Dobinsons 5th Gen T4R Suspension options - from Exit Offroad

[pinegreen]

It's totally different. I'm sitting 1-1.25" higher with the Dobinsons kit, so its not really fair to compare the two apples to apples. The most noticeable thing is that the center of gravity is that much higher. I was taking some big curves today at speeds that wouldn't have been concerning previously, but I felt the need to slow down just a bit to stay comfortable. Taller truck, drive slower.

That said, I'd pick the new setup over the old setup.

Thank you for the reply. I'm just looking for a minor lift (something around 1.75" front and 1.5" rear)... and have been going back and forth between Bilsteins shocks w/ Dobinson coils, Eibach shocks w/ Dobinson coils, or the full Dobinson setup. Good to hear that you'd prefer these... even though it's at a different ride height.

Also, I know it's different with higher center of gravity and all... but would you say that the overall ride is more compliant/softer with these and how is the body roll/brake dive (even though there ride height is higher)?

 

[Rapid_Amble]

Thank you for the reply. I'm just looking for a minor lift (something around 1.75" front and 1.5" rear)... and have been going back and forth between Bilsteins shocks w/ Dobinson coils, Eibach shocks w/ Dobinson coils, or the full Dobinson setup. Good to hear that you'd prefer these... even though it's at a different ride height.

Also, I know it's different with higher center of gravity and all... but would you say that the overall ride is more compliant/softer with these and how is the body roll/brake dive (even though there ride height is higher)?

Not OP but I have the same suspension on TRD without KDSS for about 20k miles.

OEM was floaty to me with too much nose dive during braking. Dobinson installed with new tires firmed all that up nicely. It feels more controlled now.

Can’t compare to anything else but OEM, but I suspect all aftermarket shocks/springs aren’t softer than OEM.

 

[Crikeymike]

Just wrapped up this video today, I finally got to detail how I suggest the install should go on a 4Runner.

Please feel free to share this to anyone who you think this could help.
.
.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CmjVHhuT1vU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
.
.
.

 

[pinegreen]

Not OP but I have the same suspension on TRD without KDSS for about 20k miles.

OEM was floaty to me with too much nose dive during braking. Dobinson installed with new tires firmed all that up nicely. It feels more controlled now.

Can’t compare to anything else but OEM, but I suspect all aftermarket shocks/springs aren’t softer than OEM.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I would assume anything is better than the stock setup.

 

[Sundy]

Today I got my IMS set installed! Took about 6.5 hours actual wrenching.

I'll be posting a build thread / full review of them after I get some miles quality seems great!

Went with C302s up front and 725s in back. Now to get the new shoes on.

 

[CementTruck]

Looks great! Installing my IMS tomorrow and hoping I'm around the 6 hour mark as well.

 

[Crikeymike]

Looks great! Installing my IMS tomorrow and hoping I'm around the 6 hour mark as well.

Just wrapped up this video today, I finally got to detail how I suggest the install should go on a 4Runner.

Please feel free to share this to anyone who you think this could help.
.
.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CmjVHhuT1vU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
.
.
.

Be sure to watch this video. It shouldn't take that long.

 

[Sundy]

Be sure to watch this video. It shouldn't take that long.

I got the front end done in about 3.5 hours, including taking some work calls and fiddling around with the KDSS in a 12' wide garage .

The rear was about 3 hours, probably could've been quicker but was tired and didn't have the drivers spring compressed enough tring to get the passenger side 725 in... so probably 20 minutes of fiddling around.
[MENTION=174053]CementTruck[/MENTION] make sure you have a ratcheting 17mm and 18mm cresent wrench. I only had though 15mm so probably spent 25/30 minutes getting the top nuts of the rear shocks tightened.. there isn't much room up there.

 

[Dark_Sentencer]

Just wrapped up this video today, I finally got to detail how I suggest the install should go on a 4Runner.

Please feel free to share this to anyone who you think this could help.
.
.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CmjVHhuT1vU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
.
.
.

CrikeyMike, I just watched your suspension install video and I think I am ready to consider installing a lift. Would C302/700 and C505/705 level a stock 4runner with only RSG rock sliders installed?

I am looking to go 2.5" to 3.5" and pretty much leveled or just a slight positive rake (nose just slightly lower).

If you have any other suggestions, let me know.

