I have seen the C channel, and it is Grand!!!

[Hittenstiehl]

Holly schmolly that looks like its silver plated. Very nice.

[millertimeUS]

Great polish job and very cool photo!


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76 'Airstream Tradewind

[Aerowood]

So, hows the floor replacement going? Big gap in your thread. below is my thread on my 71 GT full Monte

[Bullit]

Aerowood,
Good to see you have returned safe. I have a ton of questions for you. I read a lot of your threads and have been truly inspired by the "right way" you have done your AS. I am in this for a very long haul and hope to do at least a fraction of the good work you have done. Full Monty over the course of the next few years if necessary

The Caravelle is in the Polished Turd phase of restoration and modernizing; polished and shiny outside gutted, bare, rotting and rusted on the inside. I am going to do as much as I can with the shell in place (polish waterproof clean replace and refinish exterior accessories) and then pull it off and replace the frame, tanks, axles and floor. Then work on the interior. There are so many logistics in this process. So many must does before moving on.

I will probably build some gantries in the next few weeks and remove the AC and roof vent. I wanted your advice on the windows and eventual buck riveting. Did you pull the entire window frames? As in drill the rivets and then reseal and replace etc? Also wanted advice on buck riveting equipment and a good tutorial on the actual process.


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[Bugtussel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hB3rIECtxM

. Good starting point if you have never buck rivited. Thanks youtube university.

[Aerowood]

Originally Posted by Bullit

Aerowood,
Did you pull the entire window frames? As in drill the rivets and then reseal and replace etc?


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Yes

[Bullit]

Thank you, I reread your thread and found the buck rivet info in #58.

Removing windows and skins is very committing.


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[Aerowood]

Yup

[Bullit]

After a long delay I got back to work today... A little. Drilled more rivets and and removed the vent fan and separated the A/C unit. Can't figure out how to get the A/C down but I need to build a gantry anyway. That's all for now


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[Bullit]

A/C is off! It wasn't pretty but it's done. No damage to the AS, the A/C ( not that it mattered) or me.


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[Bullit]

Still plotting along, first Gantry is up with another to follow. Will need to work more on cleaning the area around the former A/C. Sorta feels pretty good to get started on the next big thing.

Slow going but good times ahead....


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[Bullit]

Back to it. Gantries are in place and have begun to brace the interior for lift off.
Also took off the 4 corner banana wraps. Belly pan must be full as well
Front street side
rear curb side
front curb side. I noticed the curb side lower and mid panels are double hung. The bottom edge of both lower panels can be seen in the last photo.
Anyway body should pop in the next two weeks.



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[Bullit]

Though I have read it is not necessary I put in some bracing in today. Should be really close to lift off.

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[Bullit]

Forgot the pics


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[Bullit]

Popped.
Body us all strapped down. Now back to the mouse works and insulation. Should be another long day tomorrow


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[rumrunner]

Houston, we have lift off! This is where the fun really starts. Plan now for your final design concept and place your grey, black and fresh water tanks while you repair the frame and floor. It will save you a whole lot of headaches later. BTW that polish is looking AWESOME!!
tim

[Bullit]

Well, I thought removing the interior was rough... Getting the C channel and "A single" floor section off was as bad. That being said, the C Chanel is in pretty good shape which is a good thing 'cause making templates from my floor ain't happnin. C channel has been mounted on 1/4 plywood for later use on templates.
The floor is a mess

The back has the expected rot...

The front was also pretty rotted

Got the front off.
Lastly, what does everyone else do with all the cool AS Souvenirs you get from doing the full monte?

Good times, Good times.
Thanks again to everyone who has gone this way before. I depend on the forum to remain motivated!



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[HiHoAgRV]

Good looking progress.

[Bullit]

The progress continues

Special thanks goes out to whoever came up with this methods for hole sawing around the elevator bolts.
If there is any doubt about Colin Hyde's explanation of why water gets into the back of 70s trailers, here it is (as I understood it)

That 4 inch aluminium plate to the left of the bumper literally collects and directs water under the body

I also found the expected rust

Finally, I continue to collect old rusted screws bolts and nuts

Bullit


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[Bullit]

Worked on a smaller gantry for the rotisserie. You don't realize how handy it would be to flip the frame until your underneath it. Nuf sed


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