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mccrosti · 07-09-2013, 04:54 AM

Good morning folks,

The other day I was moving my trailer, which for me means driving down a long hill, threading it between two other trailers and pulling back up the hill. Here in NC we've had non stop rain and mud for the last month. Bottom line is that I hit one of the other trailers and poked a small hole in the skin - About 6"long by 2 wide. Also stove in the bottom of my battery drawer.

I don't think patching the hole will be a big deal, a small piece of alclad and some Olympic rivets. The crease is not terrible. Can anyone tell me how to disassemble the battery drawer on a 72 Overlander so I can get at the dent?

I am also looking for comments on what I propose to do here, does my methodology sound correct?

Thanks in advance ,

Dave

cwf · 07-09-2013, 06:48 AM

Pictures? Several pictures please? I can't help, but others will ask,,,

mccrosti · 07-09-2013, 07:29 AM

Here is a picture of the damage

Belegedhel · 07-09-2013, 07:37 AM

Funny you should ask--I just reassembled and reinstalled the battery compartment on my '73 this weekend. I think they are of the same design. I can take some pics of the half finished project when I get home tonight.

I do have a pic of just the aluminum box that forms the bottom of the compartment, if it helps--will try to attach. Basically, there is the top half of the box that is made of ABS and screwed to the floor and riveted to the inside skins. The bottom half of the box has an ABS insert that is probably pop riveted in place, and there are probably rivets that go through the ABS, through the aluminum box, and into the extruded frame that is riveted to the skin. The aluminum box is screwed to the sub floor in three places.

The problem you will have is that if you drill out the pop rivets, and remove the screws, the aluminum box won't lift out unless you really deform it. There are also some threaded inserts for the door retention cables to attach to that will also get in the way of lifting it out. You have to drill out all the bucked rivets that hold the extruded frame in place in order to get the box out without deformation.

Good luck--will post more pictures tonight.

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mccrosti · 07-09-2013, 07:42 AM

Thank Man,

I appreciate the pictures. Mine got bunged up but I think I can fix it while still attached. I'll take a look tonight. Here is a picture of the hole. Don't have one of the battery box, will take tonight.

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Belegedhel · 07-10-2013, 07:37 AM

Ok, here are some additional pics that may help you decide how to repair. The first is from the outside with the door open. The black plastic liner has been installed in the battery box, but the top of the box has not been installed. The second pic is from the inside of the trailer looking down into the box, again with the plastic box top not yet installed.

mccrosti · 07-13-2013, 06:03 AM

More than likely I will pull the frame out and just reskin the thing. Thanks for the photos!

mccrosti · 07-20-2013, 09:08 AM

One more question please. Te bottom half of my battery box is where the dent is. I am trying to figure out how to remove it without drilling out all the bucked rivets. It looks to be separate from the frame. I've removed the lock and can feel the ABS moving within the frame, if I could get the ABS off I'd be in business.

Belegedhel · 07-21-2013, 08:43 PM

The ABS is kind of a lining within the lower box. It is held in place with a couple of pop rivets. In order to get the ABS and the lower box out , you will first need to drill out any rivets that connect the bucked in frame to the abs/lower box. The lower aluminum box is also screwed to the subfloor. To get at these screws, you will need to remove the upper ABS box from inside the trailer. Once the lower box can be moved around freely,k you might be able to flex it enough that you can pull it straight up into the trailer. You would really have to deform it in order to pull it out through the doorway.

mccrosti · 07-22-2013, 04:20 AM

I get it now. I was hoping that id just be able to drill out the pop rivets holding the upper abs then lift it and get to the screws that fastened the hinge to the sub floor. Thanks!