'74 Safari Project- concessions trailer...maybe

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by marzboy

Wow that brings back some memories! In fact I was looking at my Lincoln welder and wondering if I was ever going to use it again! I had some channel fabricated to be slightly smaller and fit in the existing channel to create a box. Then I welded into place, pretty simple. Lookin good!

Thanks! Yeah, it would be great to be able to put the new channel on the inside, but it was impossible since the cross members are connected on the inside. Adding sisters around the outside allows me to use larger L, but it's certainly a lot more to welt with the 2 Ls and the flat piece. I'm getting away with the mig welder on the thinner stuff, but it will be the stick welder for the part of the A frame I have to fix!

[Eric H]

Moving along on the Safari.
Finished chopping out all the BAD BAD rust including parts of the axle mounting plates, one of which held the shock mount (new one pictured). Butt welded a new plate and a new mount from Out Of Doors Mart. Cut new outriggers using thicker steel then the originals which actually saved money since they are so darn expensive now adays.
Ground and wire brushed the entire thing, painted it and then undercoated it.
I've decided that all of my tanks will be above the floor since I'm not sure what I want to do with this trailer. I won't be full timing or anything and it may end up being used as a concessions trailer, but more likely a production trailer for my film business...frankly I don't really care what it ends up being, I just want a floor to stand on! Oh, a floor you say?? Well we just happen to be cutting one, sealing it with watco sealant and then undercoating that as well.

HERE IS THE FUN / SCARY PART OF THIS PROJECT...we basically did a shell off without removing the shell...how is that possible you ask? Well just imagine a large shell just sitting on the outriggers (that remain)...as you replace the outriggers one by one...yes, it's not safe...and the shell moved around a bit......but with proper ratchet straps it all worked out.

The last big step is to get the entire floor in, screw it into the shell THEN support the floor and shell as a whole and then drop the frame to deal with the bad rust in the A frame area.

[Eric H]

so many view and so few comment....makes me sad........;-) Questions are welcome.....

[marzboy]

Been there done that! So glad to be done with that phase. What are you useing for insulation under that sup floor?

[Sneakinup]

Looking good! Been following your work.

I'm a few steps behind you in my frame repair. Still have to hack out some of the bad stuff in the rear street side area and weld in some new steel. Not enough days in the hour! I have to get the under side done before the rain and heat sets in here in Tampa.

[Eric H]

The frame is fixed and the new floor went in. Time to start on the outside!
The good thing is that we secured a warehouse to work in which will get us out of the Virginia heat that's on it's way.
First thing is to take the old AC unit off... the giant monkey bars come in handy for that! Never again will she have an unsightly square box glued to her sleek body....

[Eric H]

Took a few coats, but it was a nice day to get the clear coat stripped off. What a difference!

[Eric H]

Nuvite is working great.

[Eric H]

Polishing party!!!

I cooked the ribs, bought the beer and prepped, everyone else just polished!!!

[Eric H]

Polishing tip (which worked for me):
The entire trailer is stripped, but I've found that pre-polish sanding with 400 or 600 grit REALLY REALLY helps get the surface prepped for polishing. The sanding just seems to bite through the corrosion and get to the good stuff. The 600 breaks down (doing a wet sand) and makes it super smooth. I'm sure it makes people worried to sand the surface (it did for me), but there is very little worry as long as you keep a hose handy and work the scratches down as the paper breaks down. The polishers (my friends) loved me for prepping it once I started since they could have nearly instant gratification with the shine.

[Eric H]

I end up guessing there will be less than 90 hours in polishing for the entire thing, minus the very very top.

[3Ms75Argosy]

Wow, you guys are hauling on that trailer! Looking great!
Marc

[JayOurBee]

Great documentation of the process. Much appreciated.

[Eric H]

Thanks JayOurBee.

[Eric H]

Finished the 120 and 12 volt wiring in the walls and have the walls put back on. I found a gallon and a half of polyurethane that I hadn't used and put down a bunch of thick coats on the floor. I have two patches still to do where the rain likes to sneak in, but after the poly the rain simply beaded up and sat in a puddle. Waiting on rivets to get the rest of the patches done. I've removed the vista view and will be patching that hole, the main switch panel for everything in the trailer will be located where the vista view was. Looking forward to painting!

[Eric H]

Progress here and there. Cut up some good bits out of the old belly pan and made some patches....waste not want not.
Took the ugly top AC off and put a thick patch over it. Used some aluminum sign material so it can basically be walked on it if one was so inclined. It's amazing how much better these trailers look to me without the terrible square box stuck to the top. Patched up the exhaust for the old fridge, next is to get that vista view hole patched up with fresh alclad!

[Eric H]

No more leaky vista view..

[2Rhinos]

I am following your progress and like what I see.
I will be referring back to your project many times in the near future.

[Eric H]

Pork, pork, pork.

The pre- compounding sanding is working out great. It takes one regular pass and then a quick pass to get to a mirror.

*edit: why in the heck does the Airforums site turn pictures over when uploading??!!?!? Ugg. Can these be turned over via an edit option in here? I can't find one.

[Roadrunner]

So Eric the trick to a mirror finish is polishing with pork? Any special BBQ sauce? Nice job!

Bob