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Old 07-24-2013, 09:46 PM   #1
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1979 23' Safari
, Ohio
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'79 low profile axle

My 79 Safari has low profile axles. It seems like most of the axles I've seen on the forums have been the high profile type. I'm really looking for something with the least amount of necessary modifications if you get my drift. I'm attaching a photo of my low profile axle bracket. Any experience with this?
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Old 07-24-2013, 09:57 PM   #2
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Thom,

I have the low profile axles on my 1979 Safari also. I have new axles but not installed them as yet. I was told that it is necessary to redrill one hole on each bracket, but not confirmed that. I was also told that there is no redrilling required on the high profile brackets.

I ordered the axles through Colin Hyde by Uwe at Area 63 in Orange, CA.

Hope this helps.

Bill


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Originally Posted by thomdial View Post
My 79 Safari has low profile axles. It seems like most of the axles I've seen on the forums have been the high profile type. I'm really looking for something with the least amount of necessary modifications if you get my drift. I'm attaching a photo of my low profile axle bracket. Any experience with this?
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Old 07-24-2013, 10:14 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thomdial View Post
My 79 Safari has low profile axles. It seems like most of the axles I've seen on the forums have been the high profile type. I'm really looking for something with the least amount of necessary modifications if you get my drift. I'm attaching a photo of my low profile axle bracket. Any experience with this?
Why do you want low profile mounting brackets when most all tow vehicles today are high profile?

The higher profile makes rigging much easier.

Andy
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Old 07-24-2013, 10:15 PM   #4
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By "low profile" do you mean worn out such that the arm from the axle to the hub points above the horizontal?

Except for the extra flange wrapped around the back of the bracket, it doesn't look that different from my new ones shown below. Am I missing something?

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Old 07-25-2013, 09:12 AM   #5
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Hey Bill,
I would be real interested in seeing what your axle brackets look like. So you are saying that they are the high profile?

Thanks
Thom
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:16 AM   #6
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Andy,
I'm not sure what I'm gonna end up with at this point, but to answer your question, I had not planned on changing the ride height and profile on my trailer.


Thanks
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:19 AM   #7
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DKB SATX,
The major difference that I see in our brackets is your axle sits about an inch below the body pan and frame. My axles sit flush with the frame and belly pan.

Thanks
Thom
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:30 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thomdial View Post
DKB SATX,
The major difference that I see in our brackets is your axle sits about an inch below the body pan and frame. My axles sit flush with the frame and belly pan.

Thanks
Thom
I guess an inch is a big deal where center-of-gravity and hitch height are concerned. I was looking more at the shape of the brackets themselves than the final position of the axle tube, but I see what you mean now.

The change on mine was from old axles to new and it raised the trailer about 1.5" which didn't seem like much, but it gives me more clearance to level in sloped campsites, and gets me a little more drop from the dump valve to the dump station.
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:35 AM   #9
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Thanks for the info. I may eventually go the same route.
thom
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:55 AM   #10
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Thom,

I will post a picture tonight when I return home.

Regarding Andy's post, I went with the low profile bracket and 22.5 degree down angle since I tow with a 1977 Lincoln Continental and do not want a higher trailer. In addition, my wife is in a wheelchair and the lower height of an Airstream makes her entry and exit much easier.

Since I have a vintage trailer, the dump valves do not hang down like the new trailers.

Bill

Quote:
Originally Posted by thomdial View Post
Hey Bill,
I would be real interested in seeing what your axle brackets look like. So you are saying that they are the high profile?

Thanks
Thom
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Old 07-25-2013, 11:57 AM   #11
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Bill,
I would love to see a picture of those axles. They are probably close to what I will be getting from Colin as well. Are you putting them on yourself?

Thom
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Old 07-25-2013, 07:35 PM   #12
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Thom,

Here is a picture of the existing axle and two pictures of the new axles.

Bill
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https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:01 PM   #13
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Thom,

I will be installing them myself, with help.

Bill
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1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA

https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:02 PM   #14
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Quote:
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Thom,

Here is a picture of the existing axle and two pictures of the new axles.

Bill
The shock brackets don't have a shock stud in them.

Are you having to install that stud?

Andy
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Old 07-25-2013, 09:49 PM   #15
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Thom,
wished we would have had more time to talk at Carter Caves it was nice to meet you and your family.
Here is picture of my 2nd trailer 89 Excella. I installed Dexter 32.5 degree axles. The double step on the trailer seemed to be the perfect height after this upgrade. The trailer will also be easier to hitch to your pickup.



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Old 07-26-2013, 06:21 AM   #16
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Bill,
Thanks for the pics. That looks exactly like mine. Are you using the monroe shocks with those?
Thanks
Thom
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Old 07-26-2013, 06:37 AM   #17
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Thanks for the pics Steve,
We had a great time, even though our fridge went out on Wednesday. I was able to fix it when we got home. We were sitting just un-level enough to cause a vapor lock in the coils. I was told by a gentleman who sells refrigerators that turning it upside down would not fix it, so, naturally, that was the first thing I tried. Now it gets colder than my home unit. Time will tell.
Thom
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Old 07-26-2013, 07:23 AM   #18
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Thom,

I am using the shocks purchased from Airstream,

Bill

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Bill,
Thanks for the pics. That looks exactly like mine. Are you using the monroe shocks with those?
Thanks
Thom
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Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA

https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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Old 07-27-2013, 08:59 AM   #19
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Bill,
Are you going to bolt the shocks on the bracket?
Also, as a side note, I recently weighed my safari having just completed the interior refurb. The total weight (including tongue) was about 4900. I know that I definitely added some weight with my choice of materials, but after adding everything up, its hard to come up with 1000 lbs. I'm thinking they may not have included the AC and propane tanks when calculating the dry weight of 3905.
Thom
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Old 07-27-2013, 09:06 AM   #20
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Thom,

The shocks get bolted to the brackets.

They dry weight is just that dry, no water, no propane and no accessories, such as Air Conditioner.

Bill

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Bill,
Are you going to bolt the shocks on the bracket?
Also, as a side note, I recently weighed my safari having just completed the interior refurb. The total weight (including tongue) was about 4900. I know that I definitely added some weight with my choice of materials, but after adding everything up, its hard to come up with 1000 lbs. I'm thinking they may not have included the AC and propane tanks when calculating the dry weight of 3905.
Thom
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1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA

https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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