Hi,
I want to modify an older (1980's) on road jayco campervan so it is better suitable to travel on rougher tracks, nothing extreme though.

Has anyone done this that could provide me with some information on how they did it and what they did?

Thanks,
Gary

Quick and simple is to move your axle from inside your leaf springs to under them (known as a spring over conversion) will give you a bunch more clearance and allow some bigger tyres to match your tow vehicle.

Bigger tyres also have less bump over an imperfection in the road than small ones.

Look at your A frame and chassis, the offroad jaycos have a beefier chassis and you may need to add some reinforcement.

If in doubt get work like that done by a qualified professional

Sean

Oh and a pair of shocks would be a good idea too

Sean

Hi Gary,
A couple more comments on the subject, early Jayco’s used what I call the standard Holden axle and the Jayco suspension was as hard as a rock (slipper leaf spring) so it does not take much to bend an axle. Another issue was they used the old electric brake solenoids (round ones) and they soon flogged out on rough roads and also damaged the drum surface.
Another option but not as cheap is to fit longer softer leafs of good quality with shocks and update the axle to the Falcon size bearings which will still fit your drum hub. You can still under sling the axle but may not need to with better set springs.

Just noticed this thread is a bit old so you may not see it Gary.
JR

It is curious why a thread from 3 months ago about suspension under a Jayco camper would be moved into a section for questions to TJM....

I have a feeling that whoever is in control of the thread moving has little idea of what TJM do, or doesn't really care what threads go where as long as there's a few in each section....

Sean;

sorry for the delayed response ... The conversion is not in our field but we could help with some shocks if you could supply the compression and extentions you require ..

Brad

It's ok Brad, I already have a shop that supplies me with shocks. Gary who started this thread need some however.

Beefing up and raising the suspension is all well and good, BUT what about the internal fittings and the actual body/ frame of the van,they are not built or designed to be bounced along bush tracks as genuine off road units are, that's one reason why there is a huge difference in prices.
Horses for courses comes to mind.
Al.

I have been a 4x4 driver for a long time and there was only one definition of an off road 4x4, now there are soft roader's, SUV's, AWD's etc. Its getting that way with vans. I think from the original description the request is to be able to modify the van to go down dirt roads and with a little extra ground clearance to allow better access to some free camps. If so then the mods suggested are probably fine. On the other hand if the requirement is to go really off road then the basic van may not be up to it. Start saving the pennies as you will need them in this case.

Ian G.

It amazes me what you need now just to go off road not the serious stuff,as our parents dragged their 60s caravan behind an old valiant year after year.Now apparently you need something built like a Hummer.Cheers Neil