Dobinsons Suspension Review

That's not something I can do, as I don't rebuild shocks. Dobinsons sells the rebuild kit, but apparently not the shims, which surprises me. They're stocked in Miami.

This video shows how they come apart and all the basics, just like pretty much all other rebuildable shocks - https://youtu.be/1jIOXzyQxIk

As I said last week, there's no updates on the fronts.

 

I was surprised as well. I will say that Dobinsons offered to revalve the shocks for free but I had to pay shipping both ways. Which sounded great until I check shipping rates. It was around $150 each way from CA to FL and my daily driver would be down for a few weeks. All in all Dobinsons seems to be a decent product with very helpful employees.

 

Buy the twin tubes. No need to rebuild. Just replace when they [eventually] wear out. Boom, problem solved.

 

Hey All,
I just had Dobinsons struts, shocks, 778 coils and 120 leafs installed.

Measurements before and after:
front driver: 21.5 to 24.5 = 3in
front pass: 21.5 to 25 = 3.5in
rear driver: 23 to 26 = 3in
rear pass: 23 to 26 = 3in
I've driven it about a hundred miles since the install and there has been no settling.

I think I'm going to need UCAs.. which I was hoping to avoid. Any suggestions on what would be best for this set up.. and what is in stock?
The ride if firmer but not harsh at all, also feels more composed over bumps. Body roll has been reduced dramatically as well.
I had this basic set up on my 2019 4Runner and it rides very similar.

 

But I have a shock vise and tools. Twin tubes also lack the oil volume I want and cavitate the oil. I'm always overheating twin tubes on the trails I run. They tend to be good for a short period of time, then the truck is swaying and bucking.

 

Ended up getting SPC UCAs installed today. Now I need bigger tires.....

 

Bumping this. I want to run the stock weight 2.25” front and stock rear leafs with dobinsons shocks and a 1” shackle to keep some rake for towing. Will I need UCA’s being so close to “stock” trd pro height?

 

You’re likely good to go with stock UCAs, keeps it simple and no additional maintenance.

 

I’m running 778s (2.5”) on stock uca. You really get about 3” of lift out of them

 

I'd say install your suspension, get it aligned and drive it for a while. If you're happy with the alignment numbers, handling characteristics and tire clearance, no need to get UCAs. If you'd like to improve any of the above, add the UCAs. I have about 2-½" lift and eventually decided to go for the UCAs to improve the above. Adding caster helped steering stability and tire clearance a good bit.

 

Great news guys!! The MRA front struts for the 2007-2021 Tundras are finally on their way and will be arriving in January!!

Full coilovers:
https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...bled-mra-coilovers-for-toyota-tundra-2007-21/

Struts only (can use existing Dobinsons coils)
https://exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-3-way-adjustable-mra-front-struts-toyota-tundra-2007-2021/

Full MRA kit:
https://exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-tundra-2-0″-3-0″-mra-suspension-kit-for-2007-2021-4x4-v8/

And the rear MRA shocks are already in stock:
https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...-mra-rear-shocks-for-toyota-tundra-2007-2021/



**just added the new photos

 

Well, it’s time to change leaf springs since they are looking flat and new shocks, I’m Considering the Dobs. Have a GFC camper(about 300 lbs) and about 200lbs of gear, and tow a travel trailer frequently. I’m on the road a lot. Debating IMS or MRR kit. Wasn’t wanting to lift much because I’m a short woman at 5’3” but it seems unavoidable so I’ll go with the lowest at 2 inches.

Was looking at the Bilstein 5160/6112 option but local shop recommended against it for my case. Was hoping not to spend a lot but I’m open to the MRR if it’s that much better of a ride and maybe helps with safety. I’ll be spending a lot of time in my Tundra and do like the stock ride. I’ve had Kings w/Reservoirs on a Tacoma and it was overkill for me. Although the ride feel was appreciated!! Only do light, very occasional intermediate off-roading.

Was thinking of getting a Roadmaster Active Suspension but thinking of going the lift kit route instead with the heavier duty leaf spring. It’s between a heavier duty leaf spring or adding the Roadmaster And adding new shocks.

