Dobinsons IMS Struts and Shocks - Adjustable Height Monotubes - 5th Gen 4Runners

[Sundy]

If you don't have aftermarket upper control arms you are likely to exceed the range of angle built into the stock upper control arm. So you could damage the upper control arm ball joint. I don't know the full extended length of these though so it's hard to say on whether they'd cause an issue or not.


Also FWIW - most other shocks that come in regular or extended length like Fox or King are actually all the same shock. The regular travel versions have a rubber bumper inside that limits the down travel by a little bit. So if you have them apart to rebuild you can remove that bumper to make them extended travel down the road. Maybe Mike can help with some details on the internals.

The internal reservoir is usually called and IFP or Internal Floating Piston in the other popular brands. It's a tried and true solution.

In my experience with Fox - the service interval is about 15,000 miles and the reason is to replace the spherical bearings. They don't last very long. I would much rather have rubber bushings like these. Every time I have to pull them out to replace the bushings I consider machining out the shock eyes to fit some sort of rubber instead. Rubber is simply better for this application. Otherwise if the build quality is similar - I'd expect the life of these type of shocks to be longer than the OEM due to better seals and better materials throughout. So 100k or more.

Jetboy - thanks for the insight! Good to know the bushings are usually a big reason for the rebuilds - tearing apart a truck every 15K isn't on my to-do list (I drive almost 30K a year).

 

[Crikeymike]

Just updating ETA's here.

IMS59-50700 and IMS59-50701 have arrived and will start shipping out any day now.

IMS59-50574 and IMS59-50705 are still due in late March.
IMS59-50575 still don't have an ETA as they aren't out of production and on the way yet.

 

[Crikeymike]

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

 

[Crikeymike]

Showing the different coil color options that can go along with the IMS struts and shocks.

 

[Crikeymike]

Stock update - March container arrived today.

These are now in stock.
IMS59-50700
IMS59-50701
IMS59-50574
IMS59-50705


IMS59-50575 still don't have an ETA as they aren't out of production and on the way yet.

Any backorders awaiting shipment are leaving today or tomorrow. I'm also posting a video to my Youtube page today on how to adjust and set the height on these. I'll post a link later.

 

[Sundy]

FedEx dropped off a package full of goodies today! These things look great, I can't wait to get them installed!

On a side note - do you know of any mounts that would work to mount the air compressor under the hood? Thinking it could maybe fit in the passenger side back corner.

 

[Crikeymike]

FedEx dropped off a package full of goodies today! These things look great, I can't wait to get them installed!

On a side note - do you know of any mounts that would work to mount the air compressor under the hood? Thinking it could maybe fit in the passenger side back corner.

Looks great!!

I don't know of any mounts to be honest. Any that fit the ARB twin could probably take this but the compressor must sit upright, not at any other angle.

 

[4boer2]

FedEx dropped off a package full of goodies today! These things look great, I can't wait to get them installed!

On a side note - do you know of any mounts that would work to mount the air compressor under the hood? Thinking it could maybe fit in the passenger side back corner.

Talk to heftyfab, he's in your backyard! He was able to fab a mount for my smittybuilt which looks like the dobnisons compressor. It's rock solid. I have mounted it the other way since I took this pic and it works better, just don't get the hose caught in the fan.

 

[Crikeymike]

A better view and some close up views of the details of these.
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[jbl911]

Interested, PM sent

 

[CementTruck]

I installed my IMS set last Saturday, but with quarantine I've only been able to put on about 50 miles of city driving so far. I can say that Dobinson IMS are much more controlled on-road compared to the TRD Pro set they've replaced. To me, that means that there is MUCH less body roll in turns, and I don't find myself having to let off the throttle just to feel like I'm not going to tip over. I've also noticed that brake dive and acceleration squat are gone as well. I know this for sure because I wasn't looking for it, but when I tapped the brakes for the first time, it felt like it bit very hard. I realized later that that was a result of the dive being eliminated so I felt the brakes immediately. And it also does feel like it accelerates quicker, which is a result of no more squat; again, you feel the acceleration instantly.

You'd think this performance would result in a harsh ride, but it actually feels as compliant as the TRD Pro suspension, but more confident and controlled. I'll admit the first 20ish miles did feel a bit harsher than expected, but after the alignment and a few more miles, it feels very nice and continues to feel better every time I drive it.

The next step is get if off the pavement to really see what it can do. Hopefully a follow-up review is in the near COVID-free future. Til then, I am confidently pleased with the IMS setup, because it's an upgrade over TRD Pro suspension, and does not break the bank.

 

[Crikeymike]

I installed my IMS set last Saturday, but with quarantine I've only been able to put on about 50 miles of city driving so far. I can say that Dobinson IMS are much more controlled on-road compared to the TRD Pro set they've replaced. To me, that means that there is MUCH less body roll in turns, and I don't find myself having to let off the throttle just to feel like I'm not going to tip over. I've also noticed that brake dive and acceleration squat are gone as well. I know this for sure because I wasn't looking for it, but when I tapped the brakes for the first time, it felt like it bit very hard. I realized later that that was a result of the dive being eliminated so I felt the brakes immediately. And it also does feel like it accelerates quicker, which is a result of no more squat; again, you feel the acceleration instantly.

You'd think this performance would result in a harsh ride, but it actually feels as compliant as the TRD Pro suspension, but more confident and controlled. I'll admit the first 20ish miles did feel a bit harsher than expected, but after the alignment and a few more miles, it feels very nice and continues to feel better every time I drive it.

