Dobinsons Suspension - 4th Gen Options

[Crikeymike]

Hey guys, my name is Mike Tomczyk (aka Crikeymike) and I'm the former GM of Dobinsons USA, but now running my own company, Exit Offroad. I've been in the industry since 1998 and have always preferred to focus on suspension for 4x4's, since it's something you'll feel every single time you move your vehicle, whether driving to work or home, or offroad for the weekend. Everyone has their own build plans for their vehicle, so no same combo of parts is necessarily right for everyone, which is why we offer such a variety - to get you exactly what you're looking for!!

I'm putting together a post here for the definitive information thread about all of the components we make and offer for the 4th Gen guys. The 5th Gen guys have been having fun over here, but I didn't want to leave you guys out.

Yes, the coils are teal/green/blue color. It's something Dobinsons have been doing for years in Australia as their trademark color, which makes it easy to spot on the trail. They're extremely well powder coated, so if you don't like the color, you could paint over them before installation.

Also, our shock paint is baked on enamel and is extremely tough compared to some competitors. It resists chips, flaking and rusting very well.

Public Notice: Stock/New hub to fender measurements average out to 20" front and 22" rear, and all lift heights are based on that. Many people have 1/2" variance based on age and how the truck came off the assembly line. This video here shows you how to measure your baseline and lifted height:

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Added Load Weight.
How much extra accessory weight have you added to your truck? Did you add a 150LB front bumper and an 80LB winch? That's constant weight, and will change which coil to buy.
Did you add our drawer system (hopefully) to the back end (150LBS) or a steel bumper with swing out tire carrier (200LBS)? That will also change which coil we would suggest.
You will want to consider that weight before ordering. If you order a heavy load coil without a heavy load, be warned that it won't ride as it's supposed to and the lift height will be incorrect.

Click on each part number to be directed for further information

Front Coil Options
V6 Engines
C59-134 - Stock height replacement coil. 370/370mm, 17mm wire, 586LB (made for a 3rd Gen 4runner, but works well on a 4th Gen for stock height replacement)
C59-296 - Stock front end, low height 1-1.25" 378/378mm, 17mm wire, 586LB
C59-300 - V6 - Stock front end load, 2" lift. 385/385mm, 17mm wire, 586LB
C59-302 - V6 - Stock front end load, 2.5" lift. 395/395mm, 17mm wire, 586LB
C59-302 - V6 - 100-220LBS heavy load front weight, 2" lift. 395/395mm, 17mm wire, 586LB
C59-314 - V6 - 100-220LBS heavy load front weight, 2.5" lift, or 3" with up to 110lbs. 405/405mm, 17mm wire, 586LB
C59-352 - V6 - 200-240LBS heavy load front weight, 2.0-2.25" lift. 385/385mm, 18mm wire, 730LB
C59-354 - V6 - 200-240LBS heavy load front weight, 3" lift. 390/390mm, 18mm wire, 730LB


V8 Engines
C59-302 - V8 - Stock front end load, 2" lift. 395/395mm, 17mm wire, 586LB
C59-314 - V8 - Stock front end load, 2.5" lift. 405/405mm, 17mm wire, 586LB
C59-314 - V8 - 100-220LBS heavy load front weight, 2" lift. 405/405mm, 17mm wire, 586LB
C59-352 - V8 - 200-240LBS heavy load front weight, 2" lift. 385/385mm, 18mm wire, 730LB
C59-354 - V8 - 200-240LBS heavy load front weight, 2.5" lift. 390/390mm, 18mm wire, 730LB

