Thoughts on safari

[red knight]

Thoughts on safari rubber magnum chassi

[CountryB]

Are you referring to the "BF Goodrich Velvet Ride" torsion bar suspension?

[astrnmrtom]

Owned mine for 6 years and have been full-timing in it for 14 months now. We really like the rig.

If you look at one, be sure to look underneath, find the ride height shim packages, and count how many shims are in each adjustment section. The shim pack is visible, if blurry, in front of the tire in the picture above. I've attached a photo of the shim pack. As you can see my '98 still has all the shims and my ride height is correct. Conntrary to the way it may look, removing a shim RAISES the rid height by 1/4".

You adjust ride height by removing shims as the torsion bars "wear." Wear isn't really the correct word, the rubber compresses a little. New, the shim pack contains 10 shims. Make sure the rig you look at has some shims left - the more the better. Also look at the rig from a distance and make sure it's sitting level. If you can measure the ride height. Instructions here: http://pioneermetalworks.com/wp-cont...structions.pdf

Some people add an airbag kit.

One weak point in the Safari front suspension is the factory thrust rod on the left side of the axle going from the frame to the axle. This rod prevents the axle from moving back and forth under pressure and when worn, you'll get two symptoms. First is wandering and the second is a loud clunk when going over some bumps. The factory rod has simple greasable heim joints that quickly wear out allowing the axle to move back and forth. Because of the way the steering works, this movement acts like you are turning the steering wheel small amounts back and forth. Replacing the factory rod with one of these will make a big difference: https://www.ultrarvproducts.com/Safa...Ride-1996-2001 I replaced mine myself this summer. Takes a couple 1-1/8" box wrenches and some big arms. I had to use my legs to break the factory bolts loose! If you do it yourself, you may have to adjust the rod a little to center the steering wheel.

Another upgrade worth the money is changing out the factory Bilstein shocks with Konis. Look at the sway bar end link bushings to make sure they are in good shape. Good end link bushings and the proper Koni shocks really helps reduce side to side rocking.

You can find a thread here that lists the correct shocks: www.safarifriends.org

Those are the main things to know about the Velvet ride suspension. Hope this helps.

[wolfe10]

Good write up by Tom.


Let me slightly restate importance of being able to achieve correct ride height.


You need to BOTH measure ride height at each wheel position AND count number of shims in front of and behind each wheel position.


Say, for example you measure ride height at 1" below specs. Removing four 1/4" shims will restore it to that wheel position. But, if you only have two shims left....


I have seen a number of Torsilastic suspension coaches way below proper ride height, but with the full original shim stack. No problem as long as removing the shims brings you to ride height.


And, agree on the need for aftermarket suspension upgrades to properly locate the front axle. Thanks, Ralph Andrews!

[red knight]

I had to remove some shims to level it but got it level. Like the simplicity of the system. No air lines to blow. Put new bilsteins on did not know about minis. Coach has upgraded components. Added pipe to draft tube to divert.vapor as dirt had plugged intercooler and getting engine hot we are full timers 8000 miles to South and east in April may, now Oregon coastal