Olive & Biddy - | Fantastic CamperJam weekend |

[Foz]

Low is the way to go. You could also try the fluid displacement system that John on here runs. If you want lowering done in my view there are three people to speak to and in no particular order Slamwerks,Evil Bens,Matt Balls

Pete

Thanks Pete, Im not sure which is the cheaper option, air or hydraulics?
Slamwerks i have approached already, and Guy has been most informative and helpful!
The other 2 contacts? I wasn't aware of them!
I will ask the question, and wait for their replies.

Thanks again for your advice and help Pete, much appreciated!

Watch this space for the new lows build.
I hope it to be looking like my Sig pic before i set off for Ninove in March! Thats the plan anyway! :?


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[petegee56]

Well Matt balls seems to be the most versed in fluid displacement and has done a fair few of them now. It seems to be the way people are going.

Evil Bens has air system on his bus and I believe slamwerks are developing something as well.

No really sure of the good and bad point of each system but both I have no doubt will be expensive. But worth it.

Of course if you want it low then you will need the notching and tubbing to go with it. Which all adds up. I know i pick my bus up from evil bens on Friday having been further bitten by the lowering bug.

Let us know what the advice is and which way you decide to go

Pete

 

[Foz]

Little update:

I searched the internet for air ride systems relating to T2 buses.
4 main runners - Slamwerks, Balls'd, T2D and Rayvern Hydraulics.
Evil Bens is based too far away from me, so was not a viable option unfortunately.

My findings threw up a couple of surprises

T2D: never got back to me regarding my enquiry. Quite surprised at that to be honest.

Balls'd: Hydraulic system specialists as they have fitted to a few buses now, JTH being one of them. Tho hydraulic systems are now actually cheaper than an air system, Matt Balls quote came out at the highest priced of the 3 at over £5,000 fitted.

Rayvern Hydraulics: Ray has been simply outstanding with his wealth of information on both systems, and giving his time to share it! As he stated to me, they supply the kits to ALL the usual suspects, the likes of Slamwerks, Balls'd and T2D, so its just a question of the Markup they make on their labour charges to fit the system.

Slamwerks: Again, Guy was more than helpful to spend time explaining the whole setup process, and what it entails, with a detailed list and price of all the parts required. I've been reliably informed by Guy, that air is the better system to fit for a number of reasons, ride quality being the major factor! Hydraulics uses a different system for the actual suspension ride, which Im not too keen on, if the description given by Guy is correct.
Slamwerks came out with the most competitive quote for the service that they offer, with a price guarantee, so no extra surprises half way through!
Also, With a couple of little extras thrown in for good measure, such as an adjustment to my tow bar, and engine bar, so the bus can sit lower without fouling, this sealed the deal!

And i dont think having your bus associated with 'Slamwerks' is such a bad thing as it stands in the current aircooled scene right now.

Work is due to commence late January/early Feb in time for Ninove in March.

Updates to follow.







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[petegee56]

nice one foz, excellent choice. what set up are you going for ?

Pete

 

[fleeb1]

Good choice Foz. It'll look great!

 

[Foz]

Going for the air setup Pete. Will leave it in slamwerks hands what components they going to use, but it will be supplied by Rayvern Air, with a slamwerks 4" shortened beam.
Im having everything hidden ie. the switches and gauges, which will be situated in the corner of the glovebox, so as to keep things looking original as poss in the cab.

A single compressor only, as this won't be a trick setup, and have been assured a full tank can raise and lower the bus approx 5times, which is plenty! I'll only be lowering when i get to my destination, and raising when i leave again. Maybe once or twice for a demonstration, lol.
Hopefully get pictures through from slamwerks of the progress, which I'll add to this build thread.
Its going to be a long 4-6 weeks wait now before progress can start, then a further 2-3 weeks in the workshop, but it will be worth it in the end!


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[Olskoolchris]

Sounds a good choice Foz, Slamwerks did all the work on my bus and are good to deal with and were happy with the work they did.

 

[Slammed]

Good choice on air. My old notch ran hydraulics and while it was quick, the ride was super harsh no matter what you did to it.

 

[john the horse]

looking forward to this one , youll be addicted to those buttons.........no really you will. up,,, dump,,,up,,,,,dump,, up..............................................bollocks ran ourt of pressure .

jth

 

[Foz]

looking forward to this one , youll be addicted to those buttons.........no really you will. up,,, dump,,,up,,,,,dump,, up..............................................bollocks ran ourt of pressure .

jth

:lol::lol::lol:


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[Foz]

After speaking with ozziedog at the Christmas meet, i am a little concerned as to how the ride will be after i do this. I don't want it harsh! Am i correct in the assumption that if i drive the bus on a higher setting, and only dump on her ass when parked, then it will be a pretty comfortable ride overall?
My assumption is....the more air in the bags, the more suspension i will have, thus a smoother ride, correct?

I was interested to find out via Guy that there is only 1 setting that you can drive your bus at with the correct geometry! ie track rods, camber etc. set correctly. Too high or low, and these shift massively out of alignment! Something i had never considered before.

Anyone who currently has air ride or hydraulics feel free to enlighten me on your experiences, and my assumptions.


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[Foz]

Sounds a good choice Foz, Slamwerks did all the work on my bus and are good to deal with and were happy with the work they did.

Thanks for that Chris, very reassuring. I think I've made the right decision also. Keep an eye on my thread in the coming weeks, I'll let you know for sure! ;-)


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[mychatype3]

This is going to be a good one can't wait till february 8)

 

[evil ben]

Hello i do not think a small pump will allow you to raise and lower six times, its the size of the tank fitted that will do that for you, but it will be around three times...
The problem is a small pump will not fill a large tank very fast and you will be waiting for sometime...
As for the ride that is as much down to the shocks/ bags fitted more than the amount of air pressure inside and yes you can only have one set ride height as the track front and rear will be out, making it feel like you are driving on ice or very heavy...

If you need any advice call 07929 726351 and i will answer any questions you have...and how your bus will feel.


PS you were right to go with Guy, top bloke and a very fair price......


Ben

 

[Foz]

Thanks for that advice Ben, and confirming some of my queries. Its always good to hear from people who have actually gone down this road, and experienced 1st hand the pitfalls to avoid along the way. This is why Im calling in the experts, rather than fumble my way, trying to save a couple of quid doing it myself.
Am i right in assuming i could add another compressor easy enough, at a later date if i so wished?


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[evil ben]

Yes no problem...

Its down to the pumps duty cycle, ie running time to static time, a small pump will be pushed to fill a 5 Litre tank... and is best run when the battery is under charge... engine running.

 

[andewilson]

the best idea would be if someone could produce a bag system that allows the beam to be lowered or raised into the bus (ie moving the position that the beam bolts to the bus) then the geometries would remain the same as the rod and travel etc would stay fixed.

come on guys, it can't be the hard

 

[andewilson]

another great idea would be, instead of simple adjusters on a beam replace the central spring retainer with a sprocket and drive it up and down with a motor driven worm screw. then you could run quality sport suspension shocks etc but have the adjustability to raise it up for speed bumps, fields etc. better handling all round

 

[Foz]

Now booked in at SlamWerks - Feb 2nd. Will take approximately 3weeks to complete all the work. Cannot wait!
Pics and updates on progress to follow as and when.....

My vision......soon to be reality! :mrgreen:


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[68_early_bay]

8)

Look forward to seeing the results 8)