Dobinsons 5th Gen 4Runner Suspension options

for sure thanks! You think it’ll clear 285’s without rubbing by any chance?

 

I'm no expert, but I think wheel choice has a lot to do with that too.

Stock wheels will probably be ok from what I understand, but aftermarket wheels that stick out further are more likely to rub.

 

He's right. Wheel selection and offset makes a huge difference, and the alignment too, how centered they set the wheel in the fender to minimize rubbing. 285's = solid chance of some rubbing with trimming/cutting almost always required from what I've seen.

More offset, increases the scrub radius with a bigger chance of rubbing.

 

Hey Mike,

I'd like to order these shocks posted below, with the extended travel. I just want to make sure these are perfectly fine for stock 4runner front springs. I want the travel, but do NOT want more than 1 inch lift in the front (but DO want it an inch lifted in the front). Posting here so if may help someone in the future. Thanks
DOBINSONS GS59-574 PAIR OF LONG TRAVEL FRONT STRUTS FOR TOYOTA FJ CRUISER 2010+ AND 4RUNNER 2010+

 

Yes they do. I've had a glfew guys in the past use them for that same reason.

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...toyota-fj-cruiser-2010-and-4runner-2010-2019/

 

Hey guys,

Sorry if this has already been addressed, but why does Dobinsons (appear to) offer front lift springs with the OE spring rate, but all of their rear lift springs are stiffer than OE specs?

Thanks

 

All the front spring rates are stronger than OE. OE is about 500-520LBF/IN and Dobinsons are 586 or 730

Edit: Stock Front End means stock weight (no added bumper or anything), not stock spring rate.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I read that the front OE rates are 580, rear 180, but also read to take that data with a grain of salt..

When you say that your shortest rear spring is "TRD Pro Spec" and 220 lbs, does that mean that the TRD Pro comes with 220 lb springs as OE? Or are you only referring to the spring height there?

Trying to get a soft spring lift of 2" front 1" rear, it's seeming difficult lol.

 

Yeah, OE front is definitely not 580. Rear is 180-190

TRD Pro rear coils are 220LB rate from the factory. So when Dobinsons checked the specs of the full TRD Pro suspension, they found the C59-323 to be near identical already to the TRD Pro coils that had only just came out.

Since you're only looking for 2" front and 1" rear, this might be another option that I recently started offering: https://exitoffroad.com/product/falcon-toyota-4runner-5th-gen-sport-shock-spacer-lift-system/

That reuses stock coils.

 

Hmm. And others claim that the TRD Pro rear springs are the same spring that is in the other trim levels.

Man, figuring out suspension is so much fun, lol. Guess I need to find a spring rate tester.

Thank you for the suggestion, but I am under the impression that spacers aren't good for actual off-roading. I don't want to "jack my truck up" with a 3"+ lift, but I do actually take her through some fairly interesting terrain sometimes. I don't want to be stranded, etc., and am just looking for a mild lift for a little more clearance and room for my modest 275's.

I guess most people that care much go with adjustable coils for the front. I'm trying to avoid that for cost, simplicity, and heck.. in my opinion.. reliability. That said, it's like there is a void left in between the 1" options for the front and the 2.5" options for the front. I'm happy to see that Dobinsons offers so many options, but still there doesn't seem to be a solid *2"* option for the front. The closest thing I think Dobinsons offers to what I want is the 300/599 combo, which I am currently researching the heck out of, looking for pics pics pics. So far it's maybe as close as I'm gonna get, but I really wish the combo (300/599) was a little more level than it is.

 

I bought their 2.5"/1.5" combo for mine and put a winch bumper on the front. BAM. Solid two inches.

 

Haha. I agree that your lift looks great. Trust me, yesterday I was over here thinking "So how long do I think it will be before I add a winch?.. Hmm.." lol but unfortunately I think that's pretty far down the road, if ever.

In fact, I'm a little torn between your "2.5"" springs (302) and the 1.75" or whatever 300's. The 300 seems almost to low in the front, and the 302 seems cool and doesn't seem to dwarf smaller-than-33" tires too much. As you pointed out, it looks like sometimes the 302's only give a 2" lift which is exactly what I want up front. That said, I'm sure the 599's are high enough for me in the rear, I don't want to lift any more than that in the rear, and I'm afraid that I'll get reverse rake with a 302/599 combo.

@Crikeymike , have you had any guys go with that combo? 302F/599R?

 

Hey Mike,

I'm looking for some guidance as I'm planning to upgrade my rear springs from 2" Icon to Dobinson. I'm planning to get a tire carrier and fridge for my 5th gen w/kdss. The springs I'm currently running are sagging at full load and bottoms out without the items I mentioned. I have aftermarket bump stops but the springs aren't performing well. I've been talking to a dobinson rep and they're suggesting to get the C59-327. Would this be the right one to get for my needs? With the 2" icon I currently have no lean so would I also have to get the dobinson spacer? Also trying to avoid having any rake if I decide not to have those items on daily since my vehicle is a daily driver.

