-be" tin girl.

I feel like the academy awards, where I pull a list out of my pocket and begin rattling off a long list of names of people to thank.

Dietz645 gave us the lead on the Overlander right around the corner. I think I owe him a finder's fee. We also owe TomW a debt of gratitude for his detailed and humorous website. My wife had me laughing out loud reading some of the posts. Seeing all of the information available really helped give us confidence a renovation was within our ability.

I'm not sure when we'll take possession, but I'm guessing next month. As noted, I'm note in a huge hurry. We have some "modifications" to make to our property... and I would guess there are a few tools to buy. The axles, brakes and shocks are shot... though we would have swapped in new running gear regardless. It's only about 17 miles to get the Overlander from her current location to our home so I can nurse it along the backroads, get it comfortably situated; drop out the old and bolt in the new.

There is some Airstream memorabilia, carvan stickers and such. We plan to set up a website to host the photos. One way we can repay our debt of gratitude to the forum is documenting everything. We'll also post photos of the bumps, bruises and hopefully less than mortal wounds the Overlander has accumulated over the years. I'm not going to change my signature or profile until we have title in hand... but I'm confident I'll be scraping my knuckles and remembering my Navy vocabulary in a month or two.
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Old 08-10-2008, 01:16 PM   #6
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Congratulations!
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Old 08-10-2008, 02:26 PM   #7
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Congratulations! Now where are the pics? We want pics!
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Old 08-10-2008, 04:28 PM   #8
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Congratulations
please post some pics
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Old 08-10-2008, 04:44 PM   #9
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Hampsteam,
WAHOOO!!!

Congratulations. I am glad my search panned out for you, and that it was so close to home. I am great at spending other people's money.

You may want to hold off on mailing me that finder's fee. In a few weeks you may be cursing me.

I can't wait to see the pictures and the restoration progress.

Let us know when you get it home, I just may take the motorcycle out and drop in for a visit.
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Old 08-10-2008, 10:10 PM   #10
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Thanks, everyone. I tried to upload the pics to this site (now that I'm supporting member and all).

The pics are fairly high resolution so they are too big. Rather than shrink them and lose the exquisite detail of rust, oxidation and damage, I am putting them on a Yahoo! 360 site. I'm sure my kids will explain Flicker or Photobucket or some other site which will work far better, but the Yahoo thing was something I understood.

Yahoo! 360° - Red's Profile

I have a substantial number of photos. I'm going to hold off on interior until the soon-to-be previous owner cleans out his stuff. I want to respect his privacy. Once we finalize the paperwork and have it here (and empty), I'll photograph everything in high resolution. Who knows... given my ability, everything may go downhill from here.

I'll put some more exterior stuff up later. By the way, it looks like the original "number" was 19108. The "current" number is 10157.

More later. ADD: Oh, the pics are under the "blog" function. Darn technology.
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Old 08-11-2008, 04:44 AM   #11
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Looks Pretty Good

Hampstead,
From the exterior shots, it looks as if the body is pretty straight and is in pretty good condition for a 41 year old Airstream. i am looking forward to seing her interior.
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Old 08-11-2008, 05:03 AM   #12
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I live right around the corner from you... if you need any help, a hairy eyeball, or want to visit, let me know.
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Old 08-11-2008, 07:39 AM   #13
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Well, we need to take delivery before we get too far ahead of ourselves. Once we get her settled in, we can start the parade of folks visiting, shaking their heads in disbelief, offering condolences, etc. I added a few pictures this morning. The roof damage is worse than any of the photos show. I think the frame is straight and the skin is good given her age. The oxidation is pretty heavy in places. After the running gear replacement, the first order of business is to make the girl water "resistant." (I understand water "tight" may be an unobtainable dream.) In general, we'll work from bottom up and out to in. I imagine I'll be asking questions about gaskets (all shot), replacement windows/hardware (anything not aluminum is pretty much rusted), etc.

By the way, what is the wallpaper like "stuff" on the interior with the rather pebbly texture? I take it that it's not supposed to feel "tacky" and the surface just needs a good cleaning. A note on the inside of the trailer says the running lights (tail, turn, etc.) do not work. Hopefully, this is a matter of poor connections rather than bad wiring. Are there wiring harness renderings for this vintage Airstream... or is it mostly "by guess and by gosh"? Ah, well, enough daydreaming. I have to kick the horses and move the old work wagon train.
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Old 08-11-2008, 08:30 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hampstead38 View Post
Well, we need to take delivery before we get too far ahead of ourselves. Once we get her settled in, we can start the parade of folks visiting, shaking their heads in disbelief, offering condolences, etc. I added a few pictures this morning. The roof damage is worse than any of the photos show. I think the frame is straight and the skin is good given her age. The oxidation is pretty heavy in places. After the running gear replacement, the first order of business is to make the girl water "resistant." (I understand water "tight" may be an unobtainable dream.) In general, we'll work from bottom up and out to in. I imagine I'll be asking questions about gaskets (all shot), replacement windows/hardware (anything not aluminum is pretty much rusted), etc.

