Living in an Airstream - We Bought Our Airstream! - 1973 Ambassador - S2E31

Our new tiny house - 1973 Airstream Ambassador #9 - S2E31
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WE BOUGHT AN AIRSTREAM! Our new home has been purchased and we are beyond excited to begin renovating it and getting it ready to live in. Follow us as we go through purchasing it and giving a thorough walkthrough. We really hope you enjoyed the process on we took on How to Buy an Airstream and the process it took us through as we went from wanting a Class A to deciding to renovate a vintage Airstream. More to come! Please Subscribe and follow our Journey!
Thank you everyone for the support and watching our channel. I know Jeep builds and How To's get a bit boring so we are doing our best to give more well rounded content. Feel free to follow along as we are going to try and post up as often as possible in a more follow along friendly way.
"Our parodies are for fun, our adventures are our life and this is our lifestyle! Sit back, grab a vodka on the rocks, some tea in a mug, a monster in a can, some tacos! and enjoy at your own risk!" - FC Out

[@whitcomps4572]

Last summer, my husband and I bought the EXACT same airstream! Same year, style, interior....exactly the same, right down to the peachy endcaps! We are doing a total gut and rebuild! A labor of love for sure!

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s awesome! Congratulations. How’s it coming?

[@leaarce5830]

Wow. Nice. I have some Just Like it. Iam looking forward to seeing how it is Gonna Look when your Done.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thank you, we actually sold this one and got a Winnebago right before we moved to Colorado. Decided to make the move there instead

[@marklafollett6266]

Should be a great project.

[@FreedomCrawler]

It was, ended up being to big though and we went with a Minnie Winnie

[@2000talon]

Congradulations! I named my 62' globetrotter, "globey". Be very careful gutting your airstream all those top shelves keep your airstream roof from buckling.check out my airstream video.

[@tagoooU]

Yea!! Just like mine. 1973 except we have a full bed instead of twins. I have replaced the axels,furnace,water heater,awning,redone the couch,floors put in pull down blinds,window seals door seals. Etc.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Ok... I need to pick your brain a bit. I’m really curious on how you knew what size window and door seals to get, was there a source that already knew all the sizes? Also did you just use factory replacements for the furnace and water heater?

[@huntersidon]

@@FreedomCrawler you buy it by the foot. If yours is 1973 or older all the seals for the doors and all windows are the same and you get it by the length you need. VintageRv has the right one. I have the same trailer and just bought some.

[@chrisbennett1701]

Mcnastys the only thing they have that's not bad is bacon egg and cheese biscuit

[@FreedomCrawler]

Lol I’m all about that McGriddle

[@fredstahl2712]

Congratulations... I'll be watching the renovation... I appreciate you thoughtfulness and concern to keep cost down... treat yourself with a couple extravagances along the way for your build so you don't feel like you're always forced to compromise on everything to save every a buck... life is short so you have to enjoy a few things that may not be the most cost effective from my life experiences.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thank you!

[@FreedomCrawler]

I agree completely

[@PenelopetheAirstream]

Rear bed is the way to go for sure!!

[@FreedomCrawler]

Agreed

[@cryptoerok4851]

I bought the same model a couple months back and I am building it up now. Good choice man!

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s really awesome to hear. What are you doing in regards to your tanks?

[@cryptoerok4851]

I am currently locked out of my potable water so not much hahaha! I just replaced the axles and I built a computer desk in the front where the couch used to be. I think that current airstreams have essentially 3 tanks whereas these 70's models should only have 2? Once I pump some water in I will find out what I need to replace. Your strip down video is dope, clean interior! Mine is the 76' Overlander, same dual axle but not ambassador, I didn't even read the video title. I drove it from Utah to Florida and dude the four wheels on it really help. Feels like it is on rails. Main issue I have had to deal with has been the leaking from the top windows but flexseal has worked for that. Try not to mess around with greywater tanks if you dont have to... from what I read. I am not that far yet.

[@debbiestroud3194]

You are living my dream! I liked this video, it gave me a feeling of the buying process because chances are you never will find one close by as they are few & far between. I hope you are going to video your renovation process to the end, that is what I’m really interested in seeing as well! Good Luck!👍🍀

[@rodellwilliams871]

very clever observation

[@annak3688]

Welcome home!

