Dobinsons 5th Gen T4R Suspension options - from Exit Offroad

[dakgildea]

Hey Mike. Do you think the 705 rear shocks would be too soft for approx 300 lbs? victory bumper w/ single tire swing out? I would go up to the 327's. Just curious about the shock. Thanks

 

[Crikeymike]

Hey Mike. Do you think the 705 rear shocks would be too soft for approx 300 lbs? victory bumper w/ single tire swing out? I would go up to the 327's. Just curious about the shock. Thanks

Yes, they'd be too soft. You'd need the 701's with that sort of weight. I mean you can try them and see how it goes, but they're intended for an empty/light truck.

 

[TRD Toy]

Crikeymike
How much adjustment can the adjustable panhard rod have. Can it be shortened from say stock rod setting? Just picked up a PCK to go on the axle and am looking to fine tune thrust angle once I get an alignment. The location on the axle will be raised so the rod would need shortened just a bit from OEM length.

 

[Crikeymike]

Crikeymike
How much adjustment can the adjustable panhard rod have. Can it be shortened from say stock rod setting? Just picked up a PCK to go on the axle and am looking to fine tune thrust angle once I get an alignment. The location on the axle will be raised so the rod would need shortened just a bit from OEM length.

I don't have the specs of exactly how much, but I know it can go to stock length for sure, as it can work as a stock replacement, without any lift.

 

[doc1303]

Hello,

I just wanted to say I appreciate Mike's responses and information available on this forum. It helped my in my decision to refresh my 2011 4Runner Limited 4WD with new suspension/wheels/tires. It completely transformed my 4R in terms of handling and comfort. No more brake nose diving, much more controlled over large bumps/uneven terrain, and it still retains near factory level comfort when cruising around. Looks better too! I'm very happy and recommend Dobinsons/Exit Offroad/Mike to anyone, especially if you're debating switching out your XREAS.

I used 300 coils front, 599 coils rear. I have third row seat option, there is still a slight rake (rear slightly higher than front). We were able to get all alignment in green (within spec) and it drives perfect. Toyo AT3 265/70/17 tires installed at the moment. Identical matching tire/wheel fits in spare tire area perfectly. The stock tire size gives me good MPG (around 20-22 highway), and good acceleration due to the tire/wheel combo being about 7 pounds LIGHTER (per wheel/tire) than stock. (Toyo at3 this size/rating weighs 39lbs, wheel weighs 24lbs). Good MPGs, good city driving performance (acceleration/braking), more than enough traction for my needs. I'm happy.

:banana:

 

[Crikeymike]

Hello,

I just wanted to say I appreciate Mike's responses and information available on this forum. It helped my in my decision to refresh my 2011 4Runner Limited 4WD with new suspension/wheels/tires. It completely transformed my 4R in terms of handling and comfort. No more brake nose diving, much more controlled over large bumps/uneven terrain, and it still retains near factory level comfort when cruising around. Looks better too! I'm very happy and recommend Dobinsons/Exit Offroad/Mike to anyone, especially if you're debating switching out your XREAS.

I used 300 coils front, 599 coils rear. I have third row seat option, there is still a slight rake (rear slightly higher than front). We were able to get all alignment in green (within spec) and it drives perfect. Toyo AT3 265/70/17 tires installed at the moment. Identical matching tire/wheel fits in spare tire area perfectly. The stock tire size gives me good MPG (around 20-22 highway), and good acceleration due to the tire/wheel combo being about 7 pounds LIGHTER (per wheel/tire) than stock. (Toyo at3 this size/rating weighs 39lbs, wheel weighs 24lbs). Good MPGs, good city driving performance (acceleration/braking), more than enough traction for my needs. I'm happy.

:banana:

That's great to hear!! Thanks for the feedback.

The 4runner looks really great, probably the best looking example I've seen with a stock sized tire and mild lift. I like it a lot.

