Airstream Shortification

[Streamtrain]

255/55R16 These are General Tire's Grabber UHP's mounted on original 1963 GM 16" wheels I cut and widened to 9 1/2". There's an accessory theme happening on the Airstream that coencides with the truck's.

[Streamtrain]

[M2HB]

Nice truck. Does that one have the coil spring rear end?

[Streamtrain]

Originally Posted by M2HB

Nice truck. Does that one have the coil spring rear end?

Yes the light duty trucks had rear coils. 1963 was the first year for front coils as well. 1960-62 had torsion bar front suspension.

[PKI]

Is it finished? Pictures? Have you started the next one? Very cool idea! Pat

[Streamtrain]

No a new job stopped everything. I have now built a garage that can bring the Airstream inside. Perhaps next winter I can get back to the many projects I have going on.
Right now I'm waiting on a triple bypass. Been out of work since Dec 14 2015. So a kick in the butt for now, but after we'll see.

[PKI]

My sympathy for your turn of unfortunate circumstances. Hope the surgery turns out OK for you. You do quite good work. Like to see more.

Good luck! Pat

[mousouchop]

Hope your health improves soon! This project looks like it has you captivated...

Having gone through the process of shortening an Airstream.... would you recommend it to others?

I may come into a *free* 1974 Sovereign 31'... I have been looking for a 19-22' to restore. Thinking I might be able to handle a shorten job like yours with the help of my father/brother (construction workers and welders by trade).

The frame would obviously require welding for repair/re-configuring, so that would be all my dad/brother. But, the shell would just require riveting to re-join the pieces, right? I assume this is the portion of the job I could do after I've practiced some riveting... I'm sure there's some extra steps to seal the new seam (caulk-like sealants?).

An insight you could give me would be greatly appreciated!