***2.5" or more of lift, new UCA's are recommended with 3 degrees of caster correction***


Rear Coil Options
C59-323 - Stock height replacement. 375/375mm, 16mm wire, 216LB
C59-599 - Stock rear end, .75" to 1.0" lift (keeps rear end low, allowing to level the vehicle rake with 2" front lift). 390/390mm, 17mm wire, 220LB
C59-505 - Stock rear end load, 1.5" lift. 405/405mm, 17mm wire, 220LB
C59-325 - Stock rear end load, 1.75" to 2" lift. 420/420mm, 17mm wire, 220LB
C59-327 - 200-400LB heavy rear load weight, 2" lift. 410/410mm, 18mm wire, 271LB
C59-329 - 600-800LB super ridiculous heavy rear load weight, 2" lift. 410/410mm, 18mm wire, 286LB
C59-675V - Variable rate comfort option, stock rear weight, 2.5" lift. 470/470mm, 16mm wire, 157-230LB variable
C59-677V - Variable rate comfort option, 400+LB heavy rear load weight, 2.5-3" lift. 500/500mm, 16mm wire, 157-230LB variable
C59-701V - Variable rate, 600-700 LB heavy rear load weight, 3" lift, long travel. 500/500mm, 17mm wire, 210-245LB variable. Designed for those with heavy full rear bumper, tire carrier, roof rack, RTT, drawers, and fridge. Rides very well with all that weight, as well as when loaded even further.
C59-749V - Variable Rate, 750-900 LB super heavy constant rear load, 3" lift, long travel. 500mm free height, 18mm wire, 198-300LB variable rate, usually around 270LB at loaded height
C59-849V - 3" Lift with a minimum of 1000LBS of added rear constant weight, 500mm free height, 19mm wire, variable rate 314-371 LBF/in at ride height/loaded, can be used with long travel shocks


Front Strut Options
GS59-221 - Twin Tube, fixed mount (not adjustable), suits 0-2.5" lift (21.3" extended length), can be used on stock height or lifted vehicle, use with OE or aftermarket coils, coil seat mount same as OE. Diff drop kit not needed
GS59-220 - Twin Tube, fixed mount, suits up to 3" of lift, higher coil seat height gives extra 1" lift at the wheels over listed coil spring heights above. (22.28" extended length), longer travel than normal, recommended to run with diff drop kit. Use this with 2" coil to get 3" of lift.
IMS59-50220 - IMS Front Monotube Struts - suit 0-3.5" lift

Dobinsons 3-way adjustable MRA struts and shocks have their own thread, located here: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...struts-shocks-w-resi-4th-gen.html#post3425271
Here are the options too:
MRA59-A220 - For 0-3.5" Front lift - Extended travel
MRA59-A701 - For 0-3" Rear
MRA59-A575 - For 3-3.5" Rear - long travel

Rear Shock Options
GS59-637 - Twin Tube, suits 0-2.5" lift. 581mm extended, 349mm compressed.
GS59-705 - Twin Tube, suits 0-2.5" lift, softer valving for empty rear ends. 590mm extended, 355mm compressed
GS59-701 - Twin Tube, longer travel, suits 2-3" lift. 605mm extended, 362mm compressed.
GS59-575 - Twin Tube, Long Travel, suits 3" lift (3" bump stop spacers recommended so shocks don't bottom out). 730mm extended, 425mm compressed. That's 28.7"/16.7".
IMS59-50705 have been discontinued (Jan 2023) and replaced by newly revalved IMS59-50701 shocks
IMS59-50701 - IMS Rear Shocks - suits 0-3" lift
IMS59-50575 - IMS Rear Long Travel Shocks - suits 3"+ lift (not for KDSS models)

Front Top Mount Strut Spacer
PS59-4030 - Single 1/4" machine alloy strut spacer, anodized black, suits almost all Toyota's from the 90's to current. Drilled with 2 bolt patterns to fit multiple vehicles. 4Runner 3rd, 4th, and 5th Gen. All Tacoma's 1998 to 2019. All GX470/460. All FJ Cruisers. Can be used to correct a vehicle lean if one exists, or to add one to both sides to add 1/2" lift.


