Jayco Off Road Conversion?
Submitted: Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 15:33
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Member - Phantom (WA)
Hi Brains Trust,
Has anyone got any
views and costing on converting a normal
Penguin to a somewhat reasonable off road variety?
Is it just a matter of new springs and bigger
wheels or is there substantial chassis strengthening involved?
Can it be done by a home handyman or expert
services needed?
Or it is easier and cheaper to buy an off road version?
Steve
Reply By: Member -Signman - Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 15:59
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 15:59
Just re-fit the axle under
the springs...a couple of pieces of checker-plate at strategic
places...a few 'Off Road' stickers....and you're away !!
At least thats what a lot of the manufacturers do!!
AnswerID:
388225
Follow Up By: Member - Phantom (WA) - Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 16:02
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 16:02
Thanks Signman,
...and then they say they are NOT really for serious off road but OK on mild gravel roads.
I was actually hoping to take it off road so will need more than a sticker.
Steve
FollowupID:
655822
Reply By: Grizzle - Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 16:09
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 16:09
I have a Swan Outback, my mate has a Hawk on road. He underslung the axle. We did the Red Centre including the Merenie loop etc and it was all fine. (apart from the general bits that fell off both vans!!!) We also did
Oodnadatta track etc. The rest of the van will fall to bits before the axle will.
AnswerID:
388226
Reply By: Member - Tom L (WA) - Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 18:03
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 at 18:03
G'day Phantom, We bought a 13ft. Jayco Srarcraft 11 years ago new whichc had an off-road conversion done at the factory. Re-inforced chassis, stronger axle 15" cruiser
wheels better
suspension and importantly the interior fittings were not just glued to thin ply veneer but screwed to something solid. Over the past11 years we have done over 60,000Kms. of sometimes quite rugged Tracks and the only thing happened was one overhead cupboard came loose to bad packing practices. We learnt and have not had a problem since. Good
suspension,
well built van properly loaded AND DRIVING TO THE CONDITIONS OF THE TERRAIN will help you get through with a minimum of bother.
Our experience with Jayco has been good.
Enjoy the experience we are.
AnswerID:
388243
Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Friday, Oct 23, 2009 at 19:06
Friday, Oct 23, 2009 at 19:06
Steve,
Get in touch with Qld Members IsuzuMu (Bruce and Anne) they have an older on road van that I would be very confident in taking anywhere. Stregthening underneath has been very
well done on this van so get them to send photos. As others have said along with strengthening, undersling the axle with uprated eye to eye springs with matching tow vehicle rims and tyres and I reckon you would be sweet to go most
places any "off-road" van would go. Much cheaper to do it yourself or get someone to do it to your existing van as opposed to buying another.
Cheers, Trevor.
AnswerID:
388419