Dobinsons 2016-2023 Taco Suspension Options

Prices on all input costs for all goods have shot-up.


Fox, ICON, bilstien, pro-comp and whoever else going to raise their prices as well. Its just a matter of when.

If you want an autopart of any kind, you probably should just buy it right now. I don't advocate credit card debt, but in a situation like this, I believe it makes sense to use one.

This is a big deal I think. I would serious buy anything you might need right this second.

 

Getting ready to purchase in the next week or so. Truck is being built to handle highway and mild off road/overland and fishing/hunting mobile. Have a cap with racks, a shell, and sliders. Planning on bumpers and winch in the future and 32's or 33's Looking for 2 to 2.5 inch's after weight, all around. Also have hammer hangers and a u bolt flip kit, with the archive bumps. Have a few questions.

With the mra fronts there are two versions, should I choose the a220 or a221?

Front springs, should I go 314's to start then get 352's after weight is added? Or does any one have experience with mra and 352's before weight? I have access to a lift and spring compressor.

111r's and be able to remove a leaf if needed and replace one rear bumper is on?

Going to get the uca just to ensure enough caster to keep the highway driving nice.

Any advice or things I'm missing is greatly appreciated!

Are the fronts shipping with resi brackets?

 

I have the 352 with no weight set at 220mm got 2.75 saving my pennies for winch to go in my ARB bumper. Ride is a little bumpy but not bad.

 

Get the A220 fronts, they come with the Tacoma resi-brackets. The A221's come with universal brackets.

Like the other guy said, you can run the 352's but you'll be taller and firmer until the proper weight is added on there. It also depends how heavy of a front bumper and winch setup you think you'll get. If it's in the 200LB+ range, I suggest the 352 coils. And the UCA's are a great idea at any lifted height.

Yes on the 111R's. Shouldn't need to remove a leaf but you can if it's a little tall until the truck is fully built.

 

@thefreshtaco

Keep in mind that all aftermarket parts will add weight too. I have the Marlin LCA cam tab gussets, ARB dual compressors, Northstar group 31 battery, MORE full aluminum skid package, OCF steel sliders, along with the SSO slimline bumper with winch, these parts all add weight too. I personally went with 352's and a 1/4" spacer, but probably should have gone with 354's.

 

If I could go back I'd have gotten lighter springs even with all the weight that I've bolted on to my truck. I prefer the way the truck felt with stock suspension. I get that this is how it's supposed to be, and I got the correct springs for my build, but it doesn't feel like an upgrade at all. Feels more like a downgrade compared to the stock suspension. The only exception to that is the ability of the shocks to prevent bouncing. That part is greatly improved.

 

Did you get the lift height you wanted in the front? I'm thinking the harsh ride is due to the expedition leafs in the rear. For example, I had 111 leafs, but downsized them to a 110 leaf, and it was a night and day difference as far as ride comfort. As far as I know, the coil rate is same for all Dobinsons coil springs, it's the length that's different. Maybe @Crikeymike can chime in about that?

 

The expedition leafs I have are certainly not doing me any favors on the comfort front. I was just thinking some 650lb or 700lb front springs would help vs the 730lb spring rate ones I have on there now.

The lift height is pretty good overall though which is why I'm hesitant to change anything.

 

I'm thinking lighter coil rate up front isn't going to make much of a difference. You have a diamondback cover and a compressor in your bed. "All-Pro's Expedition leaf springs are designed to carry up to 500 lbs consistently."

 

The 350, 352, 354 part numbers are 730LB rate, while the 300, 302, 314's are all 586lbs. When using a lighter rate coil though with a lot of weight, they end up riding very compressed so that the coil doesn't have a lot of room to move. In that case, a 730LB coil that is made with fewer turns and thicker wire can actually produce a better ride. I experienced this with my 4runner, switching from 586LB coils with a heavy front end to 730LB coils and it rode better.

 

Yea, gonna see how it feels when I load it up. I've got a RTT, frontrunner bars, and a 1-up rack that usually live back there. Also have a dometic 35 on a fridge slide back there now too.

The back does feel slightly stiffer, but honestly the front isn't much better

 

No lift? It's actually a good thing in my book because one thing I'm worried about is adding parts and ending up with extra lift that I wasn't accounting for when installing shocks and springs etc. Good to know.

Truth.

I believe you were the first ones I saw to announce price increases, especially for things shipping from the land down under. ARB did say something similar but you had to already be in contact with them to see it.

 

Just ordered:
MMR fronts, went with 314's for now. Will replace when bumper and winch are added. Dobinsons upper control arms.
MMR rears, 111r leaf pack.
Added a snorkel too.

Thanks @Crikeymike and everyone for the help.

 

Congrats man! Now the anxious waiting begins.

 

Awesome, thanks for the order!!

 

Damn shipping lines. Leaf spring container has been pushed to June 10th port arrival date. I know a bunch of you are waiting on them.

 

Thanks for the update

 

Has anyone had an issue with their coil spring powder coat? I ordered a quick ride kit with C59-352 coils back in Oct 2019 and both are badly chipping. I’ve inquired with Dobinsons on filing a warranty claim but they need the serial numbers off the stickers on the springs themselves. These are unfortunately located on top/bottom of the coil requiring me to uninstall the front end (take a picture of these before you install!). I’ve debated on just ordering another set of coils and hoping for the best with the powder coating. Before I do I want to make sure this isn’t a known issue. The truck is my DD and I’d rather not take it apart multiple times.

 

Just throwing this out there. @Crikeymike is awesome and helped me a ton. My Dobinson leafs are completely quiet. Not a peep, not a squeek. They handle well too. Love em! I am a Dobs fan from now on.

If anyone is curious, I'm using Aeroshell 64 as my grease.

 

Dang dude, so you wouldn't recommend these dobinson springs? I have em on backorder lol but if this is gonna happen might as well get the plain black old man emu's (still going with dobinsons rear suspension)