Dobinsons Suspension Lift Installed

ProfessorP

New member
Sorry about the long post.

About a month ago, I decided to lift my 2019 T4R Off Road with KDSS. I planned on adding a winch and metal bumper, so I needed a little bit of lift to avoid front end sag. Unfortunately, my post regarding the subject lead to product information overload. Almost all of the suggestions pointed in different and often conflicting directions. I was completely lost!

Fortunately, several T4R members suggested I contact Mike from Dobinsons. Mike made a lift suggestion that fit within my budget and it ended up being exactly what I was looking for. Thanks to Mike for the excellent customer service!

Here are my needs:
  • 2" - 2.5" lift
  • Support weight of winch and aluminum bumper (100 pounds).
  • Maintain most of the factory rake to avoid rear end sag while towing boat.
  • This is my daily driver, so not too tall, stiff or choppy.
  • This is our family road trip vehicle, so comfort is important.
  • Long lasting shocks that don't require rebuilding often.
  • Off road mostly in soft sand, mud and moderate trails.

Here's what I purchased:

Front Springs: C59-302 - Stock front end load, 2.5" lift
Front Struts: GS59-700 - Twin Tube, fixed mount (not adjustable), suits 0-2.5" lift
Rear Springs: C59-723 - Stock rear end, 1.5" to 1.75" lift
Rear Shocks: GS59-705 - Twin Tube, suits 0-2.5" lift, softer valving for empty rear ends.
Options/Parts:
SC59-001 x 2 - New front strut top mounts (required for install)
Strut Assembly - Pre Assembled Pair of struts (requires SC59-001 purchase)

The order arrived in perfect condition in 14 days. Paying for the pre-assembled struts was well worth it. I installed the lift myself in about eight leisurely hours. No special tools or workspace. Just me in my garage. Took my time and lots of breaks. Florida heat and humidity is brutal. Overall the installation was made fairly easy by following several of the T4R.com installation tutorials(I've replaced tie rod ends and ball joints before). The hardest part was dealing with the front KDSS, but it wasn't bad at all. Bottom line, if my 50 year old, fat, out of shape art professor ass can do it...

Results:
  • My lift is currently 2.5" up front and 1.6" in back for now. When I install the winch and bumper I should be back to a little less than factory rake (what I wanted). Perfect off road without being over the top.
  • The ride is very smooth and not as squirrelly on the highway. It definitely feels more planted and less mushy without being harsh.
  • Nosedive when braking is noticeably reduced.
  • Best part is the lift fixed my intermittent/cyclical vibration at highway speeds. Before the lift at 70+ MPH I would feel a vibration in the seat and console that would go away then return cyclically every 15-20 seconds. The new shocks and springs eliminated this problem.
  • I REALLY LOVE HOW IT LOOKS!

Brand New 4/27/19: Stock height, factory tires, side steps and rack.

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Before Lift: Stock height, factory side steps, 265/70 R17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W, Victory 4x4 Standard Rack.

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After Lift: Dobinsons suspension, 265/70 R17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W, Victory 4x4 Standard Rack and RSG Sliders.

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Howd the alignment go without uca's? Also did you need anything for the kdss lean? Looks like the rears are offset for it but didnt see anything about the front.


Looks good!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
Howd the alignment go without uca's? Also did you need anything for the kdss lean? Looks like the rears are offset for it but didnt see anything about the front.


Looks good!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Alignment went just fine. They corrected the toe and camber which were off a little after the lift install and got everything within spec. I noticed no additional wander on the highway. Actually it feels a little less squirrelly. The rear springs are slightly different heights for the KDSS lean. The front is about 3/16" lower on one side up front, but it's not noticeable or bothering me, so I'm going to ignore it for now. Never had a truck that sat perfectly level anyway.
 
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Awesome thanks!

My main concern is if i NEED ucas. That adds a 500$ tag to a lift so glad that setup doesnt really need one.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
Similar to the setup I got with the exception that I went 2.5" in the rear (for future rear storage drawers, hatch ladder and bike rack), and the UCA's up front. Still thinking about adding a low profile front bumper/winch at a later date.:dancin:

I am looking at doing the same as I also carry well over 150lbs on the daily in the rear and have a 3rd row. So if I do 2.5 up front or less I am okay with factory UCAs? Just inundated with all the suspension info.
 
I am looking at doing the same as I also carry well over 150lbs on the daily in the rear and have a 3rd row. So if I do 2.5 up front or less I am okay with factory UCAs? Just inundated with all the suspension info.

I have a 2.25 ish lift in the front and didnt need UCAs. However, i wanted more caster and got the dobinsons uca. Favorite upgrade so far as the bump steer is pretty much gone on and off road. Car drives so much nicer!
 
I have a 2.25 ish lift in the front and didnt need UCAs. However, i wanted more caster and got the dobinsons uca. Favorite upgrade so far as the bump steer is pretty much gone on and off road. Car drives so much nicer!

I can feel my wallet getting $500 lighter... eventually.
 
Thanks for sharing all the details. With all the options out there it definitely helps. Would you mind sharing what your budget was? PM is fine if you don't want to share it here.
 
Thanks for sharing all the details. With all the options out there it definitely helps. Would you mind sharing what your budget was? PM is fine if you don't want to share it here.

My budget was $1000. With strut pre assembly, tax, shipping and discount it was VERY close.
 
Give Mike a call at Dobinsons. Initially, I ordered mine without the new UCA's, but added it to my order later before it shipped. I was told it would ride a lot nicer replacing the UCA's. In my case, I'm keeping the same OEM tire size/TRD wheel combination, and wanted the heavier set up with a possible future steel bumper/winch up front, and storage drawers in the rear. Now I just have to find the time to install it!
Gotcha, yeah I won't be doing anything with the front end, but am carrying weight in the rear with gear on top of the 3rd row. I will definitely give him a call. Thanks for the info!
 
Looks good any reason you chose the 1.5" in the rear over 2"? Looking for more of the leveled look?

The rear lift ended up closer to 1.65" and the front is 2.5". I wanted a little less rake. I lost just under 1" of rake for now. When I add the front bumper and winch I'll lose about 3/8" - 1/2" of the front lift. This will bring the rake back to about 3/8" less than factory. This is exactly what I was looking for and exactly what Dobinsons Mike predicted.
 
Sorry about the long post.

After Lift: Dobinsons suspension, 265/75 R17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W, Victory 4x4 Standard Rack and RSG Sliders.


I might be totally missing something, but I can't seem to find 265/75 R17 AT3W's on Falken's website?

My mistake! I accidentally typed 265/75 R17. It should read 265/70 R17. Sorry about sending you on a wild goose chase.

Fixed it on the original post. Thanks for catching that.
 
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