Dobinsons 2016-2023 Taco Suspension Options

@Crikeymike morning feller, hope you're having a nice day. This could probably be sent as a PM but I like posting publicly in case someone now or in the future has a similar question, actually 2 this time.

1. Because of the coil seat height required to get the amount of lift to clear 285/75/16 tires on -6 offset (stock 2020 TRD OR wheels with 1.25" spacer) and account for considerable amount of Taco lean I have a good bit of kick out when going over a bump on the front driver side because of the preload, almost feels like a blown shock but I know it isn't. Is this something that can be sufficiently solved by adjusting rebound or am I looking at getting different coils? I opened the rebound all the way and it doesn't seem to have helped any. For clarity I have MRRs with 352 coils, with a stock front end, and only got 1.5" of lift in the front setting at stock seat height with 352 coils so I upped the seat height to reach a hub to fender of 23". I will measure my ground to fender and bottom shock bolt to seat height later today for exact numbers on both sides. Before I raised the seat height, it was driving like a dream and I think I got everything tuned exactly how I wanted it, but then I switched from 255s to 285s and needed extra height to clear the cab mount.

2. My friend has had MRRs on his 4th gen V8 4Runner for a little over 18 months now and cannot adjust his compression knobs at all. He keeps his truck very clean and never goes through mud, so it must be some other grime from our roads out here in Colorado? Is it safe to wrench the adjusters open with a pipe for leverage? Dobinsons offered to inspect the shocks, but we leave for my bachelor party in Moab in 2 weeks so we are running tight on time...

As always, we appreciate your knowledge and time in answering what is trivial to you but perplexing to us.

EDIT:
Some pics of our recent maintenance days because why not

 

Hey man.

If it rode great before and now it isn't, then that's unusual. Those coils are definitely not rated for zero weight up front, so that's probably the main cause of it. You'll just have to play around with the valving adjustments. I recommend running more than less rebound adjustment, especially with a spring that's too strong for no weight, as the front will try to bounce back up really fast after compressing. Adding rebound will slow that down.

Are you running UCA's? The ball joint angle binds up and firms up the front end if they're still stock at 23" hub to fender (3" lift).

Also adding more lift won't make the tires clear. The range of travel of the strut hasn't changed, the tire can still go up and down the same amount. It's the alignment that can help clear tires more than anything, before cutting/clearancing.

Sounds like he needs to take the adjusters off and clean underneath first. Dobinsons can give him the low down on how that works, but it's super simple. Just unscrew the screw in the middle of the LSC knob, then it comes off, then the allen head screws holding the purple adjuster on, then that comes off. Probably just got some gunk under there. You can use the adjuster tool it came with to add leverage, but I wouldn't use anything more than that. Mine are 3 years old and still adjust by hand, no tool, so it must be junk in there. Check for Loctite on the threads before putting it back on too.

 

I found after changing from the 314 to 352 spring my rebound is to fast also, and that's with the rebound adjuster maxed out. This is with steel bumper, winch, full set of skids, sliders, supercharger, and other misc weight added. I would have stayed with the lighter spring but I was maxed out on coil adjustment and needed a little more. Currently at about 22.5 in front hub to fender.

 

You’re the man.

Yes, I have Dobinsons’s UCAs. I have an alignment at a really good shop in Denver tomorrow and they will do CMC if and only if needed after the alignment. I’ll bump up the rebound again, I definitely thought about that backwards. I’ve been confused the entire time I’ve had these 352 coils on stock front end. With 221 shocks I got 0.5” lift. With 220 shocks I got 1.5” lift. My goal was to get 2-2.5” lift max when I have a bumper and winch. I’ve got a full set of steel skids ready for pick up here soon at RCI, maybe that’ll help a tiny bit, but being under the engine they won’t have the torque to drop the coils as much as a bumper would.

Is the tool for the adjuster knobs separate from the coil seat height adjuster tool?

Thanks again!

 

From my friend "when I unscrewed the first one, oil starting coming out, maybe I unscrewed the HSC"

 

Have him call Dobinsons . Oil should not be coming out.

 

It comes with the front and rear shocks. It's a flat shiny metal thing

 

He probably ate it at this point.

Oops.

 

@TheColoradoAthlete I'm sure you have all this, but MRA instructions and troubleshooting can be found here. @Supr4Lo shared his settings over here. I think you'll notice a difference after installing the weight. Also, if your thread count is maxed out, then you might consider adding the 1/4" spacer up top like I did to reduce the seat height.



With additional visuals here:



Also, see my quote about maximum height setting here:

Additional info on settings over at trail tacoma (replace the dash with a dot in .com): https://trail4runner-com/2022/04/28/dobinsons-mra-suspension-5th-gen-4runner/

GL!

 

Guys, I just started a group buy on both Dobinsons UCA options for 2005-2023 Tacoma's. Go check it out.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dobinsons-ucas-group-buy-tubular-and-billet-options.801738/

 

Hey guys, what would my total lift be if I am at 22 3/4 on both sides from hub center to bottom of fender? I just switch to 285/70 17 and have well over 1” of clearance from cab mount. My wheels are 17x8 0 offset.

 

2.75" of lift. Using 20" as a baseline starting average for Tacoma's.

Sounds like you've got a good wheel/tire/offset combination as well as a good alignment to clear the cab mount.

 

Really2.75!?!? I’m using 5100 and 314’s on 1st perch to comp for weight of bumper. Will def have to heat and trim some of the plastic up front.

 

Hey Crikeymike, is the group-buy from late May over? The link doesn’t appear to work anymore. I’m currently looking at a suspension update using the Dobi IMS suspension kit. Looking for 1.5–2 inches lift in the process.

 

It was cancelled, not enough interest.

 

Bummer.

 

Rookie question for y'all.

I ordered the GS59 kit with the L59 leaf pack but at the time of ordering, only the l59-111-r (medium load) were in stock.
I don't typically carry around extra weight on the bed except for a cap (180lbs) and maybe a 20lb surfboard.

Aside from when I'm out adventuring and loaded up to camp, I'll be driving around with a constant load of about 200lbs when the 111's are rated for 600lb constant.

Is the 111 going to be super stiff without the other 400lbs its rated for?

 

I have the MRR in the back and also the 111s they ride fine not harsh. Although I have a long bed, tonneau cover, full size spare with, sliders and roof rack. I can also adjust my suspension so hope that helps.

 

I just ordered the IMS setup and based on chats with Dobinsons and the local dealer, we went for the base springs. My constant load most of the time is about 200lbs and loaded up I’d max another 200lbs in there. Both Dobi and the dealer said the medium load would be overboard for my build.
Hope this helps.

 

Anyone have pics with C59-300 installed? Trying to get an idea of how it looks. I have a Leer shell w/ the Archive Garage AAL (retained factory overload) and I didn't measure before installing it but am assuming that I have about 0.5-1" of lift in the rear right now and don't plan to go any higher.