Eibach vs Dobinson vs OME

*I have KDSS and will need a driver side spacer with these applications, correct?*

All 4 complete kits (3/2 lift) include struts, springs, SPC UCA, complete INSTALL, and ALIGNMENT...

- 80 percent daily driver
- 15 percent moderate to high speed dirt/mud trails
- 5 percent rocks (maybe, though maybe not at all)

**overall ride quality is of the utmost importance - I've focused on engine mods and aesthetics thus far... pedal commander, intake, throttle body spacer, exhaust and rims. Now its time to take ol girl off road! The possibility exists that I'll add a C4 bumper (or similar) so I may have to consider 700lb springs or adjustable struts (eliminating Eibach - I believe).

$1900 for Eibach Pro-Truck (2.75/1)
$2100 for Dobinson (2.5/1.5)
$2200 for Complete OME (ARB not Bilstein)
$2800 for Toytec Boss 2.0

Given the details and price difference, what are the thoughts and opinions out there? Reasons for particularly strong opinions are greatly appreciated!

 

Just installed the toytech boss, with 700lb with the sso simline bumper and winch, pretty satisfied, granted just had it installed today, but i chose toytech over other brands just because they are toyota specific, and saw nothing but great reviews, OME tend to be a little stiff from what i read

 

go with Toytec, you will be happy.

 

Go with the toytec adjustables. I had the ultimate setup on my FJ. After installing my steel winch bumper and winch and putting a few months on that setup I had to crank the front coilovers up it had sagged so much. You can always go stiffer on the OMEs to counteract that, but like the other poster said I always seem to hear guys say that they are pretty stiff.

 

Toytec has been around for about 15 years, ONLY product is for toyotas, they dont do any research or development on any others just toyota.

oh BTW, toytec doesnt make radflo, they just sell them. they didnt do the R&D on them.

 

Dobisions is a great brand, OP for the set you are wanting to run with a bumper a full 3” set will run about $1400. I was really considering them, only reason i did not was they are really new to America, although really well know in Australia, and i wanted adjustable since i will be adding more weight in the future.

 

this right here, just proves, you dont know much about toytec, and the fact that you have no idea, what suspension's Ive had on my 3 different 4Runners, where Ive wheeled/drove, how many miles/trails Ive put on them. With that said. Im done.

 

Ric and Backslider...
I appreciate your opinions and contributions to the thread. Please dont turn this into a pissing contest. You've each spoken to your personal experiences and thats exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

 

LoL. I see the 'if you're not running the most expensive widget your truck sucks' is alive and well on this board as well.

 

For the record, Toytec doesnt NOT build/make radflo. not at all, they just resell them..

 

Bump... added Dobinson lift to the initial question

 

I remember someone telling me that Toytec is a subsidiary of Eibach... is this true? Wouldnt be a problem for me, ive had Eibach and Suspension Techniques equipment on japanese sedans in the past

 

not even close, they lied to you.

 

Not even close? They're Bilstein struts... figured that out, not difficult, 2 clicks on google. Paired with, wait for it.... Eibach springs (as of course you already knew). But yeah, not even close. I know, I know, the struts and bushings do all the work and the springs are just going along for the ride

 

Barcelona trail, you are not, worth anymore of my time. have a nice life.

 

For what it's worth, I have the Toytec Ultimate 3" and 650# front springs with an SSO bumper and winch. No sag in the front, good ride though more firm than stock, and at 1,300 it is cheaper than anything you listed.

 

The Toytec Ultimate includes rear suspension, but for the price I gave, it does not include UCA's. Total Chaos UCA's would bring the price up to a little over 2,000. SPC UCA'a would leave the price at 1,835.

Not trying to be salty, just trying to give my personal, limited experience.

 

Appreciate your contribution BIll, thank you! Is there a difference between your Ultimate and the Boss 2.0 setups? 5100s? Im looking around now....

