78 Series on it's way

Yes, will have to be careful not to get everything done at once.

No hoops re GVM upgrade, it remained unregistered & so it's easy (cheaper anyway). I just register it after it's done as a vehicle with a GVM of 3900kg's.

GVM increases from 3300kg's to 3900kg's. Not a lot, but that's the max it can go. Still, less to worry about in the future.

Your bus looks good on your profile, any other photo's available?

Stef

hi stefand sal
what did you actually have to change on the 78 to go from3300kg's to 3900kgs ?????heavier springs /wheels /tyres /chassis beefed up????
or is it just a paper /figures upgrade
if you dont mind keen to know and who did it
cheers barry

Barry

TJM Coopers Plains - there is a Lovells (and others - I went with Lovells) GVM upgrade kit available. Springs, coils, shackles, bushes etc shocks (suspension basically). Brake tested engineers stamps etc. Tyres/rims need to be rated to new GVM if not already.

Pretty easy if unregistered & done before first registration. Not sure what would be required after rego, more money for starters, but it can be done.

Once done, the vehicle is registered as a 3900kg GVM vehicle. Not at 3300kg vehicle with a compl plate giving the extra 600kgs...hope that makes sense.

Having said that, this is in Qld, not sure what other states regs are.

hi stef
thanks for imfo
barry

Here is the Lovell's info Lyndon.

Its not hard to do it even after it registered, needs an engineers certificate which I understand Lovell's have engineers on the books familiar with doing this.
They have all the brake details axle weight calc's etc.

I'm just about to do the same to my Troopy.

5 year warranty on the Lovell's stuff also.

Lovells 78 Series GVM upgrade.

Sorry Lyndon & thanks John

I should have posted the link to Lovells...yeah John, I would have done it also after the vehicle had been registered, but it is just cheaper to do it before first rego & I had the opportunity to get it done.

Stef

Doing it from new pre rego is certainly the cheapest and easiest method Stef.
Put up some pictures so we can see when it's done mate :))

Hey Lyndon

Yep the latter. The vehicle can now weigh more. Maximum towing remains the same, however any extra weight on the ball also counts towards the GVM, so more weight can be applied to the ball (within ratings of course). So, I can still tow 3500kgs if I like, & load the vehicle to weigh 3900kgs (but the ball weight has to be included in GVM - hope that makes sense).

It's a bit of a can of worms on some vehicles - those with a designated GCM (Gross Combined Mass). This means that a GVM upgrade isn't as effective (if increasing overall capacity is the goal) as the GCM has to remain the same. If the GCM stamped on your vehicle is 3000kgs & you get a GVM upgrade & put a van on, you can still only weigh 3000kgs. You have to distribute the weight accordingly.

Troopy's don't have a designated GCM, only a GVM & GTW (Gross trailer weight). So, 3900kgs GVM for the rig now & can still tow 3500kgs (not that one would necessarily want to do that).

And I am talking braked weight by the way.

Stef

Thanks RA

It's been a long time coming - these things aren't cheap as you know but it's the base for us to start to build a great rig that if looked after (like most things) will last for ages.