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lee dale · 05-27-2008, 08:21 PM

I just purchased a 31 Ft Stripped to the rotten floor and am starting to rebuild. I fell lucky that the shell did not blow off when towing home. Did not know about the bent bolts were all that was holding it to frame. Been doing a lot of reading on line, trying to become educated.
Lee

sfixx · 05-27-2008, 08:48 PM

Welcome to the forums and good luck Dale

That's a big project! You can read for weeks here and just start to fathom all that you need to know. Please keep us updated and try posting some pictures!

Best wishes,

Steve

Fyrzowt · 05-27-2008, 10:15 PM

Lee,
It's great to have you here, there is a ton of info here to help you with your project. In the blue bar above, there is a search function. Using this will help you narrow down your search.
I would use the advanced search(click the "down" arrow, you'll see it) and use the titles only section. Enter some terms such as "restoration" or "shell off" and see what pops up.
Good luck, and keep us updated on your progress.
Dave

PizzaChop · 05-28-2008, 06:55 AM

Lee,

Congrats on your purchase and safe delivery.

IMHO, there are two ways to "buy 'em right".

Either spend the $10K-$15K and find a nice restored (or maintained unit) or buy nothing but a straight shell and frame for $2K or less and start over.

At least you'll know what you have when you finish and you'll become an "expert" along the way. (Think of all the tools you'll acquire if you don't already have them!)

There is much help available here and the advice is free (but sometimes you do get what you pay for).

Hang in there, start at the beginning (remove all lower aluminum, ie belly pan, banana wrap) and shore up the frame. (First, drive it up on blocks to provide additional clearance as you'll be spending a lot of time underneath.) Add reinforcements as necessary, remove excess rust, and seal up with a good chassis paint (POR 15 or the like). Work your way to the floor (replacing as necessary ), then appliances (and associated plumbing systems), then rework your cabinetry.

Oh yeah, probably better first secure any leaks in the shell (windows, rivets, vents, taillights, etc.) to prevent moisture damage to new floor/stuff.

You'll have many enjoyable hours where you will learn to love and hate your purchase, sometimes at the same time!

Anyway, good luck!

I have a few pics of my '73 Sovereign in my members photos which you may find informative.

Jim & Susan · 05-28-2008, 07:16 AM

Greetings from just up the road. There are several of us nearby that have early '70's Airstreams if you need to see a few examples. Do I understand correctly, are your interior walls out? Sounds like a good project. We'll be watching your progress.

Jim

bedfords · 05-28-2008, 07:46 AM

Lee

Welcome and congrats. Have fun with it. This is the place to go to find info. Don't hesitate to ask questions.

lee dale · 05-28-2008, 06:32 PM

Thanks all for the encouragement and advice. I have taken down some of the interior wall in the rear. Found last cross member completely rusted away. Jim, I would love to see one that has been restored. I am trying to make up my mind exactly what I want to do. WE have a 2000 Jayco Eagle at 9800 lbs. I do art and craft shows for a living and $5.00 diesel is killing me. May do a body and running gear fix and put it on the road with minimum creature comforts and do inside a bit at the time.....Lee

monocoque · 05-28-2008, 07:54 PM

Lee, welcome to the restoring-a-'70's-model-AS-tribe! Take your time, enjoy, and post pictures of your journey! You're in for an adventure. A completely rusted rearward cross-member is par for the course on these models. No worries though there's lot's of encouragement, examples and help here on the AIR forums.

lee dale · 02-09-2009, 08:27 PM

I have finally got all of the frame welded and am fixto instsll a floor. Does anyone know thre width to cut the floor pieces from 4 feet? I did not have a whole portion of a sheet to measure. All of the sides were rotton and crumblrd away. I wonder what kept the sides from falling in as all of my outriggers are shrteer than the floor.

Distantdrummer · 02-10-2009, 02:53 AM

Lee I do not know that width. But I know many here will.
I am just glad to see you have come back to the forum to keep us up with your project.
Do not let slow response to your questions discourage you from keeping asking. Often the posts slip off the portal (as new posts and threads crowd them down and off the list).
Is your Sovereign a rear bath?
You are fortunate that you have a '74 an not a '73 or older, as you have a grey water holding tank.
Do you have a Service Manual?

Don't be a stranger, please keep the forums posted on your progress or lack of it.

lee dale · 02-14-2009, 08:35 PM

Mine is a center bath,Thanks

Lothlorian · 02-15-2009, 04:37 AM

Lee:

Congrats on your purchase. As Jim said there are lots of us around the area who have restored and airstream, or are in the process of restoring airstreams. I have personally met 5 to 6 in the North Georgia area and they are all wonderful people. I have learned so much from these folks.

Pizza Chop good to see you back on the forums.

Lothlorian

bullydogsmom · 02-15-2009, 05:53 AM

Everyone here will be extremely encouraging. Suck up their knowledge and don't be shy. Heck nobody laughed at me when I first came on here aned said "nope our AS doesn't have a black water tank"

They just very nicely pointed out to where it was!

We too are going the strip and re-do route. This is a link to what we are doing, also replace the floor stringer and outriggers in the front and this week we'll get the back ones done. Harold, my husband added another front floor stringer that runs front to back so that he would install the front floor in 2 pieces, he cut a template out of cardboard then transfered it to the plywood. I'll try and link a picture. The piece he added is in the upper left of the picture, It runs front the front back to the watertank.

Annette