Dobinsons 5th Gen T4R Suspension options - from Exit Offroad

[Crikeymike]

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.. ?

With the top installed. Use a socket extension in the lower mount to twist the base so that it is lined up. It's not a huge deal but you can set it straighter if you want

 

[Unretired]

IMS Installed - measurement #1

Finally got it all in.

C59-314 Front Coils
IMS59-50700 IMS Front Struts
C59-327 Rear Coils
IMS59-50701 IMS Rear Shocks medium/heavy

I went from a sagging
Front - 19.25 (stock 20)
Rear - 21.5 (stock 22)

To
Front - 24.25 / 24.5
Rear - 24.5 / 25

Clearance at front skid went from 7.69" to 12.88".
I have a fair amount of weight so I wasn't expecting quite so much lift, we will see if it settles.

Front +179lbs daily
+83 Hybrid Bumper
+60 Winch
-24 stock bumper removed
+51 Front Skid
+30 Trans Skid
-21 stock skid removed

Middle/Roof + 178lbs daily (+60 more when off road & 240lb driver ( sometimes 180lb passenger))
+116 Sliders
-26 running boards removed
+55 Fuel Skid
-18 stock fuel skid removed
+28 Transfer Case Skid
+23 Crossbars & Brackets

Rear +123lbs daily (+40 more when off road)
+53 Storage Drawers
+70 Daily Gear in Drawers


New CV Angle

 

[Sundy]

Finally got it all in.

C59-314 Front Coils
IMS59-50700 IMS Front Struts
C59-327 Rear Coils
IMS59-50701 IMS Rear Shocks medium/heavy

I went from a sagging
Front - 19.25 (stock 20)
Rear - 21.5 (stock 22)

To
Front - 24.25 / 24.5
Rear - 24.5 / 25

Clearance at front skid went from 7.69" to 12.88".
I have a fair amount of weight so I wasn't expecting quite so much lift, we will see if it settles.

Front +179lbs daily
+83 Hybrid Bumper
+60 Winch
-24 stock bumper removed
+51 Front Skid
+30 Trans Skid
-21 stock skid removed

Middle/Roof + 178lbs daily (+60 more when off road & 240lb driver ( sometimes 180lb passenger))
+116 Sliders
-26 running boards removed
+55 Fuel Skid
-18 stock fuel skid removed
+28 Transfer Case Skid
+23 Crossbars & Brackets

Rear +123lbs daily (+40 more when off road)
+53 Storage Drawers
+70 Daily Gear in Drawers


New CV Angle

Where did you set the shock collars, OEM height? Just curious for when my IMS kit shows up - getting pretty excited to see how the ride is!!

 

[Unretired]

I asked for 3", but...

Where did you set the shock collars, OEM height? Just curious for when my IMS kit shows up - getting pretty excited to see how the ride is!!

I asked Mike to set it for 3" thinking I could dial it down if needed.
I think I'm pushing 5" right now, but we will see.
I haven't driven it yet or given it time to settle (if that really is a thing).

Here is a photo of new and old side by side... hard to judge but they weren't that much longer.
Not sure if it helps, but there is about 2.0625" of thread left under the collar.

 

[Crikeymike]

I asked Mike to set it for 3" thinking I could dial it down if needed.
I think I'm pushing 5" right now, but we will see.
I haven't driven it yet or given it time to settle (if that really is a thing).

Here is a photo of new and old side by side... hard to judge but they weren't that much longer.
Not sure if it helps, but there is about 2.0625" of thread left under the collar.

Need to drive it before taking measurements. All bushings are new, including the half inch thick top mounts, and tires grab the ground funny when lowered from a lift or off a floor jack.

 

[Unretired]

Hmmm... might have screwed up

Need to drive it before taking measurements. All bushings are new, including the half inch thick top mounts, and tires grab the ground funny when lowered from a lift or off a floor jack.

Thanks, I need to drive it, but I might have screwed something up.
Rolling straight forward and backward no problems.
Turn to the left went okay.
Turning to the right made a grinding in the left rear, particularly if I give it gas.
I never even made it out of the circle.
Looks like I need some time & some daylight to figure out what I did wrong.

