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Topic: Access to radiator 2001 etc (Read 777 times) previous topic - next topic

Access to radiator 2001 etc

Has anyone removed the pop rivets and replaced them with screws? 

I would like better access to the radiator and CAC to clean the area.  There is a fixed in place grill that prevents that.  I think it was in 2002 FT went to a door grill you can open and clean below the radiator, etc.

It looks that if one removed the rivets, the grill could slide down a little and then let you pull it out from the top.

Perhaps this just a fools errand, not of sufficient benefit to do this?  But I dislike not being able to clean that area, found a bird nest in the bottom a few years ago when replaced the radiator.

I think Don Hay told me he can remove a similar grill attached with screws on his GV.
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #1 –
Michael, I have long been considering just such a modification on our coach, a 99' with the same grill set up. Foretravel drilled out and then replaced the rivets when replacing our fuel lines (fuel cooler behind the grill). I just haven't bumped it up high enough on the priority list to make it happen. Simple enough, as long as care is taken in the drilling out the rivets process. There is not much meat on the fiberglass to hold a screw however, so I plan to use clip nuts to provide the holding power. Probably 10-32 size. These can be found at auto body paint a repair supply places, Fastenal, etc. similar to this;
Cage Nuts and Spring Nuts - Nuts - Grainger Industrial Supply
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #2 –
Thanks Don, you encourage me!
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #3 –
Good idea Mike.  You might want to consider using a brass nutsert (sort of a pop rivet with threads) in a piece of aluminum 1"x3"x1/8" perhaps,  that gets glued (3M 5200) and pop riveted to the inside of the fiberglass flange. It should be pretty durable and rust resistant.

A set of lifts would be nice as well.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #4 –
I did as Don described using stainless steel screws. I also put a cut to fit wire mesh grille (approx 3"x3" grid) in the opening before placing the grille back in place. The mesh will keep some "trash" from entering around the radiator. Use a mesh large enough that it won't block, or slow, air flow.
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #5 –
I too did that years ago with the clips but I used nylon screws, never seize up for sure.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #6 –
Long ago when we needed to clean the grass trash out from behind air cooler, we drilled the rivets.  Slipped captive nuts aka tinnerman nuts and use screws to hold grill back in place.  A drop of silicone on screw threads acts like a lock washer to keep screws from vibrating loose.  After cleaning out a LOT of junk out we see a value on keeping a large piece of hardware cloth cable tied to inner side of grill.  Our radiator fans act like a vacuum cleaner when driving slowly along a freshly mowed campground driveway.

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #7 –
I just had the radiator replaced on my '99 U320.  Part of the process was to remove the body skirt panel between the access door and rear end cap.  This entailed removing the short trim piece at the bottom of the end cap, and the horizontal waist trim piece going forward past the access door (to prevent putting a bend in the aluminum trim piece).  Looking ahead to when the body has been painted and knowing that this opening for access has a pretty good likelihood of repeating at some point, I decided to change the entire skirt panel into a lift up access door so that when the time comes, no trim or panel removal will be necessary and therefore no re-painting should be necessary.  I plan to do this myself once I'm stationary long enough and have the necessary access to tools and at least a rudimentary shop.  In any case I'll need to complete it before the full body paint happens next Spring.

'99 U320 Radiator Replacement - Google Photos

This may be more than you might want to tackle depending on your situation (not really necessary if you don't have full body paint, your likelihood of needing to remove the panel is probably diminished if you're not a full-timer, etc).  In my case I can't imagine pulling all of that apart once the coach has been painted, so I'm gonna bite the bullet.  On the bright side, I can consider it an investment of labor as it will reduce the labor involved in any future repair/replacement in that area.

I will post details as it goes.

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #8 –
Rich, we have F B Paint but I still remove panels. It does not affect the look of paint job one iota in MHO. When the trim strip goes back I lay a fine clear caulk along the top that is hard to see and the paint shows thru'
My feeling one this issue is that there is way too much concern about these little things when a paint job is done.
The inside of a coach (and its condition) ways far more importance to a future buyer than minor fixings of this trim strip, again IMHO.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #9 –
Like this?
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #10 –
Quote from: jcus –
Like this?

Yes, like that.  I have seen that the later models have the door right from the factory.  Seeing that is what made me think it would be a good idea.  John H has a point though - one I'll have to ponder a bit.  My feeling is that with paint on the trim, when it gets unscrewed and flexed out of the way, what happens to the paint and clear coat?  I dunno - probably just over-thinking as usual.  But I don't think it will be that difficult a modification, and assuming the next time it needs to be accessed I will be paying for labor, I like the idea of opening a door - it's much quicker and therefore cheaper.

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #11 –
Quote from: RT_Geezer –
My feeling is that with paint on the trim, when it gets unscrewed and flexed out of the way, what happens to the paint and clear coat?
How about separating the trim piece over the access door from the rest of the side body trim?  Then instead of bending the long trim piece, you could just remove the short piece on the door and the rest would remain undisturbed.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
How about separating the trim piece over the access door from the rest of the side body trim?  Then instead of bending the long trim piece, you could just remove the short piece on the door and the rest would remain undisturbed.

That would resolve the problem of flexing the trim - as long as I drill one more hole to fasten the end of whichever piece doesn't get a hole near its end once the trim is divided into 2 pieces.  But having seen what it takes to remove the body panel and put it back on, I think I'd be more comfortable with a door.  Evidently Foretravel thought it was worthwhile, and I guess it's one change that I agree with.  A piano hinge, a couple of gas springs and some reinforcement here and there should do the trick.

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #13 –
 Rich, taking the trim strip and cutting it is what I have thought about doing (but not). The trim strip flexing has not affected one bit my paint job on it and it has been off at least 4 times to no avail. The panel off gives you even more room to remove rad and as others can attest to you need every 1/4" you can get I believe.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #14 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Rich, taking the trim strip and cutting it is what I have thought about doing (but not). The trim strip flexing has not affected one bit my paint job on it and it has been off at least 4 times to no avail. The panel off gives you even more room to remove rad and as others can attest to you need every 1/4" you can get I believe.
JohnH

I appreciate everyone's persistence in dissuading me from wasting my time with this mod, as in their experience (and after all, experience beats speculation 10 times out of 10) their fully painted coaches have had the panel removed with no damage done to the finish.  I have it now from 3 Forum members (including one by private message).  I will try to put my worry and nervous energy toward something more productive.  A beer sounds about right!  THANKS one and all!    ^.^d

Re: Access to radiator 2001 etc

Reply #15 –
1/4" clip nuts and 1/4" cap screws.  Wanted to use Allen head screws but couldn't find plated ones at that store.  Xtreme took the grill out and painted it separately when we had the coach painted.

Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM