Dobinsons 5th Gen T4R Suspension options - from Exit Offroad

[T4Jumper]

Hey Mike,

I have been looking into trying out a Dobinson's set up and I'd love your opinion.

I am looking to get 2.5 -3 inches in the front and 2 inches in the rear, and I want extended travel in the front, but not the rear.

My current extra weight consists of full steel skids, and sliders.

C59-300
GS59-574

C59-505
GS59-701

Would this front set up work given I have the steel skids and sliders? Or would it drop the front too much and give me a crazy rake?

 

[Crikeymike]

Hey Mike,

I have been looking into trying out a Dobinson's set up and I'd love your opinion.

I am looking to get 2.5 -3 inches in the front and 2 inches in the rear, and I want extended travel in the front, but not the rear.

My current extra weight consists of full steel skids, and sliders.

C59-300
GS59-574

C59-505
GS59-701

Would this front set up work given I have the steel skids and sliders? Or would it drop the front too much and give me a crazy rake?

Hey bud,

That would be an ideal setup for you. Right at 3" up front. The skid plates don't affect the front lift so much, not like a bumper and winch do. Slider weight is balanced front to rear, so it's not too big of a deal either.

And the rear height should be just under 2" as well, so you'll be removing about 1" of rake from the stock setup.

Just keep in mind that new UCA's should be added at that front lift height, and a diff drop kit is also recommended to prevent CV bind at full droop when running new UCA's.

 

[T4Jumper]

Hey bud,

That would be an ideal setup for you. Right at 3" up front. The skid plates don't affect the front lift so much, not like a bumper and winch do. Slider weight is balanced front to rear, so it's not too big of a deal either.

And the rear height should be just under 2" as well, so you'll be removing about 1" of rake from the stock setup.

Just keep in mind that new UCA's should be added at that front lift height, and a diff drop kit is also recommended to prevent CV bind at full droop when running new UCA's.

Awesome, I was also curious, if down the road I added a lo-profile bumper and winch, would the c59-302/GS59-574 be a good fit in order to support that weight and keep around 3 inches of lift?

 

[Crikeymike]

Awesome, I was also curious, if down the road I added a lo-profile bumper and winch, would the c59-302/GS59-574 be a good fit in order to support that weight and keep around 3 inches of lift?

Yes, that's exactly right, you'd just change out to the C59-302 coils and have 3" of lift with the bumper and winch weight.

 

[mainerunr]

So a thread on another forum about remaining downward travel on the rear shocks had me thinking...

If you have C59-505 coils and GS59-701 shocks on an otherwise stock 4Runner (well, other than C59-300 coils and GS59-700 struts up front), how much downward travel would the rear shocks have?

The guy in that thread had stock shocks and was lifted 2" via spacer and only had 1" of downward travel available in the stock shocks.

The GS59-701 say they are good for 0-3" lift and I imagine there would have to be some travel left with a 3" lift for that claim to be made but how much?

(I guess the question is what is the extended length of the shocks?)

 

[Crikeymike]

So a thread on another forum about remaining downward travel on the rear shocks had me thinking...

If you have C59-505 coils and GS59-701 shocks on an otherwise stock 4Runner (well, other than C59-300 coils and GS59-700 struts up front), how much downward travel would the rear shocks have?

The guy in that thread had stock shocks and was lifted 2" via spacer and only had 1" of downward travel available in the stock shocks.

The GS59-701 say they are good for 0-3" lift and I imagine there would have to be some travel left with a 3" lift for that claim to be made but how much?

(I guess the question is what is the extended length of the shocks?)

The shock specs are in the first post of this thread.

Stock shocks aren't designed for a lift, which is why they have no travel left when lifted on that other setup.

They have 2-3" of downward travel when lifted.

 

[Off-Camber]

More people are switching out from SPC's because of the issues with their ball joints and bushings. Some last years and some not so long.

This is interesting to read. I had Dobinsons UCAs for a large number of miles. After several suspension component upgrades and an alignment, I got a clicking noise in the front left side of my 4runner that I couldn't get diagnosed. I finally thought it might be a bad bushing in the Dobinsons UCA (Dobinsons shipped me two new bushes for free, but I couldnt find a shop to press them in for me). The clinking ended up being a cam bolt shifting at full lock or hard bumps.

