Dobinson leaf springs?

Hey guys! Looking into getting some leaf springs. I'm pretty set on the dobinsons L59-120-R, which is their regular load leaf pack that adds 2.25 inches of lift. I don't keep a constant load in the bed so I'm not going HD.

Anybody have these and run them for awhile?

It's less than 1k shipped with bushings, u bolts, and greaseable pins. I'm ready to pull the trigger, just looking for some updated feedback, all previews reviews seem great.

 

Also, is a carrier bearing drop actually needed?

 

I have the regular leaf pack and love them, I didn’t do any bearing drop.

So far we’ve done one camping trip with the travel trailer and they were great, zero complaints. I’m still adding the Roadmaster HD Active Suspension as soon as it comes in(Black Friday deal) for a belt and suspenders approach.

Edit: I’ve had them installed for at least a few months.

 

Just what I was looking for!! Thank you very much!

I was looking at the RAS as well, but I'm gonna try the leaf pack first, I think that's all I need. I have a WDH when I pull my camper so I'm not worried about sag

My leafs have a hard 230k miles on them. So I'm happy to be getting them replaced. Got some other goodies for the truck too That I'm excited to install.

 

Can you post pics of your current leaf springs? I would like to see how they are sitting. Thanks.

 

You’re welcome!

I have a WDH for my trailer too, and the springs do well on their own. The issue is the factory leaf springs were toast at about 70k miles, completely collapsed, and that seems to be fairly common for Tundras that haul/tow heavy because the springs are narrower than the other pickup brands. My reasoning for the RAS is to improve towing handling long-term and preserve the life of the springs so I don’t have to replace them every 4-5 years. My trailer is about 6300lbs dry, if that helps.

 

They're not as bad as some ive seen on here. Getting a good picture was harder than I thought lol.

I think my 5160 might be leaking, but It could also be the grease I sprayed on my leaf packs to stop the squeaking, it didn't feel greasy when I touched it though. I'll hit it with brake cleaner and see what happens. Might need to upgrade my rear shocks to something better with more travel

 

My camper is around 7500-8k loaded I believe. She levels out good with the WDH. I pulled my buddies camper one time, about the same weight, with no WDH and I was riding the bump stops

 

I have had the dobinsons leafs for a year now and no complaints.

 

Thanks. My drivers side has gaps like yours. The thing is.....only 13K miles on them. The squeaking is coming from the rear isolator. I tweaked mine just a hair with a pry bar so that it would stop. My new springs won't be here until late Dec or early Jan.

 

13k miles holy shit! Are you getting them replaced under warranty?

I ordered the dobinsons, bushings, greaseable pins, and u bolts today. Everything was in stock and it was $908 total, free shipping.

I used this grease on my leafs about 6 months ago and it hasn't squeaked since. This stuff works pretty damn good

https://www.castlepackspower.com/index.cfm?Page=Castle Endura

 

No because my truck is lifted. I ordered Alcans with 1/2 lift and they will be used with my Toytec shackles for the other 1.5. Pics of mine are here.. https://www.tundras.com/threads/drivers-side-leaf-spring-help.98375/

 

Got the Dobinson's HD 5+2 here. Nothing but good! Heavy and awkward to install, be careful!

 

I was looking at the alcans as well and really wanted a set, but I needed something quick and dobinsons had good reviews across the board. I'll be doing a review on them once I rack up some miles

 

Yeah you have the ultimate setup lol HD dobinsons, RAS HD, track bars, sumo springs. It's set up like a 1 ton lol

 

Nice to throw 30 sacks of quickcrete in there and still have springs for the ride to the job site! Plus I don't have to move them from behind the window either.

 

@2mchfun do you have the greaseable shackle bolts? If so do you have 4 or 6 total? I only ordered 4, and I'm thinking I need 2 more to for the complete set. Although their website stated 2 sets needed per vehicle.

 

I have 4, there are only shackles or pivot points at the rear of the truck. The front is just an anchor point really and has reused stock bolts. When you make the swap, be careful, the springs are heavy and awkward. If you can have an extra set of hands around it will be a bit easier.

 

Thanks for the advice! I'll take my time putting them in. I'm used to working by myself and won't be able to source any help. I'm still young and able thankfully. I have tons more work to do the same day.

Leafs springs
JBA UCAs
LCA ball joints and bushings
Adjust 6112s to top setting and add shims
Install rci skid plate

Then after all is said and done I can go get my alignment and new tires.

 

That...is a lot of work to do in one day for one person.

 

Yes it is. But I enjoy doing any kind of mechanical work to my truck. I'm pretty efficient when I work too, and ever since I've gotten some electric impacts, jobs have become a breeze.

 

Being winter with shorter days, and having been down this road, I predict it will take you a solid 1.5 days unless you have an indoor well lighted and well equipped shop. Regardless, good luck, and don't rush it, too damn ez to get yourself hurt!

 

Perks of living in the south. We had a high of 76 today. Winter doesn't really take effect here till January or February. We still have 70 and 80 degree days in December.

I'll be in the gfs garage. I have a good bit of my tools with me. About the only thing I see slowing me down would be installing the lca bushings, some people had to take theirs to a machine shop to be pressed in.

 

Well today 1 leaf spring showed up, along with the hardware I needed. But one leaf spring is still in transit and hasn't updated in awhile... really hope it doesn't get lost. You would think, even if the shipping label wore off, that both the leaf springs need to be shipped together. Guess we will see what happens

 

Mine were also seperated in transit but arrived together. I was quite concerned one got left behind. Good luck brother!

 

Well the 2nd one showed up today out of nowhere! So that was pretty awesome. Only thing I'm waiting on now is my JBA UCAs, ordered them on the 27th, so they should ship out anyday now

 

Got my bilstein 8112s, poly LCA bushings, and beck arnley ball joints installed, currently at 2.75in lift, gonna set them to 3.25 once my spring compressors arrive. After installing the 8112s and going for a 10 mile test drive, I can feel more road feedback from the poly bushings, but holy shit....the 8112s are miles above the 6112s in terms of ride quality, much smoother and more plush. The 6112s were much more stiff, I have them set to 1.9in.

After testing the 8112s, I installed my dobinsons leaf springs and poly bushings. Torqued everything to spec after setting the truck back on the ground. The ride is much more stiff than I would like in the rear, but im hoping it's just the initial feel, and they soften up after awhile. I have 5160s in the rear. I'm gonna drive it for 10 or 20 miles then loosen and re torque all the leaf spring bolts, just in case it's binding from the initial torque.

One thing to note. The greaseable pins for the leaf springs DO NOT fit the top of the shackle, and on the bottom of the shackle you can only get a half of a nut on the greaseable pin when using the lock washer after its torqued. I'll probably get a serrated lock nut to install instead the supplied nut and lock washer, because I want to keep the greaseable pin.

I'm hoping once I set the 8112 height to 3.25 it will give my about 1 inch of rake, because I'm not a huge fan of how it sits now. Before I put the leaf springs on it sat perfectly level with the 8112s. I know my bumper, winch, and skids are pulling the front end down.

 

Never heard of 8112 before this. Those look nice. Glad to hear they ride good.

 

They're what I originally wanted. But they're expensive and it wasn't in my budget at the time. A member here listed them for sale, brand new, so I jumped on them since it was withing driving distance. I'll get the 8100s for the rear sometime in the future

 

Maybe you should get the Ironman greasable shackles. Better movement gives a better ride. I have no complaints.