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Post by atouchofglass on Jul 2, 2014 7:03:41 GMT 10
Mate living in a 21ft Olympic..... count me green You will have plenty of space and wonderful times I'm sure. Cheers Atog
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Post by galaxie500 on Nov 5, 2015 14:24:44 GMT 10
Hi, Im guessing since the 2014 posts the Stardust is finished or almost - any recent photos ? We have a Stardust almost finished, would like to call around and see yours next time we pass on way to Brisbane if that's OK ?
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Post by gregh on Nov 5, 2015 17:22:15 GMT 10
Hi, Im guessing since the 2014 posts the Stardust is finished or almost - any recent photos ? We have a Stardust almost finished, would like to call around and see yours next time we pass on way to Brisbane if that's OK ?
No actually I'm sorry to say. I've was working on another project then hurt my back pretty bad just after Christmas gone, so I haven 't done any more on the Stardust. The back is starting to come good and I'm hoping to have the other project (a 14ft Olympic debonair - the 71 model in my post signature) finish before Christmas. Hoping to get back into the Stardust after Christmas.
Your welcome to come and look but not much to see
Cheers Greg
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Post by galaxie500 on Nov 8, 2015 17:27:49 GMT 10
Hi, Im guessing since the 2014 posts the Stardust is finished or almost - any recent photos ? We have a Stardust almost finished, would like to call around and see yours next time we pass on way to Brisbane if that's OK ?
No actually I'm sorry to say. I've was working on another project then hurt my back pretty bad just after Christmas gone, so I haven 't done any more on the Stardust. The back is starting to come good and I'm hoping to have the other project (a 14ft Olympic debonair - the 71 model in my post signature) finish before Christmas. Hoping to get back into the Stardust after Christmas.
Your welcome to come and look but not much to see
Cheers Greg
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Post by galaxie500 on Nov 8, 2015 17:28:39 GMT 10
Wow sorry to hear that, hopefully we will head that way in the new year I'll let you know for your address and swing by.
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Post by gregh on Mar 17, 2017 17:40:36 GMT 10
Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I last posted, or did any work on the Stardust. Unfortunately my back never really got better and I had to seek specialist medical attention. It got that bad that I could barely walk and any form of activity really aggravated it. What amazed me was the non-committal attitude of the specialists I saw - Neurosurgeons to be precise. The typical statement was "Ahh yes you definitely have a problem with your spinal cord, but it seems you can still kinda walk and your "only 56 young" so come back a see me when your crippled. Well that's not my attitude! - Hey guys, "I'm only 56" and I've got 30-40 years ahead of me and I not going to live it like this. It took 4 referrals to different specialists; I finally found a Orthopaedic Surgeon who said he could easily fix my back. So after 2x Laminectomy and 2x Discectomy, I am now 4 weeks post surgery and "all" back, pelvis, leg pain and other related systems are gone. Unfortunately post surgery the doctors found I have a heart condition known as Tachycardia - it basically means I have random extra heart beats that make my heart race like I'm doing a marathon; thankfully I have a strong heart. My first thought was "well that was an unfair trade". So back to hospital in the next few weeks to have that sorted. Sooo. Because I feel so good and mobile again, I'm prepping to start the chassis and suspension upgrade on the Stardust. I now have all the parts and look forward to posting my updates. Finally I can get on with it. Greg
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Post by Mustang on Mar 18, 2017 10:42:48 GMT 10
I don't think there are many of us that do not have to take care of our backs, I have had the same advice as you "when you are 65 you will have enough arthritis that will fuse the problem joints" well that has proved to be somewhat true, but I still take care.
I think the heart is an easier repair than the back, good luck with the op. Would like to visit one day as we are just up the road from you. Cheers Brent
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Post by gregh on May 1, 2017 10:01:31 GMT 10
I don't think there are many of us that do not have to take care of our backs, I have had the same advice as you "when you are 65 you will have enough arthritis that will fuse the problem joints" well that has proved to be somewhat true, but I still take care. I think the heart is an easier repair than the back, good luck with the op. Would like to visit one day as we are just up the road from you. Cheers Brent Hi Brent. Feel free to drop in anytime. I'll PM you my mobile No: Cheers Greg
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Post by gregh on May 1, 2017 10:34:28 GMT 10
Time for an update. Back is all good and the heart issue sorted. Time to get into it. First step. Get the chassis out. The van body was raised onto besser blocks and a short spreader beam placed under the body. An elevated trolley jack was used to raise the body. I cut down to size the original stands I made to level the body when I did the floor. The beams are 3mtr hardwood fence posts. I used 600mm wide form board under the stands and the besser blocks to provide a firm/flat surface. . . . . Once she was up high enough, time to pull the chassis out. . . . Once the body was free standing, I secured her with strong tie-downs attached to huge steel tent pegs. . .
