1977 Scamp restoration

[jcham1970]

Here are some pictures of what I have done so far, pretty much taking everything out including the painted over ensolite. I was lucky to find a large unused roll of reflectix at a garage sale for half price. I plan to use that when it goes back together. I also stopped at habitat for humanity in Seattle last weekend, and found some commercial vinyl wall covering, probably over ordered from a hotel or something. It was only $10 for a 5'x 30 yard roll, so I bought two of them just incase! It has a nice pattern and color. I am anxious to see how it will apply over the reflectix. I am thinking it will work pretty well, and if the color does not work, I am sure it could be painted over.

[jcham1970]

Here is what I did tonight, I built a frame to hold the egg, so I can drop the frame

[jcham1970]

Oops, sorry, that's what happens sometimes with my iPad, I accidentally hit send before I was done with my post! Anyway, I built a frame around the egg, after jacking the frame and tires up about six inches. I am working in and old barn with concrete floors, so I actually drilled into the old concrete and fastened the frame I built to the floor, so the egg is not moving at all! I will be able to do most body work and install a new floor while my frame is out from under it. I am probably going to build a new frame and install a new axle. While I am deciding on the right axle, and waiting for it to be shipped, I will spend my time doing work on the shell. I am really having fun working on this so far, still planning on being completely finished by July, for my fun family reunion trip to Mt. Rushmore!

Jeremy

[Nat]

Nice work so far Jeremy, looks like fun.

[jcham1970]

Thanks Nat, I just got finished pulling the frame out from under and putting the wheels on. Now I am going to pull it to my shop, so I can use it as a template for a new frame. I was almost thinking I could repair it, but I just noticed a crack in the frame where the bend is at for the tongue. So, I can't see wasting time repairing it when I know I can build a better frame, and not have to worry in the future. I am sure glad I decided to rebuild the scamp, instead of taking it on a camping trip first!

[Andrew Gibbens]

I wouldn't worry about those holes at the back as there isn't much strength required in the frame back there, unless you have more than a spare wheel behind the body.

But that crack at the front bend is bad news and I think you're right that replacing the whole frame will be easier and more confidence-inspiring than repairs.

[carlkeigley]

Awsome pictures....................and great work!

[Lil M.]

Originally Posted by carlkeigley

Awsome pictures....................and great work!

I agree! I admire people who can jump into a project and say things like "No problem, I'll just build a new frame."

[Donna D.]

I don't sew, I don't weld... if whatever I do can't be fixed with a hotglue gun, I have to save money to pay someone to do the work. Jeremy... move to Oregon.. I'll keep you busy

GREAT WORK!

[Bryan L.]

Wow, and I thought my coupler welded on to the bottom of the tongue was weird. Yours looks totally bizarre!

[jcham1970]

Well Donna, I might have to take you up on that offer, lol! It's tempting, I was just down there last week to pick up some parts for the scamp. When I left Olympia that day, it was windy, rainy and just nasty! I got south of Chehalis, and the rain stopped, then when I got to Portland it was sunny and 73 degrees out! Flowers were blooming, I felt like not going back home!
Yeah, that coupler is kinda strange, but I am glad it was there when I bought it. We have a big truck, and as low as the scamp sits, without the coupler welded up like it was, we wouldn't have been able to tow it home. After I am done with a new axle, and frame, it wont look like that! There is also some strange threaded pipe fitting welded very poorly to the tongue as well, have no idea why.

[jcham1970]

I just got the steel for my frame today, and I can't wait to get started on it! I also ordered an axle so it should be here by the time I am done with the frame. Also, I wanted to say I recieved an attwood heater, tail lights and marker lights from Chuck at fiberglasstraveltrailersrv.com. He was a pleasure to order from, great prices too!

[jcham1970]

Here are a few pics of my new frame as I am building it. Sorry the pics aren't too clear, as I took them with my scratched up phone camera, lol. I also have a pic of my new flexiride axle, just got it this evening!
Last weekend, I spent Saturday grinding down fiberglass on the body. Wow, I thought I was prepared for that, but not! I bought a cheap painters suit, and used safety goggles, but I might as well have used nothing! I was so itchy at Easter dinner with family on Sunday, my eyes, and eyelids were burning, etc! Next time, I am wearing goggles, thicker overalls, taping myself shut, whatever it takes. Heck, I think wearing scuba gear would be a great idea!

[Donna D.]

Jeremy, it's not just your body you have to worry about while grinding/cutting and sanding fiberglass fiber... it's your LUNGS. Please take care.

Wow, you're moving right along. Thanks for posting pictures. Fuzzy beats none hands down.

[jcham1970]

Yeah, thanks Donna! I was wearing a mask, but next time, I will have more of a respirator for sure! I am having fun doing all I have done so far, except the fiberglass grinding, and I still have a lot more of that to do!

[GMike A]

I had a similar experience. I was going to spray the interior with a mixture of acetone and xylene which is what goof-off is. Trying to get rid of some stubborn contact cement clumps. I figured I would be in and out of there in less than a minute and just spray the heck out of it. I did and for the next hour when ever I exhaled or coughed all I tasted was xylene. So next time I TOO will have my respirator on. Not sure why kids would want to huff that stuff but I can see why it would turn your brain to mush. BTW Great job you are doing.

[jcham1970]

Well, the frame is almost complete, though I am waiting to weld in the front drop floor supports. I saw a post that inspired me with a slide out porta- poti, and want to play with a few measurements before I proceed. In the meantime, I have been doing a lot of fiberglass grinding, and I have actually laid glass last night and tonight. I am really getting the hang of it now!
Here is a pic of me grinding away, much better suited up for the job, than before, lol!

[jcham1970]

Oh, just a note, the woman at home depot in the paint department, who I asked where I could find a painters suit, said " Oh, you mean the ones that look sexy?" lol!

[jcham1970]

Here are a few pictures of my progress. Things have been getting busy at work, so I haven't had as much time as I would like to work on the scamp!
As for the fiberglass work, I am nearly done. I have filled just about every cutout, and hole there was! I am guessing well over 150, counting all the rivet holes! I filled in all hatch door cutouts, utility connection holes, etc. because when the time comes to install the new appliances, I want a clean slate to work with.
As for the frame, I am nearly done. I have made some changes to it, which will allow for more storage at the front floor area, and 3 more inches at the rear dropped floor area to allow for space to run electrical, and some venting for a planned A/C.

[GMike A]

Youre wife sent this to me as you forgot to put it in
Nice job BTW.