Dobinsons MRA - 3-way adjustable struts/shocks w/resi - 5th Gen

[Crikeymike]

Thank you; thats great info

How do the front and rear reservoirs mount? Do they come with brackets? Hard to beat the look of the way the Kings and Fox's mount. The extra length of the lines on the dobinsons kit makes it look a little sloppy i guess is the best way to put it.

Yes, they come with resi brackets. This page here shows instructions for how they install:
Instructions - Exit Offroad

 

[bayaz]

Mike, wanted to pick your mind about front springs. My setup has full steel skids, full size bumper (150lbs), winch (80lbs), dual compressor (20lbs) and some small lights. Should I run 314s or 354 to maintain 3 inches lift up front? Thanks

 

[Crikeymike]

Mike, wanted to pick your mind about front springs. My setup has full steel skids, full size bumper (150lbs), winch (80lbs), dual compressor (20lbs) and some small lights. Should I run 314s or 354 to maintain 3 inches lift up front? Thanks

With that weight, the 354s.

 

[bayaz]

With that weight, the 354s.

Thanks! And at what coil seat height?

 

[Crikeymike]

Thanks! And at what coil seat height?

226mm with those coils should get you right at 3" if not a little over

 

[bayaz]

226mm with those coils should get you right at 3" if not a little over

Thanks! Awesome service at ExitOffroad!

 

[MyanRagahis]

So is everyone loving their setup so far?
I'm contemplating a new setup in the future and my OCD is liking the amount of fine tuning these have.

Would this be an optimal setup for me?
C59-354 (With 220-300lbs - 2.5") for the front (confused here if I should decrease preload if it ends up being too high for my liking or get the 2inch spring option and increase preload.)
C59-327 ( 2" with 200-400lbs weight) for the rears

I currently run the C59-325 rear spring with my current setup. Rides good, just a bit softer when super loaded down now.

I have a lot of weight but still looking for comfort on the highway during long road trips and simple 15 mile drive to work everyday. I did like the bit of info I read that the rubber top hat and bottom shock mount bushings would be a source to comfort due to it reducing some road bumps.
I'll be getting the extended travel front shocks to pair with my current JBAs.

As far as full time weight, I have a Shrockworks bumper with winch, sliders, skids all the way back to the gas tank, front runner full rack, and rear wooden drawers with some items.
A roof top tent sits on top full time too but I'm wanting to remove that and only put it on during the long trips.

 

[Crikeymike]

So is everyone loving their setup so far?
I'm contemplating a new setup in the future and my OCD is liking the amount of fine tuning these have.

Would this be an optimal setup for me?
C59-354 (With 220-300lbs - 2.5") for the front (confused here if I should decrease preload if it ends up being too high for my liking or get the 2inch spring option and increase preload.)
C59-327 ( 2" with 200-400lbs weight) for the rears

I currently run the C59-325 rear spring with my current setup. Rides good, just a bit softer when super loaded down now.

I have a lot of weight but still looking for comfort on the highway during long road trips and simple 15 mile drive to work everyday. I did like the bit of info I read that the rubber top hat and bottom shock mount bushings would be a source to comfort due to it reducing some road bumps.
I'll be getting the extended travel front shocks to pair with my current JBAs.

As far as full time weight, I have a Shrockworks bumper with winch, sliders, skids all the way back to the gas tank, front runner full rack, and rear wooden drawers with some items.
A roof top tent sits on top full time too but I'm wanting to remove that and only put it on during the long trips.

Hey bud.

With that front weight, if you think you only want 2" of lift, you can use the C59-352, then you can add height to them if you want it taller. The 354's would be 2.5" with the added weight, but you can't take the coil seat on the struts any lower than stock height (213mm) as you'll end up having contact from the sway bar to the strut. So it's better to use a coil to where you want it to be, and add height, rather than doing it the other way around.

The 327's should really work well for you, as the 325's have done pretty well so far. The jump in spring rate will really help support the rear end weight a lot better.

 

[MyanRagahis]

Hey bud.

With that front weight, if you think you only want 2" of lift, you can use the C59-352, then you can add height to them if you want it taller. The 354's would be 2.5" with the added weight, but you can't take the coil seat on the struts any lower than stock height (213mm) as you'll end up having contact from the sway bar to the strut. So it's better to use a coil to where you want it to be, and add height, rather than doing it the other way around.

The 327's should really work well for you, as the 325's have done pretty well so far. The jump in spring rate will really help support the rear end weight a lot better.

I'm overthinking it all, do you think I should go with the "C59-314 - Stock - 3" | with 110-220lbs - 2.5" " for a more softer ride and ease of flex and then adjust preload?