 

With that setup you may just want to add something like sumo springs which would absorb most of the weight directly to the axle instead of xl leafs that would ride pretty rough. You might be able to put the sumos on and not redo the rear leafs at all, which can be installed in your driveway quickly. Picture is my dobinson leafs with sumospring support. This setup has taken both temporary and static loads easily as well as rides good empty.

 

Currently have air bags, sumos won’t cut it with the way the leaf springs look now, and I’m getting ready to throw in a heavy 3/4” plywood full length drawer. Don’t believe sumos would be safe with a 500-600 pound constant load in the bed and pulling a trailer.

 

You could run the standard leaf pack and have it squat down some with your extra weight, instead of running the heavier leaf pack (keeping the height down).

Since the Kings were overkill, I'd recommend the IMS setup. Much less expensive, simpler and the ride is really good.

 

thanks to Mike, finally got my MRA and dobinson leaf pack installed this weekend. So far the ride is nice and the leaf are quiet. Drove about 400-500 miles so far.

 

@crikeymike my 3rd gen 4runner might be next on the upgrade list. I dont think you guys make MRA for 3rd gen 4runners?

 

They're on the way!! Fronts will be first. I just recently added them to the website, but we don't have a good date yet.

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-mra59-a222-3-way-adjustable-mra-front-struts/

They suit 1st Gen Tundra, 1st Gen Sequoia, 1st Gen Tacoma and 3rd Gen 4Runner

 

Oh nice... no eta on rears?

 

They haven't been announced for the 3rd gen 4runner yet.

Tundra rears are already in stock. Same as Tacoma.

 

Hey Mike,

I'm currently looking at the IMS for my Tundra. I actually won it at a local Overlanding event held here in Tampa!

My question is. I wanted to get the 3IN front and 2in block rear. I was talking with someone and they mentioned to get the 2.5in lift and the spacers for the lean will make it closer to the 3IN I wanted. I wanted to make sure if that is correct or get the 3IN and the spacers for the lean and still be ok? Not sure which one will get me closer to my goal? Hopefully this makes sense.

 

The IMS struts are height adjustable with clips, so you don't need a top spacer, you can offset the clip heights. Buy the stock weight 3" coils if that's the height you want. No point in complicating it. If it was a lighter 2WD, that would be a different story.

 

I've got dobs IMS on my 4th gen 4runner, and am looking at the IMS for the tundra. I don't really care to lift it but level it up front. anyone else done that and have a recommendation for front setting and general coil rates?

 

You could run the 2.5" stock weight springs on the lowest clip height up front, and leave the rear alone, just add new shocks for matching shocks front and rear and better ride quality. You shouldn't need to do anything else.

Worst case scenario down the road and you want to gain a little rake back, you can add a small block, add a leaf, or leaf pack to the rear.

You can see all those options on this page, and just not select a rear lift option:
https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...0-quick-ride-kit-or-aal-for-2007-2021-4x4-v8/

 

I finally got my leaf springs, bushings, pins and shackles installed last week. I netted about 2-2-5" lift compared to stock height and now have a some rake back, which is what I was hoping for. With a full tank, I still have some lean, about 3/4". Overall, much better.

Starting Monday, the springs started creaking like an old man getting out of a rocking chair. The first few days they were silent. I retorqued all the fasteners and pumped in more grease to make sure they were lubed. Any other recommendations on how to shut them up?

 

When you installed the bushings, did you grease the ID and OD of the metal sleeve that goes into the bushings?

 

Not sure, I had to use my silver ratchet (paid a shop) to install these. This would only apply to the front pin, as the shackles came with new bushings. I think those new bushings did not have sleeves.

 

Ok. The noises you're describing sound like dry bushings to me. Maybe get your hand on each end of the spring and have someone bounce up and down on the bed to isolate the noise.

They're supposed to be lubed up during the install, then the grease gun is used to add the final bit once it's all in place.

 

Ok, will do. They did look reasonably greasy to me, and this shop is familiar with Toyotas and more importantly aftermarket suspension, but I will dig into it. Thanks again for your help.

 

How do you like the springs so far? I just got mine in but didn’t get the pins/shackles. Was going to grease them up and install them that way. The bushings that came with it has 6 bushings and they all have sleeves fyi (PB59-1102K) I’m currently trying to figure out what shocks to pair with them.