jayco swan mods

Submitted: Friday, Feb 04, 2005 at 22:59
ThreadID: 20124 Views:5784 Replies:4 FollowUps:10
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just bought an old (85) jayswan but troubles with the A frame hitch height. As I'll be towing with a lifted GU patrol the tongue is 10 inchs to high. Want to lift the van to suit. Has IRS suspension, not "ALKO" and"5 stud" girlock drum hubs with electric brakes. Would like to know if its possible to put 6 stud cruiser drum hubs on original stubs and run 285x75x16s on patrol rims, I'm pretty sure they won't foul the guards. Intend to lift the chassis by 5 inches and pick up another 4 through the tyres. Unfortunately buying a newer van is not on so I have to think of something, Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
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Reply By: Member - muzzgit - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 03:34

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 03:34
It would probably be easier to lift it a little, firstly with taller rubber and mods to the springs and then look at changing the setup of the hitch at the front to take up the last 4 inches or so. You could add some box tube to the top of the existing draw bar to obtain the right hight for the tow hitch.

I am contemplating doing similar to my jayco penguin, but not as big a lift as you.

You will have to put a double step at the door, change the wind down stabilisers at each corner, and if you have an annexe, it will need to be lengthened to reach the ground, as well as longer poles for the awning, and lastly longer mud flaps behind the wheels.

That's all I've figured I have to do, so far !!!!!!!!!

Keep us posted with what you come up with. Some photo's would be good.

Cheers,

Muzz
AnswerID: 96744

Follow Up By: ajack - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 16:10

Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 16:10
Thanks muzzgit looks like you've came up with the same ideas and problems.
I'll post some pics along the way.
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Reply By: Bob&Deb - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 08:10

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 08:10
G`day Ajack,
We had a client how wanted something similar done to his Dove.A much better result was achieved by fitting a whole new chassis to the existing one.If you would like more imformation give us a bell,[0428300357], or come back via this wonderful piece of electronic wizardry.
Regards Bob;
Keep wandering
AnswerID: 96748

Follow Up By: ajack - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 16:09

Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 16:09
Sounds like a good option, as a boily should be able to handle that and just run the standard suspension under it. Has bugger all travel so it should'nt foul the inner guards. Is that a NSW number from down south ( wollongong area? ) As I have outlaws from down there and regularly visit. ( to regular somtimes.) Thanks for the reply.
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Follow Up By: ajack - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 21:34

Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 21:34
Sorry Bob &Deb only just realised its a mobile number. One more thing did your client have brakes and what type of suspension?
I'm hoping the Drum hubs can be swapped for 6 stud landcruiser ones and the bearings will suit.
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Reply By: Hilly - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 17:06

Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 17:06
You can also buy a dropdown hitch. My Patrol is lifted 5inches over standard, springs and tyres combined, and as such is too high for our van but the van's ground clearance is acceptable. I bought an adjustable drop down thingy at the same place I bought the van for $100 or so. Send me your email if you want some pics.

Cheers,

Hilly
AnswerID: 96817

Follow Up By: ajack - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 16:08

Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 16:08
Hi Hilly, Thought about that but heard that it lowers the load capacity of the tongue and dos'nt enable me to run the bigger tyres. But the van's weight won't be a prob, it only weighs about 700kgs so it could end up as my plan "B". email is ml.wilson@bigpond.com
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
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Follow Up By: pjchris - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 23:42

Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 23:42
How far off the gound is the towball? ADR 62 (See below) applies to vehicles manufactured after 1991 (I think)

ADR62-5.2.3.2 - Mechanical connections between vehicles.
Vehicles fitted with a 50mm ‘Ball coupling’ Towbar, the height to centre of the ball determined in the laden condition must be between 350-420mm

If your ball is currently higher than that then legally you must lower the ball as your vehicle must comply with all ADR's in force at the time of the vehicle's manufacture.

Peter

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Follow Up By: Hilly - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 00:51

Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 00:51
The drop down thingy lowers the ball back down to the van's normal height with the draw bar level. Not sure what the height is because I use a Treg hitch for the van and a normal ball for my garden trailer and that's the one fitted at the moment.

Thanks for the legal research though.
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FollowupID: 355637

Follow Up By: pjchris - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 09:16

Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 09:16
Sorry Hilly,

Should have posted that as a reply rather than a follow up...I was intending the queston of "How high" to ajack...

Peter

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Reply By: Coops (Ex-Pilbara) - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 11:12

Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 11:12
I have Jayco Dove with spring over conversion. I can tell you that 285's will not fit as best I can fit is 275/70R16. Double step ($140) is required and it needs to be slightly off centre and towards front of van for tyre to not scrape.
I haven't yet solved the problem of rear stabilisers as lengthening them will make them protrude too far from rear of van and they will be at eye level for the little people of this world. Have just relocated to SW of WA and will be working on this as soon as we are settled as I'm tired of using wood blocks.
If you have annexe it will not be suitable, I do not and will be getting one as soon as I have finished tidy up work. Side wind shield will also require lengthening.
regards
Coops
AnswerID: 97068

Follow Up By: ajack - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 13:55

Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 13:55
Thanks Coops, Hoping to put the brain in gear and work out a solution for the stabilisers by the time i finish. Going to remove step all together and fab somthing that will slide into the van and drop down when needed, or carry a milk crate!!! How high did you go.
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Follow Up By: pjchris - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 16:07

Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 16:07
With our van we went to a caravan shop and purchased a set of these:

Stands

I find that the others are too weak for my liking and I just place these under the chassis rails at each corner, wind em up and there you go.

Peter

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Follow Up By: Coops (Ex-Pilbara) - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 22:57

Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 22:57
I think it was about 500-600 mm all together but don't quote me.
Was using the milk crate at first weekend but threat of broken neck (or ankle at least) was too much. Steps are fantastic - trust me!

Peter - I saw these stands at Camec last week and thought then that they would do the trick. Will be buying a set next time I'm in store
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