Battery box resizing...

[Gator113]

We have our first Airstream and we have had it for a little over a month. I am very nervous about doing any changes to it, so I will seek advise regardless of how simple or basic the issue.

I intend to change out the stock batteries and install two 6v golf cart batteries... I will likely use the T-105's.

The larger batteries are 1/8" too tall for the box. I want to make the box 1/4" taller. I think the best way to do this is by removing the lid, adding a shim around the box top and reinstalling the lid.

Though this seems basic and simple, I figured it might be best to see what others may have done. Steel shim material, stainless steal? Aluminum?

I don't as yet own a rivet gun nor have I ever used one... Will a rivet hold a 1/4" piece of steel or should I use screws and countersink them?

Please keep me from screwing this up. ;>)

Thanks for any tips.

Dan

[2airishuman]

hi dan

always helps to post a PICTURE of the project, in this case the current box/es...

doesn't the 25 classic have disc brakes?

isn't the hydraulic stuff IN the tongue box (used for batteries on other models)

aren't the batteries mounted INSIDE the stream/via 2 small doors up front?
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i c u have a rear door model so the battery layout may be different.
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modifying the typical CLASSIC series for taller batteries is problematic.

IF this unit has the typical wall/shell openings to the boxes...

still anything is possible 4 those so determined...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...xes-50248.html

there are a variety of tongue mounted tweaks and creative box mods...

see post #9 here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...box-31135.html

and several different box mods in this thread...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...2-a-31854.html
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but with disc brakes and the serviceable parts IN the A frame box...

you will need to think outside the box...

or post some pix of the project for more SPECIFIC and creative suggestions...

cheers
2air'

[Gator113]

2air,

Thanks for your quick response.

My camera is not available at the moment.

This is a 25' 2007 Classic Limited FB. The box is external. It's a big black box that sits within and is welded to the A-frame... Further, the box is behind the propane tanks. It sits down into the A-frame placing the lid flush with the top surface of the A-frame.

I will check it out to see if any of the brake system parts are going to be a fitting issue..... Every time I think that I have looked at everything on this trailer, I find that I haven't. LOL

Cheers,

Dan

[Gator113]

Bump..

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Gator113244

Bump..

why?

your thread will be ON THE FRONT PAGE for 24 hours...

and longer every time some1 posts to it, and it's at the TOP of that subforum for weeks maybe.

did you LOOK at any of the box mod options linked?

surely one of those will work.

YES rivets may hold a strip of shim material...

match the metal types for best outcomes.

metal screws work fine too, again match materials.

cheers
2air'

[Al - K4GLU]

This has been done by several people - they removed the top and welded a lip around the top to deepen the box - you might be able to find a thread or two if you do a search.

[Gator113]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

why?

your thread will be ON THE FRONT PAGE for 24 hours...

and longer every time some1 posts to it, and it's at the TOP of that subforum for weeks maybe.

did you LOOK at any of the box mod options linked?

2air'

As to why..... I didn't know it worked that way and I didn't think it would be a bother to anyone. I won't do it again.

Yes, I did "LOOK" at the threads. I had seen 2 of them before I posted my question as I did a search like I always do before bothering anyone with a question.

One thread did have some helpful information, the others did not apply to my configuration.

Good day

Dan

[Gator113]

Originally Posted by Al - K4GLU

This has been done by several people - they removed the top and welded a lip around the top to deepen the box - you might be able to find a thread or two if you do a search.

Thank you... I like that idea, very much.