Are mk1 front leafs still available?

[Viva_65]

Hello

I had my leafs off the other dayon my 77 mk1 ci motorhome to do the engine swap. And i found that the front bushed on left and right spring are different sizes.

I have wanted to raise the front for a while to get better clearance on the belly, i kitesurf allot and often end up down tracks i probably shouldnt.

I was looking at getting mine re arched but as they look like a mis match pair i should probably start new if im goingnto spend the money re arching the pair to get the lift.

So if anyone has supplier or part numbers. Mine are the single parabolic leaf.

Or share any experienced if you have raising something like a mk1 on a solid beam axle.

The rear i will put airbags but i have been advised thats a big no on the front.

[metalworker0]

There are people here that can answer this question . not here to answer though, perhaps they are gone along with their vans

i would like to help

im sure there is a dedicated source for parts diagrams for the mk1 .. which i cant find..they seem to come and go
this would help you most

a parts manual

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157852236959?

the only trouble is that the numbers today are all 7 digit part numbers .. and back there in the past they were any number of digits

and our go to parts catalogue catcar.info... only goes back to the mk3

all the best.mark

[dumper]

If you’re is petrol you can fit the spacer and you bolts from a diesel it gives a slight increase or you could get some larger ones made
but before you try to find the spacers check your van hasn’t already got them as im not sure if they did fit them to later mk 1 vans

[Viva_65]

Sorry yeah forgot to say it is an original bullnose and had the york engine

Ive now got the 2.5 di turbo 85ps.

But yeah it has these blocks already fitted. 1 leaf must of been replaced at some part in its life so it would not suprise me if thaere just old now. I will see how much a custom set will be as it seems th safest option rather than using mpre blocks

Good shout on the catalogue i will ask if they have the diesel listed in that

[dumper]

I would try midland springs or Owen Springs for new springs

[nadab_sardar]

Worth checking before you pay for a custom set: since one leaf has clearly been replaced at some point, take both springs to a spring shop and get them to measure the free camber and eye sizes. A lot of the time a decent shop will make you a matched pair to your spec, and you can tell them exactly how much extra lift you want rather than guessing with blocks.

On the front, I'd keep it modest. A couple of inches is fine on a beam axle, but go much beyond that and you'll start altering your steering geometry and possibly the caster, so get a proper alignment done afterwards. Also check your shock lengths and brake hose slack once it's sitting higher.

Sounds like a good project, a bullnose that goes down beach tracks is a great use for one.

[Neil]

i have a front anti roll bar available for a ci body

[dumper]

[quote="nadab_sardar"]Wo

On the front, I'd keep it modest. A couple of inches is fine on a beam axle, but go much beyond that and you'll start altering your steering geometry and possibly the caster, so get a proper alignment done afterwards. Also check your shock lengths and brake hose slack once it's sitting higher.

Yes on a independent Front Surspention but not on a beam axle the only thing that alters is the drag link angle that’s why on h g v s you get bent ones and not straight like on the transit

[Viva_65]

Yes i was only thinking a absoulte max of 2 inches.

Yeah gping down the route of buying custom springs i think i will want to finish the camper part of this first. Atleast the water tanks so i can weight it first with its potential max load.

Yeah was wondering if the caste angle would change only with a lift?

The drag link at the moment is a bit of a decline, im trying to read up on whats a safe angle for this, but as you say a custom s drag link may also be an option

[dumper]

I wouldn’t think 2 inch would be much of a problem as you lift it up the steering wheel may go off centre depending on how much thread on the ball joints is in the tube you could lengthen it so when the steering is straight ahead on the axle the drop arm is pointing straight down and in the middle of the travel from lock to lock
Or if the steering wheel is out of line you could just move it round on the splines

[MagsH72]

Oh this reminds me, my late husband had an old Bedford camper back in the eighties and he put a lift on the front to get down the farm track to our favourite campsite in Dorset. I'm afraid I didnt understand a word of what he was doing under there, but I do remember the steering wheel sitting at a jaunty angle afterwards, tbh it looked like teh van was permanently thinking about turning left... He just pulled the wheel off, moved it round a spline or two and that was that, and it drove fine for years after. We definately had a few scrapes on the way down that track before he did it, tbf, so it was worth the faff. Mustn't grumble, it was a lovely old van.