Dobinsons Suspension Review

I will just add that I'm swapping out for the shorter heavier springs when they are back in stock. I've put over 150 miles on and have only seen around 1/4" of settling.

 

I put about 300 miles on them and haven't remeasured yet but I'm currently out of town for work

 

Really looking hard at the full 2.25 set up with leafs. My only concern is that it looks like they only offer the front spring rates for added weight to the front. Does anybody know if stock weight rates are available? I definetly don't want it riding too stiff. I had an OME set up on a 4R that was a bit stiff. Also, how are they on washboards? I drive a bunch of it when I go play.

And, if anybody has the 2.25 lift with 275 70 18's I'd love to see some photos from different angles. Thanks, and hope everyone is well!

 

I’m unloaded in the front With the 2.25” kit and don’t notice anything overly harsh about the ride. I had 275/70r18 on originally and thought the tires looked too small. Now I have 285/75r18 and feel pretty happy about it.

 

275/70r18

285/75r18

 

Thanks for the info. I was concerned as it said designed for weight in the front. What are your thoughts on the ride both on and off road?

I appreciate the photos. The larger definetly fills out the wells better. But, I will most likely stick with the smaller as it still looks pretty good and will shed a lot of weight. Do you have the leaf pack also? Thanks again!

 

Also, I forgot. How are your CV angles, and did you do a diff drop?

 

No notable problems with the CV angles I did not and they don’t recommend a diff drop for this lift. I currently have a 1”block, Dobinsons shocks, and Timbren SES in the rear. I’m awaiting a covid delayed Four Wheel Pop-up Camper so will wait for that to see if I need the leaf pack or not.
Also, I love the blue coils.

 

Me too. Haven't installed yet. Waiting on Alcan still. Heard from them today. Leafs should be ready to ship in a few days.

 

Getting my springs swapped out tomorrow, So far Dobinson has been great to work with will hopefully get them reinstalled tomorrow after work.

 

Springs are swapped, hopefully get everything reinstalled on the truck after work.

 

2.25” springs are on, went for 30 minute drive and I’m absolutely thrilled with the ride. I got exactly 2.25” of lift and the CV angles look great. I do sit higher in the rear but will be adding a shell and camping setup in the back eventually. I would suggest those looking for a 3” lift to get the 2.25” springs and add a shim for extra lift.

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...er-for-land-cruiser-200-series-tundra-sequoia

 

I didn't make it clear in the my last post but a big shout out to @crikeymike for making this right, he went above and beyond to make me happy. I'm very happy with my decision to purchase Dobinsons and will be looking to them when I start building my GX470.

 

You're welcome buddy, I'm glad we got it squared away!!

 

Does anyone have the 2.25" Dobinsons front with 295/70/18 on stock TRD 18" wheels and stock UCA that can confirm no rubbing on the sway bar, UCA or anywhere else? I think this set-up will only require removing the front rubber splat and will likely be 1/4" from the UCA, but would like to confirm or see photos first. Thanks!

 

I've been studying Tundra suspension options trying to decide what route to go. Here's the info I gathered from Dobinsons vs OME. It seems the Dobinsons 2.25" coils and OME 612 are basically the same spring rate and OME is only 5mm longer. I have no idea why the Dobinsons 3" comfort coils are essentially 2" higher that their 2.25" coils....no wonder folks are getting 4+" of lift. Even the OME 613 seem to give too much lift if there isn't enough added load. I'm no expert, but it seems like the 3" comfort coil doesn't make much sense at all for the Tundra. Who would need that much height with a softer than stock coil on this sort of suspension? Did someone mess up the part number for the Tundra 3" coil?

Dobinsons 2.25” coils - 737lb, 410mm free height
Dobinsons 3” comfort coils - 662lb, 460mm free height
OME 612 coils - 2.5” lift with 0-150lbs - 740lb, 415mm free height
OME 613 coils - 740lb, 435mm free height
OME 614 coils - 740lb, 425mm free height

 

Anyone notice the rear shocks causing the ride to be instantly stiff and bouncy?

 

No, but I have Dakar rear springs.

 

I’ve been blaming it on my Timbren bumps, but it is noticeably stiff and bouncy out back. Hoping it’ll ride better once I get weight in it.

 

I think you guys need to swap out your shackles and get a leaf pack or an add a leaf. I briefly (less than 100 miles) had 1.5" shackels with the stock leaf and Dobinsons shocks and I did get more bed bounce than the stock setup. I chalked it up to have leafs with 120k miles, so I got the Dakars and it rides great less bed bounce than stock.

 

Well, I'm at over 1K miles with this set up. The front springs have settled a little bit but still leaves me at over 5" front and today I put the factory shocks back on the rear and that helped with the bounce. I tried adding some weight in the bed with no luck. Also, both rear shocks seem to be very easy to compress and take some time to return to the normal length. I don't recall if this was the same when I installed them, but they caused the ride to instantly be bouncy. The stock shocks were a lot harder to compress and sprung back a lot faster.

This is disappointing but I'm waiting to hear back from Dobinsons USA

 

Any news?

 

I've also been wondering about an update...

Not totally unrelated, but it sounds like their MMR kit for the Tundra will be coming out this year.

 

Apologies, forgot to update here.

Dobinsons was willing to build me a set of custom front springs to suit my needs (correct lift and accommodate additional weight and future plans). I actually decided to keep the springs the way they are at about 5" lift and add a leaf in the rear to level out with the traditional 2 inch block.

"The rear shocks, we can only check the compressed and extended lengths but not valve forces. Our shocks compared to the original shocks will compress softer because our valving is softer for a smoother ride, the opening up (rebound force) is stronger that is why it opens up slower, if it was softer it will open up faster."

That is the answer I got for the rear shocks, I went back to OEM, and now on Bilstein 5100. Anyone else's rear shocks behave the same way? I would like to put them back on to match front and rear but can't handle the bounciness.

 

I was hoping they
would! I was searching for it today, lol

 

I'm still very pleased with the 2.25" front springs. I did not like the combination of Dobinsons rear shocks with OEM leafs and 1.5" shackles, was too bouncy on concrete sections of freeway. I switched out the rear springs to Dakars and it rides much better, there a still a few sections of the local freeway that are annoying but it was that way with OEM suspension as well. I have also added Decked drawers and a Softopper and the added weight improved the ride of the Dakar springs. The only regret I have is that I should have ordered the full 2.25" kit with rear leafs from Dobinsons to begin with, rather than trying to save a few hundred dollars and keeping my 120K mile OEM rear leafs. I would really be curious to see how the Dobinsons leafs work with the Dobinsons shocks.

 

So i will add after my initial troubles, Dobinsons offered to build me a set..i took them up on that offer. Fast forward to last week, they finally came in. Installed them Saturday night and was beyond stoked that it sat how i originally planned. Center hub to fender lip im at 24 1/2 - 3/4 depending if i measure from overnight sitting, or just getting in from driving it. The ride is night and day way better than stock Bilsteins from the factory. The only thing i have left to do is lift the rear, then onto bigger tires.

i’ll also add, Dobinsons was more than a pleasure to work with. I delt with David since the first call and he was way more than helpful any time i contacted him about anything. I’ll be purchasing from them again when my wife’s 4Runner needs a suspension overhaul.

 

I'm curious when you say they built you a set is it custom or using the shorter spring?

 

The spring that they sent me is not currently listed online. Thats just me going off of the tag with the part number that was on the spring.