I already run 700lb springs on my radflos (no adjusters), and it barely needs any preload (less than 1 inch) to hold the front 2 to 2.5" of lift. I find it a bit stiff on the road lately. Offroad is great but it can be a bit jolting at times.

Or should I infact go with those 2" heavy springs and rely and your valving and adjusters?

 

[Crikeymike]

I'm overthinking it all, do you think I should go with the "C59-314 - Stock - 3" | with 110-220lbs - 2.5" " for a more softer ride and ease of flex and then adjust preload?

I already run 700lb springs on my radflos (no adjusters), and it barely needs any preload (less than 1 inch) to hold the front 2 to 2.5" of lift. I find it a bit stiff on the road lately. Offroad is great but it can be a bit jolting at times.

Or should I infact go with those 2" heavy springs and rely and your valving and adjusters?

I have the same bumper and weight as you on the front, and I run the 354's because I wanted 3". They ride better than when I had the 314's on it.

You can go with the 352's and the MRA59-A574's and adjust up to whatever you want, and have that room to adjust up or down. It's up to you.

The 314's are a long coil and they compress a fair bit under the weight you have, not leaving much space between each coil turn. The 352 and 354 work better under that added weight.

 

[MyanRagahis]

I have the same bumper and weight as you on the front, and I run the 354's because I wanted 3". They ride better than when I had the 314's on it.

You can go with the 352's and the MRA59-A574's and adjust up to whatever you want, and have that room to adjust up or down. It's up to you.

The 314's are a long coil and they compress a fair bit under the weight you have, not leaving much space between each coil turn. The 352 and 354 work better under that added weight.

Great, thank you for all the help and data! Really appreciate it. Definitely feel I'll be making a great choice for my next setup.

 

[MyanRagahis]

Installed the front coilovers this past weekend and they ride amazing. Front shocks and rear springs came to my door in literally two days after ordering. I thought it'd take weeks. Cant wait to install the rear shocks when it gets here. Thanks for getting the purple collars on there, Mike!

A huge blindside for me was realizing and remembering that the OEM style bushings don't fit my Dirt King lower control arms with the old uniball style. I'm 90% sure I read that back then but can't find any info on it now as they changed the design. Tried to fit it but the Dobinsons lower shock eyelet was too long to fit in between the shock mount tabs. I could have shaved the shock eyelets down but didn't want to.
Luckily I kept my OEM lowers and threw those back on. Not a big deal, got tired of maintaining the uniball anyway and the bushings needed to be replaced soon.
Since these aren't extended travel, my driver side NAPA CV axle doesn't bind at full droop anymore which is great.

Only put 15 miles on them and the ride quality blows my mind
with only the fronts installed for now. Almost stock like ride. I didn't realize how stiff my old setup was (Radflo 2.5 extended travel with 700lb springs). Even when stepping into my driver seat, the Dobinson's actually articulates slightly from the suspension now rather than just seeing tire flex from my old setup lol. With these being a 730lb spring rate over my 700s, I never thought it was flex easier. Valving truly is a major factor.
And my phone doesn't rattle on my phone mount anymore!
No hate on Radflo though. Enjoyed them to the end. Probably just needed a rebuild.
Ride height is perfect. 23" hub to fender on the passenger and slightly less on the driver.


Took it for another drive today and played with the settings. Couldn't feel too much of a difference yet with high speed compression but low speed compression was a major difference from lowest to highest. I'm favoring the highest low speed compression and keeping high on #6 for now.
I believe I have the rebound cranked all the way clockwise also.

The driver side reservoir knobs were super hot due to it being blown by all the engine heat. I'll have to put on a splash guard to protect it.

Hopefully if the rear shocks come in before Jambo, I'll get to test the whole setup for some trails.

 

[Crikeymike]

Installed the front coilovers this past weekend and they ride amazing. Front shocks and rear springs came to my door in literally two days after ordering. I thought it'd take weeks. Cant wait to install the rear shocks when it gets here. Thanks for getting the purple collars on there, Mike!

A huge blindside for me was realizing and remembering that the OEM style bushings don't fit my Dirt King lower control arms with the old uniball style. I'm 90% sure I read that back then but can't find any info on it now as they changed the design. Tried to fit it but the Dobinsons lower shock eyelet was too long to fit in between the shock mount tabs. I could have shaved the shock eyelets down but didn't want to.
Luckily I kept my OEM lowers and threw those back on. Not a big deal, got tired of maintaining the uniball anyway and the bushings needed to be replaced soon.
Since these aren't extended travel, my driver side NAPA CV axle doesn't bind at full droop anymore which is great.

