Have a 1980 12 foot Millard with small wheels.. one of which was lost on Sunday.. could I put falcon or Holden axle and wheels and easiest way to raise suspension so wheels will fit... brian...
What size are the original wheels and what size Holden or Falcon wheels do you wish to fit as they come in several sizes? I would suggest that the Millard you refer to perhaps had 13 inch wheels. A 14 inch wheel would only be between 1/2" to 1" at the most bigger in diameter suggesting that you should be able to safely put an axle and hubs etc suitable for 14" wheels under the unit providing the springs have not flattened with usage and age.
May I be one of the first to welcome you to the forum
As dragonfly1 and patrol3, have already mentioned, the main problem is, are the wheel arches wide enough, to suit the new wheels
Assuming that a 1980 caravan will have leaf springs, there are a few ways to raise the caravan, but they all need a bit of knowledge and tools to carry out
If the springs are attached under the axle, you could put them on top If the springs are already on top of the axle, you can fabricate and weld longer fixed spring hangers, and fabricate and fit longer moving spring hangers
To my knowledge there is no easy fix, unless you are mechanically minded
Hello Beanys.
No idea how I got your post however since I'm here now. We have a 2008 Sterling. Typical Jayco, far to low for anywhere other than the main road. We live at Coffs and so took the van to Abco here, his name is Daz, Wife Tracey. Phone (02. 6651 2445) nice bloke but can talk 60/12.
They charged us $650, I supplied the parts, about another $120. he job was very professional indeed. While it's being done it's essential to pull the spring shackle pins and check 'em. They wear like a bugger!. We had to replace one and I forget what they charged for that, but not too much. Although the cost was pretty steep what can expect from van repairers? The quote from the other guys here a lot more
Raising the van DOES take a bit on expertise. Plenty of blokes do it it but you need lifting gear etc. And - the extra 60mm height has made twice the van out of it!!. Be very smart and type out exactly what you want done. Van joints are a bit easy going with their pricing and actual work performance. It's also a good idea to get two quotes. By the way we have no interest in Dazza or his business in fact we don't really know them. Regards Grahame newboy
Either check, or get someone to cehck the tow-in of the caravan wheels after you flip the axle. You may find that you have some toe-out and your van tyres may start wearing rather quickly.
Go to a good van repairer and talk to him. He will tell you what is possible. You will get the est result that way and be assured of having a safe van n the end of the exercise.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Get some galv tubing same as chassis rails and around 4mm wall.
4x2in or 2 x 2in section.
Axle stand the van off it's wheels have jacks down too.
Grind old suspension (normally angle iron,) mounting frame off bottom of chassis rails.
Figure how "LONG you want the lift rails.
just over length of susp. or from rear of drawbar tubing
to front of section at rear of van where wind down jacks start.
Measure rear of chassis to centre of axle both sides.
even go from centre of drawbar to each side first.
To make sure axle is central b4 you start cutting.
Weld those sections onto chassis rails.
Then get NEW sections of angle to suit spring mounts.
NEW springs?. Maybe longer ones to soften ride?.
Measure where the AXLE centre is going to be when mounted.
and weld spring hangers to bottom of angle iron to suit.
2 jacks and blocks.
Offer that assy to chassis rails aligning centre of axle etc
to prev marks on chassis.
Then either through bolt it to chassis with spacers,
or weld it to chassis.
Both work on small vans. (I weld)
assemble axle wheels or offer up axle. then fot wheels to suit.
Sounds complex.
But as long as you double measure and get a decent welder\mate,
It's a professional job and
it both lifts van from ground. AND strengthens chassis rails.
I've done 5 or 6 that way over 50 yrs or so.
Turned a coupla axles over, and welded stubs below other stubs
All to raise vans.
This is the BETTER way but more complex.
BUT. If you have that chicken s--t Jayco lightweight drilled chassis under your van.
I've just wasted my words.
Just weld a coupla sq galv blocks under contact points of spring hanger to chassis frame
About 6in long, Reweld the spring hangers to them
and say a prayer.
Either check, or get someone to cehck the tow-in of the caravan wheels after you flip the axle. You may find that you have some toe-out and your van tyres may start wearing rather quickly.
There is no toe in set on solid axles only on steer axles to assist with cornering,however there could be a small amount of camber set into the axle being a single and when loaded comes back to almost zero.