 

I guess I wasn't getting notifications on this thread for some reason!! Sorry guys. Let me know if you still need help and I'll jump right on it!!

 

Hey Mike,

I'm looking for some guidance as I'm planning to upgrade my rear springs from 2" Icon to Dobinson. I'm planning to get a tire carrier and fridge for my 5th gen w/kdss. The springs I'm currently running are sagging at full load and bottoms out without the items I mentioned. I have aftermarket bump stops but the springs aren't performing well. I've been talking to a dobinson rep and they're suggesting to get the C59-327. Would this be the right one to get for my needs? With the 2" icon I currently have no lean so would I also have to get the dobinson spacer? Also trying to avoid having any rake if I decide not to have those items on daily since my vehicle is a daily driver.

 

Hey Jonny,

Yeah, I'd also suggest the C59-327 with a passenger side 15mm spacer for lean correction.

You're sagging and bottoming out before you even have the tire carrier and fridge in it? What other rear weight is on the vehicle now? Do you have a hub to fender measurement? It would be about 24" with the C59-327's installed and the weight you mentioned.

 

Mike,

I'm trying to get Dobinsons USA to make / offer a 2" front lift spring for the 4Runner, lol. Fat chance maybe...

I believe Dobinsons offers custom springs in Australia. Is that an option for US customers?

To me it seems like a 2" lift spring would sell like hot-cakes.

Anyway, they instead suggested that I use your 1" lift spring, along with the long travel struts to get an extra inch, for two inches total.

.. But would I not have issues doing that with the stock UCAs??

Another question... can the new IMS struts ONLY be used at 213mm or 226mm, or can they be adjusted to heights in between there without issue? I was thinking of maybe using your 1.75" C59-300 spring, and then moving the IMS ring/spring seat up just a little bit (3-4mm, so set at ~217mm), to get a total of 2" lift. I don't see how this could really matter, but I'm a noob here. I saw that in your other thread you said they had to be set at one of those two "options" (213 or 226), but then I see others talk about adjusting them a little, so I'm confused. If I did raise the seat a little, would that increase chance for spring/UCA contact or something?

One last question: Can the springs spin or rotate while installed in the IMS struts? I imagine that would be determined by whether or not the lower spring seat could rotate or if it's locked into position with the adjustable collars or something.

Thanks in advance!!

 

Some get 2" with the C59-300, some get 1.75" with them. The listed lift heights are the minimum lift height the coils will give with the listed weight. 4Runners had a lot of stock height variance from the factory, and age plays into how much the coils have sagged.

Hub to fender with C59-300 installed on a stock weight 5th gen is usually 21.75" to 22". How does your stock height compare?

Your stock UCA's would still limit the down travel.

The IMS can be set to a minimum of 213mm due to sway bar clearance, and they're fully threaded, so they can go anywhere between 213mm and 226mm. Not sure why you're so insistent on an additional 1/4", but you can tune it however you need with the IMS.

No, the spring is held in place under pressure and from the giant rubber top mount, it prevents it from spinning.

Dobinsons isn't taking any custom spring orders right now. Even regularly stocked springs right now have a 4-5 month lead time.

 

Coolio, thanks for the reply! I appreciate the details.

What do you mean when you say that the stock UCA's will limit the down travel? With most setups, the shock limits the down travel. Is that not the case with your *non-LT* struts and shocks?

1/4", 1/2", whatever. I just don't want to go up another 3/4" (300 to 302). That's a big jump in most people's eyes, so I'm surprised Dobinsons doesn't offer anything in the gap. Frankly, when comparing a truck on 265's to 285's, one can easily see how much of a difference a half-inch makes. I come from stanced cars so we work in mm when it comes to clearance.. my eyes have been tuned! On the 4Runner, to me at least, 1/2" can be the difference between looking perfect and looking like the tire is stuffed into the wheel well. To each his own. It's my money and I'm picky.

Well, my 4Runner is new so I doubt the suspension has sagged. I definitely understand how someone with a 200k mile 4Runner would get "more" lift than I would from the same set of springs. I guess I should just say that I want more lift than the 300's will give, at least based off of every photo (20 or so) I've seen with them installed, period. The same goes for the 302's (based off photos, I want less), so I just simply want a spring that is in between.

Comparing the 300 to the 302, the 302 is 10mm longer, and all else is the same. Using the 2/1 ratio for the 4Runner's front suspension geometry, the 302 should lift the truck approximately 20mm, or 3/4", higher than the 300 should. Cool, so all that matches up.

