Just bought our 'new' 69 Safari. She needs a LOT of work so I thought I'd start the p

[DarienGeorge]

Drove from Fort Worth to Memphis w my dad, aka Pops, to pick her up this weekend. Here are the pics from our trip. We didn't have any trouble towing her back either. She needs new axles, windows, floor, and underneath in the back. Will add more pictures later of the inside and outside. Super excited tho to be a part of the airstream family!!!




Darien George
'69 Safari

[DarienGeorge]

Here are some additional pictures... These are the ones that I had to go off when I drove the 500 miles to Memphis from Fort Worth to purchase it. It was in basically the same shape as the pictures and as he described it EXCEPT all but two of the windows were cheap flimsy clear plexiglass that have obviously been leaking for a while. Luckily the two windows that are original are the two front side curved ones that are the most expensive to replace!

[perryg114]

It looks like it is in pretty good shape.

Perry

[thesignlady]

Hey I have your twin, right down to the original upholstery :-) just pulling up the floor now to see what rot I likely have in the front end. Unfortunately mine was a wing window that was broken. PO (previous owner) had done a crappy patch by the front door where there is water damage. I pulled it up and it looks like we may have a full aluminum floor under the plywood

[Cyquest]

interesting to see the blue paint going down the middle.

[Rascal0729]

will you sell the yellow cover over the sink?

[DarienGeorge]

Sure You can have it. Let me check to make sure that I still have it, but I think I still have it stashed away.

Darien

[Rascal0729]

My 1969 Safari inspection door to access the pilot light for my refrigerator is different.

[Rascal0729]

pic

[kdickinson]

Looks nearly like my trailer except mine has the dinette in the front instead of the couch - looks more like Thesignlady's above. Mine even has the same yellow countertop and still has the original carpet in it. Ours has been family owned since new in 1969 but after sitting for 30 years (fortunately in the dry climate of New Mexico) not surprisingly it did need significant work done to the functioning systems including A/C, water heater, water supply system (copper replaced with pec), univolt unit, battery, water pump, furnace, dump valve (what a nighmare) etc. etc. etc.. Oddly enough the original Dometic refrigerator works great on both elec & gas. The frame is straight, axle is good, re-packed the bearings but the brakes are good, the body is straight and has full integrity (no leaks), and it is with new operating systems in place is very useable. The refer inspection door is the same on mine. The TV antennae is farther forward on mine than yours probably because yours does not appear to have the A/C. Bottom line: You will enjoy the Safari for many years to come!

[DarienGeorge]

So, it has been a while... We are now a family of FIVE... with a 3 year old (adopted about 2 years ago), a 4 year old, and a 6 year old! Hence why we had to take a break on the old lady... But we are back at it and NEED some help! I have gutted it down to the shell. Found out that it had been wrecked and the ribs werent attached on one side, only attached to the skins. I have a LOT of questions for anyone that can help.

1. The floor is rotted around most of the perimeter. So we need to replace the floor. What are the best methods to replace. HOW do you get the floor off??? I dont see any screws or anything holding it. Is it screwed on to the frame from the underbelly??? Please help.

2. What is the best way to seal all of the areas that are leaking at the seams at ends, etc?

3. Has anyone gone with a regular fridge that you run off lithium ion batteries, like a tesla bank, instead of an propane one? Considering this so we can move the fridge to opposite side and not redo for venting and just ease of use...

4. Anyone have recommendations on complete electrical replacement? This is what I am most concerned about. I have done a lot of electrical before in my own house. I wired my entire basement... but have not clue about the electrical systems in AS.

5. The windows seem to be a plastic material, not glass... and they say corning on them? Anyone seen anything like this before. Should I keep them or try to replace with glass? If I keep, how do I 'fix' them to seal better. All of the gaskets are dry and rotted out.

6. Clearly there are some areas that the frame is in bad shape... however, the frame is broken along the outside in a couple of places- in the back (See pic) and along a few other places. Is this ok or should I be worried or have a fix for it?

THANK YOU for any and all help. Trying not to be overwhelmed... lots to do. I am a project guy, so love doing big projects and am very handy, but dont know what I dont know.

Posting update pictures.

[Bubba L]

Glad to see another 60s Safari being restored. Your questions are typical in a Restoration. All it takes is patience, a place to work on it and money. It’s not that difficult. Just don’t get overwhelmed. Remember, take one bite at a time eating that elephant. If you’re ever in Fredericksburg, Tx, let me know and we’ll do a crash course. Good luck

[DarienGeorge]

Thanks Bubba. I have all three of those. The thing I dont have is some of the knowledge or particular threads to find the knowledge. Would love some help, if you know of particular threads that answer some of my questions.

BTW- Fredericksburg isnt that far from us! My wife and I love the Hill Country.

So, maybe one day...

[mikextr]

Here are a couple of links to help with floor removal:

https://amontereyblair.com/airstream...replacement-1/

https://mikejonesblog.wordpress.com/

[mikextr]

Another good link about floor replacement

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f7/...on-166373.html

[Bubba L]

Another helpful thread that is close to what you’re wanting to do is ‘David & Diane’s ‘68 Safari Milestone’. He has a lot of pictures. Take care.

[Rascal0729]

Are you saving or discarding the yellow sink cover

[DarienGeorge]

We no longer have the sink cover. Sorry.

[DarienGeorge]

So I have read through all the threads listed. Appreciate the info. I am really struggling with whether I should pull shell off to pull trailer out or not. I think that it will be MUCH easier to work on the frame and install the new floor, however it also seems like such a pain in the *ss to do it. Plus, I am worried about having it suspended or up on blocks with my 3, 4, and 6 year old running about...

Any thoughts or guidance from others. I thought the rig that David and Dianne used looked easy enough.

[BoCox]

Darien,
I own the same year and model and fixed just about everything without doing a shell off restore. I replaced the first and last 4’ of subfloor with advantech plywood. It will never rot again. The first 4’ I reinstalled in two pieces and reattached through the C-channel with the appropriate bolts. The back 4” I was able to slide in as one whole piece. In both installs I just dropped the belly pan as much as needed and reinstalled. I had to grind off most of the bolts because AS bends them after the nut. They used spray foam on mine in 69 and after 50yrs it did not hold up. I’ve since removed the belly pan & foam insulation and painted the underside subfloor and frame with POR15. Got the idea from the forums and I’m glad I did it. No longer worry about what is or isn’t living in the underbelly. If I camp in the cold, extra area rugs and slippers on our feet. Otherwise we stay warm. Most of the windows are plastic and have the Owens Corning stamp. I’ve replaced both original front winged glass with new lexan (broke on highway trips...insurance covered with glass coverage policy) I found that sealing the outside window frame with Trempro or parabond sealant did the job. I kept my layout the same, so not sure about the fridge. (Mine still original and works). You might be able to weld some of the broken frame pieces and add extra support when possible. As for electrical, I just fixed what was broken rather than replaced what wasn’t necessary. If you decide to get rid of your front control panel, let me know, if love to buy a couple of the parts from you. On a side note, I converted the bathtub to a shower but kept all the ABS plastic in the process. I painted it all white and Replubmbed to a working shower. Having a couple young ones, the tub has really come in handy. Another forum member Pizzachop has a thread I followed when I replaced my back 4’ of subfloor. You might find it useful. https://www.airforums.com/forums/f36...ures-9774.html