CARAVAN SUSPENSION UPGRADE

Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 11:51

ThreadID: 64160 Views:13281 Replies:3 FollowUps:6

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Member - MICK S (WA)

Hi folks, have just picked up a viscount camper and was wondering if anyone has replaced the suspension on these before?

It currently has leaf springs which is ok but i was hoping to upgrade them and maybe lift the van up a bit by putting a new axle and bigger rims as well.

Any help would be great.

Regards Mick S

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Reply By: furph - Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 13:28

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 13:28

What I did was to grind off the spring mounts and weld 50x50 rhs. (as long as possible) to the underside of the main chassis rails. I also welded 4 - 40x40rhs. cross braces between the above.

Replaced the spring mounts to suit new springs and added shock absorbers each side.

Went from 13" to 14" holden rims and light truck tyres.

Gave me a valuable 3" of extra clearance underneath. The water tank in particular appreciated it.
furph

AnswerID: 339089

Follow Up By: Member - MICK S (WA) - Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 15:10

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 15:10

CHEERS FURPH,

DID YOU HAVE TO GET AN ENGINEERS CERT TO DO ANY OF THESE MODS?, ALSO WOULD THIS ALLOW ME TO DO LIGHT OFF ROAD STUFF?

REGARDS MICK

FollowupID: 606624

Follow Up By: furph - Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at 12:50

Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at 12:50

Mick.
I should have added that I extended the nose of the A frame by welding on a 250mm length of 100x100rhs, then welded in parallel 40x40rhs stringers from the front of the A frame back to the first 40x40rhs cross brace, also welding/gussetting where it crossed the front chassis member.
The old girl was towed by a L/C trayback along seismic/shot lines, tracks formed in creek beds, rough as all getout without any drama at all over 8yrs.
Van being a 1980, 14' 6" x 7' Viscount poptop.
The last trip before we sold her was a complete round ozz., down the GRR and a detour up to Cape Levique.
Came home, placed an add in the local paper and sold same day!
No addition certification, only normal R/W certificate required in NSW.
furph

FollowupID: 606753

Follow Up By: Member - MICK S (WA) - Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at 14:51

Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at 14:51

Thanks again furph,

I am going to take it down to the suspension guys in town and see what they have to say, hopefully they can tell me what i need to lift it up. It is an 87' model i think it is 13'6" long, how much did it cost to do all the mods on your old van? I only paid $3200 for the van which has only had 2 owners and is in great nick so i dont mind spending a few grand to get it sorted out.

Regards Mick

FollowupID: 606768

Follow Up By: furph - Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at 18:53

Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at 18:53

G'day Mick.
I worked out what was required over a short period of time (like the A frame breaking right off !) and designed the modifications required and installed/welded in myself.

I do have a sort of background in these things (retd. Mech.E.)

But it is certainly not a difficult proposition, the best thing to do is to lie underneath and visualise what and where the new rhs members will go. Once you can see the picture, draw up a line diagram of what you require, consult with an engineering firm who undertakes these sort of projects and go from there.

My rough estimation would be in the region of $1500 for the complete work I did on mine. (labour cost is the killer!)
If I can be of more assistance, please ask.
furph

FollowupID: 606800

Reply By: Member - Glenn H (NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 22:17

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 22:17

Hey Mick, do what Furph suggested with the help of a trailer/van repairer. Are you putting on electric brakes? Get 16mm U bolts and also gussets welded onto the spring hangers. Stick your head under a new off road van to get an idea of the size and strength of the various components. You could be looking at 2 grand for new axle, springs, brakes and labour. Oh and a double step to get into it since it will be higher. Cheers, Warrie

Warrie

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AnswerID: 339160

Reply By: Splits - Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 23:37

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 at 23:37

Mick

Caravan and Motorhome magazine back in about edition 65 featured a report on a modified 1978 wood framed Millard 12 foot pop top van that had been through ten years of Outback roads and tracks in its modified state and was still going well.

The mods were:
1. Axle. 50 mm solid square with stubs to suit B class bearings. It was placed under the springs resulting in a 100 mm lift.
2. Springs. Heavy 8 leaf with greasable shackles from Industrial Engineers and Spring Makers Adelaide.
3. Wheels. Heavy 14 inch alloy. Rated at 1050 kg.
4. Tyres. Bridgestone 185R LT.
5. Drawbar. Second bar of similar dimensions built inside the original. Two lengths of RHS start at the coupling and run back in full contact with the originals before changing direction and going back parallel to each other directly under the centre rails of the chassis. They are welded to a new cross tube between the outer chassis rails just in front of the axle as well as to the original drawbar and centre rails.

The rear ends of the outer chassis rails were boxed with flat plate from the rear spring hangers back.

In addition to all of that, the spare wheel and gas bottle mounting brackets were reinforced.

The total weight of the van after mods was 860 kg.

I would imagine back copies of the magazine or copies of the article would still be available.

Brian

AnswerID: 339168

Follow Up By: disco driver - Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at 00:24

Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 at 00:24

Splits and Mick
This is a bit more than just sticking a new set of springs and wheels under an existing van. There has been considerable chassis reinforcment fitted as well.

Depending on what model and age the Viscount camper is, just shoving bigger springs and wheels under will only improve the under-van clearance and not necessarily improve the vans capability off road. The framework and chassis may not stand up to anything more severe than blacktop use.

Disco.

FollowupID: 606689

Follow Up By: Splits - Friday, Dec 12, 2008 at 00:59

Friday, Dec 12, 2008 at 00:59

Disco

I think there will always be a question mark hanging over a blacktop van modified for off road use. The only reason I posted this story from C & M magazine is this particular example appears to have been very successful.

The owner commenced the story by saying the "older Millard and Viscount vans are very well constructed and tough as old boots". That description may not apply to later versions though.

The wood frame was selected because of the ease of repairing it in the bush. There is no mention of ten years of use having damaged it in any way.

He said some of the tracks he has towed it over include the Old Ghan line, the Murray Sunset tracks, Balladonia to Israelite Bay track past Mt Raggard and the original over the hill entry to Chambers Pillar.

You are right in pointing out that this van has had a lot more done to it than simply changing the springs and wheels and I think if you do that and nothing else, you are just asking for trouble.

Brian

FollowupID: 606862