The fellow who's helping me with my AS Bubble rebuild suggested that we turn the axle over to get more clearance since I want to do some off-road use when fishing. Nothing wild but it never hurts to have a little extra clearance under that toaster.
Since your 1957 Bubble pre-dates the adoption of Dura-Torque Axles that began in 1961, your coach should have a straight axle with leaf springs. If you read any of the accounts regarding the Cape Town to Cairo Caravan or the Around the World Caravan, you will read of just this technique being used to gain ground clearance on the pre-Dura-Torque axle equipped coaches.
I can't fill you in on any praticular details as all of the coaches that I have owned had the Dura-Torque axles. It would appear, however, that the two tasks would be relocating the spring monts and possibly the shock absorber mounts.
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
THis should be a doable deal. The "Jeep Guys" do this with regularity. Since you don't have to worry about steering or driveline, this should be a relatively easy conversion. You'll change your ball height though.
My father-in-law did the axle flip this to his SilverStreak (an Airstream Clone) several years ago. He pulls the SilverStreak to Colorado twice a year from south of Houston, TX to his camping/hunting grounds in Colorado and many weekend trips locally. Its over 3000 miles round trip to Colorado. He claims he can tell no difference other than the increased ground clearance in the rocky boondocks, which was the goal. He did build an aluminum step platform to place on the ground as the step is now about 4 inches higher from the ground.
-BobbyW
__________________ -BobbyW AIR# 123
-Guess what? I got a fever! And the only prescription.. is more cowbell!
-"You want to make it two inches - or, if you're working in centimeters, make sure it's enough centimeters for two inches." -Red Green
Seems to me that any Airstream could be raised. Dura-Torque or not simply by extensions of the chassis axle bracket being fabricated and welded on similar to what was seen elsewhere on this forum on a vintage Caravell. Upper shock stud would need relocation as well. There might be some creative hitch work needed also.
Don't have a clue as to effects on aerodynamics, can anyone think of any other advantages and disadvantages?
Such a lift would surely help with tail-strike, but the clearance under the "axle tube-:to:-ground" would of course be the same as before, so would it really improve much off/back road travel??
My old TrailManor, with Dexter torsion axles, sat very low to the ground. The factory sold a kit for $25 to raise the trailer 2 3/8". The kit consisted of two pre-drilled lengths of 2 3/8" square steel tube, 4 long bolts, and 4 elastic stop nuts. Depending on how your axle is attached, to the frame, this may be an option. The kit could be put on in about a half-hour with just a couple of jacks and hand tools.
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John W. Irwin
2005 Classic 28 "Sabre-Dog III"
2007 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison LTZ
WBCCI Region 9 Webmaster, #9632
Flipping a drop center or a staight tube axle, should be done with caution.
The first thing that you accomplish, is reversing the toe in/tow out and caster/camber. That will make it mighty tough for tires to wear properly.
Andy
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