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thank you!

[@txgamer1347]

I hope yall plan on filming the gut job/remodel as well :)

[@FreedomCrawler]

Absolutely, we are going to post the entire progress, including all of the details

[@JennyBrett]

I love this! We are looking for some type of RV to renovate as well so we are binge watching everyones videos!

[@FreedomCrawler]

We really appreciate it. Thanks for watching. Starting off to where we ended up we really went through a variety of options until we ended up with where we are now. Still hoping it’s the right decision but at some point you just have to jump in and go for it. Keep me posted on what you end up doing, it’s nice to talk back and forth with others on projects. Good luck!

[@dpl2617]

How did the axles end up. Looks like it was sitting way low?

[@FreedomCrawler]

No issues with the axles. These new ones just sit a lot better that’s for sure

[@toreshammerecelt861]

I can’t wait to see what you do with it! Great buy.

[@splashpit]

Looks nice , I'm real jealous but hey you sound like a great guy , enjoy .

[@aaronanderson5971]

Excited to see the next chapter!

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thank you, we are excited to see how it plays out as well.

[@brodienation]

Awesome. Can't wait to see the after video!

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thank you! We hope to show you the full process

[@Rose-xo1mk]

LOVE your 1970's era Airstream! We were in the market for one as well recently and looked at several. We came upon a 1977 27' International. It was obvious no one had loved it for a very long time . Although I personally had vision to see everything it could be...my husband thought it was a death trap that required too much work. I was sad! Good news is...we recently purchased at 1989 Airstream Excella 27' in excellent condition ...everything works! Yet, still Not vintage enough...( in my opinion)...but I love her! However waaaay back in 1989 is when Grunge music was still emerging and continues to be sooooo my style of music! So there's that. She (Our Airstream) is gonna be so beachy shabby chic hippie when I get done with her!!! Wishing you both well!! Love to you both on your great adventure as Airstream owners/enthusiasts!!!

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s an epic story. I’m really glad that you were able to make it happen and it worked out. Even if it wasn’t as retro as you would have liked. Sounds like you still scored huge! Enjoy it and have fun out there

[@gaylesutton1315]

Ya'll were as exited as we are! We just bought a 29 footer, we are jealouse of all the original stuff! Enjoy!!!

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s awesome congratulations!

[@ne1cup]

Airstream uses a very high grade Marine plywood floor ..last forever and very strong..I have a 1972 in storage looking for some else to do the remodeling on the cheap, that is a lot of work

[@qwest3374]

My wife & i are on the same page we are looking for our first AIRSTREAM for full time living! Right now we own a Kenworth T680 that we travel around the USA with but we hope to tow an AIRSTREAM BEHIND IT!

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s really awesome! Good luck with it, it’s really nice that you’re already traveling too. Helps in knowing what you want and what works

[@tonycantrell9547]

The more we explore channel has a couple videos on a lift for the trailer to even the stance with their 4x4 van.

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s actually my favorite channel to watch right now. I like his attitude towards getting things done

[@a2zoffroad]

Nice job, good find. Keep it original do you know how much money that will be worth when refinished? Big bucks when done right, look into that.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thank you, we are going to be gutting it out and fitting it for us. Really looking forward to how it comes out

[@davidchad77]

Is it completed now? Do you have a link for what it looks like after the renovations?

[@FreedomCrawler]

We ended selling this and got a Micro Minnie. The airstream was too big for us too pull and the age limited is on a lot of parks I wanted to go to. That and after we moved to Denver, living in an RV here was a nightmare. I did it for a month and it was $1700. All the parks are packed and waitlists on long term range from 6 months to a year. Another area would have been great but after trying it here it wasn’t feasible in this location

[@oldterm6978]

Score, Way better deal than the previous gutted one. Looks like it pulls pretty level (? tires/bearings as someone has stated, ? springs (I remembered they ride low, but that looks like it is ridding lower than normal..watch out for the gas station, shopping area approaches). It should clean up to be as good as the new ones or better.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thank you. It’s got some low profile tires that need to be swapped out on it. Makes it sit pretty low due to that

[@ryanmartinage]

Make sure to put a washer / dryer combo in there.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Shae really wants one

[@ryanmartinage]

Always having to go to the laundromat and laundry piling up in a small space would be hard. I get it.