I Swapped out to SPC UCAs. With the 574 MRRs and the 352 coils....and about 275lbs of front end weight....after about 35k miles I started getting a loud knocking. As soon as the SPC UCAs were unloaded, both rear xaxis joints were clunking by just pulling on the SPC UCAs with my hand. SPC warranted both. I put new SPC UCAs on. After about 20K miles the second set went bad and did the same thing.

I replaced the SPCs with Dobinsons UCAs AGAIN and it's noise free. I also get a lot less vibration/noise transfer with the dobinsons. My 201K mile 5th gen 4runner feels like it's new again. I would never reccomend SPC based on personal experience.

 

[Crikeymike]

This is interesting to read. I had Dobinsons UCAs for a large number of miles. After several suspension component upgrades and an alignment, I got a clicking noise in the front left side of my 4runner that I couldn't get diagnosed. I finally thought it might be a bad bushing in the Dobinsons UCA (Dobinsons shipped me two new bushes for free, but I couldnt find a shop to press them in for me). The clinking ended up being a cam bolt shifting at full lock or hard bumps.

I Swapped out to SPC UCAs. With the 574 MRRs and the 352 coils....and about 275lbs of front end weight....after about 35k miles I started getting a loud knocking. As soon as the SPC UCAs were unloaded, both rear xaxis joints were clunking by just pulling on the SPC UCAs with my hand. SPC warranted both. I put new SPC UCAs on. After about 20K miles the second set went bad and did the same thing.

I replaced the SPCs with Dobinsons UCAs AGAIN and it's noise free. I also get a lot less vibration/noise transfer with the dobinsons. My 201K mile 5th gen 4runner feels like it's new again. I would never reccomend SPC based on personal experience.

I can only guess that SPC is under a redesign right now. For the past month, there's been no new stock of 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra or most common Toyota SPC options. My guess is they're trying new bushings, but I haven't heard anything yet.

But yeah, the Dobinsons UCA's continue to be trouble free. The factory style bushings are definitely the best option I've seen on any UCA's.

 

[Crikeymike]

NEW REAR SPRINGS ALERT!!!

These are due in about a week, but very limited quantities to start with and only made in teal.

C59-849V - 3.0″ – Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen – 2010-2023 – with 1000LBS+ Constant Load Maximum Flex Coils

These are a step above the C59-749V for those maniacs out there who don't care about GVWR and have 1000LBS or more of constant load bolted to the back of their 4Runner at all times!!


Dobinsons C59-849V 3.0" Lift w/1000LBS+ Coil Springs - 4Runner

 

[Finslayer83]

About 2.5" probably with the tent but these would be great without the tent

Yes they're long travel

About 3.25"-3.5" maybe without the tent

701v's:

Sliders, skids, drawers, rear bar.

Solid 3", but loaded down its perfect. The cut of the bumper makes it look taller than it is as well.

 

[diablorunner]

Hello Mike/All,

I've got a 2020 ORP with KDSS - I've added a full roof rack and rock sliders. I'd like to do a 3"/2" lift. Eventually I'd like to add a slim bumper/winch.

I've been looking through this thread and I found someone who had a similar situation to me, but it was a few years ago so I just want to check in case anything's changed. The set up I'm looking at is:

Front coils - C59-314
Front struts - IMS59-50754
Rear coils - C59-325
Rear shocks - IMS59-50701
UCAs
Diff drop kit
KDSS spacer kit

Does this sound about right?

Thank you!

 

[xristos]

[MENTION=148378]Crikeymike[/MENTION]...

