Currently building my one of my d2s into a trayback it’s getting near to completion now but I’m not sure what to do about the rear suspension. The front is sitting +4 inch and I want to keep it the same in the rear. Currently got +2 inch springs in the rear which sit at about +4.5 inch but are far to hard. I was thinking maybe +2 inch defender 90 springs might work better?? The other thing is I’ve got some long travel shock to fit but I’m not really sure how to set them out correctly do I just fit them at half compression when flat so it has equal up and down travel ??? Also considering phnhard conversion would I would I need to do that before I set my shock hight ??

edit: custom springs are not in my budget unfortunately

thanks for reading

What do you plan on using the vehicle for and why a tray back?

300bhp/ton said:

What do you plan on using the vehicle for and why a tray back?

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It’s a off roader but I will occasionally drive it on the road

Off road doing what?

4” sounds like a lot to me. I’d prefer to look at flex and stability tbh.

I’d probably go down this route over a trayback myself: https://www.whitbread-offroad.co.uk/roll_cage_challenge_trialer_spaceframe.php

300bhp/ton said:

Off road doing what?

4” sounds like a lot to me. I’d prefer to look at flex and stability tbh.

I’d probably go down this route over a trayback myself: https://www.whitbread-offroad.co.uk/roll_cage_challenge_trialer_spaceframe.php

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I’m already 80% done mate tray is build and everything. 4 inch lift is the lowest I could keep it and still have good clearance for the 36 inch wheels even with that I’m still going to have to bash the bulkhead in with a hammer to stop the wheels scrubbing at flex. Not looking to change my build just want some advice on suspension set up as I have little experience with it

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Henry.adams said:

I’m already 80% done mate tray is build and everything. 4 inch lift is the lowest I could keep it and still have good clearance for the 36 inch wheels even with that I’m still going to have to bash the bulkhead in with a hammer to stop the wheels scrubbing at flex. Not looking to change my build just want some advice on suspension set up as I have little experience with it

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No worries.

Personally never really understood the effort or why people would go tray back. It seems to leave you with an impractical vehicle, but most of the cons of a pickup or full body. Plus they generally look a bit minging and disproportioned. Hope yours turns out ok.

I do like modified vehicles (mine is very heavily modded!). 36" tyres are BIG. Hope this isn't for laning?

36" tyres are also way over the stock axles capability, they break even with 31-32" tyres. And you'll want to regear, either different transfer box or 4.10:1 diffs.

I also love looking at how the suspension works, but I'm a big believer in trying to keep a vehicle as low and stable as possible, yet maximise flex. So many 4x4's (often D2's) have terrible suspension and end up hugely compromised off road. I recall a trials event a few years back, young lad turned up with a 4" lifted D2. Although on much smaller tyres, think they 32-33". But it had no flex at all and bounced itself around the site frequently lifting wheels and getting stopped where standard leaf sprung Series motors sailed through with ease.

Spring wise, I'd look for the softest, longest spring you can. If you need more lift then maybe consider some lift packers. I'd also go for nice long shocks, but you may need to change upper shock mounts to make the most of them. I think there are also things you can do with a D2 with regards to the Watts linkage and radius arms to aid more travel. But I'm less knowledgeable on the D2 suspension. I'd have thought a limitation would be suspension compression with 36" tyres, if you say clearance is an issue. And with 4" of lift, even a +5" shock is only going to give you 1" of extra droop.

Hope I didn't come across too negatively, not my intent. I just like to try and maximise what a vehicle can do.

Completely unrelated to a D2. This was my 88 leafer.... would drive through almost anything, but looked mostly stock. It was all about the flex.





These springs are pretty good:
https://www.flatdoguk.com/FD-Springs-Land-Rover.asp

On my current vehicle I'm running RRC fronts all round in +2. They are the softest spring LR made, but they won't give you 4" lift. But do flex well. You could run some +2" spring packers with them.

The next step would be the Tomcat grey springs, but they are more money. But softer spring rates again.
https://www.tomcatwebshop.co.uk/suspension-111-c.asp

300bhp/ton said:

No worries.

Personally never really understood the effort or why people would go tray back. It seems to leave you with an impractical vehicle, but most of the cons of a pickup or full body. Plus they generally look a bit minging and disproportioned. Hope yours turns out ok.

I do like modified vehicles (mine is very heavily modded!). 36" tyres are BIG. Hope this isn't for laning?

36" tyres are also way over the stock axles capability, they break even with 31-32" tyres. And you'll want to regear, either different transfer box or 4.10:1 diffs.

I also love looking at how the suspension works, but I'm a big believer in trying to keep a vehicle as low and stable as possible, yet maximise flex. So many 4x4's (often D2's) have terrible suspension and end up hugely compromised off road. I recall a trials event a few years back, young lad turned up with a 4" lifted D2. Although on much smaller tyres, think they 32-33". But it had no flex at all and bounced itself around the site frequently lifting wheels and getting stopped where standard leaf sprung Series motors sailed through with ease.

Spring wise, I'd look for the softest, longest spring you can. If you need more lift then maybe consider some lift packers. I'd also go for nice long shocks, but you may need to change upper shock mounts to make the most of them. I think there are also things you can do with a D2 with regards to the Watts linkage and radius arms to aid more travel. But I'm less knowledgeable on the D2 suspension. I'd have thought a limitation would be suspension compression with 36" tyres, if you say clearance is an issue. And with 4" of lift, even a +5" shock is only going to give you 1" of extra droop.

Hope I didn't come across too negatively, not my intent. I just like to try and maximise what a vehicle can do.

Completely unrelated to a D2. This was my 88 leafer.... would drive through almost anything, but looked mostly stock. It was all about the flex.

These springs are pretty good:
https://www.flatdoguk.com/FD-Springs-Land-Rover.asp

On my current vehicle I'm running RRC fronts all round in +2. They are the softest spring LR made, but they won't give you 4" lift. But do flex well. You could run some +2" spring packers with them.

The next step would be the Tomcat grey springs, but they are more money. But softer spring rates again.
https://www.tomcatwebshop.co.uk/suspension-111-c.asp

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Might do some green lanes but it’s mostly for pay and plays. I don’t mind if is chews through axles really I’ve got plenty of spares and yeah I have a 1.4 transfer case out if a defender to go in it. It just comes down to cost , space and experience really as to why I did a trayback as much as I would love a completely custom 4x4 it’s not possible for me right now .The car was completely rotten so it was either trayback or scrap it. I’ve tried at add a picture of I but it won’t let me for some reason