Dobinsons Suspension - 4th Gen Options

[blackoutt]

Fine fine fine. Got a good first test on these bad boys last weekend picking up a new project but this bike engine rebuild has got me too busy for more 4runner play time. 300lb of weight cantilevered off the back and only 5psi in the airbags (minimum just to keep them in place, normally I'd run 25-30psi with a bike on the hitch but wanted to test the springs) barely any sag and rode great, like there wasn't even a bike there. My old springs would have been dragging the hitch hauler backing out of this spot and handle like I was doing a wheelie the whole way home. So I'm keeping the Dobinsons! Can't wait to get them more off-road than my backyard.

 

[adkfinn]

Fine fine fine. Got a good first test on these bad boys last weekend picking up a new project but this bike engine rebuild has got me too busy for more 4runner play time. 300lb of weight cantilevered off the back and only 5psi in the airbags (minimum just to keep them in place, normally I'd run 25-30psi with a bike on the hitch but wanted to test the springs) barely any sag and rode great, like there wasn't even a bike there. My old springs would have been dragging the hitch hauler backing out of this spot and handle like I was doing a wheelie the whole way home. So I'm keeping the Dobinsons! Can't wait to get them more off-road than my backyard.

blackoutt - any update on height? you mentioned you ride height wasn't really any different than with the Icon springs you swapped out, was that totally unloaded / do you have any extra constant weight in the rear? Have the DobSus springs settled any yet? I am interested in these coils since it seems that MTech is not offering the 'medium' dual rate coils any longer, only the heavies. I spend at least half my time unloaded (nearly stock weight) and don't want to punish myself too much.

 

[blackoutt]

blackoutt - any update on height? you mentioned you ride height wasn't really any different than with the Icon springs you swapped out, was that totally unloaded / do you have any extra constant weight in the rear? Have the DobSus springs settled any yet? I am interested in these coils since it seems that MTech is not offering the 'medium' dual rate coils any longer, only the heavies. I spend at least half my time unloaded (nearly stock weight) and don't want to punish myself too much.

Height measurement was with same constant weight on install day before/after with: full fuel tank, 150lb sliders, sleeping platform/empty cooler in the back with second row seats removed, some recovery straps, nothing on rear, stock roof rack. So it's possible that my 2" icons gave me 3" of lift or that my 3" Dobinsons gave me 2" of lift. No way to know which was which, just didn't get the extra rear height I was hoping for, there is another step up taller but I'll just lower the front and deal with it. Height measurements are ball parked since it changes with fuel level too. I'll measure again in a couple weeks for settling before I do my rear control arm bushings. So far the difference is that extra soft section combined with the stiffer rate section makes the ride much nicer and hopefully flex out nicely.

 

[adkfinn]

Height measurement was with same constant weight on install day before/after with: full fuel tank, 150lb sliders, sleeping platform/empty cooler in the back with second row seats removed, some recovery straps, nothing on rear, stock roof rack. So it's possible that my 2" icons gave me 3" of lift or that my 3" Dobinsons gave me 2" of lift. No way to know which was which, just didn't get the extra rear height I was hoping for, there is another step up taller but I'll just lower the front and deal with it. Height measurements are ball parked since it changes with fuel level too. I'll measure again in a couple weeks for settling before I do my rear control arm bushings. So far the difference is that extra soft section combined with the stiffer rate section makes the ride much nicer and hopefully flex out nicely.

This is great info, thank you for taking the time to share. I am looking forward to flex pics and finding out if they settle at all. The next step up calls for like +400lbs of constant load right? That seems extreme for my setup, even taking future growth into account. I am currently pretty stock at the rear in terms of weight, I suspect I'd get closer to the advertised 3". Thanks again.

 

[Crikeymike]

This is great info, thank you for taking the time to share. I am looking forward to flex pics and finding out if they settle at all. The next step up calls for like +400lbs of constant load right? That seems extreme for my setup, even taking future growth into account. I am currently pretty stock at the rear in terms of weight, I suspect I'd get closer to the advertised 3". Thanks again.

The next step up, the C59-677V is the same spring but taller. So the idea is that with extra weight added to it, it would sit at the correct height. Since the rears of the 4Runners, 4th and 5th gens, all run pretty light rear coil spring rates, it's very easy for the lift height to vary.

There's a guy that I sold the 677V's to, and he thought he had about 400LBS, turns out it was 750LBS, so we're making a new heavier spring for him and his extra weight. FYI, that guy will be selling his 677's actually once he gets in the new ones in a few weeks.

