Camper Van Rebuild: Moving the Tires Forward for Clearance (I Used To Be Happy In a SIMPLE VAN)

TL;DR

This camper van rebuild moves the front tires forward about 3/4 of an inch to gain suspension clearance and stop the 35-inch tires from rubbing, a problem that had worn across three separate coils since the WellTech kit went on the van in 2020. The owner also mounts a rear license plate as step one and weighs lighting options, from a 60-inch brake-light bar up top to lights below the bumper. See how much room the shift opened up.

Transcript

welcome to this hey guys welcome to the what's up you guys welcome down to the shop as you can tell Lauren underneath the van make a whole lot of Racket yesterday he moved this side forward and brought that tire forward just about 3/4 of can you guys hear me okay anyway he brought this tire about 3/4 of an inch forward something like that and now i... Read More

Key Insights

• 🉐 Retiring a van can involve enjoying relaxation and comfort in retirement, similar to human retirement.
• 👻 Modifying the suspension of a van can greatly improve performance and clearance, allowing for off-road adventures.
• 🍽️ Adding a license plate and proper lighting to a van is important for safety and legal reasons.
• 🉐 Upgrades and modifications to a van can enhance the van life experience and make it more enjoyable.
• 🉐 Considering personal preferences and priorities is crucial when deciding on van upgrades.
• 😃 Reflecting on past memories and experiences can bring joy and satisfaction to van life.
• 🤑 Money can contribute to a more enjoyable van life experience, although it is not the most important factor.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is being rebuilt on this camper van?

The main work is a suspension rebuild: the front tires are pushed forward about 3/4 of an inch to clear the arm, bracket, and nut when the suspension lifts to the bump stop. Alongside that, the owner mounts a rear license plate and plans to wire in brake lights and blinkers.

Q: Why is the owner moving the tires forward?

Moving the tires forward increases clearance so they stop rubbing. Before the change, the wheels sat very close to the fender and rubbed whenever the suspension traveled upward and during sharp turns. After shoving the tire forward with the 35s, there was tons of room and plenty of clearance even with the fender rested on.

Q: How badly were the front tires rubbing before the rebuild?

The tires rubbed every time the suspension went upward and again during sharp turns. Cleaning up the parts revealed the wear crossed three separate coils, which the owner described as a lot. He admitted he hadn't realized how bad the rubbing was.

Q: When was the WellTech kit installed on the van?

The owner says the WellTech kit had been on his van since 2020. Getting in to clean and repaint the parts during this rebuild was the first real love those components had received since then.

Q: Where is the license plate being mounted, and why first?

The plate mounts on the back of the van, screwed in place, with small lights running through drilled holes to illuminate it. The owner calls the plate step number one because it is mandatory in order to legally drive the van.

Q: What lighting options is the owner considering for the back of the van?

He is weighing a light bar up top, roughly a 60-inch bar that lights fully when braking, with sections for turn signals and a section that turns white when reversing to throw light for backing up. The alternative is mounting lights right below the bumper. He found a few options on Amazon but hadn't decided.

Q: Does the owner need the lights done right away?

Not immediately. He notes the license plate is mandatory to drive, but since he doesn't normally drive at night he has some time to figure out his blinkers and brake lights, especially because the current side light is partially obstructed for drivers directly behind him.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The vlogger is retiring his van and enjoying the perks of retirement, such as sleeping, relaxing, and making upgrades.

• The van's suspension is being modified to improve performance, including moving tires forward for better clearance.

• The vlogger plans to install a license plate and add lighting to the van for safety and legal purposes.