Dobinsons 2nd Gen Tacoma Suspension Options

Yes we just put the 6" Readylift on it, going to pick it up this afternoon.

 

I haven’t had my ome 2.5” lift with medium springs long but it rides and looks mint

 

3 years and about 80k miles later my dobinson leaf springs are still holding their lift

 

I’ve had mine for around 6 years with 500lbs in the bed and 200 in the backseat. Still doing their job. When I do unload the bed, the back raises up about 1.5 inches. Can’t complain about their durability.

 

The leaf spring delivery just came in, so all 3 options are back in stock again.

L59-110-R
3+2 Leaves, Raised Height (55mm Lift, 2.1″), Medium Duty, Recommend 50 to 100KG (110-220lbs) constant load

L59-111-R
4+2 Leaves, Raised Height (55mm Lift, 2.1"), Heavy Duty, 280KG constant load
**Remove a leaf for light load/empty rear ends on these springs.

L59-112-R
5+2 Leaves, Raised Height (55mm Lift, 2.1"), Super Heavy Duty, 400-550KG constant load

 

If anyone ever has a problem adjusting or turning the purple or black adjuster knobs on their Dobinsons MRA shocks or struts, here's a guide to clear that up.
https://exitoffroad.com/wp-content/...ns-MRR-MRA-Adjuster-Stuck-or-Hard-to-Turn.pdf

 

Black Friday deals start tomorrow. Check out the post here for any and all deals we will be offering. We'll update it if any other brands add a deal.

https://exitoffroad.com/2023-black-friday-deals-discounts/

 

@Crikeymike - thanks for the huge amount of info you're sharing on Dobinson's stuff.

Question on the L59-111-R vs L59-110-R leaf springs - Gen2 TRD Off Road trim, I typically run most of the time as a daily driver with ~100kgs in the back "empty" (camper top and everyday gear) to 220-300kg loaded up for camping (fridge, water tanks, firewood, camping gear, kitchen sink).

Going with MRRs in either case but based on the info you shared earlier it seems like the L59-111-R leafs are the way to go? Risk being a little harsh under light load but better suited for fully loaded needs? Terrain is mostly US desert forest roads, some dry river crossings, long stretches of washboard and whoops. No real rock crawling.

L59-110-R
3+2 Leaves, Raised Height (55mm Lift, 2.1″), Medium Duty, Recommend 50 to 100KG (110-220lbs) constant load

L59-111-R
4+2 Leaves, Raised Height (55mm Lift, 2.1"), Heavy Duty, 280KG constant load
**Remove a leaf for light load/empty rear ends on these springs.

 

Hey bud. Thanks for the compliment!!

Yeah, you can't really go wrong with the L59-111-R's, as you can remove a leaf if they're a bit too much for you. Better to have it and not need it, than need to beef up the other ones.

Is yours a short bed?

 

Cool. Yeah, short bed, 4-door, V6. Would've loved a long bed but they're like hen's teeth around here.

 

OK, cool. Yeah, if it was a long bed, you'd need the 111's for sure.

 

How have these CV boots been working out for people? Got a set of OEM CV's here, one has the tiniest pin hole in it, need to reboot both ends.

 

I sell them pretty much every day, they're super popular. But I never hear from the people afterwards, which tells me that everything must be good.

 

I bought some from him last October and they have been good so far. About 5,000 miles

 

This is really good info and kind of jarring to only get to near the bottom of a deep rabbit hole!

I'm looking to get the IMS or twin tube Dobs kit and the seller was suggesting the leaf pack but I run mostly empty and prioritize comfort on small bumps and expansion cracks over body roll. My understanding was that I could either go for blocks and keep a plush ride or have a jarring time on leaf springs that require weight to break into their stroke.

The idea of the blocks route felt odd (aren't we here for MORE suspension?) but I was leaning that way as I couldn't stomach the idea of telling my passengers the reason everything is shaking is because I wanted to run 33s.

If you're telling me there is a leaf pack that can achieve 2" of lift and still feel plush I'm in.

Also, my current leaf springs have had a rough life (10+yrs of use) but I'm wondering if with an AAL that actually plays into my favour? Does the support come early or late in the travel?

I'm looking for as progressive a feel as possible, where chunky gravel roads feel like air, regardless of the handling on bigger hits (which I slow down to a crawl for anyways). What springs would you suggest for a 2010 DCSB with max 3 mountainbikes and 3 humans?


Thanks for you wealth of expertise on the Dobs setups!

 

Sorry to say, I've never described any leaf spring as "plush". At least not on a Tacoma.

10+ year old leaf springs are going to be more flexible and softer in ride than a brand new set. To achieve the extra height you're after without adding firmness, the blocks is the way to go. Or don't lift it.

Lifting these trucks doesn't add room for tire clearance. It just changes the ride height in the suspension travel range. At full bump, when you bottom out, there's not more room in there with a lift than without it. It's a common misconception that you need to lift a truck to fit bigger tires on them. People just do it because it looks pretty funny to put bigger tires on without adding some sort of a lift. The lift is for added ground clearance.

 

@Crikeymike , Sonny here from South FL (Ft Lauderdale),
Revisiting this strain from years ago. im running a 2nd gen DCSB taco. my stock leaf springs failed (inverted) due to overloading them over time with a bed cap / Rooftop tent. Currently replacing my front/rear shocks, Upper/Lower Control Arms, and obviously need new leaf springs.
for the shocks I went with Bilstein 5100s front/rear. on the front I bought Eibach coils only bc they were attached to the shock when I bought them. I am torn on the Leaf Springs... if I typically carry just the bed cap (185#) on the bed as its my daily driver, should I go with the 110 springs? I often go camping/hiking with the RTT on top of the bed cap, usually 6-8 trips per year. It seems the 110 springs would be the right move but im worried when I go camping with the RTT on, ill overload the 110s. thoughts? thank you!

 

Hey Sonny

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since this thread was last active. Feels like I'm on here all the time too.

Yeah, the 110's would work for your daily weight, but they would squat a bit with the added gear for trips. I think the L59-111-R would be more ideal. They'll just sit up a little bit taller without the loaded weight, but when you do load up and the overload leaves engage, it will support it better than the 110's can. And if you don't like it, you can always put an overload out of the 111's to make them into the 110's. They're the same base pack, just with a different amount of overload leaves added.

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...air-for-toyota-tacoma-2005-to-2023-l59-111-r/

 

@Crikeymike , thanks for the prompt reply! pretty cool to see how all this info still applies and is helpful. whats more, the data should only be more updated now with all the time these taco folks have been running the Dobs suspension equipment! if only the prices were still the same as were listed in the O/P haha
I live just 20 mins from the Dobs USA store in Doral, and I spoke with someone from the shop there- he told me the 111s would likely be very stiff with my daily driving weight and he recommended the 110s. I asked about the 110s when I put the RTT on and if he had any concerns- he said a weekend trip with extra weight may cause it to squat but should be fine. it sounds like you are of the opposite opinion though. if I go with the 111s, do I need to purchase new U-bolts as well? would I need them anyways with the 110s, or would the 110s work with my current u-bolts.
thanks for the help as im learning and wanting to go with the best option!

 

It depends how much weight you add for your trips and how long they last. If it's a single overnight on a weekend a few times a year, then use the lighter load springs. If you're driving to Colorado and back, you don't want to be under-supported for the weight you're hauling.

It also depends how much lift you're trying to achieve. 110's will be just 2" with your daily weight, maybe 1" or less with the other added weight you'll put on for trips.

You can also go the other way, get the 110's and add a leaf if you need to later. The same u-bolts are used on the 110's and 111's. Can't use OEM u-bolts with these.