Dobinsons 5th Gen T4R Suspension options - from Exit Offroad

[cmilviper]

Mikey just wanted to apologize for my attitude. I'm man enough to admit I ****ed up.

In my blind rage it never occured to me that you are not directly affiliated dobions usa. Just seen you where in Miami and I made an assumption. I never even noticed the Exit Offroad stuff. When you said that you weren't associated I didn't put two and two together. Especially since Dave said you where working on the issue with them. Totally threw me off. I feel like a ****ing ******* (which maybe I am).

I should have ordered from you from the start as you where the one helping me.

Despite my battle with my front coils I'm genuinely sorry to you for being childish. It was undeserved.

You da man! Glad you got everything worked out!

 

[hoobhoob]

All pending backorders for UCA's will be shipping out to you next week and there's a limited amount of available sets arriving also.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Thanks, I just now put through an order for UCA. Have had the coils/shocks in for 18mo now and they've done great onroad and off even with low castor on the OEM UCA, now I need a bit more capability for UCA as I move up to 285s.

..errmm.. I *think* it was from you? Whatever Dobinsons Direct is, where a MikeT works/worked when I ordered the coils... so confused now..

 

[Crikeymike]

Thanks, I just now put through an order for UCA. Have had the coils/shocks in for 18mo now and they've done great onroad and off even with low castor on the OEM UCA, now I need a bit more capability for UCA as I move up to 285s.

..errmm.. I *think* it was from you? Whatever Dobinsons Direct is, where a MikeT works/worked when I ordered the coils... so confused now..

Looks like it wasn't from me this round. I started my own company Exit Offroad at the end of 2019 and left working for Dobinsons directly.

 

[Crikeymike]

If anyone is in the market for a new suspension and wants to save a few bucks, I have a near new suspension here for sale:

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/for-sale-suspension-wheels-tires/283399-fs-full-dobinsons-5th-gen-4runner-suspension-3-2-miami-will-ship-$970.html

 

[I4CUTigers]

Mike, long time lurker, first time posting in this thread.

Looking at Dobinson after a buddy recommended them.

I have a 2018 TRDORP, with KDSS. Stock other than some predator bars that came on it.

Short term (within the year), I am only planning on lifting (would prefer 3” in the front, 2-2.5” in the back.

Long term, I’d like to be able to ad a Slimline bumper/winch, and a magnusson SC on the front. On the rear, I may add a bumper, but it’s not a huge priority. I would say being able to pull a heavy trailer 4K+ occasionally would be.

I really liked the look of this 4Runner on the front page of your gallery and wanted to know if this height/setup is a) possible with KDSS and b) if so, what kit would I need to order? (I was looking at (C59-302, GS59-574, c59-505/723 [would prefer red in the 723 if possible], GS59-701). I know I’ll need UCA’s and a diff drop.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/memb...25gs59705-3-25-front-lift-2-25-rear-lift.html

Thank you in advance for your help. Sorry, I’m a noob at this, but I want to make sure that I am thinking through it correctly.

 

[Crikeymike]

Mike, long time lurker, first time posting in this thread.

Looking at Dobinson after a buddy recommended them.

I have a 2018 TRDORP, with KDSS. Stock other than some predator bars that came on it.

Short term (within the year), I am only planning on lifting (would prefer 3” in the front, 2-2.5” in the back.

Long term, I’d like to be able to ad a Slimline bumper/winch, and a magnusson SC on the front. On the rear, I may add a bumper, but it’s not a huge priority. I would say being able to pull a heavy trailer 4K+ occasionally would be.

I really liked the look of this 4Runner on the front page of your gallery and wanted to know if this height/setup is a) possible with KDSS and b) if so, what kit would I need to order? (I was looking at (C59-302, GS59-574, c59-505/723 [would prefer red in the 723 if possible], GS59-701). I know I’ll need UCA’s and a diff drop.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/memb...25gs59705-3-25-front-lift-2-25-rear-lift.html

Thank you in advance for your help. Sorry, I’m a noob at this, but I want to make sure that I am thinking through it correctly.

Welcome to the thread!!

Yeah, that one is really nice, I love that color especially when it's all stock, but lifted like that.

