We call it a SOA swap. Spring Over Axle. I have did it to many old Jeeps. CJ-5's and 7's . Gives them 5.5 inches of lift instantly. Then we'd weld up the spider gears in the rear and buy a cheap locker for the front diff. Under 200 bucks. Result was an unstoppable off road vehicle for just about nothing. You need longer shocks after that to get the most travel but most parts stores had the specs on shocks to search for the length extended that you need. Another great video.
Just a caution that this is not the procedure to be followed for all types of trailer axles out there. Your u bolts should be changed. If you have torsion type axles that bow up you can’t do it this way. If you don’t want to change the U Bolts they will let you know cause they will break on ya so if the trailer is older than it’s probably best to have a set handy.
What I have seen is that most axles are supposed bow up in the middle, axle flip is just a term. Should weld on new saddles on the top of the axle. The way the axle comes out is the way it should go back, albeit under the springs!
Thanks for the video! I just bought the exact same camper to fix up. Any idea how to get the spare tire off? I’ve googled it of course but I can’t find anyone that has this model.
How does it drive does it wobble or is it all over the road because I'm reading that the tow and camber might mess up how to control the ride of the trailer
Having some time with it now, how does it tow? Have you ran into any issues because of the flip? We have a larger popup and ground clearance at the tail end has been a challenge in some campsites.
Hi Bob. Listen, I know your head is in a whole different place these days as you fight the powers trying to live off grid but, I was wondering if you had any problems with the trailer axle after the flip?
@@LittleHouseOffGrid Thanks, I may do this and modify my wheel wells if there is enough tolerance. I gotta get away from these 12 inch rims!! 65 mph max feels so slow!! Saves a lot of gas though!!
Great video, also can use lift blocks bigger u bolts, I was able to put 12" tires on mine also flat square decking, not cut out for wheels and fender, way better
Great. Just know since I made this video I found out that if your camper is over 3000 pounds you are suppose to use a conversion kit that cost $50 on Amazon.
You cannot just flip over trailer axles trailer axles have a bow in them that need to be facing up so iwhen the load of the trailer pushes down it straightens it out. to do an axle under leaf you haveto weld on New Spring perches on to the top side of the axle to be able to mount it under the leaf springs if you look at your axle now you'll see that the bow is facing down now instead of up witch will put uneven pressure and premature wear on your bearings and tires
Yep...I agree with you. Many people have commented the same thing so at first I thought it must have been a flat axel. But someone notice that it looked like it is curve after the I flipped it. I look and the axle is up now (after the flip). Good observation. Thanks.
I'm so doing this to my camper. Thanks for showing it.
I have a 800 pound Colman im going to do exactly what you did Awesome!!! Much Appreciated
Good. I hope the video helped.
i was having trouble doing this until I saw this video, I did not think up flipping the leaf spring middle bolt. thanks allot.
Hope it helps
@@LittleHouseOffGrid I will post it if it does. thanks again
I flipped the leaf spring bolts and the axle went on great, It about 8 inches higher now. thank for a great video,
We call it a SOA swap. Spring Over Axle. I have did it to many old Jeeps. CJ-5's and 7's . Gives them 5.5 inches of lift instantly. Then we'd weld up the spider gears in the rear and buy a cheap locker for the front diff. Under 200 bucks. Result was an unstoppable off road vehicle for just about nothing. You need longer shocks after that to get the most travel but most parts stores had the specs on shocks to search for the length extended that you need. Another great video.
Thanks again. Good information. I think (if I remember correctly) this gave me 4.5 inches lift. Which was perfect.
Awesome DIY, I don't think most people know this can be done, and they wouldnt have a clue how todo it.
Nice of you to say...thank you very much.
Just a caution that this is not the procedure to be followed for all types of trailer axles out there. Your u bolts should be changed. If you have torsion type axles that bow up you can’t do it this way. If you don’t want to change the U Bolts they will let you know cause they will break on ya so if the trailer is older than it’s probably best to have a set handy.
Thank you
What I have seen is that most axles are supposed bow up in the middle, axle flip is just a term. Should weld on new saddles on the top of the axle. The way the axle comes out is the way it should go back, albeit under the springs!
Wow, a terrific video. I'm thinking if doing it on 20' camper to keep black valve from dragging on lesser improved roads.
You made that look so easy. :-)
That was awesome TY I love DIY mechanics :^)
Thanks for the video!
I just bought the exact same camper to fix up.
Any idea how to get the spare tire off? I’ve googled it of course but I can’t find anyone that has this model.
No idea
How does it drive does it wobble or is it all over the road because I'm reading that the tow and camber might mess up how to control the ride of the trailer
Having some time with it now, how does it tow? Have you ran into any issues because of the flip? We have a larger popup and ground clearance at the tail end has been a challenge in some campsites.
Good job. thanks
Thank you
Thanks so much
Thank you for watching
Cool.
Hi Bob. Listen, I know your head is in a whole different place these days as you fight the powers trying to live off grid but, I was wondering if you had any problems with the trailer axle after the flip?
it will wear the tire faster but we never had to replace them
Sorry, I meant Rob, thank for getting back to me.@@LittleHouseOffGrid
Wow! Somehow I didn't notice this video before. I really need to do this with my pop up. What size tires do you run?
5.3-12.
Would doing this axle over job allow for enough room to put on full size wheels (14 inch) and tires for full highway speeds?
No. It allows you to go one tire size up
@@LittleHouseOffGrid Thanks, I may do this and modify my wheel wells if there is enough tolerance. I gotta get away from these 12 inch rims!! 65 mph max feels so slow!! Saves a lot of gas though!!
Thanks for the vid. Question: do you think there is enough room to also have used larger wheels and tires, like in an off roading modification?
Yes...a little larger
Great video, also can use lift blocks bigger u bolts, I was able to put 12" tires on mine also flat square decking, not cut out for wheels and fender, way better
Cool
Exactly what I was looking for, for my StarCraft Starlite
Great. Just know since I made this video I found out that if your camper is over 3000 pounds you are suppose to use a conversion kit that cost $50 on Amazon.
You could probably stick some larger tires on there now too.
Thank you
You cannot just flip over trailer axles trailer axles have a bow in them that need to be facing up so iwhen the load of the trailer pushes down it straightens it out. to do an axle under leaf you haveto weld on New Spring perches on to the top side of the axle to be able to mount it under the leaf springs if you look at your axle now you'll see that the bow is facing down now instead of up witch will put uneven pressure and premature wear on your bearings and tires
Yep...I agree with you. Many people have commented the same thing so at first I thought it must have been a flat axel. But someone notice that it looked like it is curve after the I flipped it. I look and the axle is up now (after the flip). Good observation. Thanks.
Also, you can buy a conversion kit on amazon that doe not require welding.
Do you what the kit is or what it is called? Couldn't find the correct part.
www.amazon.com/Dexter-K7138400-Conversion-Kit/dp/B008OADK9G
Did you install this conversion kit?
just did it took about an hour definitely more Clarence
Patrick Lewllen that is great. no it does not usher long
I miss seeing the pop up
too bad someone burned it down
I don’t if i could do this to my 3500 lbs. pop up camper?
I got to do this
It made a huge difference
thanks now I got just one more thing to do
LOL. At least it is not too hard. I kind of enjoyed the project and only took a couple hours.
I think the axle, tie plates, u bolts & leaf springs should have likely been replaced due to the amount of rust. Axles can be picked up fairly cheap.