 

[blackoutt]

Hey ADKfinn lets work a swap with the 677 guy, I'll take his springs and you take my 675's. And Mike can send us all Dobinson swag! :sad:

 

[jrm]

Hey Mike..

How much can i expect the 59-599 rear coils to settle? Really like um..:llama:

 

[Crikeymike]

How much can i expect the 59-599 rear coils to settle? Really like um..:llama:

When did they get installed and how many miles are on them now?

All of our coils should really only settle 5mm, which is due to the powder coating process. The oven heats up the steel again, after they have already been set and fully scragged, so that can "stretch" the coils up to 5mm from what they were. After installation and the vehicle has been driven around the block a few times, jumped over some curbs, and run over some llamas, it really shouldn't settle much at all.

 

[adkfinn]

Hey ADKfinn lets work a swap with the 677 guy, I'll take his springs and you take my 675's. And Mike can send us all Dobinson swag! :sad:

PM incoming

 

[blackoutt]

Okay, message to "other guy" going from 677 to the stronger stuff. We want your trash, I'll take the 677's and send my 675's to [MENTION=143130]adkfinn[/MENTION]. Please PM me when you're ready and we'll figure out the money/shipping end.

 

[grapemilk]

I want the 677s! And I'll send my ToyTec Superflex to someone!

 

[Crikeymike]

Okay, message to "other guy" going from 677 to the stronger stuff. We want your trash, I'll take the 677's and send my 675's to [MENTION=143130]adkfinn[/MENTION]. Please PM me when you're ready and we'll figure out the money/shipping end.

@jsparky I think we have some people interested in the C59-677V's you'll be pulling out shortly.

(I guess I don't know how to do mentions, so I did it my own way...)

 

[jrm]

Yeah..

When did they get installed and how many miles are on them now?

All of our coils should really only settle 5mm, which is due to the powder coating process. The oven heats up the steel again, after they have already been set and fully scragged, so that can "stretch" the coils up to 5mm from what they were. After installation and the vehicle has been driven around the block a few times, jumped over some curbs, and run over some llamas, it really shouldn't settle much at all.

replacing the 180# OE Fj coils with the 59-599 @ 220# yielded me a bit like 1"+ lift wise but the ride is great paired with the icons. I have about 300 miles on um. Also in the pic theres no weight @ all in the back.

Question though. Is it only the coils that "settle" after a lift? I was under the impression that it was a combination of everything kind of molding together...

 

[Crikeymike]

replacing the 180# OE Fj coils with the 59-599 @ 220# yielded me a bit like 1"+ lift wise but the ride is great paired with the icons. I have about 300 miles on um. Also in the pic theres no weight @ all in the back.

Question though. Is it only the coils that "settle" after a lift? I was under the impression that it was a combination of everything kind of molding together...

If everything else was used, and not replaced, then not much else would really need to settle. If the spring is slightly offset than the original maybe in the upper rubber coil seat, then that could need some settle time, but for the most part, when they get installed, they tend to be in the same "notches" as what came out.

The best way to settle in a suspension is to add some weight and give the suspension a full "flex". Hit some railroad crossings hard to get to full compression and extension, or go offroad and do some higher speed stuff. Putting the springs through their full range of motion doesn't take a whole lot of work when you add a little right foot.

 

[Mr.Eeks]

Putting the springs through their full range of motion doesn't take a whole lot of work when you add a little right foot.

Now this I can do lol.

Just put in my order with Mike here. If anyone is on the fence Mike was a good resource in helping me figure out just what I wanted for my T4R, and answered all the questions I had promptly. Now the waiting game for UPS and finding a time to do an install.

 

[Doozi]

Can't wait!



The specs:
Front: C59-302 coils / GS59-220 struts (~3" lift)
Rear: C59-677V coils / GS59-575 shocks (~3" lift)

 

[Mr.Eeks]

Look what came in the mail today!

 

[jdurunner]

Hey I love seeing another place with such a wide selection of coils to choose from. I am torn between a few of the rear coils though. Is there a number I can contact you at to discuss the options?

 

[Crikeymike]

Hey I love seeing another place with such a wide selection of coils to choose from. I am torn between a few of the rear coils though. Is there a number I can contact you at to discuss the options?

Thanks man.

Yep, I'll PM you my number now.

 

[Iluvboost]

Is there a spring that will give 1 in or a little over an inch of lift in the rear? But with a good ride quality? I like the way my 4runner rides but it does lean a bit more then I would like on the turns. It might be the old suspension though. I do have a daystar budget booster in the front that nets a 2 inch lift. I like the way the front end sits but I don't like how the rear appears lower. I would like a little but of rake.