 

[nozup]

Dobinsons 1.5 lift

2011 4runner SR5 4wd 3 row seats, stock skid plates, Victory sliders, seat covers, floor mats misc storage containers in back for recovery and road hazards, front trailer hitch, BFG K02 265/70/17 tires with 40k miles. Vehicle has 99,000 miles.
Measured as close to center rim to top of open fender before lift, full gas tank:
RF 20 1/4, LF 19 7/8, RR 21, LR 20 3/4

I installed Dobinsons items:
C59-296C front coils
C59-505 rear coils
GS59-700 front struts
GS59-705 rear shocks
After the lift I drove it off road a little to settle the suspension then took it for alignment. I drove a little more off road.
I took time to find exact center of rims due to shape and remeasured with 7/8 tank of gas:
RF21 1/16, LF 21 3/8, RR 23 1/2. LR 23 1/8
Taking the numbers and subtracting
RF 1.43, LF 1.5, RR 1.5, LR 2.375
I have one outlier so I think I must have recorded wrong the before number which would bring everything within a 1.5 inches lift which is what I was looking for.
My alignment was
Before:
0.05 deg caster -0.35 deg
0 deg camber 0.45 deg
0.15 deg toe -0.05 deg
After:
0.20 deg caster -0.35 deg
0 deg camber 0.5 deg
0.05 deg toe 0.05 deg
I measured my stock springs that came out:
Rear springs measured 368.3mmx15.9mmx158 mm wide O.D.
Front coilovers had one with 9 coils and one with 8 coils. I changed out the front struts in the past with some used 2016 TDRO struts and rear shocks that had only 500 miles on them. I kept my stock springs and drove them for 5,000 miles.

The ride after the lift is harsher and not as spongy as stock. The extra clearance I think will help without going wild. I need a long trip to see what miles per gallon will be. This is a daily driver with some off road so I was looking for highway driveability.
Before I lifted I measured several places underneath:
Furtherest back front skid plate 9 inches
Transmission cross bar 10 1/4 and 9 1/4
Gastank 10
Rear diff 9 5/8
I was surprised that alignment did not come closer. If anyone has input for that, it will be welcome.

 

[Ykket]

Turns out, a friend has a lift in their garage and can assist with install. No spring compression tool so need struts assembled. Looking at this image of my cart, is there anything that I am missing in order for us to tackle this?
https://i.imgur.com/7Fa4dS4.png
Thanks

 

[Crikeymike]

2011 4runner SR5 4wd 3 row seats, stock skid plates, Victory sliders, seat covers, floor mats misc storage containers in back for recovery and road hazards, front trailer hitch, BFG K02 265/70/17 tires with 40k miles. Vehicle has 99,000 miles.
Measured as close to center rim to top of open fender before lift, full gas tank:
RF 20 1/4, LF 19 7/8, RR 21, LR 20 3/4

I installed Dobinsons items:
C59-296C front coils
C59-505 rear coils
GS59-700 front struts
GS59-705 rear shocks
After the lift I drove it off road a little to settle the suspension then took it for alignment. I drove a little more off road.
I took time to find exact center of rims due to shape and remeasured with 7/8 tank of gas:
RF21 1/16, LF 21 3/8, RR 23 1/2. LR 23 1/8
Taking the numbers and subtracting
RF 1.43, LF 1.5, RR 1.5, LR 2.375
I have one outlier so I think I must have recorded wrong the before number which would bring everything within a 1.5 inches lift which is what I was looking for.
My alignment was
Before:
0.05 deg caster -0.35 deg
0 deg camber 0.45 deg
0.15 deg toe -0.05 deg
After:
0.20 deg caster -0.35 deg
0 deg camber 0.5 deg
0.05 deg toe 0.05 deg
I measured my stock springs that came out:
Rear springs measured 368.3mmx15.9mmx158 mm wide O.D.
Front coilovers had one with 9 coils and one with 8 coils. I changed out the front struts in the past with some used 2016 TDRO struts and rear shocks that had only 500 miles on them. I kept my stock springs and drove them for 5,000 miles.

The ride after the lift is harsher and not as spongy as stock. The extra clearance I think will help without going wild. I need a long trip to see what miles per gallon will be. This is a daily driver with some off road so I was looking for highway driveability.
Before I lifted I measured several places underneath:
Furtherest back front skid plate 9 inches
Transmission cross bar 10 1/4 and 9 1/4
Gastank 10
Rear diff 9 5/8
I was surprised that alignment did not come closer. If anyone has input for that, it will be welcome.

Many shops only do a "toe and go alignment", meaning they don't try to adjust the caster properly, they only set the toe or camber to get the vehicle tracking straight and that's it. It's a super common occurance with IFS vehicles. They would need to move the rear cams all the way out, the front cams all the way in (this maxes the caster), then adjust toe and camber per the computer's readout, leaving it with the most caster you can get.

