opinions wanted about a 46 kit rebuild

[maud'Dib]

Now that xmas is over I'm ready to jump into the rebuild of my 46 kit that I've already deconstructed. Initially I was going to rebuild it in the original style and size of 4 wide and 8 long, simply to keep it as historicly accurate as possible, and then somewhere down the road build another larger TD that would be more comfortable and have more storage. But now I'm thinking of just building this one in the original style and stretching it to a 5 by 9. The original axle is a two part torsion that I could seperate and widen the additional foot and then just remount it back 8 inches or so. Pic below


what it looked like when I started

So my dilema is do I keep it 4 by 8 or strech it to 5 by 9?
Part of me says build it the size I want so I only have to do it once and another part says build it to the original dimensions. I don't plan on selling it, I plan on using, so the wider of the too would seem to be the more logical. Just courious on others opinions of keeping original size or not.

thanks
eric

[doug hodder]

this may not be the answer you want to hear, but if'n it were me and you really want a 5x9....I'd just start anew. Having had a '49 Kit...the axle was just beat ( old torsions aren't the same critter as the new ones) you may or may not have a usable one and for the time and effort to modify the frame etc, why not just build from scratch? Any "historical" value is lost if you modify it like you are planning on anyway since a 46 Kit was a 4x8. How much value....who knows? That may not be important to you...I'd just build new and keep it for a resto project. What you would have is an original VIN and some parts on it. Just my opinion...Doug

[len19070]

I'm with Doug again on this one. Ya got a 46 Kit, keep it a 46 Kit

Modifying, and loosing a 1946 Kit trailer and frame to accommodate a new style build is like lowering the river instead of raising the bridge.

Start another trailer and save this for a Restoration project.

History on this and other boards tell us that in a year or 2 your going to want to build a new trailer anyway...Let it be the Kit.

Happy Trails

Len

[prohandyman]

Ditto. I always wanted to re-build a teardrop, and make a usable and comfortable camper. But...after lurking on here for a very long time and realizing what was involved in taking an old unit and making it new, I decided to build from scratch. And I am very happy I did. And I don't think I could be much happier with the results. Having said that, I still went and found an old Kit, tore it apart, didn't have much truly salvageable but the frame (which is what I was told would happen) and re-built it for a fun project. Could I have used the frame for my 5x10, yes, sand blasted it, widened it, install new axle. Probably would have more money in it than what I built from scratch.
Ps Are you sure it is a 46? Not many 46 had fiber fenders!
Hope this helps

[len19070]

Ps Are you sure it is a 46? Not many 46 had fiber fenders!
Hope this helps

Good eye there Dan.

Happy Trails

Len

[maud'Dib]

Thanks guys

That's kind of what I was thinking, something deep down was just telling me to keep it original. I did notice from a lot of posts that I've read that once you build one the second isn't far behind. So I think I'll rebuild the original size and style and if I get hooked, build a larger one down the road.

The tag on the tongue says that it was build in december of 1946, then a serial number 1746 (or something close to that off the top of my head), but the model number is blank.

thanks again
eric

[prohandyman]

Eric
Thats was I expected on the build date. It was right at the end of 1946 when Kit Mfg added their Sportsman model, which the fenders, ice box and propane stove. Does yours have these included? Alot didn't survive the years with these intact. I have only seen 1 camper with anything stamped in the model number area. And then I do not know if that was from the factory or not. Cool idea to rebuild it!

[Gage]

Eric
Thats was I expected on the build date. It was right at the end of 1946 when Kit Mfg added their Sportsman model, which the fenders, ice box and propane stove. Does yours have these included? Alot didn't survive the years with these intact. I have only seen 1 camper with anything stamped in the model number area. And then I do not know if that was from the factory or not. Cool idea to rebuild it!

Hello Eric, I agree with Dan. You need to save (read restore/rebuild) that KIT. For a 1946, it is a rare one. Note that there is also two doors and it appears that there was at some time inside cabinets and or shelf. If you can't use the sides for templetes, then contact Grant at Lil' Bear for a side profile layout. I'd also go ahead and replace the axle with a Dexter. It would be nice if you could find someone that can rebuild the orig. axle. If you notice, the left wheel is about 4" forward of the right wheel. That was one of the reasons Kit didn't have a door on the left hand side and or fenders on the earlier models. I think they may have moved them back a little on the later models when they started adding fenders and two doors. But don't know that for sure. Rebuilding it will be good practice for a bigger teardrop build.

[maud'Dib]

Gage

thanks for your reply. Deep down I knew that keeping it original was a better way to go but I think I needed a little push from all you guys in the know.
As far as the axle, I think it's in really good shape and was planning on using it. Both sides have a lot of spring in them and I was able to remove the old zerks and replace with new and they take grease well. Is this a bad idea even if the original axle is in good condition?
Interesting info about the offset axles being the reason for the early single door models.

thanks
eric

[Gage]

Gage
thanks for your reply. Deep down I knew that keeping it original was a better way to go but I think I needed a little push from all you guys in the know.
As far as the axle, I think it's in really good shape and was planning on using it. Both sides have a lot of spring in them and I was able to remove the old zerks and replace with new and they take grease well. Is this a bad idea even if the original axle is in good condition?
Interesting info about the offset axles being the reason for the early single door models.
thanks
eric

By all means, if the original axle is good and works well, KEEP IT. I'd even keep the 16" wheels. You've got a good piece of history there and on the West Coast anyways, Original is most desired. Even if restored or rebuild. It would also be worth it to get a full size layout from Grant. It's only a couple of bucks. Another source for most all the orig (copies) of KIT parts & pieces is the 'Teardrop Fix-it-Shop' ( http://www.teardropparts.com/index.htm ).

Good luck with your rebuild. Take your time and make it enjoyable.

[maud'Dib]

dan

This one has the ice box, which is in real nice shape. However no sign of the stove. I have seen some pic of what I assume to be original stoves, the heavy cast iron beasts with a manchester fuel bottle on the floor. That would be something if I could find one of those. As for the ice box, did they originally just have a cork to plug the drain hole.

thanks
eric

[prohandyman]

Never saw a cork in one, although it would make sense. The just advertised a drain hole in the bottom. It is good you have the ice box. I have a local metal shop making repops. As far as the stove, the only pics I have seen of the original stoves were of an aluminum 2-burner, with no mfg. mark. They did not survive the times very well, and I believe that many were replaced. How about the water tank? Is it present? And, if your windows are repairable and reuseable at all, do so. They are very hard to find, even replacements.

[maud'Dib]

dan

No water tank in this one. Do you think it would have had one in originally and if so should I think about putting a reproduction one in. I don't think I'd ever use it, I'm a clean water freak, but I do truly want to get this close to original.
The windows seem to be in good shape. They need new glass and screen, but not sure if all of the opening mechanism is there. they have the slid that move through a hole in the screen and a clip that holds the slid when the window is closed but I'm not sure what held the slid when the window was open, or for that matter even if slid through the screen is even the original concept or if that was someones rig from the past.

thanks
eric