Dodgeavion wrote:
Since I'm going to be replacing my floor and wings I'd like to ask the collective wisdom on best method?
Redo it like original? (layered construction)
Do it in solid wood? (seems heavy)
Something else?
Anyway, for those that have done it would you do recommend a different method and those that haven't any good thoughts?
Ken
Since I'm going to be replacing my floor and wings I'd like to ask the collective wisdom on best method?
Redo it like original? (layered construction)
Do it in solid wood? (seems heavy)
Something else?
Anyway, for those that have done it would you do recommend a different method and those that haven't any good thoughts?
Ken
Well Ken, I have not begun active work on my rebuild but have similar repair areas as you described and also debated what to use. My approach will be to replace the 3/8"ply/3/4"foam/3/8"ply with an aluminum honeycomb panel--1 1/2"thick w/ .032 aluminum face panels and aluminum honeycomb core bonded to the face panels; face panels are powdercoated a white color and were originally intended for pre-fab clean room walls. A google search for "aluminum honeycomb panel" should bring up several and I was able to obtain mine from a company called WebbCore which was good as they are relatively close to my location but there are others. Some of the exterior aluminum panels are corroded enough that i can see small holes thru the sheet-- underside of the bunk specifically but underside of wings also will need some areas repaired-- and will use the aluminum face panel as the exterior covering too. While I haven't actually done it, I am confident I have all the aspects puzzled thru and don't see any problems but as to that, time will tell. Won't get to actual work 'til later this spring/ early summer.
I came across this pic on Expedition Portal while looking for tub ideas.
Did you completely redo your tub? Looks like you are taking advantage of the space above and behind the wheel wheels.
Can you give me some ideas of what you did? Have any more pics?
Thanks
Ken
Messed up link. Here it is again.
The complete tub was rebuilt and I did use the sandwhich construction, ply-foam-ply.
The bump outs in the rear don't amount to alot of space but they'll be good for can goods and such, every bit helps.
I can tell you when I built the floor I was able to carry it out of the shop by myself !
Dennis
The original floor systems seems like it was a reasonably good solution being that we are talking about replacing them after 30 or 40 years , that alone is a pretty good return . They are light and insulated .
As appealing as aluminum for flooring and tub construction is there are some downsides especially for cold weather . It conducts heat and cold rapidly .
An alternative might be some of the marine foam core products ,put together with fiberglass , used for deck and bulkhead construction , again , light and insulated , albeit expensive .
'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed
I think of the laminated construction as a torsion box. Light, strong and flat. So given all this I'm just going to rebuild using original methods. I'll make the same changes as Dennis as I too think every inch is important. I'll use marine ply, epoxy and perhaps glass the outside and filet the inside corners.
I appreciate everyone's insights.
Ken
Check your trucks width at the tailgate and possibly a couple of other makes, in case of resale in the future.
Dennis
funrover wrote:
WOW!! What a great thread!
WOW!! What a great thread!
Feel free to join in...are you interested in Avions?
