Why are there not more Tacomas with Dobinsons?

Just installed the Dobinsons MRR kit and was curious before and especially after buying them why we don’t see more Tacomas with Dobinsons? I love my suspension so far especially since I upgraded from Bilstein 6112s. The adjustable ride, long travel options, and long lifetime of the shocks is what sold me on them. But that’s my personal opinion, would love to hear y’all’s thoughts.

 

I've got them too. I just went with black and red instead, ha. A friend of my buddy's told me my truck rides like a Cadillac compared to our buddy's Land Cruiser, ha. Looks like they've changed the reservoir brackets a little?

 

Come to Wisconsin and Dobinsons are popular with the TW crew.
I'm running all Dobinsons, coils, leafs and IMS shocks.

 

It's our little secret.

 

Love em! Like them more than the OEM Fox shocks

 

Going on 4+ years now on Dobinsons MRA without a single problem

 

So as a new Tacoma owner looking to build out my truck I'll give you my perspective on why I did not choose Dobinsons.

One of the local guys highly recommended them and I seriously considered the Dobinson IMS (I know not the same but...) but there were very few people that had experience with them (comparatively). I found that as a new buyer it was impossible to choose shocks based on everyone else's opinions. Without experiencing them, I am not sure you will ever really know how good a shock is for your application. So not wanting to risk it, I went with the tried and true Bilstein (6112/5160) setup knowing that it may not be the best but that it was considered good by almost everyone. This would give me a chance to get out on the trail and experience other people's setups before committing MAJOR dollars. Thus far I am happy with my choice but I am sure some day I will make a change.

The other thing also was the Shock Value series. IMS did horrible and I think they are going the MMR in the next round so that should be interesting.

 

Yeah I had the same exact setup before switching to these and loved my 6112/5112 kit. It started to be an issue when I added more amour to the truck. I was going to upgrade my front spring with an Eibach spring but decided on the MRR kit since they added more dampening and weight capacity both front and rear. Also the lifetime of the shocks and struts as opposed to Kings and Foxes was a big incentive. I may not get the same performance at high speeds on whoops like those guys but I off-road in Colorado so I don’t need that type of Pre-Runner setup.

 

With how dirty those things are you could have fooled me and said they were just about any type of shock.

 

Nice setup, dobinsons is a great ride quality and great setup. Theyre just not as marketed/thrown in everyones face like other brands. Awesome setups and ride quality overall though!

 

Install pics start over here

More pics in the Tacomas at work thread.

 

Same here and the UCA's...

 

I'm running JBA upper control arms.

 

[clears throat, whispers quietly] cost might be a factor

 

lol I completely agree, I am just fortunate enough to work at an off-road shop as a mechanic so I get industry rates.

 

Possibly because the 6112 / 5160 (or 5100) combo is a way better value...

 

I couldn’t agree more. I loved my old setup, my truck just out grew it.

 

Can't wait for the next Shock Value series as they are testing Mid-Priced and the 6112/5160 is included against all the others....

 

I'm getting MRR's installed next week and looking forward to it.

My only concern is that the shop wants to install the HD springs (C59-352B), even though I won't be adding a bumper or winch for awhile. I'm wondering if it'll cancel out the plush ride while I'm at stock weight in the front (I have a GFC in the back.)

 

I have MRR front and back and they have been great. Being able to fine-tune the adjustments on this shock is really cool. There is no other company making a shock that has high speed, low speed and rebound adjustments at this price point.


Why don't we see more Tacomas with dobi?
These have not been available in the US as long as some other brands which have been around for much longer.

Price. If you compare them to some other brands their price point is a little more but when compared to products that are actually comparable they are much less.

Marketing and hype. These things matter a lot when trying to push your product and have it become mainstream. There are other brands that give away their shocks and have created a stigma around their product that far exceeds performance but gives people a feeling like they bought something cool.