Hello. I have 2018 T4R TRD Pro with stock tires & rims no mods to the suspension. I want to fit 285/70/17 tires with a mild lift to avoid any rubbing or other issues. I have a aluminum front bumper, sliders, Gobi roof rack w/ ladder & Hefty aluminum rear bumper w/ swing out arm holding the full size spare tire. Total added weight for the front is about 137Lbs & about 201Lbs in the rear. This is the only constant weight I have & don't plan to add any more mods that will add more weight. I mainly carry no cargo inside the vehicle besides myself & passenger. This is my commuter vehicle & do maybe about 25% off-road activities - nothing aggressive. I would like your suggestions on what are my options to lift my vehicle without replacing the TRD Pro suspension except for the springs (I'm not interested in any preload collar lift kits),
Thanks in advance.

 

[Crikeymike]

Hello Mike/All,

I've got a 2020 ORP with KDSS - I've added a full roof rack and rock sliders. I'd like to do a 3"/2" lift. Eventually I'd like to add a slim bumper/winch.

I've been looking through this thread and I found someone who had a similar situation to me, but it was a few years ago so I just want to check in case anything's changed. The set up I'm looking at is:

Front coils - C59-314
Front struts - IMS59-50754
Rear coils - C59-325
Rear shocks - IMS59-50701
UCAs
Diff drop kit
KDSS spacer kit

Does this sound about right?

Thank you!

I'd change to the C59-302 front. You'd be too lifted up front. The rest is correct.

 

[Crikeymike]

[MENTION=148378]Crikeymike[/MENTION]...

Hello. I have 2018 T4R TRD Pro with stock tires & rims no mods to the suspension. I want to fit 285/70/17 tires with a mild lift to avoid any rubbing or other issues. I have a aluminum front bumper, sliders, Gobi roof rack w/ ladder & Hefty aluminum rear bumper w/ swing out arm holding the full size spare tire. Total added weight for the front is about 137Lbs & about 201Lbs in the rear. This is the only constant weight I have & don't plan to add any more mods that will add more weight. I mainly carry no cargo inside the vehicle besides myself & passenger. This is my commuter vehicle & do maybe about 25% off-road activities - nothing aggressive. I would like your suggestions on what are my options to lift my vehicle without replacing the TRD Pro suspension except for the springs (I'm not interested in any preload collar lift kits),
Thanks in advance.

There aren't any front coil options to keep your Pro struts and add the proper lift. You'd have to replace those to use the Dobinsons coils.

The rear is easy.

 

[diablorunner]

I'd change to the C59-302 front. You'd be too lifted up front. The rest is correct.

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you!

 

[xristos]

There aren't any front coil options to keep your Pro struts and add the proper lift. You'd have to replace those to use the Dobinsons coils.

The rear is easy.

Good to know. What front set up do you recommend for the front & also what lift height am I looking for the front & rear to install 285/70/17 tires?

I'm assuming for the rear coils I would get #C59-327 – 2″ with 200-400lbs weight & keep the TRD Pro shocks in the rear.

Thanks Mike.

 

[Crikeymike]

Good to know. What front set up do you recommend for the front & also what lift height am I looking for the front & rear to install 285/70/17 tires?

I'm assuming for the rear coils I would get #C59-327 – 2″ with 200-400lbs weight & keep the TRD Pro shocks in the rear.

Thanks Mike.

3" up front and 2" in the rear is the way to go in my opinion.

C59-302 coils with IMS59-50574 up front. Yes, C59-327 in the rear with your added weight and you can run those rear shocks still if you'd like. Or the IMS59-50701. I also recommended rear sway bar links at that height, as the stock ones struggle at 2" of lift.

 

[sroodtuo]

My apologies if this has been asked and answered but are there any cons to going with the extended travel shocks (IMS59-50574) with the 2.5” springs (C59-302) and UCAs?

Thanks.

 

[Crikeymike]

My apologies if this has been asked and answered but are there any cons to going with the extended travel shocks (IMS59-50574) with the 2.5” springs (C59-302) and UCAs?

Thanks.

No, not really. That's a super common setup to get 3-3.5" of front lift, depending on where you set the coil seat height to on the IMS.

 

[sroodtuo]

No, not really. That's a super common setup to get 3-3.5" of front lift, depending on where you set the coil seat height to on the IMS.

Thanks Mike. I’m looking to stay around 2-2.5” so I’ll likely keep the coil seat near bottomed out.