D2 Extended Wheelbase Dual Cab

**CJT** · 23rd July 2010, 08:48 AM

As my D2 is slowly evolving into something a bit more serious instead of a daily driver I am looking at options of a dual cab chop for the D2.

As the changes are significant I need to apply to QT for aproval in principle before starting, to make sure I can keep it road legal and registered.

As I will be looking at running large tyres (37" or so) in comps etc. I should be able to make the front guards large enough but run into issues at the rear if I want to keep fully functional rear doors (Both inner and outer skins and door seals)

So I am looking at a 6-10" extension in wheelbase in conjunction with the rear four link so do I;

1. Extend the chassis 6-10" and keep all suspension mounts in the original locations?

2. Extend the length of the four link arms by 6-10", move shock and spring mounts further back and leave the chassis as standard?

3. Combination of both, extend chassis and lengthen arms keeping their chassis mounting point in roughly the original suspension location?

For a bit of information, I am looking at running coil overs front and rear giving roughly a 3" lift over standard. I should have approval to run a 2" body lift (in QLD) due to the disco still having a seperate chassis etc. with QT approval. Unfortunately you can not modify an approved bullbar on a SRS vehicle, so I am trying to sort out some way of raising it the 2" to match the body lift legally.

I have an engineer who will issue a new tyre placard for the vehicle for 35's as long as they meet tests etc. and issue a mod plate for the same.

I am also attempting to get QT approval for a 102mm increase in wheel track through the use of +6mm 16x8 steel rims. The argument being that the increase in wheel track would infact lower the COG and improving its roll over characteristics etc. The overall dimensions should still be close to original proportions with the above increases and the increased weight would be low on the chassis and not the body.

I have come to realise all of this would have been much easier with a D1, but I like my D2 too much to replace it and there are not too many heavily modified D2's around.

**stig0000** · 23rd July 2010, 05:11 PM

ummm,, got a spear 50-80k, , there is a place up here that extends 100s and GUs, and all so in 6x6 form

**Slunnie** · 23rd July 2010, 06:08 PM

Just move the rear axle back by 1", cut and play.

Then swap out the rover diffs.

**disco_thrasher** · 24th July 2010, 06:24 AM

this sounds like a intresting build

just make sure your engineer is fair dinkum
in my 5 yrs in modifiying my D2 have learnt thru many many many engineers a body lift on a D2 can not be passed no mater what due to the SRS and no matter what QLD transport will not mod plate 35's if you do find your enginneer been fair dinkum send me a pm
as i am running 35's 5"lift and alot of body been cut and also running +6 16x8 custom steel rims
cheers Kelvin

**CJT** · 24th July 2010, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by disco_thrasher

this sounds like a intresting build

just make sure your engineer is fair dinkum
in my 5 yrs in modifiying my D2 have learnt thru many many many engineers a body lift on a D2 can not be passed no mater what due to the SRS and no matter what QLD transport will not mod plate 35's if you do find your enginneer been fair dinkum send me a pm
as i am running 35's 5"lift and alot of body been cut and also running +6 16x8 custom steel rims
cheers Kelvin

Will do Kelvin,

I have spoken with the engineer extensively as I thought you could not go past the +15mm on tyre size as well. However he has informed me, still to be confirmed with actually doing it, that as long as load rating is met, speed rating is atleast N and there is no rubbing on any suspension, body or steering components and the speed corrected prior to its input into ABS and traction control programs etc. then it can be passed. Aparently QT has a mod code for tyre size alterations as well.

I will still have the original tyres and wheels as well, so if need be I could drive on them. Would look a bit out of place though.

From everything I have found and researched it appears that there is still a lot that can be passed by QT if an application os made proir to the mods commencing. They issue an "Approval in Principle" and the vehicle then gets put over the pits upon completion.

I believe that with an SRS vehicle and body lifts it depends on where the sensors are mounted and whether there mounting locations are effected by any modifications to do with the body lift. I still have to confirm if this is the case with the D2 and its SRS.

I will keep you posted on any information I recieve, unfortunately I wont be able to start most of the project until early next year due to company commitments.

**CJT** · 24th July 2010, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Then swap out the rover diffs.

I am looking at new fabricated diffs and axles with 9" housing and strengthening and their axles are rated to over 10,000nm.

Hopefully they can cope with Low-Low Range with an Ashcroft Underdrive and the 35 - 37" tyres. Still trying to sort CV's though.

I was looking at a lockers front and rear but might try rear only to save front end damage.

**CJT** · 24th July 2010, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by stig0000

ummm,, got a spear 50-80k, , there is a place up here that extends 100s and GUs, and all so in 6x6 form

Dual cab conversion from a wagon is around $12,500 with no chassis extension and around $16,000 with an extension. That inlcudes all metal work and an alloy tray, obvioulsy cost is dependant on specifications and options included.

6x6 about doubles the costs to around $30,000 min.

**Slunnie** · 24th July 2010, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by CJT

I am looking at new fabricated diffs and axles with 9" housing and strengthening and their axles are rated to over 10,000nm.

Hopefully they can cope with Low-Low Range with an Ashcroft Underdrive and the 35 - 37" tyres. Still trying to sort CV's though.

I was looking at a lockers front and rear but might try rear only to save front end damage.

They will do the trick.

If you're running these axles, then there are plenty of options for ends and CV's to suit. See Longfield with the Toyota CVs but if you're running 1.5" axles its probably worth looking at the Dana aftermarket uni joints etc and running ends to suit.

If you want to run that hard, I'm not sure the D2 chassis will be strong enough, but I see why the 110"wb

**justinc** · 24th July 2010, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Slunnie

They will do the trick.

If you're running these axles, then there are plenty of options for ends and CV's to suit. See Longfield with the Toyota CVs but if you're running 1.5" axles its probably worth looking at the Dana aftermarket uni joints etc and running ends to suit.

If you want to run that hard, I'm not sure the D2 chassis will be strong enough, but I see why the 110"wb

100% agree. Don't under estimate the D2's chassis limitations.

I have repaired a few, and that includes plenty of body mounting points

.
Think long and hard, a Defender chassis is the best in the business for tough mods.

JC

**CJT** · 24th July 2010, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by justinc

100% agree. Don't under estimate the D2's chassis limitations.

I have repaired a few, and that includes plenty of body mounting points

.
Think long and hard, a Defender chassis is the best in the business for tough mods.

JC

Defender 110 Chassis with Disco Shell, solves my extended wheel base issue as well.

Or fabricated chassis. I found a guy near me in Qld building his own 4x4, from chassis up with a Navara Shell and F250 running gear, very impressive. 4500kg GVM and combined mass of 9000kg.

Here is the link if anyone is interested; [ame=http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/showthread.php't=36370]RCV Supertourer 6.0 V8 TDi - Australian 4WD Action Online Forums - the 4WD, 4x4 and offroad truck community. Get the latest tips, news, reviews, images and video clips.[/ame]

I wonder if he would mind building a chassis for me? I might need to find out.

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