Re: [A/S] 65 Overlander Underbelly Suprises

["Jim Dunmyer" <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe,
 I R&R'd the front bellyskin on my '68 G.T. when I was replacing the 'A'
frame and hitch assy. We used an air-powered "nibbler" to cut the skin,
going cross-ways at a frame member. These things are ideal for cutting thin
sheetmetal, as they don't distort it and are easy to guide.

We then drilled the frame cross-member every 6 or 8 inches and installed
Riv-Nuts in the holes. When replacing the skin, we used a piece of 1/8" X
1.5" aluminum strap, fastening it to the frame with machine screws into the
riv-nuts. IIRC, we Pop-Riveted the bellyskin to the aluminum strap. The rest
of the skin junctions (belly-skin <-> side 'roll') was refastened with
Pop-Rivets. Although I bought a new Stanley Pop-Rivet tool for that job, I
now have an air riveter that is really slick.

We also repaired a bunch of loose rivets while we were under the trailer,
many of which weren't even into frame members. The bellyskin was very loose
when we started, but nice and tight when we finished. We also re-fastened
the gas lines, which were mostly just hanging there; the aluminum strips
were all rotted off. I bought some plastic pipe hangers meant for copper
pipe that worked very nicely, a pic is on my "Airstream" web page.


<<Jim>>