Dobinsons Suspension Review

First-time post here. Thought this could be valuable info to anyone looking at budget suspension options.

I picked up my 2007 Limited Crewcab 4x4 back in January with 205k miles. It needed new tires, so I slapped some Wildpeak 275/70R18 w/ 3rd gen take-offs as soon as I got it.

The previous owner had a 3" spacer lift that I wanted to eliminate with some real suspension. Wanting to stay under $1k, research was pointing me towards the Bilstein 5100's or maybe the 6112 coilover if I wanted to splurge, in order to get a final 2/0" lift (avoiding aftermarket UCA). My buddy (a Land Cruiser owner), said I should look into Dobinsons, as they were well regarded in the Land Cruiser community, and offer a coilover combo that provides roughly 2" of lift. I tried looking on this forum for anyone who has tried them out, and there wasn't much info. So I researched what I could on my own.

Dobinsons seems to have an excellent history, with a reputation for reliability down in Australia for the last 50+ years. They are just recently branching out to the USA.

So, here's the main catch. Dobinons are Twin-Tube. And just about every article about monotube vs twin-tube will tell you that monotube out-performs twin-tube hands down. Without opening up a debate, I'll just attempt to convey Dobinsons' take on the subject: twin-tube has gotten a bit of a bad rap because it is the standard choice for entry-level OEM, with low oil capacities that are prone to aeration fade and overheating. American aftermarket has heavily marketed the "advantages of monotube" because monotube is, in fact, much cheaper to manufacture, and addresses the fade issues.

Now, for top-end "desert racing performance", monotube with remote res is gonna be your best choice for performance, adjustability, custom valving, and heat dissipation. However, for the rest of us (except the select few who actually push the speed limits in the dirt), this setup is probably overkill and it's simply the trophy truck-like bling that sells. For every-day users, Dobinsons markets a larger, heavy-duty twin-tube, that outperforms OEM twin-tube.

So I decided to pull the trigger. Here is my experience so far:
Customer service was top notch. I received quick replies to questions, a custom quote that included assembled fronts, and quick shipping. I'm personally a fan of the unique color combo as well.

Installation was fairly straightforward (I learned most of the hard lessons when I did my 4Runner suspension a few years ago). Luckily, all the rubber upfront (bushings, ball joints, tie-rods, CV), was all in great condition, so I didn't have to replace any of that.

Fresh out of the box:


Here's a rear shock installed:


Here's the front installed (yes I cleaned my greasy fingerprints off rotor after the pic):


Comparison of the stock with 3" spacer vs the new Dobinson (top hats are even):


Final view of the coils peaking through:


And the final stance of the truck:



Overall ride quality is excellent. Coming off a 3" spacer is obviously not gonna be hard to beat. But compared to that, small bump compliance is night/day smoother. The truck isn't nearly as "rattly" on the inside when you hit rough asphalt. The additional "real" travel is very noticeable on the bigger bumps. I haven't taken off-road yet (they just went on last weekend) I'll update once I do.

Hopefully, this gives a little more info on this forum on possible budget options. And maybe give the Aussie option some credibility. I'll update over time.

 

Thanks for the write up. They are on my short list.

 

I am looking for level options, thanks for the write up. I will be looking at their level/lift kit.

 

Interesting

 

Welcome! Thanks for the write-up.

Truck looks great!

 

Great now you got me looking! Thanks for a solid write up

 

So what did you end up with the lift in the front? In photo it looks like the old spacer coil is a little bit longer. Did you achieve your 2 inch goal?

 

@Black Wolf

 

@Iowa12tundra It dropped about 3/4" from the spacer that was installed. So I'm sitting a little above 2" now.

 

Nice. Look forward to your review's of the Dobinsons set up.

 

I'd say you made a good choice for replacing what looks to be stock shocks with over 200k and removing spacers from your setup

 

I’ve got this kit on the way from Mainline Overland with 15% off. Doing this in the front with timbren and 1” toytec block in the back prior to my Four Wheel pop-up Camper install. Hopefully install suspension in the next couple of weeks. I also have 275/70r18 Falken. Went Dobinson’s due to it making less lift than Old Man Emu and didn’t want to change stock angles very much. I also like the color

 

Rides great on pavement! Looking forward to testing it out on dirt soon.

 

Initial impressions are positive. Makes my local track feel easy and gave me confidence to take some some off-camber lines and a road side rock crawl. No problem. Upgrade over stock TRD Off-Road in every way. Looking to try 285/75r18 tires with this setup.

Four wheel camper is being built. Will update on performance as we go. So far stoked!

 

Just came across these and I like how they market with the word comfort in their description. I'm looking for a lift and more comfort. Any one else have impression of these?

 

Getting mine installed 12/30 along with new SPC UCAs. I will do a write up. Mainline OL sold me on these as they are very durable and will hold up well in the New England conditions.

 

You mentioned you were getting a dobinson 3.5 lift in another thread. How are you achieving this? Looks like on their own they go to about 2.5.

 

I stand corrected. It is 2.5 as is and you can upgrade to 3.0 inches with C59-578 coils for 3” of lift. Was going from memory.

 

Gotcha. I'm gonna look into this kit as well and get the 3.0 "comfort" springs. What else are you upgrading with this kit? You doing UCA or new leaf springs? Upgrading the rear?

 

I really like the ride still. Looking to upgrade tires soon. Wanting 285/75r18 or 285/70r18 tires. I added the shocks, 1” block and timbrens with no complaints back there. I haven’t loaded it up yet. Love the stance. I have the shorter coils which provide 55mm of lift.

 

I’m hoping to stay stock on the control arms and rims.

 

I am adding SPC UCAs as this was recommended given the adjustability for alignment over stock. Given the extra lift the guys at ML strongly urged it. I am getting the whole Dobinsons kit which includes rear struts and leaf kit. Also, nit now but will likely get firestone airbags in near future to mange load and towing. I will get pics and write up as soon as it’s done.

 

Really interested in how you like the set up. I think I will go the same route but 3" coil and JBC UCAs. I don't really know about upgrading the leafs as far as benefits...Are you getting the diff drop kit too? When do you plan on doing the install? Im excited for you man!

 

Anymore updates? Anyone else running this set up?

 

I am having mine installed this week. I will post pics and let you all know first impressions.

 

Great to see others are taking some alternate routes on their suspension setup. Those installing their lifts put up some measurements on before and after for reference.

 

I have the +55mm coil and with a 1” rear block it maintained a decent rake. True to their specs it is a little over a two inch lift. Don’t remember the actual numbers.

On another note, had some metallic noises out on the trail yesterday with higher speed g-outs into a hole (rare and specific scenario, basically a hard square edge at speed while suspension is already compressed) Sounded like it came from my front. Called my installer and he gave me some feedback on a bolt that is difficult to get the proper tightness on. Think he said front sway bar link. Gonna give it a look after a good wash today. He also said I could bring it in.
Otherwise performance has been awesome on and off road.

 

On my 2015, the sway bar end that connects to the LCA you can jam a 15/16" wrench underneath there is an opening and hold the nut while you tighten the bolt. My nut is not welded in like the newer models..On where the link connects to the bar the bolt end is open and takes an allen key to hold the bolt and you can tighten the nut. Its hard to explain Id have to take a picture or if you take the wheel off and crawl around you will understand what I'm talking about.