 

[Crikeymike]

Turns out, a friend has a lift in their garage and can assist with install. No spring compression tool so need struts assembled. Looking at this image of my cart, is there anything that I am missing in order for us to tackle this?
https://i.imgur.com/7Fa4dS4.png
Thanks

That list looks good.

 

[Ykket]

That list looks good.

Awesome, thanks for the all help here, and in PM. Much appreciated

 

[2011T4RLE]

Take it to another alignment shop. Preferably not a chain like NTB or Firestone or a dealership. Look for an actual shop that can do alignments. My Dobinsons rides better than stock, and I am running the heaviest spring rate available up front.

 

[nozup]

1.5 lift alignment

Many shops only do a "toe and go alignment", meaning they don't try to adjust the caster properly, they only set the toe or camber to get the vehicle tracking straight and that's it. It's a super common occurance with IFS vehicles. They would need to move the rear cams all the way out, the front cams all the way in (this maxes the caster), then adjust toe and camber per the computer's readout, leaving it with the most caster you can get.

Thanks all for the previous comments. I tried to list all variables that may help me and also help someone else doing a similar lift. The vehicle seems to drive okay, although the alignment numbers are not what I expected.

About the outlier number, I thought about this a little longer and it may be a weak spring. It was on the rear at the heavy side. I remember checking the measurement a couple times before recording. So with 98,000 miles it is very possible a weak spring. This might be something others could watch for.

 

[Chilow]

Do these bushings look tightened down okay? This is for the rear shocks.

 

[Crikeymike]

Do these bushings look tightened down okay? This is for the rear shocks.

Yes, I think so. Just make sure the shock body can't rotate by hand easily.

 

[Florunner78]

Finally upgraded from my 5100 lift to the Dobs IMS kit.

Front Springs: C59-300
Front Shocks: IMS59-50700 (seat raised 10mm to achieve the lift I wanted up front)
Rear Springs: C59-325
Rear Shocks: IMS59-50705
Dobinsons UCAs

Big improvement. Still a nice firm ride, but much more composed. I wish I had done UCAs the first time around too, driving at highway speeds is so much better now and requires a lot less input to keep it pointed where I'm going.

 

[Crikeymike]

Finally upgraded from my 5100 lift to the Dobs IMS kit.

Front Springs: C59-300
Front Shocks: IMS59-50700 (seat raised 10mm to achieve the lift I wanted up front)
Rear Springs: C59-325
Rear Shocks: IMS59-50705
Dobinsons UCAs

Big improvement. Still a nice firm ride, but much more composed. I wish I had done UCAs the first time around too, driving at highway speeds is so much better now and requires a lot less input to keep it pointed where I'm going.

That's great man!! Post up whatever photos you took during the install. People like to see comparisons from old to new as well.

 

[Modro]

Thanks Mike for all the help, got my setup installed a few weeks back, some new tires, and just got the alignment sorted out yesterday. 300/599 spring combo with the comfort valved rear shocks for a 2" front 1" rear lift. Alignment shop managed to get 2.5 degrees of caster and nailed the camber and toe. Rides great, a little firmer than stock and a lot less nosedive under braking.

New tires are 285/70/r17 Load Range C Ko2's. No rubbing (yet) after removing the front mud flaps and doing an fender liner pushback. Factory wheels, no spacers.

Sauce:

Regards,
Don

 

[Crikeymike]

Thanks Mike for all the help, got my setup installed a few weeks back, some new tires, and just got the alignment sorted out yesterday. 300/599 spring combo with the comfort valved rear shocks for a 2" front 1" rear lift. Alignment shop managed to get 2.5 degrees of caster and nailed the camber and toe. Rides great, a little firmer than stock and a lot less nosedive under braking.

New tires are 285/70/r17 Load Range C Ko2's. No rubbing (yet) after removing the front mud flaps and doing an fender liner pushback. Factory wheels, no spacers.

Sauce:

Regards,
Don

That's great to hear!! It looks great, perfect for every day driving!!

 

[NoGaRunner]

Are the Dobinsons springs generally available now again? Last I checked a few months back no one had them. I've been looking at the OME springs as an alternative since.