Diff Drop Kit
DD59-527K - required with 3" lift, could also be used for 2" to 2.5" lifts if desired to correct CV angle

Adjustable Panhard Rod
PR59-1423 - Rear adjustable panhard rod, realigns rear axle back to center when lifted 3"+

Adjustable Rear Heavy Duty Control Arms
WA59-520K - Rear Lower Adjustable Control Arms
WA59-522K - Rear Upper Adjustable Control Arms

Front UCA's
UCA59-002K - Front UCA Set with Senkei 555 Ball joints - Pair of replacement upper control arms to fix alignment issues with 2.5"+ lift heights. Use OE type rubber bushes on the frame end, and replaceable high angle ball joint on the wheel side (they come not pressed in). 38mm OD tube, 5mm wall thickness (0.2") HSLA steel. Fixed caster of 3 degrees built in. Maintenance free, simply cannot make noise once installed properly
UCA59-202K - Billet aluminum fully adjustable UCA's with 555 ball joints and OEM grade rubber bushings

Front Strut Top Caps/Hats
SC59-001 - New upper caps - don't waste time pulling apart your old strut assembly just to get the cap off, buy new. Or better yet, we can pre-assemble the units before shipping so you can install at home faster.

Front sway bar relocation kit
SE59-524K - Gains clearance around bigger/thicker front struts and coils, if needed, as well as helps correct sway bar operating angle with lifts over 2". (currently in re-design)

Rear sway bar extended length end links
SE59-529 - Suits lift up to 4". Uses factory style ball joint ends, gold zinc plated. Repositions rear sway bar to original position to remove stress from the rear end and correct the amount of wheel travel. VIDEO LINK

Rear Coil Spacers
We make 15mm thick spacers, which install on top of the factory rubber isolator and below the coil seat on the frame. These are a good idea on older vehicles that tend to lean, add it to the low side
Single 15mm Poly Coil Spacer - to correct vehicle lean - PS59-4025


Front Bump Stops
BS59-560 - Adjustable front soft hit bump stop made from high quality rubber, Suits 0-30mm Extension

Rear Bump Stops
HBS59-010FK - Complete Hydro Bump Stop Kit to replace the factory coil isolator and internal bump stop, CNC Machined 50mm Billet Aluminum Piston, EDP Coated 3mm Thick 56mm Steel Body

All options are listed in the suspension builder page here: https://exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-1-to-3-5-lift-kit-toyota-4runner-4x4-2003-2009/

We're new to the USA market (June 2016), so a lot of people haven't heard of us before. And we don't have a lot of real world comparisons yet to all the options out there. We're always asking those who do buy our suspension to write a true honest review with photos and everything after they get it installed and drive it for a while.

It's all very comparable. The coils are made in Queensland Australia, just like OME coils. Dobinsons shocks are twin tube nitrogen charged gas shocks, built almost the same as OME shocks. We have a few differences though, mainly that we use all rubber bushings for maximum vibration dampening and resistance to noise. Some shocks have built-in (welded) stone shields for forward-facing shocks. Here is the link to all the details of our shocks:

Twin Tube Nitrogas

And here's the one for our coil building process:
Coil Springs



EDIT: Update on 12/15/17.

Bring on the kicking and screaming from those who have already bought..... :wacko: :yield:

Due to popular demand and an amazing amount of requests, we have brought our most common 4Runner (and Toyota) coils to the US in 2 additional colors. Red and black. Now these part numbers are available (depending on stock) in classic Dobinsons Teal, TRD Red, and/or Black, depending on part number.

C59-300 (Teal, red or black)
C59-302 (Teal, red or black)
C59-314 (Teal, red or black)
C59-599 (Teal, red or black)
C59-505 (Teal, red or black)
C59-325 (Teal, red or black)
C59-327 (Teal, red or black)
C59-329 (Teal, red or black)



C59-675V (Teal, red or black)
C59-677V (Teal, red or black)
C59-701V (Teal, red or black)
C59-749V (Teal, red or black)


Of course, we would prefer to sell the teal for branding reasons, but so many of you this year have asked us for a color choice, so here you go!!

NOTE: the optional colors are not listed in the catalog, and are not sold on Amazon or Ebay.
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[blackoutt]

Same question for rear spring rate info. I've got Icon 2" lift coils and they are just too soft with even the lightest of loads.

 

[adkfinn]

I'll third the spring rates info request, I'd add to it a request for unsprung coil heights, coil wire diameter and number of wraps (coils) per spring as well. Thanks!

