Dobinsons 5th Gen 4Runner Suspension options

A TRD Pro uses 220LBF/IN rate springs, the same as Dobinsons standard rear spring rate, so you'll need to go up to probably the C59-327 which is the shortest height heavier rate coil, and gives 2" of lift.

Otherwise you'd have to add some airbags in the stock coils. I sell the Firestones.

 

thx...i really want to avoid the airbags if I can...just one more thing to think about. I'd prefer to replace springs or put together something using as much as I have at this point until a complete suspension upgrade is in order.

 

Wow, lots of great info in here!

I have a 2016 Pro with 32,000 miles on it and stock Bilstein suspension. I like the ride, I don’t have any heavy additions nor am I planning any, I’m on the road 98% of the time and only mildly off-road, and I want to fit 285 Wildpeaks on my stock Pro wheels. I tow a 19’ aluminum boat 4-5 times a year, but I’m unloaded most of the time. I’m trying to keep the Bilstein shocks, but not have to spacer lift to fit 285’s.

What would you suggest?

I’ve looked hard at the Wescott lift and I like how they lift the front 1.5”, but I’m not sold on the rear 1.25” spacer, although I’ve yet to find a complaint from an end user. I could always put a 599 or 505 spring on the back I suppose, but I’m not sure if they will play well with the stock Bilsteins.

My goals are spend the minimum now to fit 285’s while not trashing the on road ride and when the bilsteins wear out, build it the expensive way.

Thanks!

 

Hey bud

I can't really help you with keeping the Bilstein struts. Dobinsons only offer a 1" stock weight front coil for those struts and that's it. Most people only offer spacer lifts for those. To lift it properly, you'll need to replace the struts too.

Rear coils, no problem, you can do the 599s for 1" or so.

Since you're trying to keep the price down, I can only suggest a spacer lift for now.

 

Thanks Mike, that’s kind of what I’m running into, Wescott offers the best/only solution for keeping the stock Bilstein shocks up front that’s not really a spacer lift per say. The spring perch acts more like an adjustable coil over that’s not actually adjustable. My understanding is these non adjustable Pro Bilsteins are very similar to the adjustable one many people lift these with, which is probably why the Wescott front spring perches work so well on the older stock Pro’s.

At least I can use the 599 or 505 spring in the back and likely improve the ride over a 1.25” spacer and stock spring.

 

I’m currently running ome 885 coils on ome struts and I’m only getting about 1 3/4” of lift with every steel skid and sliders available for a 5th gen. I have a full guard steel bumper getting powder coated now then it and the winch will be going on along with the gobi and rear swing out. Was looking at going with a ome 886 coil and hopefully getting 2.5-3” do you have a comparable coil or one that you would recommend?

 

Running a near identical setup I tried the ome’s and they held for about 2 months before sagging. I went with dobinsons 749v and haven’t looked back. You may can get away with 701v if you have no plans for a rtt or drawer system. I had the dobinsons drawer system but removed it due to changing my load out but then added an rtt so the weight sorta stayed the same.

 

I don't think you'd end up with as much lift as you want with the 886's. I'd recommend going with the C59-354 coils if you're looking for the most lift, and they won't sag.

 

Yea it worked out good for a while, the heavy rear coils are still doing good but the fronts sagged bad quickly. I also have a diy rear platform thing I’m using that ends up pretty heavy when camping.

 

I’ll give these a try, any suggestions on best place to source them?

 

Yes, here on my website: https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...options-for-toyota-5th-gen-4runner-2010-2021/

 

Order placed, thanks

 

Thanks bud!!

 

Gonna get them on tm, I had a 1/4” spacer laying around that I was gonna put on cause I had a little lean. Do you think I will still have the lean with these heavy coils?

 

That's not really something that can be predicted unless you have a lean right now. You should measure it right now and then if it is already leaning then it will lean worse probably once it is lifted and then you would need the spacer on the spacer on the low side.

 

Mike -

I need some advice please.

I have a 2018 SR5 4x4 4Runner on 285s (non KDSS).

Suspension wise I only have the 5100 shocks (locked in at the middle height) and a spacer in the rear. I'm looking to upgrade my springs this time around and then next time upgrade my shocks, again.