 

[PAKM4N]

I recently added a 4x4 Labs rear bumper and I'm running the 701V. So far I like the ride quality. I'd say it's firm but not stiff or harsh. It's appropriate for the bumper and any additional weight for what I throw in the back. It also gives the truck a nice rear rake so that when you are loaded you aren't ass down. It rides a hell of a lot better than when I had no bumper and Icon 2" springs. Maybe look into the 701v, I know a lot of others as well who have switched to them and really liked the ride quality.



I don't think the 729 is necessarily inappropriate for his situation, depends on the setup, his gear, and how much load is carried for DD and for camping. The 727 is rated for an additional 200-400lbs. That rear bumper alone weights 250lbs. If he's running a rack, sliders, skids, fridge, drawers, hi-lift you will quickly and easily exceed 400lbs. Then when you throw actual camp gear, water cans, jerry cans, food, people in the back you will be way over the load capacity of the 727. See my comment above. I'm running a 4x4 Labs rear bumper with the 701v variable rate coils for 600-800lbs. Even when I'm unloaded I think the ride quality is good and yet it will be ready to handle any additional weight from camping gear.

I think if you talk to Mike at Dobinsons he'd recommend going with the 729 with an added rear bumper. Sometimes I think expectations also need to be kept in check. There are so many variables when it comes to ride quality that it's hard to say that it's one thing or the other. Tires, shocks, spring rates, and weight all come into play. Tires could be too harsh. Shocks could be valved incorrectly. Springs rates not appropriate for load. With the weight of a rear bumper sometimes no matter how much you try to match springs and shocks it's hard and near impossible to regain stock ride quality. That's just the nature of the beast sometimes when you mod trucks.

That was my thought initially. Im running a rear bumper, skids, under armor, rtt drawers etc etc. but the ride just doesnt feel as good as when I had my toytecs. I bought my Kings brand new so I doubt they are defected or blown already. The ride feels like im running over pot holes when im going over a small lane divider bump.

 

[Unretired]

Stupid Skid Plate

Thanks, I need to drive it, but I might have screwed something up.
Rolling straight forward and backward no problems.
Turn to the left went okay.
Turning to the right made a grinding in the left rear, particularly if I give it gas.
I never even made it out of the circle.
Looks like I need some time & some daylight to figure out what I did wrong.

Well after ruling out everything to do with suspension, dust guards, hubs... I realize the stupid gas skid plate support was pushed over just enough to hit the drive shaft if turning right and accelerating.

Getting late, but I managed to put a few miles on it. Drives great. I wondered if I could "feel" the difference and I can. I need to go find some bumps and see if i can get this suspension to "settle".

I am happy to say that a relatively handy Noob can do a suspension upgrade.

 

[007Tacoma]

Went from C59-300R with 1/4” spacers to C59-314R front springs with no spacers...
I’m loving it!!!

C59-314 Front Springs
GS59-700 Front Struts
C59-325 Rear Springs
GS59-705 Rear Shocks

Hey, [MENTION=148378]Crikeymike[/MENTION]!

I sent you an email, but I realized I should also drop you a line on here since my IG name and T4R.org name are not the same.

We added a bumper and lost our rake. Thinking about going to 327 or 329 springs... More details in the email.

Cheers!

 

[Crikeymike]

Hey, [MENTION=148378]Crikeymike[/MENTION]!

I sent you an email, but I realized I should also drop you a line on here since my IG name and T4R.org name are not the same.

We added a bumper and lost our rake. Thinking about going to 327 or 329 springs... More details in the email.

Cheers!

Thanks mate, I just replied to your email. 329's are going to be the way to go for your setup

 

[Unretired]

Measurement #2

Got 20 minutes off road at lunch and hit the suspension pretty hard, even got a couple water crossings.
Nice side benefit of working on a training range (as long as you call in to avoid the live fire).

Front settled nicely - right at a 3" lift - 23" from hub.
Back is still a little high - showing 2.75" - 24.75" from hub.
I was hoping for 2" but okay with 2-3.
I guess back is a bit of a guessing game with coils and weight.
We will see if it settles any more over time.

Time for an alignment now so I don't ruin these tires.

Finally got it all in.