 

[Crikeymike]

Good info. Do you have details on the spring rates?

Yep, just added

Same question for rear spring rate info. I've got Icon 2" lift coils and they are just too soft with even the lightest of loads.

Surely they offer more than one option?

I'll third the spring rates info request, I'd add to it a request for unsprung coil heights, coil wire diameter and number of wraps (coils) per spring as well. Thanks!

I can do all that except the wraps.


All the info was added up top into the original post by each coil. eace:

 

[NinjaOne]

You have anything that will provide 2.5"-3" of front lift with 250 lb additional front weight? Those spring rates look a little soft for how much extra weight I'm running, especially if I remove the swaybar to eliminate my rubbing on it

Regardless, always excited to see more suspension options; thanks for sharing

 

[Crikeymike]

You have anything that will provide 2.5"-3" of front lift with 250 lb additional front weight? Those spring rates look a little soft for how much extra weight I'm running, especially if I remove the swaybar to eliminate my rubbing on it

Regardless, always excited to see more suspension options; thanks for sharing

The 314 coils on the 220 struts would be at 3" with that weight. I have the equivalent on my 5th gen with bumper and winch. Too much spring rate can kill the ride quality. We have heavier and heavier options but they're mostly for armored cars with lots more weight.

 

[NinjaOne]

The 314 coils on the 220 struts would be at 3" with that weight. I have the equivalent on my 5th gen with bumper and winch. Too much spring rate can kill the ride quality. We have heavier and heavier options but they're mostly for armored cars with lots more weight.

Got it, misread your post. I just compared the specs to the OME 885 springs I am currently running and they are actually pretty close. Slightly softer and slightly taller

I understand the stiffer springs reduce ride quality, but they are also preloaded with the V8 and a bit of extra weight =) Fair number of people seem happier with the 650#-700# springs. I think coilovers with extra dampening may be my next step

 

[Crikeymike]

Got it, misread your post. I just compared the specs to the OME 885 springs I am currently running and they are actually pretty close. Slightly softer and slightly taller

I understand the stiffer springs reduce ride quality, but they are also preloaded with the V8 and a bit of extra weight =) Fair number of people seem happier with the 650#-700# springs. I think coilovers with extra dampening may be my next step

No worries. The next level up is the C59-350 at 380/380, 18mm wire, and 730LB. And then C59-352 at 385/385, 18, and 730LB as well.

That extra 1mm in wire diameter really jumps the rate up a lot.

 

[Doozi]

I'm intrigued!

I've been following this discussion as I'm looking to "fine tune" the ride of my 4Runner in it's current state. It has gotten a bit heavier and I'm trying to achieve the factory rake (rear end slightly higher than the front) while clearing my 285's. I'm guessing that 3" front and 3" rear lift would put me there, but spring rates, free length, coil diameter, compressed and extended shock lengths, and bump stop extensions are beginning to drive me crazy. Dobinsons, while similar to OME, seems to offer more options to help with fine tuning. As a point of reference, I had an OME "light" set-up with comfort shocks on my stock-trimmed 3rd Gen 4Runner and LOVED it. We might have to talk as I get closer to swapping some suspension parts!

 

[Crikeymike]

I've been following this discussion as I'm looking to "fine tune" the ride of my 4Runner in it's current state. It has gotten a bit heavier and I'm trying to achieve the factory rake (rear end slightly higher than the front) while clearing my 285's. I'm guessing that 3" front and 3" rear lift would put me there, but spring rates, free length, coil diameter, compressed and extended shock lengths, and bump stop extensions are beginning to drive me crazy. Dobinsons, while similar to OME, seems to offer more options to help with fine tuning. As a point of reference, I had an OME "light" set-up with comfort shocks on my stock-trimmed 3rd Gen 4Runner and LOVED it. We might have to talk as I get closer to swapping some suspension parts!

I know what you mean. Too much info can be a bad thing sometimes, especially when we probably have 12 different front coil options with varying heights, rates, and all that. It keeps our warehouse full with lots of different coils, that's for sure!!!

