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DarienGeorge · 05-06-2020, 03:25 PM

I am going to go the shell off route... I have some serious frame repairs that need to be done AND it will make it so much easier to do the floor. I jumped at it when I found a local heavy manufacturer that was selling well built steel gantry cranes for really cheap. Already went over and looked at it and bought it. Now I have to figure out how to get it back to my house... but I own a gantry crane now!

Bubba L · 05-06-2020, 04:22 PM

Soon as you get the gantry crane set up, post a picture. That sure is going to make it a lot easier and safer. I was in commercial construction all my life and always thought it would be fun to have a tower crane. Our HOA wouldn’t allow it. So I just used a chain fall in the barn to lift the shell. Good luck

DarienGeorge · 05-06-2020, 08:11 PM

I dont think we are going to use the rear end inside section. We are planning on re-configuring the layout. I will attach a layout soon and would love comments. We have to be able to fit all five in the family for the foreseeable future. (We grew to five unexpectedly after we bought the AS).

Since we are not keeping the original layout, we are moving the bathroom from the back to save space.

So... where should I post to see if anyone is interested in the rear plastic piece? We arent sure yet if we are keeping the front piece yet. The rear piece is still in great shape.

See picture attached.

mkcurtiss · 05-06-2020, 08:48 PM

The shell off route will be extra work, but everything will be perfect afterwards...and that will be worth it...

DarienGeorge · 05-10-2020, 08:34 AM

OK.. I have looked all over the forums (Which are hard to peruse and find exactly what you need...) and everything I have found, including off the AS Forums is that most shell off restoration is that you cut the bolts throughout the C Channel, then remove the rivets outside and it pops off. From what I have seen, all of the ones I found the outside metal sheets stop at the C channel, but that clearly isnt the case on this '59. Any thoughts? Would appreciate any thoughts?

Does this make the shell off harder now, because the metal wraps underneath the bottom over the belly pan? Do I just pull it off and bend the metal back?What about when putting back on...

Thanks for any advice.

<Pictures attached>

Side Note: I am thoroughly enjoying this so far... my wife is completely overwhelmed and afraid we are in WAAAYYY over our heads. She trusts me, but is worried. I literally spend 3-4 hours after the kids go to bed every night reading though the AS forums, then spend another hour each morning watching YouTube videos of others that have done restoration!

DarienGeorge · 05-10-2020, 08:41 AM

I also am positive that the street side outside was replaced at some point. It also seems as if the ends were re-riveted too... Can anyone tell me from pictures. Should I remove all the rivets in the ends and use buck rivets? Leave them? Many of them are clearly bad tho.

Would love thoughts.

Thanks,

Darien
-Slow but steady!

DarienGeorge · 05-14-2020, 08:22 AM

Went and picked up my gantry crane yesterday. It was quite the experience trying to make sure I got it home without dumping it off the trailer while driving... I couldnt find a trailer wide enough so we made due with the blocks to support it.

Kids thought the trailer was the coolest thing.

Here are some pictures. It is supposed to rain all weekend here, and I still have a lot of prep work to get it ready before we lift off... need to build some braces inside, rivet out around the outside and cut all the bolts in C-Channel. Might be able to work on some of it inside the shell this weekend. Depends on how bad the weather is as they say we could get hail.

If anyone has any help on the above posts, would appreciate it... I know some of you Master Riveters that have already done restorations have SOME answers!!!

DarienGeorge · 05-15-2020, 10:14 AM

Here is the 'new' layout we are considering.

A few things: We are not going to go back with a LP fridge, but either a DC/AC or just a low amp AC fridge. Going to use a tankless hot water heater in the same location as old one.

Going to use a composting toilet with urine going to grey water tank.

Going to use Lithium ion batteries.

Would appreciate any thoughts from all you experts out there on any issues you see.