By the way, what is the wallpaper like "stuff" on the interior with the rather pebbly texture? I take it that it's not supposed to feel "tacky" and the surface just needs a good cleaning. A note on the inside of the trailer says the running lights (tail, turn, etc.) do not work. Hopefully, this is a matter of poor connections rather than bad wiring. Are there wiring harness renderings for this vintage Airstream... or is it mostly "by guess and by gosh"? Ah, well, enough daydreaming. I have to kick the horses and move the old work wagon train.
You should read Frank's (Overlander62's) blog. He goes into a lot of detail and it's a great "primer" for trailer restoration issues. It's linked in his signature in the post just above yours.

Also, some other great references are to be found in the Major Renovation threads. I consider all of these to be Required Reading for anyone about to start a trailer renovation/restoration. I've read them all three or four times each, and I learn something new each time. Here's the link:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...ons-35399.html


And of course there's the Vintage Airstream Podcast, aka the VAP. You can listen on any audio player on your computer.

Welcome to the Frontpage - The Vintage Airstream Podcast

Good luck!

-Marcus
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Old 08-11-2008, 08:45 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hampstead38 View Post
Well, we need to take delivery before we get too far ahead of ourselves. Once we get her settled in, we can start the parade of folks visiting, shaking their heads in disbelief, offering condolences, etc. I added a few pictures this morning. The roof damage is worse than any of the photos show. I think the frame is straight and the skin is good given her age. The oxidation is pretty heavy in places. After the running gear replacement, the first order of business is to make the girl water "resistant." (I understand water "tight" may be an unobtainable dream.) In general, we'll work from bottom up and out to in. I imagine I'll be asking questions about gaskets (all shot), replacement windows/hardware (anything not aluminum is pretty much rusted), etc.

By the way, what is the wallpaper like "stuff" on the interior with the rather pebbly texture? I take it that it's not supposed to feel "tacky" and the surface just needs a good cleaning. A note on the inside of the trailer says the running lights (tail, turn, etc.) do not work. Hopefully, this is a matter of poor connections rather than bad wiring. Are there wiring harness renderings for this vintage Airstream... or is it mostly "by guess and by gosh"? Ah, well, enough daydreaming. I have to kick the horses and move the old work wagon train.

Our '67 Globetrotter is all but done- visit our website for pictures- the finishes on the inside of the trailer are just like your- yours is just longer- it may give you some ideas. Also- '66-'68 have those stinking corning windows- buy some silver pipe insulation sleeves and cut them to fit over the bottom of the window or prepare to have butterflies on hand when you crack your head the first good time- ouch!! Your approach is great- bottom up and outside to in- good luck!
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Old 08-11-2008, 02:27 PM   #16
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Thanks for the information. I glanced through a very long restoration thread. My hat is off to Uwe for an amazing piece of work. Frankly, I don't have the skills to do everything myself. I'm not a welder by trade or training. When it comes to jobs like cutting or adding crossmembers to the frame, our tin girl is going to have to see a specialist. Once I get settled in, I'll extend an open invitation to forum members to stop by, visit, offer advice. I guess addition #1 will need to be a beverage frig in my small garage.

I do envy the guys who have a warehouse or pole building where they can just "set up shop." I have a little 50s one-car garage and a driveway where she will sit until she is "mobile." Then, my lovely bride and I will have to decide how much of the frame, heavy lifting and "weather tight" work to job out. I'll be shopping for recommendations on good shops so feel free to provide them, here or via PM. Thanks.
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Old 08-17-2008, 11:27 PM   #17
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I just got a 1967 like yours. I have spent the last 3 weeks cleaning and testing the systems. So far all systems work, except for the AC, the compressor works but haven't got the fans running yet. Still need to check the water system. Refer works but I need an electric element for it.
I got a gallon of Simple Green at the warehouse and a spray bottle. I sprayed it on the inside hide and with a soft scrub brush took care of the sticky stuff in about 2 hours. It worked great. I read in a post that acrylic floor wax does a good job of sealing the hide so the sticky doesn't return. I guess it is the 40 year old glue that seeps?
I have checked the entire electrical system and fixed all the little bugs. Switches, burnt lights, broken lights. etc. I found a great way to fix the swivel wall lamps and if you need to repair yours let me know.
I am without a camera right now and will post pics as soon as I get a new one. These guys love pictures, especially when you have trouble writing your questions out like I do.
I just got a window sealing kit from Inland RV and am waiting for the rain to stop so I can waterproof my tin can. The folks at Inland have been great to work with.
Let me know by PM if I can answer any questions! Sometimes takes a day or two to get answer back.
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Old 08-18-2008, 08:15 AM   #18
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I picked up a gallon of Simple Green at "Sam's Club" this weekend. I'll be scrubbing the interior soon. Sometime this week, I'm going to shoot a bunch of pictures to put on my blog website. I'm not as technically savvy as some but I do know how to post pictures there... and I can put them up in high def to make it easier for others to understand what I can't figure out.

My focus over the next month is to get the trailer "road worthy." My wife and I are discussing what we want to "job" out and what we want to tackle ourselves. We're mostly likely going to have someone else take care of the frame and floor. This said, no one is close by so we're going to have to make our tin girl roadworthy.

Thanks for offer. By the way, I'm originally from Libby, Montana. I have driven through Northern Idaho a thousand times... Bonners, Sandpoint, Couer d'Alene, etc. Are you from the north or south?
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Old 08-18-2008, 11:00 AM   #19
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For scrubbing the interior of my Safari I used some Mr. Clean scrubbing sponges. They worked very well and I would use them again.

NUTZ
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