Dobs IMS going in (5th Gen TRD OR)!

I second that, they are fantastic in my opinion, on/off-road. I compared them with my buddy expensive King setup, same vehicle, same tires. Exchanging 4R's he believed the Dobinsons shocks off-road where better. This is a statement from a die hard King fan.

 

How was the stuff you went through on Sunday?

I found a pretty cool little trail by South Twin that just dead ended in the woods after I was done fishing. Nothing difficult, but some nice little holes.

After getting a ride in yours, and then back into mine, I'm still happy with the Billies. But, Dobinsons will be on my radar when I eventually replace them. I do wish they made a proper matching rear shock for the 6112.

It would be interesting to take them both through a section of trail back to back to get a better comparison.

 

IMHO. The Dobinsons really shine on a terrain like Moab (rocks - high ledges, steep incline, decline etc.), I have the most experience on those trails, so, that's where I can compare with a lot of different off-road vehicles that I owned, and buddies with 4R's driving over there. I have little experience in woodsy areas with the 4R & Dobinsons. In the future I need to explore this type of terrain. If I get stuck in a mud-hole I should PM you guys. Lol.

 

You'd be welcome on any of our trail runs.

Our main trail area up here has a pretty cool mixture of terrain. The are only a few really challenging areas. But, you'll hit gravel, sand, dirt, mud, and rock on the same section of trail.

There's usually a bypass for the more challenging terrain, so it's been great for group runs. And, it's mostly in heavily wooded areas, so it's very picturesque in it's own way.

I'm not really a "mudder", but I have enjoyed being able to get through some mud this year. I actually tested out my tires in the process of helping recover a 3rd gen 4runner that took a wrong turn and got stuck this past spring.

 

Definitely sounds like high praise for the Dobs! The big difference though is the kings adjustability. That said, the damping on the IMS is soooo “just right”, I wouldnt want to change anything.

I went down the trail by the lake you told me about. It forked and I followed the reflective signs down the right fork, but then GPS showed me I was off the marked trail on the MVUM map. I had already descended about 50 yards down before realizing it, and decided to back up the trail. It was completely covered in wet leaves, but the direct throttle control really helped with smooth throttle application. No spinning of tires despite a really slick surface. My friend got out to spot me backing up, and I was more worried about him slipping on the trail lol.

The rest of the day was a bust. Drove north to Park Falls district, but the vibe there was not as welcoming. The gravel roads were scenic enough, but it looked like most trails marked for Highway Vehicle use only got light ATV usage, so they were pretty overgrown and tight. I didnt even attempt the trails I picked out on the map because of that.

Next time we’re on the trail, we will have to compare like you said! For science!!!

They shine all over the place IMO I was directly following thatbassguy on a pretty bad gravel road for a while that had nasty huge sharp potholes, washouts, and areas bordering on mudpits. Thatbassguy blasted through those potholes without much worry, and I had no problem following right along, although I picked my line a bit more due to my stock tire size (vs his gargantuan 295s ). The Dobs just took the hit smoothly and settled right back down. It’s not to say I floated on a cloud over those holes but the shocks never felt like they crashed into the holes, even though we carried speed into them (10-20mph, I would say). They just thumped in and out of the holes nicely with a great feeling of control. Both compression and rebound damping after those hits was spot-on, in my opinion. As far as hard-use situations, I would rate that road as being up pretty high up on the scale.

 

It would be cool of you are ever in these parts to connect up! There is so much I want to explore in northern WI and the UP. Sometime I want to go up to Drummond Island, bordering on Canadian waters. The whole island caters to off roaders! It would be awesome to explore that island next.

 

I live in El Paso, Tx. We have the dessert here as well large sand dunes, collapsed volcano, mountains, rock, canyons etc., looks like Baja on certain places. I tested the 4R on high speed in that Baja like environment. That's the hardest test you can give on shocks & tires, actually the entire vehicle. The shocks get very hot, after an entire day playing around in the dessert, I assumed the shocks would fade. No Sir. I'm impressed to say the least. I know they are machined, the quality is just superb.

For some reason, they can handle all type of terrain extremely well. Congrats to the 4R as well.

Next year I'm planning a cross-country trip. Might be an opportunity to meet up.

 

I appreciate the invite; next year I'm planning a cross-country trip. Might be an opportunity to meet up.

 

Definitely! Let us know your time frame. We do several group outings per year, and parking lot/beer garden meet ups pretty regularly. @McSpazatron and I are almost always up for some exploration.

 

Thank you for the invite, planning a cross-country trip next year. might be a good opportunity to do so.

 

I’ve got it in my head to connect as many national forest roads together to traverse as much mileage as possible on gravel roads or two-track. I have to look at maps, but even starting in WI and going into national forests in michigan with the possibility of connecting up to drummond island as a destination. That would be cool. That way we have something to show off to visiting dignitaries like Roland .

@thatbassguy…something to plan over beers

 

Sounds good to me! Are you going to the Fluid Film party on Saturday?

 

Wheeee!!! Going to a Brewers playoff game on Saturday (have the license plate, should show my spirit). Fluid film for that event costs $9.50 per 16-ounce serving.

 

I think that's more expensive than actual Fluid Film!

One of these times we'll have an event you can make it to.

 

Hoping to free up resources!

 

Might need to take thursday to hose off the sand and muck off the 4runner. But I might make it out.

edit: cleaning saturday…not sure why i said thursday

 

Cool! I'm just going to hang out and heckle everyone.

 

James,
If you don't want to rust inside, don't forget to drink Stella; It's from Belgium as well.

 

Lol. An American/Flemish/Texan

 

Oooo, sounds like the good stuff!

 

You probably mentioned it somewhere @McSpazatron but what size tires are you running with that suspension setup?

Setup looks good!

 

Thanks! I’m running stock sized K02s for now.

I am not ruling out 285s at some point in the future, but I want to avoid a body mount chop. I have stock UCAs, and Im not totally sure I can fit 285s with the 2 to 2.5 degrees of caster the shop was able to get out of the alignment.

For now though, I gonna stick with the stock size and try to get my money’s worth out of them.

obligatory glamor shot…I mean bro shot

 

Totally understand, use them up.

I am of the same mindset wanting to avoid any body modifications. To get around all that looking at a set of 275/70R17 Ridge Grapplers.

 

285's should fit without a BMC with a good alignment. @McSpazatron , maybe just do UCA's when you do tires.

 

That’s kinda what I was thinking to be safe.

Now, I hope you dont try to convince me to get 295s. Because my mom said I can’t hang out with you anymore if you do.

 

Lmao! I definitely don't recommend without a regear. It's not too bad, but I would definitely want to regear if I was going to run them all year. I'm actually excited about putting the 285's back on for the winter.

 

We are definitely bros with that pose. My avatar was taken from that location.

And I’m waiting impatiently for my tires to wear so I can upgrade to 285s.

 

I think I have about 100 pictures of mine up there.

Just stop rotating the tires. That ought to shave some life off.

 

Lets see Ive got shots pointing up the rock, down the rock, from off the rock, up on the rock, sideways, straightway lol. I was getting all pissed last time I couldnt find the perfect spot to stuff a wheel.

Maybe it should be renamed to Cheesebro rock. We need to get every wisconsin runner up there. Lol