 

[pjku79]

Do you offer it all as a kit or just piece meal? I plan on getting a front and rear bumper. If I get heavier springs, will it be fine until i get those or should I wait and do it all at once?

 

[Crikeymike]

Do you offer it all as a kit or just piece meal? I plan on getting a front and rear bumper. If I get heavier springs, will it be fine until i get those or should I wait and do it all at once?

Since there are so many options, it's better to piece it together then send it to you as a kit so you'll have everything you need.

If it's 6+ months until you'll be getting bumpers, you might be able to live with it but it won't be ideal. If you think it will be during the year, then yeah, you can get what you'll need now and then be ready for when you get the bumpers.

 

[blackoutt]

Surely they offer more than one option?

Yep, a 2" straight rate and a 3" dual rate with no info readily available on specs so they are out for my next steps.

Thanks for adding all the good info here for us trying to fine tune. What's the ordering process? I think I'd like to give some rear coils a try. The dual rates are attractive as softer alternatives to the MT LT coils, and I only have 9.6" rear shock stroke so I don't really need the extra long free length.

 

[Crikeymike]

Yep, a 2" straight rate and a 3" dual rate with no info readily available on specs so they are out for my next steps.

Thanks for adding all the good info here for us trying to fine tune. What's the ordering process? I think I'd like to give some rear coils a try. The dual rates are attractive as softer alternatives to the MT LT coils, and I only have 9.6" rear shock stroke so I don't really need the extra long free length.

No worries. Hit the "direct email" link in my signature and we can go from there.

 

[Crikeymike]

Yep, a 2" straight rate and a 3" dual rate with no info readily available on specs so they are out for my next steps.

Our company has been the same way about spec information being released, but we live in an information age, and people are specifically buying or not buying products these days based on what information there is about them. I've already been hit hard against by some 5th gen guys for not sharing, so I gave the 4th genners the info pretty quick. haha

 

[Doozi]

I'm pretty close to ordering a Dobinsons set-up and wanted to say that Mike has been awesome to deal with! We've been emailing back and forth regarding the dozens of questions I've had and he's been super helpful. I'm really looking forward to trying this out!

Thanks for all of your help, Mike!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[blackoutt]

Got my VERY GREEN coils yesterday from Mike, agreed great guy to work with. I'll be installing with some before/after pics, going from Icon 2" coils to C59-675V - Variable rate comfort option, stock rear weight, 3" lift. 470/470mm, 16mm wire, 157-230LB variable.

Edit: Installing tonight

 

[blackoutt]

So no before and after pics because it ended up looking about the same! Measurements came out within 1/4" coming from 2" lift icons to 3" lift Dobinsons. They were surely taller free length, but with same empty load the height wasn't there so it must be a shorter section of higher spring rate in the dual rate coil. I will say that the new Dobinsons do ride MUCH better, less sag on acceleration, less body roll, stiffer feel over bumps (which was desired) and should sag less with load. Now I just need to decide if I want to lower the front to match or go up to the 677 and sell the 675. Anyone interested in a slightly discounted almost new pair of C59-675V - Variable rate comfort option, stock rear weight, 3" lift. 470/470mm, 16mm wire, 157-230LB variable?

 

[Doozi]

I got my tracking number from Mike this morning!

 

[Crikeymike]

So no before and after pics because it ended up looking about the same! Measurements came out within 1/4" coming from 2" lift icons to 3" lift Dobinsons. They were surely taller free length, but with same empty load the height wasn't there so it must be a shorter section of higher spring rate in the dual rate coil. I will say that the new Dobinsons do ride MUCH better, less sag on acceleration, less body roll, stiffer feel over bumps (which was desired) and should sag less with load. Now I just need to decide if I want to lower the front to match or go up to the 677 and sell the 675. Anyone interested in a slightly discounted almost new pair of C59-675V - Variable rate comfort option, stock rear weight, 3" lift. 470/470mm, 16mm wire, 157-230LB variable?

C'mon man, you're posting pics on IG but not up here!! Share so everyone else can take a look.