Dobinsons 2nd Gen Tacoma Suspension Options

Cool, that's what I'm thinking. It sounds like I'll be buying the extended lengths and selling my current shocks -- there is a similar build to mine that uses those and the Deavers and it seems to be working out pretty well. I just stumbled across this posting and figured I'd see what they were all about -- the Dobinsons are comfortably cheaper than the setup I was looking at.

 

Do you happen to have the specs of the shocks you have right now? It seems odd that they would make them stock length and not at least a big longer.

Caleb from C4 Fab recently bought our whole suspension for his 2008 Taco (from memory) and is super happy with it. He's got a heavy rear end setup on his too.

 

Awesome, that's good news. This is the kit I got, except Total Chaos UCAs instead of Icon.
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/ICON-Stage-4-Tacoma-Suspension-with-Tubular-UCAs_p_1432.html

The rear shocks are the 56503R, which I assume is the stock length, as I know you can order the 56503R-EXTs...

 

Looks like you have these with these specs (from Wheeler's website). This V.S. Series 2.0 Aluminum Remote Reservoir Shock Part #56503R fits the rear of a Toyota Tacoma truck with 0-25.” of lift. These measure 14.22″ (361mm) coll. X 23.25″ (590.55) ext.

Our rear

$335 GS59-940 Dobinsons Pair of Rear Shocks Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 4x4 2005-2018 - GS59-940

GS59-940 shocks are 361mm compressed and 614mm extended, so about 35mm longer extension than those.

Yeah, I guess you will need longer shocks than the Icon's that you currently have, otherwise they would hit full extension too often, most likely. It's a shame you can't use them with the lifted springs though, since I bet they ride awesome.

 

That's kind of what it's looking like, which is a bummer. Those wheeler 56503R-EXT ones will mount up just fine though, which is probably what I'll go with -- they're 403mm collapsed, 681mm extended.

So you'd say the heavy load springs are more appropriate with a steel bumper, RTT, steel bedrack, and other shenanigans?

 

Yes, I think it's the best idea. Put them in as they come, then if you find them to be too heavy, or if you got too much lift, you can always remove one of the overload leaves, and keep it in case you need it later. If you ever add a rear bumper and all that other stuff, especially with the overhang these things have, it pays to have that option later. Essentially our heavy load spring is the medium spring, but with the extra leaf built into it to carry the extra load/weight.

It's easier to go from heavy load down to mediums, than the other way, since you'll have all the options in your hand with one purchase.

 

Awesome man, thanks for the info! I'm looking forward to wrapping this build up soon.

 

Again.... MEASURE FIRST BEFORE BUYING. Shock measurement on the rear is done from center of the eye to where the first washer below the bottom bushings seats on the shaft.

just because a shock says "good for X lift" doesnt mean they will work for YOUR lift spring / bumpstop combo.

You could easily take a long shock and use it with a stock leaf and block setup, but the same shock will likely not work with an AAL on a stock pack even though its the same lift amount, the axle to frame relation at bump is different.

 

anyone have dakars before and then switch to this?

 

Any reviews on the medium kit? I have a shell (160lbs) on all the time. In the future I may add a plate bumper with a swingout. If I bought the medium, can you purchase an extra leaf down the road to make it the heavy pack?

 

@Dobinsons Mike I wanted to but some miles on the new setup before I posted. I have the heavy duty rear springs and I believe Mike and I decided to go with the medium front coils, with new shocks all around. It's been about a month and around 2200 miles. Normal load lately has been about 550# with as much as 620#. So far the springs have held up great. With 550# on the truck it drops maybe 3/8" of an inch. Not much more with 620#, maybe another 1/4".
I have been very happy with the setup. Truck rides so much smoother and holds the weight well day in and day out. I'll have to find a picture of my truck before, and get a good after picture when I get caught up at work.

Thank you Mike!!

 

No, we don't sell the extra leaves separately. It would be better then to buy the heavy loads if you think you'll need them one day, and take out the extra leaf that's in there and store it, and then you've got the mediums.

 

Update on the rear springs; Today I had the opportunity to add 550# to the 470# I aready had in the bed ( that's a total of 1020#). The springs did GREAT, they settled down only maybe 1.25" from where it has been siting. When I unloaded the extra weight the bed raised back up to the starting height.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I had to go offroad around some cars blocking the road. So smooth, bearly felt it. dropped off 6" on to the shoulder at 25mph. By the way I only had the 470# in the bed at that time.

 

Do those greaseable shackle bolts work for 3rd gen Tacomas?

 

Sorry, they're just bolts for the fixed end, not for the shackle end. They work with 2005 to current models. We don't have replacement bolts for the shackle end. **EDIT, although we have a guy that's going to test fit our

$75 SP59-060 Dobinsons Pair Greasable Pin Compatible with Toyota Tacoma and Tundra 2005-2018 - SP59-060

SP59-060 in the shackle end to see if they are compatible. These were just made for the fixed end, as it's a likely culprit for squeaking, but if they work on both ends, that would be pretty great too!!

 

Hey Mike, how's it going?

 

It's going man. I haven't been spending a lot of time over here on this forum, even though I do prefer the layout and function of this site soooo much better than another that I'm usually on.

How's the pool truck holding up??

 

The truck is doing good 279,560 miles. The suspension is GREAT !! It ride nice and handles so much better. I do want the other front coils. I guess I have to much weight at the front of bed and back seat. It sits just a little lower than I want. Just got to save up some cash.

The 4Runner is also GREAT !! I don't get to drive or ride in it much, but when you do. It feels so smooth and the offroad handling awesome!

Thank you for all of your help.

 

Can anybody living in the salt-belt comment on how well these Dob leafs hold up to rust?

My Allpro Packs are 18 months old and at this point are basically giant chunks of rust. I have multiple friends who have been running Dakars for a lot longer and their sets look pretty alright considering. So I was planning on going with Dakars, but I'm always open to other options...

 

I'm not sure who else would chime in, but I can say that the Dakars do have a good finish. I think they pay for extra steps for metal treatment and finishing before assembling them, and with a long lasting paint. And they then charge a higher price for them too. I haven't seen any other springs, including the Dobinsons, with that sort of finish and resilience to rusting.

I've seen stock springs on Chevy's down here in South Florida full of rust, on vehicles that look relatively new. I don't know what the ultimate answer is as to what paint would be best on these. A buddy of mine who used to have a Cherokee would pull apart his springs once a year, clean them up and respray them just to look fresh, and he did that every year for 8 years....