Dobinsons MRR or IMS

Hello, New here and have a couple of questions for those dobinsons users out there. So my truck has a cheap 3'' spacer lift on 33s and oem UCAS, im sure you already know but the ride is far from smooth. Im looking to upgrade and had a few questions about what to get (MRR or IMS) I do live in the city so I do a lot of driving on pavement but am looking to get into off-roading on beaches and trails when I travel. My main question, what is the advantage of having the MRR 3 way adjustable over the IMS? What am I gonna be able to do with the MRR that the IMS can't? Also is the IMS kit upgradeable in any way, say like the icon kits??? (I also plan on going with dobinsons tubular UCAS)

 

If you don't already do enough offroading to the point where you know you need the MRR, then you probably don't need it. Get the IMS, save some bucks, and ride happy.

Not sure I can answer the question about "upgradeable like the Icon kits" other than to say if you get shocks and UCAs then you really don't need much else. Maybe look into extended rear brake lines (my personal favorite are the Crown lines that Headstrong sells). If you have extra money and just want to do other upgrades you can also consider a full leaf pack in the rear paired with a U bolt flip kit or something. And if you are serious about doing more offroading then spend $20 in parts and extend your rear diff breather - easily one of the best bang-for-buck mods.

 

@Crikeymike will you respond here.
Mike from exit off-road is the guy to talk to. I just did the complete Dobinsons suspension upgrade with SPC UCA'S that was in my budget. Haven't drove much to settle mostly slow speeds on back roads. Smooth though. Mike can help you out.

 

Oh yeah I got 3" of lift all the way around.

 

Hey man, welcome to the forum!!

The main difference is the adjustability, you control the valving of the shocks with the MRR's by turning one of 3 knobs on each shock. The next benefit is the remote reservoirs. They help keep the shocks much cooler, so in high speed offroad driving, that comes in clutch, as the shocks want to be as cool as possible to give the best performance. If you won't be doing that type of driving, they're probably overkill.

Another popular benefit is to run the IMS up front and the MRR in the rear, if you change the rear end weight a lot, like when you load up for trips, being able to adjust the valving and ride quality is great, then when you unload, you can dial it back.

You can't take an IMS shock and turn it into an MRR due to the way the rebound adjustment works.

Most people are super happy with the IMS setup all around, the ride is super comfortable, and the shocks are long lasting without needing a rebuild at any specific increments.

There are some good informative videos on our Youtube channel, here: http://www.youtube.com/exitoffroad

 

this cleared up so much thank you much , I will look into brake lines and leaf packs. Also follow up question, later in my build id like to have a roof rack and a tent on top, and also a lightweight high clearance front and back bumper. With that being said should I go to heavier rated springs and lead packs right away or just wait till that happens I have a terrible lift now and all I want is a smooth ride with off-road capability, With the occasional 40 mph dash through desert like conditions. Again thank you for your help I will continue to post my suspension questions and build in this thread!

 

Thank you Mike a lot of ur reply’s and threads have been very helpful with my decision making. I will consider the mrrs in back because it would be nice to stiffen the rear when I tow / haul short or long distances . Again thanks man!

Ps. Since I’ve been running a 3” strut spacer lift for some time (I do have a diff drop) should the oem cv axles be replaced and maybe sway bar she roams a good amount at 50+ mph. I’m at 150k and probably a total of 40k on the spacer lift . I am going to replace the ball joints ik those need to be done.

 

I doubt you will need super heavy springs for that type of equipment. For comparison I have full skidplates, sliders, a camper shell, and a drawer/platform in the bed with Deaver U402 stage 2 and it works great (but if I had less stuff like you I'd go down to stage I). The point is unless you have more heavy stuff and load it up all the time, I'd build for how you drive the other 90% of the time on the street and make it comfortable. Icon RXT pack may work for you since it comes with the necessary leafs to change it from stage I/II/III if you change your mind later.

Follow what Mike says though, they will take care of you.

 

You can get stronger leaf springs and remove a leaf from the pack until you need it. The front is a little more difficult, but if it's a light bumper up front, you can just change the preload on the coilovers if you lose much height when the weight is added.

 

You'd just have to check the condition of all those parts and replace as necessary. Bushings, ball joints, links, etc. At that many miles even on a non-lifted truck, they could be showing wear.

 

At 160k I changed all the bushings put greasable bolts in the 111 leaf springs total 6 bolts, had @Crikeymike set front with 314 springs IMS set at 2.75" and lowered passenger side to 2.5"( taco lean) with new adjustable UCA's as stated before, on stock front end with Avid bumper guard. To correct drive shaft ujoint angles I did put in OME carrier bearing drob which made angles better. Just measured 23.5" both front and 25" both rear with G4 fold a cover.
If I had to do it again I would still go with the set up I put on!
Thanks @Crikeymike .

 

Such a great threat and conversation guys been enjoying the read I Personal Prefer the MRR over the IMS I have noticed The IMS is Harsh All around between whoops and even wash board roads there also very stiff on Road Sad thing is Bilstein 5100 do everything better and smoother the Dobinson IMS check out Overland Outfitters video ON 6 shock Comparison on the 3rd gen Tacoma Dobinson IMS was one of the worst.

 

So you have run both the IMS and the MRA yourself?

 

Yes I have MRR ON a 07 sport 4runner v8 and the IMS on a 08 sport 4runner v8

 

I saw the same video: https://youtu.be/9s271Ln-6QI?si=5WivJKLDJe0dsHqg

I wonder if the IMS did so bad because it was an access cab with an empty bed.

 

Doesn't seem like a valid test, comparing different trucks, body styles, setups, etc.

 

I'm sure the Dobinson's UCA is a fine product, as is most everything else from Dobinson's. However, I cannot recommend enough, JBA Offroad UCA's. As much range of motion, or better than a uniball setup, without having to deal with uniball maintenance.

 

I thought the same thing. I didn't really like the format of their last test either. Plus it applies to people that live in that terrain. That horrible washboard would also be way more easily absorbed with a different vehicle as well (like a coil sprung 4Runner for example).

 

JBA are a nice and super cheap option. They sell retail only, direct to the consumer, which is why they're priced so low.

The only problem I see with them is they don't have the coil clearance that most arms have and they can hit into the coil spring making a clunk at full droop with extended travel coilovers installed, specifically on Tacomas.

 

It’s the same truck they put all 6 shocks in and tested blind on the same track. They tested stock, 5100, Dobs IMS, Eibach stage 1, fox 2.5s, stock+spacer, and OME nitrochargers. They did a similar blind test last year but with higher budget options all on the same truck again. Sure it’s not the most scientific way to compare shocks and they threw some playful comedy in the mix, but the conclusion still seems valid: without knowing which shock was which, they found the 5100s felt significantly better than Dobs IMS.

I was also pretty disappointed by these results, since the IMS looked perfect for my application. Sounds like the MRRs will be in the next “mid-budget” series, I hope they do better!