302's and 574 struts is what I'd suggest. It will be about 3.25" once settled with stock weight and 3" with a lopro bumper and winch.

The 723 rears are only made in teal, but you can use the 505's or 325's and order red, then add the 15mm spacer to put on the passenger side to offset the KDSS lean, and you'll be good to go.

If you can tow that heavy trailer now, then you'll be in better shape with these new coils since they're stronger than stock. If you haven't yet towed it, you might need to wait and see how much the tongue weight is and how much it lowers the rear end. You might need to use 2" rear coils and heavier rate if you tow often, or you can go with the 1.5" rear height but you'll need to add airbags.

Having 3" front lift and 1.5" rear lift will leave virtually no rake, and you don't want to tow with negative rake, that would be really hairy. I think 2" in the rear is a better option.

You may be a noob, but it looks like you've got things pretty sorted out already!! Just consider your future plans, what you want to do with it, and I can definitely help get you setup!!

 

[I4CUTigers]

Welcome to the thread!!

Yeah, that one is really nice, I love that color especially when it's all stock, but lifted like that.

302's and 574 struts is what I'd suggest. It will be about 3.25" once settled with stock weight and 3" with a lopro bumper and winch.

The 723 rears are only made in teal, but you can use the 505's or 325's and order red, then add the 15mm spacer to put on the passenger side to offset the KDSS lean, and you'll be good to go.

If you can tow that heavy trailer now, then you'll be in better shape with these new coils since they're stronger than stock. If you haven't yet towed it, you might need to wait and see how much the tongue weight is and how much it lowers the rear end. You might need to use 2" rear coils and heavier rate if you tow often, or you can go with the 1.5" rear height but you'll need to add airbags.

Having 3" front lift and 1.5" rear lift will leave virtually no rake, and you don't want to tow with negative rake, that would be really hairy. I think 2" in the rear is a better option.

You may be a noob, but it looks like you've got things pretty sorted out already!! Just consider your future plans, what you want to do with it, and I can definitely help get you setup!!

Idealy, I would probably lean towards bags and a no/slight rake, since towing is not a regular occurrence now.

I’m guessing that means 505’s on the rear at stock weight with the 302 and 574 combo upfront, or do you recommend taller in the back to insure no negative rake at stock weight?

Also, you’re good with the 574 extended travel with KDSS?

 

[tpotnoc]

Is there any active picture threads with various Dobinson setups? Looking for pictures of the 724/723 setup, but the search feature is useless.

 

[Crikeymike]

Idealy, I would probably lean towards bags and a no/slight rake, since towing is not a regular occurrence now.

I’m guessing that means 505’s on the rear at stock weight with the 302 and 574 combo upfront, or do you recommend taller in the back to insure no negative rake at stock weight?

Also, you’re good with the 574 extended travel with KDSS?

With stock weight, you won't have negative rake, you just really won't have any rake at that point.

Yep, 574's are fine up front. I ran them for over 3 years before I recently changed to the new MRA's and haven't had any issues.

 

[I4CUTigers]

Welcome to the thread!!

Yeah, that one is really nice, I love that color especially when it's all stock, but lifted like that.

302's and 574 struts is what I'd suggest. It will be about 3.25" once settled with stock weight and 3" with a lopro bumper and winch.

The 723 rears are only made in teal, but you can use the 505's or 325's and order red, then add the 15mm spacer to put on the passenger side to offset the KDSS lean, and you'll be good to go.

If you can tow that heavy trailer now, then you'll be in better shape with these new coils since they're stronger than stock. If you haven't yet towed it, you might need to wait and see how much the tongue weight is and how much it lowers the rear end. You might need to use 2" rear coils and heavier rate if you tow often, or you can go with the 1.5" rear height but you'll need to add airbags.

Having 3" front lift and 1.5" rear lift will leave virtually no rake, and you don't want to tow with negative rake, that would be really hairy. I think 2" in the rear is a better option.

You may be a noob, but it looks like you've got things pretty sorted out already!! Just consider your future plans, what you want to do with it, and I can definitely help get you setup!!