C59-314 Front Coils
IMS59-50700 IMS Front Struts
C59-327 Rear Coils
IMS59-50701 IMS Rear Shocks medium/heavy

I went from a sagging
Front - 19.25 (stock 20)
Rear - 21.5 (stock 22)

To
Front - 24.25 / 24.5
Rear - 24.5 / 25

Clearance at front skid went from 7.69" to 12.88".
I have a fair amount of weight so I wasn't expecting quite so much lift, we will see if it settles.

 

[ridefast]

Im thinkin about extended rear links. Is anyone running either of these with noticeable changes to the rear?

These links used to be 80 now they nearly doubled in price. Is this correct?

 

[Crikeymike]

Im thinkin about extended rear links. Is anyone running either of these with noticeable changes to the rear?



These links used to be 80 now they nearly doubled in price. Is this correct?

The sway bar links have been $150 for the pair since they came out (they are sold each at $75 and you get 2, the way inventory is tracked).

At 2" of lift you won't notice much change but at 3" they help a lot to correct the sway bar and also allow for proper wheel travel without the seat bar trying to restrict it.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Anand]

Im thinkin about extended rear links. Is anyone running either of these with noticeable changes to the rear?

I'm running 329's in the rear with 3rd gen OE rear links (about 1" longer than 5th gen), I can't say I've noticed any difference other than the fact that they look much less strained at static ride height

 

[Unretired]

Alignment Specs - 3" lift with Dobinson UCA

Front settled nicely - right at a 3" lift - 23" from hub.
Back is still a little high - showing 2.75" - 24.75" from hub.
I was hoping for 2" but okay with 2-3.
I guess back is a bit of a guessing game with coils and weight.
We will see if it settles any more over time.

Time for an alignment now so I don't ruin these tires.

Alignment Before with Stock Suspension = 3.1 / 3.2 Caster.

Alignment after Installation - 2.4 / 2.5 Caster... thinking UCAs were a must

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Alignment Before with Stock Suspension = 3.1 / 3.2 Caster.

Alignment after Installation - 2.4 / 2.5 Caster... thinking UCAs were a must

I drove around for awhile with lower numbers and it worked. However, after installing them and getting aligned again, i wish would have had gotten ucas from the get go lol

 

[ridefast]

The sway bar links have been $150 for the pair since they came out (they are sold each at $75 and you get 2, the way inventory is tracked).

At 2" of lift you won't notice much change but at 3" they help a lot to correct the sway bar and also allow for proper wheel travel without the seat bar trying to restrict it.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Thanks Mike. All makes sense. I guess i have that itch that wont go away. Needing something for the 4Runner soon. I’ll hone in on what I want and give you a shout. 10k on my setup and happy. Thanks again.

I'm running 329's in the rear with 3rd gen OE rear links (about 1" longer than 5th gen), I can't say I've noticed any difference other than the fact that they look much less strained at static ride height

Thanks for the info. If i go any higher ill keep this as an option.

 

[proptied]

I'm looking for advice on rear springs for a little more rake plus some more comfort.

2018 ORP, KDSS, full Elkas using OME 895E in the rear. Front bumper, roof rack, steel skids (not gas tank), steel sliders. I don't think I'm running much additional weight in the rear with this setup (no rear bumper or drawers).

OME specs these springs at 2" lift: 375mm @ 260lbs. This feels fairly harsh to me and I think it could be better with Dobinsons.

My current rear hub to fender is ~23". I would like this closer to 24".

I'm not sure if I should go with 505, 325, or something else. Color is not an issue. Suggestions would be super appreciated!

 

[Crikeymike]

I'm looking for advice on rear springs for a little more rake plus some more comfort.

2018 ORP, KDSS, full Elkas using OME 895E in the rear. Front bumper, roof rack, steel skids (not gas tank), steel sliders. I don't think I'm running much additional weight in the rear with this setup (no rear bumper or drawers).

OME specs these springs at 2" lift: 375mm @ 260lbs. This feels fairly harsh to me and I think it could be better with Dobinsons.

My current rear hub to fender is ~23". I would like this closer to 24".

I'm not sure if I should go with 505, 325, or something else. Color is not an issue. Suggestions would be super appreciated!

I'd suggest C59-325. Will get you to that 24" height plus they are a softer more comfortable rate at 220lbs.

Dobinsons C59-325 Rear Coil Springs for Toyota 4Runner and FJ Cruiser | Exit Offroad

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[proptied]

Order placed, thank you!