Originally Posted by mountainbiker42

I installed these IMS shocks a few thousand miles ago and I feel I can finally write a proper review on them. Let me first start by saying, wow. This suspension has completely transformed this vehicle. I mean completely. The stock TRD suspension was great for driving around town with stock P rated tires. Once I added KO2 C rated tires, things started to go downhill. Off road driving, even aired down was very rough and the vehicle just felt thrashed. The ride was harsh and unforgiving. After adding full length aluminum skids and sliders the stock suspension sagged 3/4" lower than stock. I was hitting the front bumps constantly. It was time for the suspension upgrade...

I installed the following components....both F & R coils were 1.5" lift
1. Front coils C59-296
2. Front shocks IMS59-50700
3. Rear coils C59-505
4. Rear shocks IMS59-50701

After about 1 month and 3,000 miles the front settled to exactly 1.5" of lift. The rear however settled at 2" of lift which I did not expect. I have about 150 lbs over the rear axle but still landed at 0.5" of lift over spec. Oh well, doesn't bother me. I wanted to maintain the "raked" look anyways. I may adjust the front up 1/4"

Using the KDSS spacer which goes on the passenger side, the truck leveled left to right very nicely. I did not perform the KDSS calibration, I just left everything alone and it leveled out nicely. Less than 1/4" difference side to side.

2 days after installing the suspension we set off on a 2,000 mile trip from CO to WI and back. I was absolutely thrilled with high speed suspension performance. I was trying to hit every bridge expansion joint in the worst way possible- haha. High speed bumps are very controlled.

Once we got back we set off for a 300 mile northern Colorado overland journey. We had about 300 lbs over the rear axle and it handled the weight very well. We aired down for non pavement driving (30 psi on this trip). The suspension performed very well. It is controlled, not harsh, predictable, and doesn't bottom out but yet still gives an bottomless travel feeling.

After this trip I went a did a slow going, moderate rated 4x4 trail (Moody Hill in Colorado). I aired down to 20 psi and just rolled through the trail. I was extremely satisfied with the suspension performance. Again, it was controlled, yet soft and predictable. If you're aired up to 40 psi on a rocky trail like this, obviously comfort goes down the drain and the ride becomes very stiff (but not harsh like the stock TRD suspension).

All in all, I could not be happier with my purchase. I was heavily comparing this IMS kit with Icon Stage 2. In the end I settled with Dobinson because of customer service, the endless amount of information available through forums, and the price. It seemed to me (based on user reviews) if you want to get your moneys worth out of Icon, you need to speed up. The suspension really starts to perform when under higher speed. This isn't my driving style. I like rolling slowly through moderate 4x4 trails and I just didn't feel I would ever get my moneys worth out an Icon suspension.

Dobinson IMS is incredible. To sum up my experience, the suspension is stiffer (but in a good way), controlled, has a bottomless feel, and gave the truck a huge improvement over stock in every single way possible. It handles the C rated, heavier tires flawlessly. Washboard roads are still washboard roads, but the harshness as been reduced especially when aired down. There is no KDSS bar interference, nothing is pulled tight when fully flexed, and the vehicle works as designed. I got an alignment done yesterday and my caster ended up at 2.5 degrees L & R, camber 0 degrees L & R. The tech said that was best he could do on caster. I've been let down by Toyota dealerships so many times I don't know if that's true or not, but the vehicle drives perfectly straight with no wandering at all.

Sorry for the lengthy review, just wanted to get as much info out here as I could for those of you doing the research I was doing a few months ago. Also, the black shocks with teal springs looks dynamite. The shocks are BEEFY! Very impressed with build quality.