Hey Mike, thank you for all the info. I did realize I made one mistake in my post. I am looking at the 725’s not the 723’s. Do you feel this would be to harsh on a stock weight? Would this get close to level or would you still recommend the 723’s?

I’m assuming either will take care of the KDSS lean and won’t require any spacers on the front.

Sorry man. Just trying to arrive at a decision.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

With stock weight, you won't have negative rake, you just really won't have any rake at that point.

Yep, 574's are fine up front. I ran them for over 3 years before I recently changed to the new MRA's and haven't had any issues.

Didnt know you could run the 574s with kdss. How much more travel would you get out of them?

 

[Crikeymike]

Hey Mike, thank you for all the info. I did realize I made one mistake in my post. I am looking at the 725’s not the 723’s. Do you feel this would be to harsh on a stock weight? Would this get close to level or would you still recommend the 723’s?

I’m assuming either will take care of the KDSS lean and won’t require any spacers on the front.

Sorry man. Just trying to arrive at a decision.

FYI 723's and 725's have sold out and aren't going to be in until the end of April. Have to use standard rear coils and add a 15mm spacer to the passenger side.

Those coils are for stock loads, so they aren't harsh.

 

[Crikeymike]

Is there any active picture threads with various Dobinson setups? Looking for pictures of the 724/723 setup, but the search feature is useless.

The link to the album is in the first post of this thread.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/membe...-dobinsons+parts+installed++part+numbers.html

I don't think there's anyone with that combo that's given photos though.

 

[Crikeymike]

Didnt know you could run the 574s with kdss. How much more travel would you get out of them?

Yeah, it was never a problem on the front. Just can't run the long travel shocks on the rear.

They're 1.3" longer in shaft length, so about 2" or so at the wheel of more down travel.

 

[I4CUTigers]

FYI 723's and 725's have sold out and aren't going to be in until the end of April. Have to use standard rear coils and add a 15mm spacer to the passenger side.

Those coils are for stock loads, so they aren't harsh.

That’s a bummer but I can wait. I appreciate the quick info though. I’ll probably end up doing the 302/574 on the front, 725/701 on the rear.

If my assumption is correct, that should net 3.25” front / 2” in the rear and leave a slight rake for some moderate towing/packing (so I won’t be negative).

 

[Crikeymike]

That’s a bummer but I can wait. I appreciate the quick info though. I’ll probably end up doing the 302/574 on the front, 725/701 on the rear.

If my assumption is correct, that should net 3.25” front / 2” in the rear and leave a slight rake for some moderate towing/packing (so I won’t be negative).

Yes that's correct

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Yeah, it was never a problem on the front. Just can't run the long travel shocks on the rear.

They're 1.3" longer in shaft length, so about 2" or so at the wheel of more down travel.

Damn it man i already placed my order for the coils hahah

 

[Crikeymike]

Those who ordered first receive first!!! First set of assembled Dobinsons IMS struts and shocks going out the door yesterday.

 

[Unretired]

Dobinson Install - Noob Tips

Fellow Noob tips that are in this incredibly long thread if you look long enough:

Front Suspension
Worth it to pay for new parts and have Mike put them together.
Can't use regular coil compressors, old parts looked questionable to me. Everything so much easier if already put together.

Rear Coils
Not too hard to get old coils out.
Much harder to get new coils in - 2 person job.
Could use a simple coil compressor here - would have made it a 1 person job.

Rear Shocks
You get extra bags that you DO NOT USE.
Kinda confused me since one of my bags didn't have a Toyota Fortuner sticker on it (later found it came off in the packing materials).

Do NOT use bags:

Correct Bags: Note the bushing and washer with the lip goes under/in the bracket on the body

 

[Unretired]

Coilover Top/Bottom mounts not quite square

Looking for advice, I have IMS adjustable coilovers:

1st coilover went in nice and even.
2nd one is not quite square.
Tophat 3 bolts are in and tightening up easy.
Bottom mount is twisted ever so slightly so it doesn't want to go in LCA mount and bolt won't slide in.
I can "make it go" if I twist the body with spanner while sliding it in, but at rest it is clearly slightly twisted.
If i can get it in - no big deal?
Or should I square things up to get forces to align properly... How would I do that.. ?