The next step is get if off the pavement to really see what it can do. Hopefully a follow-up review is in the near COVID-free future. Til then, I am confidently pleased with the IMS setup, because it's an upgrade over TRD Pro suspension, and does not break the bank.

That's great man, sounds like it's working out well for you.

Having the right alignment is key too to having it ride and drive nicely down the road.

Everyone tells me the same thing too, elimination of brake dive and acceleration squat makes a massive improvement in these vehicles, and it's the main thing people realize right away - just how loose these are in stock form.

 

[sf jakey]

Come on guys. I need to hear more feedback. These are very appealing to me. Looking to replace my 5100’s and go to 2.5” front height for 285s. Leaning toward long travel and control arms. Hope to improve on road handling, gain clearance and get better low speed rock crawling type performance. 5100’s on stock springs have just been ok. Rough ride, but still lots of nose dive and body roll.

 

[Sundy]

Come on guys. I need to hear more feedback. These are very appealing to me. Looking to replace my 5100’s and go to 2.5” front height for 285s. Leaning toward long travel and control arms. Hope to improve on road handling, gain clearance and get better low speed rock crawling type performance. 5100’s on stock springs have just been ok. Rough ride, but still lots of nose dive and body roll.

With the Stay at Home order here in Colorado, I haven't been putting on a ton of miles, so I've been keeping feedback to a minimum.

Overall first impressions though, very happy I spent the cash! Nose dive is gone, I don't notice any body roll with the added height (not a slow driver always :X), a firmer yet very comfortable ride, and eats up a washboard gravel road great!

The rear end was a little stiff at first but seems to be breaking in nicely. I have put about 150 miles on and need to get it aligned (on factory tires / not overly concerned about the short term wear on them). I was holding out to let the front settle/see if I wanted to adjust before an alignment, plus I decided to pull the trigger on some UCA's and will be installing those in the next day or two.

I'm currently sitting about 2.75" and 3" up front, and about 2.5"/3" in back (passenger side currently higher, hopefully will level out). Went with C302's and C725's (15mm longer on pass. side to help with KDSS lean), standard length shocks. I've got KDSS. If the front if it doesn't level out I might bump the low side up a hair, but going to wait until at least 1000 miles to make any changes. Alignment will hopefully happen next week, who knows with all the stuff going on.

I do plan do start a full build thread and do a detailed writeup (I put on close to 30K a year) once I get a few thousand miles on the suspension and a couple trips offroad.

I haven't had 5100's on a 4R, but did on my 09' Silverado. They were much firmer and not in a good way compared to these. If I had to buy again I'd order this same setup.

 

[RedRunner_87]

With the Stay at Home order here in Colorado, I haven't been putting on a ton of miles, so I've been keeping feedback to a minimum.

Overall first impressions though, very happy I spent the cash! Nose dive is gone, I don't notice any body roll with the added height (not a slow driver always :X), a firmer yet very comfortable ride, and eats up a washboard gravel road great!

The rear end was a little stiff at first but seems to be breaking in nicely. I have put about 150 miles on and need to get it aligned (on factory tires / not overly concerned about the short term wear on them). I was holding out to let the front settle/see if I wanted to adjust before an alignment, plus I decided to pull the trigger on some UCA's and will be installing those in the next day or two.

I'm currently sitting about 2.75" and 3" up front, and about 2.5"/3" in back (passenger side currently higher, hopefully will level out). Went with C302's and C725's (15mm longer on pass. side to help with KDSS lean), standard length shocks. I've got KDSS. If the front if it doesn't level out I might bump the low side up a hair, but going to wait until at least 1000 miles to make any changes. Alignment will hopefully happen next week, who knows with all the stuff going on.

I do plan do start a full build thread and do a detailed writeup (I put on close to 30K a year) once I get a few thousand miles on the suspension and a couple trips offroad.

I haven't had 5100's on a 4R, but did on my 09' Silverado. They were much firmer and not in a good way compared to these. If I had to buy again I'd order this same setup.

What UCA's did you go with?

 

[Sundy]

What UCA's did you go with?

Ended up going with some Freedom Offroads - found for $280 shipped/new and couldn't pass - especially when I went a bit outside my overall lift budget :doh:.

SPC's look really nice but I'm very happy with the quality of these pre-install, I'll send over a few pictures!

 

[Crikeymike]

New deal for May, save $180!!!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Sundy]

Come on guys. I need to hear more feedback. These are very appealing to me. Looking to replace my 5100’s and go to 2.5” front height for 285s. Leaning toward long travel and control arms. Hope to improve on road handling, gain clearance and get better low speed rock crawling type performance. 5100’s on stock springs have just been ok. Rough ride, but still lots of nose dive and body roll.

Quick update. Did some solid wheeling last weekend. These things are great! I'm very happy with the purchase. Just eat up all the bumps.

I want to get a few more trips in and then I'll write up a nice review on them.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Was thinking about pairing a set of IMS rears (regular valving) with 700 Twintube fronts. Should be ok? I'd like more dampening/different valving than the 705s offer. Would make sense to get the 701s but...Upgradanitis!

 

[Crikeymike]

Was thinking about pairing a set of IMS rears (regular valving) with 700 Twintube fronts. Should be ok? I'd like more dampening/different valving than the 705s offer. Would make sense to get the 701s but...Upgradanitis!

Sure, you can do that if you'd like. The IMS59-50701 and GS59-701 rear shocks both share the closest valving you can put between a twin tube and a monotube, whilst the IMS have the other benefits of bigger piston, more oil, etc.