[@turbogrin]

Looks great and a Much better deal for the price than a stupid TINY HOUSE ! New tires and pack the wheel bearings and your good to go

[@FreedomCrawler]

Agreed. I definitely need to replace the low profile tires that are on it

[@Enjoytheinbetween]

I've watched a few of your videos and it looks like you have had more vehicles in the last year than I've owned in my lifetime, what's your plan with all the vehicles once you hit the road in the camper? You cant take then with you?

[@FreedomCrawler]

Our goal is to buy land to have the camper on and travel as we can. Vehicles should all be good to go but even then we only have two others that will either stay behind or we will use to overland out of on shorter runs

[@jeepnwithdog]

Congrats on the purchase. Its going to be great watching the restoration. Good luck guys!

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thank you!

[@CasonovaCorkClub]

I saw a BEAUTIFUL 1998 Jayco 24' camper for sell for $3900.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Your profile picture is pretty funny

[@CasonovaCorkClub]

I was going for more scary than funny.

[@colewebb4643]

Hi David and Shae" let's see 1973 I would have been 14 or 15 year's old I'm happy for you guy's you got you'r airstream hope it all go's good for you guy's ah my favorite homeless couple LOl welcome to the the club LOl as you know I am LO 😂😂😂 LOl i didn't know it got that cold in Texas here in north calif in the valley with mountain's around us snow on them it's been 26 to 35 F night's day's 40 to 50 F cold wind come on spring love you both have a good day you got a good trailer 👍 C😎😎L

[@MrWaveCarver]

That is my favorite model as of yet. Love the rear bedroom and center bath, but also in a fairly compact size. Also love the safari windows. Happy ventures ya'll, hope you keep us posted.

[@301steady]

Paint? Heck with that. WOOD OIL those cabinets.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Is that possible on this wood? It’s really thin panel board. Either way it’s all coming out.

[@301steady]

I have rejuvenated several wooden cabinets with wood oil; after, I was told they needed paint, refinishing, or replacing. Way cheaper and faster than paint. Will it work? It's worth a try.

[@txdave2]

Looks like you found a good candidate for a renovation. All of the pieces are there. My wife and I renovated our 1971 Sovereign and have been living and traveling in it for a year and a half. We absolutely love it. It was a lot of work, but was well worth the effort. Here's a short video of our project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3zQdad4iJejaNk

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s awesome, thanks for reaching out and sharing

[@301steady]

For safety's sake I hope you have a brake controller or plan on upgrading to one. I've got a Prodigy P2, from Ebay. You will also need a wire harness Tekonsha 3035-P to make it work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWGZnIh8jrV6bZY

[@301steady]

I can't find any videos on installing Brake Controllers on to Excursions; so, this another video you could make. Here's a Prodigy installed in to a truck, to give you an idea. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJKbnnuXotuFjJo

[@FreedomCrawler]

Yes, we plan on doing an equalizer hitch , brake controller and new rear sway bar on the Ford. Shouldn’t need to tow it for a while but we will be upgrading as we go

[@CasonovaCorkClub]

Did you get that for free?

[@FreedomCrawler]

Yes, we got it for free.

[@mar1video]

Freedom Crawler - hahahaha !!!

[@danhambrick6331]

Congratulations on buying a 44 year old camper.You have a lot of work to do....

[@FreedomCrawler]

Yes, we do

[@nastycactus9801]

Should have paid her to keep it. There money pits

[@FreedomCrawler]

If it increases in value as you invest money into it is that still considered a money pit?

This young girl doesn’t know that air streams are made very well. And she is so erratic! How does he put up with her?? Interrupting him.

[@FreedomCrawler]

She’s a great wife, what can I say

[@hithere3143]

Ruby Colvin I didn't see that at all. You're just rude. They seem like a nice couple.