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butch e · 04-29-2007, 09:44 PM

Hi! Glad to be a part of the airstream community. I have a 1963 Tradewind that I need to rebuild from the ground up. I want to separate the top from the floor. Any hints on how I can do this would be appreciated. butch e

**moosetags** · 04-30-2007, 05:59 AM

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. I can't answer your question, but I'm sure one of the vintage people will chime in. If you don't get an answer and your post falls off the PORTAL page, post again.

steelbird312 · 04-30-2007, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butch e

Hi! Glad to be a part of the airstream community. I have a 1963 Tradewind that I need to rebuild from the ground up. I want to separate the top from the floor. Any hints on how I can do this would be appreciated. butch e

Butch, The best way is to sell it to me and watch it happen!

Welcome aboard.
If you do a search over in the forums using something like 'frame off' or something like that, you will find even some threads that have pics showing others as they did their work.

Zeppelinium · 04-30-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butch e

Hi! Glad to be a part of the airstream community. I have a 1963 Tradewind that I need to rebuild from the ground up. I want to separate the top from the floor. Any hints on how I can do this would be appreciated. butch e

Easy as pie, times 2,000. There is a "U-shaped" channel (everybody calls this thing the "C" channel) in between the outer and inner skins, bolted to the floor. All you need to do it take out all the 2,000 rivets that along the bottom edge of the skins. On the outside, take off the belt strip around the lower edge of the shell that covers the joint between the banana skin and sides. After you've disconnected the banana skin joint you may discover additional rivets through the shell skin to the "C" channel.

If you've gutted the inside, you should be able to pick up the shell after you remove the heavy windows. In the 70's models, the only connection from the shell to the floor/frame will be the brake wire. Don't know about other vintages.

Zep