EWG

Active Member
I renewed all the leaf springs on my 1962 2a in 2009 when it was restored for daily use but when it came to last November and the annual MOT I noticed a lot of deterioration, straps rusting away and the rear leaf springs are swelling with rust. The ride is bone jarring as well and these are springs which are only eight years old.
A local trialler here built a "special" on a 8o" chassis with 88" parabolics all round, pro comp dampers together with a 200tdi engine, 3.54 diffs, Series 2 front hubs and was instantly disqualified from the first event he entered, and the second and the third................He rechassied it on an adapted Discovery chassis and offered me the 80" chassis complete with hubs, axles and props. The front swivels are in better condition than mine as well.
I bought the chassis complete a couple of years ago with the intention to swap all the suspension over to my 2a sometime." Sometime" will have be before the next MOT now
It will need new U bolts, bushes and so on.

Is the conversion a sensible one?
What are the advantages of a parabolic sprung 2a over conventional leaf springs? Towing can stress the springs I've been told but I've got a Defender TD5 110 to tow my twin axle trailer anyway.

I would appreciate your opinions.

Thank you.
 
I renewed all the leaf springs on my 1962 2a in 2009 when it was restored for daily use but when it came to last November and the annual MOT I noticed a lot of deterioration, straps rusting away and the rear leaf springs are swelling with rust. The ride is bone jarring as well and these are springs which are only eight years old.
A local trialler here built a "special" on a 8o" chassis with 88" parabolics all round, pro comp dampers together with a 200tdi engine, 3.54 diffs, Series 2 front hubs and was instantly disqualified from the first event he entered, and the second and the third................He rechassied it on an adapted Discovery chassis and offered me the 80" chassis complete with hubs, axles and props. The front swivels are in better condition than mine as well.
I bought the chassis complete a couple of years ago with the intention to swap all the suspension over to my 2a sometime." Sometime" will have be before the next MOT now
It will need new U bolts, bushes and so on.

Is the conversion a sensible one?
What are the advantages of a parabolic sprung 2a over conventional leaf springs? Towing can stress the springs I've been told but I've got a Defender TD5 110 to tow my twin axle trailer anyway.

I would appreciate your opinions.

Thank you.
Why was he disqualified ?
No reason why the parabolic shouldn’t be ok but depends on there rating and if once fitted you like the ride and handling
 
Fitted Parabolic springs to mine in 2007 they are still working fine. What make are the springs you have as Britpart earlty ones had poor reputation as did Rocky Mountain as the bushes where not standard and replacements could not be obtained.
 
He was disqualified because I understand that others complained that the 80" was too modified to compete in that class.
The leaf springs I bought were from Paddocks but which make I don't remember. I've still got the invoice so I'll have a look.
 
My 1958 SII handles and feels so much better on Rocky mountains all round. It has a 300tdi in front making it heavy but no power steering. Just get great exercise every time I drive it.
 
Thank you for your replies gentlemen. I'll take a photo of the chassis so you can all have a look.:
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