 

[Crikeymike]

CrikeyMike, I just watched your suspension install video and I think I am ready to consider installing a lift. Would C302/700 and C505/705 level a stock 4runner with only RSG rock sliders installed?

I am looking to go 2.5" to 3.5" and pretty much leveled or just a slight positive rake (nose just slightly lower).

If you have any other suggestions, let me know.

Yes, that combo of parts you listed is super common and would be 2.5" front and 1.5" rear, leaving about 1" of rake.

If you want more lift up front, you'll need to also add UCA's to get the proper alignment. Not sure if you want to do that or not, as it adds more cost. You could go with 3" or 3.5" up front to make it more level if you want.

There are plenty of options of course, all listed here: Dobinsons 1" to 3.5" Lift Kit Toyota 4Runner 2010-20 (Non KDSS) | Exit Offroad

 

[CementTruck]

I got the front end done in about 3.5 hours, including taking some work calls and fiddling around with the KDSS in a 12' wide garage .

The rear was about 3 hours, probably could've been quicker but was tired and didn't have the drivers spring compressed enough tring to get the passenger side 725 in... so probably 20 minutes of fiddling around.

[MENTION=174053]CementTruck[/MENTION] make sure you have a ratcheting 17mm and 18mm cresent wrench. I only had though 15mm so probably spent 25/30 minutes getting the top nuts of the rear shocks tightened.. there isn't much room up there.

Thanks for the advice, but I too did not have the ratcheting 18mm. And I also spent a good 20 minutes rotating the nut a quarter turn each time haha. Quarantine exercise, I guess.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Just swapped out my 300 coils for 302s. (300s for sale in Socal if anyones interested)

Now running 302/700s and 725/705s

Alignment numbers with Dobinsons UCA. Real pleased!

 

[Crikeymike]

Just swapped out my 300 coils for 302s. (300s for sale in Socal if anyones interested)

Now running 302/700s and 725/705s

Alignment numbers with Dobinsons UCA. Real pleased!

Looking good!!!!

 

[CementTruck]

Be sure to watch this video. It shouldn't take that long.

That's a great method/tip to unbolt the lower control arm, especially if you're not uninstalling the UCA! It allows for a perfectly free passage downward for the stock strut assembly, and makes it easy to reattach the lower strut bolt when finishing up. Great video, Mike!

 

[Crikeymike]

That's a great method/tip to unbolt the lower control arm, especially if you're not uninstalling the UCA! It allows for a perfectly free passage downward for the stock strut assembly, and makes it easy to reattach the lower strut bolt when finishing up. Great video, Mike!

Thanks man. I've done it this way on all IFS 4x4 vehicles I've worked on. Suzuki, Nissan, Toyota, etc.

 

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Thanks man. I've done it this way on all IFS 4x4 vehicles I've worked on. Suzuki, Nissan, Toyota, etc.

If replacing UCAs as well, would you still recommend doing it from the bottom? I have a vision of a two-phase approach. Undo the bottom, replace the struts/springs, reattach, and then undo the top and replace the UCAs. Reckon I'd have to think about it more...

 

[T3XAS4Runner]

Today I got my IMS set installed! Took about 6.5 hours actual wrenching.

I'll be posting a build thread / full review of them after I get some miles quality seems great!

Went with C302s up front and 725s in back. Now to get the new shoes on.

Looks great but def needs bigger shoes!!

 

[Crikeymike]

If replacing UCAs as well, would you still recommend doing it from the bottom? I have a vision of a two-phase approach. Undo the bottom, replace the struts/springs, reattach, and then undo the top and replace the UCAs. Reckon I'd have to think about it more...

Yeah, that's still the way I'd do it. Do the lower arm first, put up the new struts, then do the UCA's afterwards.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Gotta say the ride on my 4runner has been so much smoother with the 302 coils! Not sure why it was an improvement over the 300s as they both have the same spring rate but I won't complain!

 

[mugenrios2k]

Looking to move from 3/2 Ready lift spacer kit on my Limited ( with retained X-REAS) to a Dobinsons setup.
After a year of harsh hi speed compression in the rear most likely because how the X-REAS system works with a strut spacer in front and spring spacer in the rear looking for a setup that is not as harsh

Dobinsons UCA are all ready installed
and diff drop already installed

After talking to exit off road
Stock weight
302/574 +3.5" front
327/705 comfort valved +2.5" rear


Any one running this setup ?