The more I look at Toytec setups, the more I like their Boss 2.0 Coilover kit. That said they are more money, trailing only King and Icon (though I am of the opinion you generally get what you pay for). I want to be able to choose one of the AUS setups, though they have their drawbacks as well. And I cant argue that the Toytec red coilovers would look the best on my rig (not so sure about the yellow and green Dobinson set, but maybe). And Toytec is in Denver, a quick ride for me. Its a give and take and $400 wont be the reason I choose a setup.

**BackSlider is correct, the prices I listed include SPC UCA, AND Install/Alignment. Complete set up, out the door

 

Ric? Really? Im the bad guy? In that case, let me be the first to apologize to you. I am sorry.

And what time are you referring to? I requested detailed and/or reasoned opinions with substance related to suspension systems. Everyone else who contributed referenced specific experiences and reasons for their choice of set up. Your responses were 1 liners and/or flames that included head slap imojis directed at others (myself included) who had questions about Toytec. Clearly you're a Toytec guy, many people are, great, they put together quality kits, using other people's stuff (incl Eibach). But to act like you were somehow wronged during this discussion, well, Im not sure there are words that properly express how that is received here

 

I have not pulled the trigger.. that would be awesome, please! Did you go with the single res or twin tube and are you getting green springs? I think the black/purple single w/ res and the green shocks look sick! The yellow double with green is cool too, its just that my rig is red

 

Aussie Colors! Yellow and Teal! Though it turns out theyre making red and black springs now. Still yellow struts

 

Hey I just read through this thread and since it applies so much to what I'm currently going through I wanted to offer some real world insight into Toytec, specifically their "best" system - the boss 2.5. I purchased the whole system in fall 2015 and had them professionally installed (for warranty reasons should I need to go for one down the road). I had some issues with a clicking in the front passenger side shortly after install. I troubleshot it and could never get it to go away. I talked to Toytec about it - they blamed the UCA (total chaos) and my kdss which I found both to be bogus. In less than a year I decided that the front end was too low in comparison to the the rear after I added a bumper and winch so I asked the dealer to load up the coils and get me back up to normal height. The dealer couldn't get them to move - the collars were completely corroded and the allen set screw (which is an unlike metal to the collar, always a big engineering no no and since then have changed their design) would not turn at all. To further the pain one of the shocks (the driver) was completely blown out and leaking profusely. The passenger (noisy) side was not leaking at all. I called up Toytec as I have a bunch of issues - one noisy, one needs new seals, can't adjust the collar. This is all within a year and Justin @ toytec tells me that they noise isn't their fault, they are meant to lose oil during each stroke/cycle (true but a miniscule amount not dripping in my driveway while not in use), and that the collars not adjusting is not their fault either. Literally zero ownership when all I suggested was to send them back on my dime and have them do some r/d work and see what is going on - kind of like a pilot program. I even arranged to be without a vehicle for 2 weeks. Justin was hostile, aggressive and I just said the hell with them and lets see how long I can tolerate this setup while I save back up to replace them. Fast forward to this past weekend - I bought Fox 2.5 remote resi DCS coils for the front and when I went in to remove the driver it came out easy (remember the dealer had that one out fall 2016 so about 20 months ago) but the passenger had completely failed where the bolt goes through the bottom of the coilover into the LCA. That was where the noise/pop was coming from since a couple months into this setup. It moved so much and did so much damage that I had to cut it out and it took hours to do. I also ruined the opportunity to have them rebuilt or given away to a new t4r/fj owner looking for a free lift. Bottom line Toytec does not stand behind their marginal products, the do no r/d, they have no interest in learning from their customers failures and they cost as much as the fox I put in! Steer clear.