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Post by gregh on May 1, 2017 10:43:41 GMT 10
I'm rebuilding the chassis using a combination 150x50x3mm & 100x50x3mm galvanised RHS and upgrading the suspension to 3 ton. . . RHS ready for chassis - plus 2x 45mm parallel bearing axles . . . 10in brakes, suspension and 16in hilux wheels all ready for chassis rebuild. I think the wheels might be too big, but I can downsize if needed. .
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Post by gregh on May 1, 2017 10:57:15 GMT 10
Looks like I've got some repair work to do under the body. All these holes are from original manufacture - fibreglass is too thin at each location. . . . . Plus one of the tears in the fibreglass cause by body sag when the floor was rotten. . . And here's some under body shots for the curious. . . . Cheers, Greg
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Post by gregh on May 18, 2017 10:55:43 GMT 10
Finding the little bits. Dare I ask!! Does anyone have an original Olympic clock they are willing to sell, or know the whereabouts of one that I might be able to pry from the clutches of a devotee?? Always Looking. Greg
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Post by gregh on Jul 3, 2017 18:55:52 GMT 10
Thought I'd share some progress photos of the new chassis. . . . Much, much more to do yet, but very happy with it so far. Greg
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cster
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by cster on Jul 4, 2017 16:46:14 GMT 10
Mighty fine looking trailer. What was the story with the old one? Rust or a weakness you didn't like??
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Post by gregh on Jul 4, 2017 19:54:31 GMT 10
Mighty fine looking trailer. What was the story with the old one? Rust or a weakness you didn't like?? Hi cster. The van must have been sitting on a property for years with the a frame sitting on the ground; the drawbar is pretty much rusted out. I was only going to replace the drawbar, but after lifting the body off it and further inspection, I decided to build a new chassis because many of the body/chassis contact points had worn through the chassis. Additional consideration was based on the fact that we do intent to do a lot of dirt & offroad with her, so it really wasn't a hard decision to make. cheers, Greg
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cster
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by cster on Jul 15, 2017 13:42:59 GMT 10
Ah got it, All sound reasoning, the new frame did come up a treat, and will give your van a sound platform to live on.
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Post by gregh on Jul 16, 2017 18:08:25 GMT 10
More progress this weekend. The new chassis is really starting to take shape. Hope to fit the new water tanks and shockies next weekend. Greg
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cster
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by cster on Jul 16, 2017 18:47:02 GMT 10
Looking very Scmick.
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Post by gregh on Jul 30, 2017 16:28:34 GMT 10
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Post by Mustang on Jul 30, 2017 17:15:40 GMT 10
Not many new vans could boast that structure!!
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Post by gregh on Jul 30, 2017 21:50:52 GMT 10
Hi Mustang. Yes. I've calculated between the added chassis steel, heaver suspension and wheels, and an off road coupling, that I have added around 200kg of weight. I've also calculated that adding an onsuite, larger fridge, full size stove, aircon, hot water etc, adds another 140kg. Now I subtract approx. 60kg in weight savings by installing a composite floor and perspex windows. So in total I've added 280kg over and above original dry weight (1066kg dry). That means my dry weight finished will be around 1350kg. Not bad for a 21 footer. Now add 200 litres of water (200kg), 20-30kg gas, 200kg's of miscellaneous crap, and you have 1750-1800kg - once again, not bad for a 21 footer. The van will be registered with an ATM of 2700kg. My Pajero can legally tow 2500kg, so I have 700kg of "grace". . That's a lot of firewood. Greg
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cster
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by cster on Aug 5, 2017 19:45:20 GMT 10
Yes a good idea using shockies, managing control is always good for the van. Ha Ha yep that's a lot of fire wood. love that statement, but it's true always good to have it with you when you get to your camp. Cause there may be none left.
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Post by gregh on Oct 11, 2017 9:19:55 GMT 10
Now that the chassis is nearly finished (just getting a welding engineer to check my work , I need to clean up and repair the underside of the van before I roll the chassis back under her. I've started prepping the bottom of the van ready for a coat of RAPTOR. I'm using the tintable version colour matched to the vans beige colour. I've order 6 litres which should be adequate for 2 coats.
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Post by Mustang on Oct 12, 2017 8:17:15 GMT 10
ONE of a KIND !!!! Re Raptor, Apparently it"s very carcinogenic so a full suit & mask is advised.
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Post by gregh on Oct 27, 2017 22:18:26 GMT 10
Bloody wet weather. Another couple of weekends lost - can't paint. And wouldn't you know it, my heart condition started to play up again so another 5 days in hospital. They've actually given the condition a defined name now; Focal Atrial Tachycardia - not very common apparently. Time for another Oblation attempt me thinks; and so we soldier on. The weather looks like it's going to hold this weekend so I should get the underside of the van painted with the Raptor product. The welding engineer has been and only had to rectify a few of my welds - he's happy; so that means I can put the chassis back together (suspension, shocks, tanks etc) ready to roll back under the van next week end. That's a major milestone done. Greg
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