1965 8' NCO Rebuild

[farmer]

Hi everyone. I picked up an older 1965 8' non - cabover Alaskan last weekend for $250. I've been working 15 hour night shifts ever since, so now I have 4 days off to start seeing what I bought.

What I know now is that the 3 way fridge works, at least on 120V power. The roof doesn't leak, but the seal between the top and bottom is gone and some of the wood on the lower portions of the top will need to be rreplaced. Interior upholstery is in good shape. The outside needs a paint job and a little cleaning on the aluminum trim. The stove is clean and appears to be in good shape, but the propane line has been cut off. Water Pump is there, but no tank, at least some of the plumbing is gone, and there isn't a tap.

I need it for a trip 1 month from now, and at this point it works to sleep in, so I probably won't do much to it right off the bat. After hunting season, I'll start ripping it apart and hope to have everything restored by next spring.

A few questions:
It seems like it will be easiest to patch up the top if I separate the top and base. What is the best way to do this? I'm thinking raise the top, stull it up, detach the hydraulic rams, and then lower the base. I'll put the base on rollers so I can get it out of the way and then work on them separately. Any issues with that plan? I tried searching and couldn't find anything on separating the halves. Anyone have a better way?

 

[caseboy]

welcome,
depending on how much wood you need to replace, you may not have to separate the top completely on my old '64 10ft nco,i was able to get the bottom edge replaced with the top just up all the way.i was lucky that the rot didn't extend behind the high cabinet on the back corner. i was able to cut out the wood below the window line on the sides and replace it with new insides(solid 2x4) and new panel over that. the window trim hides most of edge and a little trim piece covers the rest of joint.. i also used some construction adhesive type caulk glue between the metal skin and wood.

wes

 

[farmer]

To start, here's a few pictures of her:

I got distracted by opening week of grouse season yesterday, and got as far a picking up some 2x4's to crib up the jacks and some cable / hardware to anchor the camper to the bed.

Today, I built the cribbing bases for the jacks so that they would reach high enough to get the camper off my flatbed. I set it on cinder blocks, and began removing the cushions, blinds, and curtains so that I could get I good idea of what I've got myself into.

It looks like the cabinets are structurally sound, but will need refinished and new hardware. All other wood inside the camper has rot / water damage on at least some portion of it, and will get replaced this winter.

The bottom piece of plywood is soft and rotting in several spots. I am planning to square up the sides where the wheel wells used to go, since this is going on a flatbed. This will give me some more storage. Part will be left accessible from the outside to store the propane tank.

Before my trip next month, I hope to get the propane fridge / stove working, and re-finish the Alaskan emblems

The top of the hydraulic jacks seems to be bolted through the top to the roof rack. I'm thinking if I block the top up, un-bolt the jacks, tighten the roof rack back up, I will be able to hoist it up and off the base to simplify the rebuild.

 

[caseboy]

farmer,

looks like a lot to do, but what a great project. what is the metal shroud on top right of camper?

wes

 

[farmer]

That appears to be some sort of chimney venting the fridge??? When closed it would connect with a similar shaped / looking part behind the fridge inside the camper, but I have no idea if it has any purpose when the top is up.

I need to get up there with a stepladder and check it out. From the inside it appears to be the source of my stick-bug infestation. I am going to run into town tomorrow and pick up a couple of bug bombs to clear the thing out.

I estimated a budget this afternoon, and it looks like I can have it 100% restored for under a grand, including purchase price.

 

[thisoldcamper]

Are you going to make the storage boxes removable, so that the camper could still fit box bed trucks? Your Alaskan sure would look nice on that blue GMC.

 

[farmer]

Are you going to make the storage boxes removable, so that the camper could still fit box bed trucks? Your Alaskan sure would look nice on that blue GMC.

I wish. That '59 belongs to my landlord.

You know, I was originally planning to rework the entire lower half so they would be built in. Then I realized that I would be short aluminum on the front and back, so what I will probably do is just build two boxes that bolt to the flatbed and aren't part of the camper. One will have a small compartment at the front for propane, and end access to the long portion for skis and fishing poles. The other side will have a water tank and additional storage.