Only put 15 miles on them and the ride quality blows my mind
with only the fronts installed for now. Almost stock like ride. I didn't realize how stiff my old setup was (Radflo 2.5 extended travel with 700lb springs). Even when stepping into my driver seat, the Dobinson's actually articulates slightly from the suspension now rather than just seeing tire flex from my old setup lol. With these being a 730lb spring rate over my 700s, I never thought it was flex easier. Valving truly is a major factor.
And my phone doesn't rattle on my phone mount anymore!
No hate on Radflo though. Enjoyed them to the end. Probably just needed a rebuild.
Ride height is perfect. 23" hub to fender on the passenger and slightly less on the driver.


Took it for another drive today and played with the settings. Couldn't feel too much of a difference yet with high speed compression but low speed compression was a major difference from lowest to highest. I'm favoring the highest low speed compression and keeping high on #6 for now.
I believe I have the rebound cranked all the way clockwise also.

The driver side reservoir knobs were super hot due to it being blown by all the engine heat. I'll have to put on a splash guard to protect it.

Hopefully if the rear shocks come in before Jambo, I'll get to test the whole setup for some trails.

That's great to hear. Thanks for all the info.

The rear shocks should be shipping out pretty soon, the container is due in the next few days.

Yeah, I remember a while back about the lower arms, guys were shaving the sleeves on the bushings for the narrow fitment.

 

[MyanRagahis]

[MENTION=148378]Crikeymike[/MENTION]
Hey, Mike. Just wanted to check if I got the right hardware. The mount looks like I received the ones for up front. Just looks different from the instructions is all. Hose is quite longer compared to the one in the manual and your pictures at the beginning of the thread.
I could make it work and drill the mount into where I'm holding reservoir?

*Edit
Not sure if making that bracket would work. Sticks out pretty far from the side of the frame and unsure if the tire would rub against it while flexing.

 

[honda250xtitan]

[MENTION=148378]Crikeymike[/MENTION]
Hey, Mike. Just wanted to check if I got the right hardware. The mount looks like I received the ones for up front. Just looks different from the instructions is all. Hose is quite shorter too.
I could make it work and drill the mount into where I'm holding reservoir?

[


*Edit
Not sure if making that bracket would work. Sticks out pretty far from the side of the frame and unsure if the tire would rub against it while flexing.

dont the dobinsons stuff mount under/inside the frame?

 

[MyanRagahis]

dont the dobinsons stuff mount under/inside the frame?

As it should. I found out real quick the shock makes contact with the tire when the suspension articulates ��

I figured I'd try to adapt with the stuff they provided but it didn't work out. Pretty sure the mount I received is what is for the front shocks. I didn't get anything similar to what was on the instructions and I figured they just updated the design with the longer hose.

Edit* I'm not sure why there's a winky face as the title of this post lol

 

[Crikeymike]

[MENTION=148378]Crikeymike[/MENTION]
Hey, Mike. Just wanted to check if I got the right hardware. The mount looks like I received the ones for up front. Just looks different from the instructions is all. Hose is quite longer compared to the one in the manual and your pictures at the beginning of the thread.
I could make it work and drill the mount into where I'm holding reservoir?

Dobinsons changed the hose length in this latest delivery so that the resi could be mounted further forward or rearward in the fender to be able to reach the adjusters easier. It comes with the universal bracket (same as the fronts). It requires just 1 bolt to hold it.

The way you're holding it in the photo looks pretty close, but flip it around to push the resi further back and clear the tires.

It can also go forward to the front of the vehicle and down on the frame

**edit: I've seen your email and seen you've sorted it out.

Here are some more photos

 

[MyanRagahis]

Thanks for all the info and help!
I moved it all this morning, had to do some metal cutting to the passenger side body that holds the mudflap for ease of fitment. Driver side was only some fender lining cutting.

The ride feels super plush on the road. Very excited to try these out at Jambo! Thanks again [MENTION=148378]Crikeymike[/MENTION]!

 

[carlodonz]

Dobinsons changed the hose length in this latest delivery so that the resi could be mounted further forward or rearward in the fender to be able to reach the adjusters easier. It comes with the universal bracket (same as the fronts). It requires just 1 bolt to hold it.

The way you're holding it in the photo looks pretty close, but flip it around to push the resi further back and clear the tires.

It can also go forward to the front of the vehicle and down on the frame

**edit: I've seen your email and seen you've sorted it out.

Here are some more photos

Dang! this looks so much better that the first batch, I have an hard time to reach the adjusters lol

 

[Crikeymike]

Dang! this looks so much better that the first batch, I have an hard time to reach the adjusters lol

Yeah. After further talks with Dobinsons, they're also suggesting to bring the resi forward on the frame, and use one of 2 threaded holes that are available. I'd probably do it this way, better to be in front of the tire than behind it.

Crap photos, but all I have at this moment.