As far as weight, I have full skids (steel and thick) as well as sliders (also steel) I just installed a LFD Hybrid front bumper with a winch (just ordered) and going to be adding a second battery. As far as the rear, I intend to add a full rear bumper with a swing out. I currently have a home made rack in the cargo with a bunch of tools, recovery gear, any anything else I may need. The rear feels heavy. I also intend to add a roof rack and will tow a 21' boat or a 3,000 lb buggy, very occasionally.

I off-road often, Baja trips all the time amateur-moderate rock climbing (I prefer higher speed open desert).

2 questions:
1) What is the stiffest spring you recommend for the front without needed a differential drop? (or should I just do the differential drop now?)

2) Same question for the rear, what is the stiffest spring you recommend for me? I'd like to go as stiff as possible since I will be adding more weight in the next year. I don't mind a stiff ride, my other ride is a 2015 Chevy Dually with the overload springs engaged permanently for towing, so when it's driven without the slide in camper it's STIFF!

Or is upgrading springs only right now not a great idea and should I wait till I have more weight on it to upgrade.

Thanks for any insight you might have.

 

Hey Cory,

Sounds like you get to have all the fun, getting to go to baja!!

C59-352 or 354 up front is what you'd want. Depending what lift you want out of it, it's recommended to only run them at the lowest clip height so that you're not preloading them too much. Those struts don't like much preload with strong coils. These springs are both 730lb rate and the 354s are 1/2" taller than the 352s.

In the back, the C59-329 would do the trick. You can run them now as well as later with the added weight. I had someone recently put them on with stock weight before adding the rear bumper and everything and they said the ride was still good.

 

What are you using for shocks and front coils? Hows the ride?

Thinking about dumping my Eibach Pro Truck Lift. I've blown 3 out of 4 Eibach Shocks and am still waiting for replacements. I blame the failures on not having taller bump stops.

I also would like to add a Victory rear bumper.

 

I have dobinsons mrr in the front and their heaviest coil I think 730# but I also have dual battery, front bumper, winch, compressor, skids, all in the front.

 

Dobinsons sale starts Monday the 8th. Click here for full details:
https://exitoffroad.com/november-black-friday-sales/

 

Hey Mike,

Im looking for a setup for my 4runner 2022 kdss, im looking for 2.5" lift front and around 1" in the back. I'm not gonna lie the truck will be 99% of the time on the road(really bad pavement condition in Montréal) and 1% fore road for hunting trip.

Truck will stay mostly stock with 285 and no additional weight.

I want the most close "cadillac" feeling on the road possible.

Any recommandations please.

Thanks
JF

 

Hey man.

For that setup, here's what I'd recommend
C59-302 front coils for 2.5"
GS59-700 front struts
C59-599 rear coils for 1" lift
GS59-705 rear shocks (comfort)

That will be the softest option we offer. Since you're in Canada, our website doesn't take orders that ship outside the USA, so shoot me an email to get a full quote with shipping (exitoffroad@gmail.com)

Thanks
Mike

 

Mike any 701v’s in stock. I think adding the tent but taking out the drawers really made these 749’s sit a wee bit high lol.

 

No, they've been sold out for a while, but blacks and reds are due within the next week.
https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...s-for-toyota-4runner-and-fj-cruiser-c59-701v/

 

Any pics of 238 or 296 fronts with stock rear height? I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find any. Thanks

 

I don't have any of that setup, even though I've sold that to a lot of people in the past.

This is the nearest I have saved, with 238's in the front and 599's in the rear (1" rear lift). He needed the rear lift so that when he adds this leverage off the back, he doesn't get reverse rake.

 

My 599’s arrived Christmas Eve and installed yesterday, thanks for all the advice Mike!

 

That's great!!

 

Howdy @Crikeymike !

Im thinking about possible UCAs down the road and came upon the JBA control arms that have a bit more travel than the usual UCAs due to their ball joint design.

I installed the IMS shocks a while back and they are sitting at around 3 inches lift in the front (eventually I’ll crank them down to 2.5in)

If I put in the JBA control arms, it seems like they might end up giving me extra down travel. Have you heard of anybody using these JBAs, and do you think they have enough down travel to reach the limit of shock extension for the IMS shocks and end up hurting the shocks?

 

JBA arms can end up hitting the coils at full droop due to their design. Not ideal. They don't build much clearance on the inside shape of the arms.

Both Dobinsons and Dirt Kings that I sell give maximum travel without any contact issues.