What I want is a 390mm, 17mm wire, 586LB Dobinsons coil spring.

Oh well.

I am really trying to go with Dobinsons to stay away from digressive valving at a modest budget. Just maybe the IMS option with the 300 spring will work!

My only other option is a small spacer on top of the strut assembly but I'm really not sure how I feel about that...

Good question on measurements of my actual vehicle. That's something I'm working on! It's pretty chilly here and we aren't used to it in 'bama, lol. That said, I dialed in my tire pressures exactly on Sunday night so that I can try to find a level lot this week and measure. I'm grabbing lots of measurements (ground to fender, center-hub to fender, and ground to frame for all 4 corners) so I'll have those soon!

The (re)search continues....

Thanks again.

 

Sounds like you're the perfect candidate for the IMS struts, with a fully threaded body, then you can tune it to where you want it. There's no reason to make more than the 10+ front coils Dobinsons already makes, and in 3 colors, when you have a fully threaded body. Since you worked with stanced cars, they used adjustable coilovers too, right?

 

Installed the Dobinsons IMS59-50574 paired with the c59-352 730# springs. Set the passenger to 220mm per mikes recommendation set the driver to 223mm to offset the driver lean and am pretty happy on the initial install. It feels a little softer than the bilstein 6112 paired with king 700# springs but I only got to do an initial 14 mile drive. I’ll take it in for an alignment tomorrow and then get out and see how it feels on a couple of small trails in the area.

One thing to note I was not happy with this setup is that when tightening the upper nut to the top hat the inside rod began to spin. There is an Allen hole in the top that if you were doing this on the truck there would be no way to access due to how high the post sticks out of the top hat.

Only pic from the install was while my buddy was putting the skids back on.


the reason for the 730 springs in my application is I have bumper and winch, dual battery, skids, and arb dual compressor all under the hood. Plus the weight of the sliders, roof rack, gear etc. I will most likely be switching out my rear shocks to the ims from the 5160 rears as well.

 

Yeah, they have to be assembled off the vehicle. The allen actually works easier than using vice grips or a wrench on the regular style strut studs, as it holds really tight without slipping.

 

I just installed my Dobinsons lift today. I have a couple questions:

I have the C59-302 coils with the IMS59-50700 shocks, no reservoirs. I was looking to get about 2.5" to 3" of lift. Do I need to adjust them at all? The amount of thread showing at the bottom of the shock is 1.5". I know adjustments are a 2:1 ratio. The front sits higher now, but I didn't take before measurements to see how much higher it is now.

Also, does left/right matter if I don't have reservoirs? I reservoir ports are facing in, which makes be believe they're backwards. Nothing else on the coilovers led me to believe they were left/right specific.

 

They aren't side specific.

The coil seat height should be set to 213mm and follow the instructions that came with them. I have a video on my YouTube channel (link in signature) on how to set the height.

 

Hello!

So, I had a Dobinsons IMS lift put on a 2021 4Runner with KDSS, including the passenger side spacers. Unfortunately, I seem to be getting quite a lean to the *driver* side, confirmed with a tape measure and level. It was immediately noticeable to the guy following me to trail days as well.

One point of confusion for me was weight distribution.. The driver's side has the driver (~240 lbs) and sometimes a full tank of gas (~175 lbs). This nets to an extra 415 lbs just on the driver's side. It seems counterintuitive to put spacers on the passenger side if the driver side already has extra weight. Is KDSS lean really that bad towards the passenger side? I wonder why I'm seeing the opposite?

Would love any insights as I form more forehead wrinkles pondering the situation

Some pics are below..

Raw shot showing driver side lean


Closeup of the level showing pavement actually is slightly higher on driver side

Driver side mudflap measurement


Passenger side mudflap measurement

 

Depends what height lift you went with. Both spacers might not be necessary. And have you done the KDSS reset?

You can watch the KDSS video on my YouTube to better understand why it leans to the side. Link in my signature.

 

Thanks Crikeymike.. I went with 3" front and 2" rear. Yes, the KDSS reset is complete. Interesting about your YT channel.. I have watched the "What is KDSS" video. Though, I just noticed the Treaty Oak one as well - my local shop just recommended these instead of the coil spacers. Perhaps that will fix it?

 

You might be better off removing the front and rear coil/strut spacers and adding the Treaty Oak KDSS spacers instead. Adding them in addition to what you have probably won't change much since it seems that on your truck, you don't need the coil spacers on the passenger side.

 

Yep - that's the plan. Thanks sir..

 

Actually, if I may follow up on one thing? The Treaty Oak KDSS spacers seem to correct a passenger side lean based on the location of the 3 they provide. Would this be different than what I'm experiencing now?