Dobinson springs as direct replacement for factory springs

Is anyone using Dobinson coils in place of the factory coils, instead of running a spacer and/or preload collar lift?

I know they offer kits with struts and replacement shocks, but I am looking at using their coils with factory shocks/struts. I am wondering if 2" lift coils in the front with factory struts (and no spacers or preload collar replacement) and 1" lift coils in the rear with factory shocks would work.

From 1stgenoffroad.com this would run ~$610 for replacement front and rear springs (total), which is not a lot more than a Wescott preload collar lift.

Historically I have preferred to replace springs for a lift rather than using spacers. But that was always with solid axle vehicles. I am newer to IFS.

What am I missing?

 

I would be worried about the stroke length of the OE struts compared to aftermarket. You'd have to know the extended length of the OE struts to answer that.

 

Can you expand on that and explain why you say that?

I have this thought that "over-extending" the struts/shocks could be a concern. However, wouldn't there be the same concern when adding a preload collar lift and/or rear spacer lift? Is there more propensity to over-extending with replacement coils as opposed to with the spacer/collar lift?

I may be off-base, or you might also be referring to something totally different. Enlighten me!

 

Generally to lift the truck, the equipment needs to get longer. Longer spring, longer strut. You’re only putting in a longer spring (or possibly just stiffer which is worse). If the factory strut isn’t capable of being longer (spoiler alert, it isn’t) then you’re just trying to stretch it further than it was designed. Instead of riding around in the “middle” of the struts range, you are riding around almost maxed out for down travel or droop to get the truck up higher. The strut could only compress for a bump, but not extend for a hole. Ride would be horrendous and the strut seals would blow out prematurely.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

I hear you, and I agree. But wouldn't the same argument be made against a preload collar (front) and a spacer (rear) lift? Maybe it is and people just do it anyway? That is where I am having trouble.

 

Yes. I ran a preload spacer on factory KYB struts on my 2000 and blew the seals out. Replaced with adjustable 5100 Billie’s and ride improved and no blown out seals. A spacer on TOP of your front strut won’t change the travel of the strut, but will put the rest of the suspension further down the travel cycle. You’ll have to have longer bump stops to keep from bottoming the strut out on uptravel. If you lift the rear, you need to replace the shocks back there for ones that can accommodate the lift.

 

Ok, good to know. Thank you for sharing your experience. I read about so many people running preload collar and spacer lifts that it has seemed like the way to go. I'm surprised I don't hear more about these issues. But perhaps they aren't being used offroad and so the issues don't present themselves. You've helped confirm my skepticism, and my intuition that if I am going to lift it, I should replace the shocks/struts, even for a small lift.

 

Most that get away without replacing the struts and shocks are doing a level by adding a spacer on top of the strut.

 

You won’t be able to fit the front Dobinsons coil onto the factory strut assembly. Good luck compressing the spring

 

Get the IMS Dobinsons. Worth the few hundred bucks if you are lifting with their springs. 8k on them and no complaints.

 

Just get a spacer for now until you decide what lift you want in the future

 

Stock shocks w/ Dobs springs will not work as mentioned by others. Your lift setup is dependent on how you intend to use your truck. If you just want it to be higher and don't plan on going off-road, spacer is cheap and will do the job. If you intend to take it off-road, the spacer will give you a stiff ride. I went from Westcott to full Dobinson MRR since I take mine off-road. I love how I can adjust how stiff or soft my ride will be.