Increase ride height??

[jckm2000]

Hi Folks,
Has anyone here increased the ride height on their Mk1/2s?

I have a MK2 camper, swb, single rear, i beam front that I'd like to increase the clearance on, up 2 to 3 inches. Planning a long road trip which most likely will include some rocky roads, plus I reckon it'll look a bit cooler

Is it simply a case of longer spring hangers etc or more complicated? Any ideas??

Cheers,
Jon

[dumper]

If you do lift it up the body will be higher off the ground but the axles will still be at the same hight the only way to get more ground clearance on the axles is bigger wheels and tyres plus I don’t know how much you can lift the hight between the axle and the body before it affects the steering.

[jckm2000]

I'm more interested in raising the body clearance as it's a motorhome.

[Adam mk1]

If you increase length of rear spring hanges the length you extend them by wil only lift it half the extend lift, because its only one end of spring you are extending, also if its a coach built camper stability needs to be considered, if your mk2 a 120 if so it should have 205,14 commercial tyres, is it petrol version, or diesel, if its had a diesel engine fitted but not by the factory, if petrol springs are stil fitted on front wilth extra weight of diesel engine it will sit lower, if that is the case finding genuine diesel springs is not easy because most have had there engines changed or springs removed and unless fitted you can't see how its going to sit

[Adam mk1]

I fitted ambulance v6 mk2 front springs on my petrol 120 before i fitted a diesel engine & box, with the petrol engine it looked like it was 4x4, when i fitted the diesel it sat higher than lesser models but spot on for a 120, and handled well, you might find a v6 or diesel front springs but they could of had a hard life & sit low, so best to find a van with springs still fitted so you can see how it sits

[jckm2000]

Short wheelbase 2L pinto fitted, which I'm tempted to keep, with perhaps an LPG kit.

[dumper]

For the rear end if you could find the parts the county 4x4 had a subframe between the chassis and the springs for the front spaces under the springs between them and the axle is one possibility or have a word with Midland springs and have some springs made up .

[Adam mk1]

Short wheelbase 2L pinto fitted, which I'm tempted to keep, with perhaps an LPG kit.

Is it a 100 or a 120, number for that is top right vin plate left step if English van, what size tyres 185, 195, or 205 205are the tallest & best for carrying heavy loads

[Adam mk1]

Can u post some pictures up, so we can see how it sits now, also how much is in the back?

[Neil]

I'm more interested in raising the body clearance as it's a motorhome.

you can either fit hanger extension bars or get a spring firm to add a leaf or two , as the springs get older they get weaker so swapping from van to van can be a waste of time

[Ghosta]

On our mk 2 190 camper we got some ideas off stiff the rear leaf spring with air suspension like this.
https://www.dunlopsystems.com/product-range
In Sweden airbag on the rear axel on motor homes are a common solution.
Göran i Björnarbo

[jckm2000]

Thanks for the replies!!!

Here's some pix,
Not sure if it's a 100 or 120, haven't got the v5 yet and it's in storage, in the dark

I'll not be starting this until at least March but want to get plans sorted, parts sourced beforehand as much as is possible/sensible.

http://www.kloudnine.co.uk/transit/1.jpg
http://www.kloudnine.co.uk/transit/2.jpg

http://www.kloudnine.co.uk/transit/3.jpg

http://www.kloudnine.co.uk/transit/4.jpg

http://www.kloudnine.co.uk/transit/5.jpg

http://www.kloudnine.co.uk/transit/6.jpg

[Neil]

lifting that up will give it excess sway

[Keef]

It's got a revenue weight of 2375kg. I'm sure someone on here can tell you if it's a 120 or 100.

I'd look into getting firmer springs from Midland springs. They shouldn't give any increased sway over your current worn springs, they may even improve it.

[jckm2000]

Thanks Keef, I'll look into them