Havent decided on what weight springs to fit yet but will be alko outbacks(come std with greasable pins) and yeah, will mount them on angle and weld to chasis. And quite possible ill be able to roll axle back over.
Our Expanda- from mild to WILD
- Thread starter Moto Mech
- Start date
Yep, only way to go, this is what I fitted..............www.couplemate.com.au/trailer-parts-shop-caravan-parts-shop/springs/off-road-outback/alko-outback-rebound-off-road-spring/
What van do you have/had when you put the 2T springs on? Im thinking 1750kg springs for my 16 footer
It was my 14.44.3 Expanda it was maxxed at 1800kg so I thought the 2t was plenty, up the rims to 7" instead of 6", steel ROH which gave me about 200kg more load than the originals and upped the tyres to 225 70's, made a hell of a change to the ride and general on road behaviour.
Just have to make sure you get the hangers position right so everything is square, I measured an equal distance from a centre point on hitch back along the draw bar to under the van on both sides and used those 2 points as a datum to mark the position of the axle and hangars, I did a plumb bob drop and marked the chassis at the position of the old axle before I pulled it off and used that to position the new axle as well, had fears of being off just enough for the wheel to hit on compression................by sheer luck it all worked okay, had it set up, measured from my datum points a little tap on the axle to get it just so, tighten up U bolts, it didn't even show any scrubbing on the first trip, was better than a new one.................I'm still amazed years later, more than luck shear arsee , I reckon.... I measured each bit about 6 times and had so many clamps holding stuff in position, even kept measuring after a few tacks, drove me nuts and I was a nervous wreck by the end of it.
I did find that my van wasn't actually square, axle and chassis were good but the body wasn't.....just used chassis for squaring things up.
Went the 2t springs as I thought any higher would be harder and possibly be harsher on the body, in the end van come out good, the height was great with good clearance and the whole rig looked way better than before with a rolled axle.
Just have to make sure you get the hangers position right so everything is square, I measured an equal distance from a centre point on hitch back along the draw bar to under the van on both sides and used those 2 points as a datum to mark the position of the axle and hangars, I did a plumb bob drop and marked the chassis at the position of the old axle before I pulled it off and used that to position the new axle as well, had fears of being off just enough for the wheel to hit on compression................by sheer luck it all worked okay, had it set up, measured from my datum points a little tap on the axle to get it just so, tighten up U bolts, it didn't even show any scrubbing on the first trip, was better than a new one.................I'm still amazed years later, more than luck shear arsee , I reckon.... I measured each bit about 6 times and had so many clamps holding stuff in position, even kept measuring after a few tacks, drove me nuts and I was a nervous wreck by the end of it.
I did find that my van wasn't actually square, axle and chassis were good but the body wasn't.....just used chassis for squaring things up.
Went the 2t springs as I thought any higher would be harder and possibly be harsher on the body, in the end van come out good, the height was great with good clearance and the whole rig looked way better than before with a rolled axle.
Alloy used is 1.5mm propellor plate, measured up what widths I needed and had it pre cut, then I only had to cut angles, holes etc.
Also removed the Setec charging unit and rewired all circuits into the fuse box I fitted. Prefer my smart charger.
Plenty of wires to do away with, far out whoever wires up Jaycos is dodgy.
Plenty of wires to do away with, far out whoever wires up Jaycos is dodgy.
Think after seeing this, Ill junk the whole thing and build a new one from scratch.
Both sides like this. Previous owner had a bike rack fitted to draw bar.
Jayco wiring is consistent I see hasn't changed in years..................I like the alloy work really looks good, Big Mal has it down the side but at the front has padded vinyl chekca and it's looking a bit sad, would like to replace with alloy but the vinyl actually fits under the trim so some serious thought on How needs to be done, the scary part is just buy a sheet a cut out the boot section so not something to make a mistake with.
Check in real time what each wire does as the printed ID is not always correct as I found out once upon a time, disconnected, went and started on the mod and flash, tagged ID was wrong.......should have known better.
Check in real time what each wire does as the printed ID is not always correct as I found out once upon a time, disconnected, went and started on the mod and flash, tagged ID was wrong.......should have known better.
Yes , re wired one wire at a time to see what powered up.
Ill be removing vinyl off front, half hanging out anyway along bottom.
I must say going from my old 96 van to this 2004 one that bar the frame/outside, the internal furniture, wiring, plumbing etc is absolutely rubbish. Nothing I cant sort out but boy, wouldnt buy new built like this.
Ill be removing vinyl off front, half hanging out anyway along bottom.
I must say going from my old 96 van to this 2004 one that bar the frame/outside, the internal furniture, wiring, plumbing etc is absolutely rubbish. Nothing I cant sort out but boy, wouldnt buy new built like this.
But it's great fun isn't it ???...............I'm thinking of that extrusion that has a small channel which I could slot the edge of the cheka plate into for the top and bottom with a precision fit along the sides with a silastic bead, spray glued to wall panel, the precision fit on the side has me worried though.......but be awhile Diesel heater, new tyres are higher up on the list yet....then a trip to WA....
Im going to run a bush through drop down arm for bolt to pivot on and fit a heavy duty spring loaded catch to lock arm in place. Ill also fit a thin bit of teflon between arm and bar to stop rattles.
So can you deliver this to my place next week before I leave for a holiday?
Ha, I had a look at the rear tyre rack on Big Mal the other day and your set up is way more substantial and it carries a 265 75 6, a big heavy wheel....on the rack I made I used the end of a shockie for the hinge makes a good vibration damper.
When I pulled the rear bar off to add some braces the rails were 10 mm out and required some effort to spread them to fit the chassis channels, such precision from Jayco again.
When I pulled the rear bar off to add some braces the rails were 10 mm out and required some effort to spread them to fit the chassis channels, such precision from Jayco again.
Made up a slam latch catch for carrier. Added alittle strength to catch bracket(welded some 5mm plate to front, see picture). Just gotta prep ready for painting(i just roughly spray some undercoat on as i finish for day to stop rusting)
Nicely done, do you think the mild steel pad bolt might wear in time, what about a tab to hold the top of the pad bolt in place in case the spring craps out down the track ??????.................only saying as I had a spring on similar catch years ago break and tyre rack was flying around on back of Nissan......
Totally agree, I was hesitant at buying that catch but it was the biggest/heaviest duty one they had.
Movement is what usually wears stuff out and there is no movement whats so ever it the arm or catch now but Ill keep my eye on it(and keep my eye out for a stronger catch). If the bottom parts does wear and Im away from a welder, there is near 25mm more 'pin' that can drop down(under pressure from spring) so I could snip end off with bush key(cordless angle grinder) and continue on.
But was sick of laying around so had a bit of a go today.
Replaced the taillights with a set of LED brand LED's, used this brand exclusively and never had a issue.
Finally painted rear bar, still in shed but next fine day I might get van out and fit bar.
Also, just for fun ripped the carpet out around step and put some checker plate in. Got plenty of off cuts to play with, not sure if Ill leave it or roll up a single piece with rounded corners.