I have less than 50 miles on the Fox and it's at the dealer being lined up but I can tell you this - HUGE improvement in ride on road, I can't see how they won't be as good but likely far better offroad. Also the reason I purchased these is because in calling around all over California to send the toytecs to be rebuilt the rebuilders were like ohhh we hate doing the toytec / Sway away coilovers because there's many different rebuild kits and my next question was so you rebuilt a ton of coilovers eh? Shop: Ya couple hundred a year. Me: Who's are the best overall from valving to durability to rebuild ability. 3 out of 3 shops said Fox #1 then in general they varied for 2,3,4 but they usually said Fox, King/Icon, ADS/Dobinson, then a far gap to the rest. Just wanted to share my very recent experience. Wish I had gone this route from the beginning.

 

Thanks for the welcome. I'm not altogether mad at Toytec, they just wouldn't listen to what I, the dealer, other Toyota gurus were saying and didn't want to meet me even midway. To be honest despite it costing me a grundle of time and $$ I've learned a ton, learned a lesson, and not being able to rebuild them has helped me move on. I really can't say enough about my new ride - picking it up from the dealer in a few hours and going to take it to Jackson on Thursday for a long weekend with some light off roading planned.

I live in SLC, thanks for the utah thread I just looked through it and I'll contribute on there. Cheers!

 

We went with Dobinsons on both the 4runner and tacoma. Mike with Dobinsons USA was great to work with.
On the 4runner, we did a 2" lift set up for the extra weight of the drawers and gear in the back. It rides smooth on road and off road. We liked the yellow and teal. It looks good with the nautical blue.
On the tacoma, we went with the heavy duty rear springs and 2" lift in the front. Do to all the weight we carry in the bed ( average 600#) the heavy duty springs hold the weight great. Rides good on road. Little stiff with the bed unloaded.

 

Skier... THANK YOU! SINCERELY, I very much appreciate the time you've taken to share your experience. It's unfortunate to hear of your circumstances and the lack of help from Toytec. That being said, your situation, along with the MANY good accounts of Dobinson set ups, have me where I was hoping to ultimately get to.. ready to buy, DOBINSON! The only decision left for me to make is to see if theyre making monotube resi for the T4R. Am I to presume that the monotubes are generally able to be rebuilt? If not, itll be the standard twin tube gas charged. After that, its simply a matter of finding the best price (and shop in Denver - Slee, RSG, other??). Also - thank you Backslider, JBTRD, Bill, PoolGuy, and TackleB

 

So, how did the Dobjnsons work out for you? My brother has OME on his 5th Gen and I really like them, but I’ve been thinking of trying the Dobinsons on mine. I’d love to hear how you like them.

 

The Eiback front springs are 660lb and they have 4 perches on the shocks mine are set at second notch with heavy summit bumper and winch.

 

Which Toyota Dealership did Install for you? They said they were able to keep the Warranty in tact right?

 

Hello: Been watching this thread for a little while while preparing to buy a set of Dobinson's. I'm new to idea of any kind of lift to a vehicle. I have a 1999 Surf/4Runner. I'm planning to get the 2" set front and back. Is there anything else I will need to do to the Surf to accommodate the lift? Or will it be fine the way it will sit. I don't anticipate using a larger set of tires...is this a mistake? I think the clearance will be useful for some of the off-roads we travel here in Mozambique, Africa. I don't really understand exactly how this lift will impact road manners. Also, on what basis would I need to buy their Front Strut Mounts? Do the old ones fail? How would I know if they need to be replaced?
Thanks for input.
Dave

 

Thank you for the reply. simply helpful. I haven't ever replaced this kind of setup on the front (or rear too). Is it dangerous to try to replace either front or rears yourself? I have a shop here that could do the work for me (awaiting their quote), so not sure if I need Dob's to do the pre-assembly. I do plan to replace everything all the way round...it's 20 years old after all. And the ride needs fixing and I've worn my tires prematurely I think. Probably needed to do this two years ago.

Am also wondering if there would be any restriction on packing them in checked luggage. A friend is flying to South Africa in a week or so and it's a heck of a lot cheaper to buy stateside.