Dobinsons 2nd Gen Tacoma Suspension Options

@Crikeymike

Full disclosure....you seem to the local guru on the Dobinson suspension so I'd like to ask a few questions. If I decide to go with Dobinson leaf packs I'll be purchasing from a local Toyota specialty shop who recommended I at least consider them as a lower cost option to the Deavers. From seeing your replies to other posts and people commenting on your great your customer service is, I will thank you now for taking the time to reply to this message even though it will be of no benefit to your business.

I am currently running the OME CS047R Dakar leaf pack with the

$77 D29XL Leaf Spring

D29XL AAL but they are not cutting it with my setup and I have a slight negative arch when half loaded. The negative arch gets worse with my truck almost fully loaded. My truck currently weighs approximately 2910lbs front and 3505lbs rear at 95% loaded. I expect at minimum for there to be another 100-200lbs in the bed for when the truck is fully loaded.

As mentioned above, I am leaning towards the Deaver Expo stage 3 but a local Toyota specialty shop recommended Dobinson 112-R super heavy duty leaf packs for my application. In researching the Dobinsons, I have found that the 112-R may be what I need and will carry the weight I have but I have some concerns that have been brought up in your suspension threads in the 2nd and 3rd Gen areas.

I am concerned that the second leaf in the 112-R pack will contact the shackle during articulation as has been an issue with the Dakar leaf packs. I have read that you mentioned Dobinson will now make the 2nd leaf more tapered and narrow to avoid hitting the shackle. Has this been done in newer/newest production 112-R leaf packs? I have a 3* shim installed on the axle under my current Dakar leaf pack but planned ahead for this by installing a longer center pin with collar (so the pin would still sit in the hole on top of the axle). Are the center pins on the 112-R leaf packs long enough to install a collar or will I need to find a longer center pin to do this? With the above mentioned weights, am I on the right track looking at the 112-R leaf pack? I do not want my new leaf pack to look like my Dakars once fully loaded.

I have included a couple pictures to show how bad my current Dakars are with 95% load. The truck is completely unloaded in the last picture. Front bumper and skid plates are aluminum and the rear bumper w/dual swing outs (33" tire, 40L fuel and high lift) and sliders are steel. The Prinsu rack has an awning, Maxtrax and a gun case with recovery gear in it. Front is lifted approx 2.25" from stock.

 

Yes, the leaf springs changed last year, 2nd leaf is tapered in and never had an issue since. Yes, you'll probably need different/longer center pins, as Dobinsons sells them separately if you add a leaf to the 112's, meaning they're not long enough for 1 extra leaf, probably not long enough for a shim.

What's your rear hub to fender measurement loaded and unloaded? She's a pretty heavy thing with those weights you listed!!

 

Good to know about the center pins and that they have fixed the issue with the second leaf.
I unfortunately didn’t take any measurements when the truck was 95% loaded (dumb oversight on my part) but today they were at 24” driver and 24 5/8” passenger. I’m about half loaded, with no extra fuel in my cans (normally 40L) and 1/2 tank of gas. My guess is that fully loaded it squats another 3/4” on each side.

 

Ok, so you're a little over 2" lift at the current state. Geez, those springs just aren't cutting it at all with that weight on there. How old are they?

 

Hehe...nope they certainly aren't. For being approx. 3 years old and not abused they are not supporting the weight as I thought they would. The armor and cap have been on for approx 2.5 years of that and I've only really loaded it down over the past year or so.

 

Would the 112-Rs be doable for that weight plus 100-200lbs extra? Can I add a leaf to the 112-Rs?

 

Yes, and yes. There's a link in the description on my site for the 112s so that you can add a leaf to them if desired.

 

Was fully loaded with wood today and was just touching the superbump bump stop on the driver side and approx 1/2” gap on the passenger side. Measurements were 22 1/4” driver and 23”- 23 1/4” passenger. Unload was 24 1/2” driver and 25” passenger.
Will I need the extra 113-R leaf? Thank you again.

 

I wonder why your lowest leaf isn't engaged all the way. I wonder if that overload leaf is perhaps upside down? You'd figure when it's fully loaded like that that all leafs would be engaged to give maximum support.

It can't hurt to have the additional leaf, especially if you plan to load up like that often

 

The Crapkars bottom two overload leafs arch down from the factory (see below picture when they were new). I may consider that extra 113-R leaf just to make sure I’m able to carry all my weight.....idk.

 

Here’s my new Dobinsons set up. Very satisfied with the product. Prior to this I had 3inch spacers and 2inch blocks in the rear. The handling on and off-road is a night and day difference (feels like I’m driving a whole new vehicle). It’s pretty stiff at the moment but should improve when I add more weight to the rear (I hope).

I ordered through Dobinsons Direct (they were awesome), but @Crikeymike was helpful and I should have gone directly though him(sorry for dropping the ball).

314 Coils
220 Front shocks
1/4 spacers on both sides
940 rear shocks with OME Dakar heavy duty leaf springs
LR SPC UCA

 

Looks great, what size tire have you got it paired with?

 

Thanks man. Tires are 285 70r17

 

I tried looking through this form but didn't see any info for what I'm looking for. Wondering whats the best setup for Dobinsons lift for a regular cab, 5speed, 4x4? really wanting at least 3 inches and a decent smooth ride. I will end up adding a front bumper that's 80lbs as well. Probably just a basic add a leaf to the rear because I'm not looking to add much weight back there, its the front I'm worried about.

 

Hey man. So it's a regular cab short bed?

Regular and access cabs lift about 1" more in the front than the dual cab specs. So the C59-302 coils with GS59-220 struts (or IMS/MRA) would get you right to the 3", perhaps 3.25" front lift. And then you can add a leaf to the back and some

$315 GS59-940 Dobinsons Pair of Rear Shocks Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 4x4 2005-2018 - GS59-940

GS59-940 shocks.

 

Thanks for the reply Mike. Ill be sure to give that a look!

 

is the pic of the uca with the wheels on the ground and the weight of the truck on it? Just wondering seems like its got a pretty good angle to it...

 

Anyone running the MRA that also has a front bumper with the reinforcement brackets that connect to the frame? I have a Brute Force front and those brackets are in the way of the resi mount brackets my coilovers came with that use the factory sway bar bolt holes.

 

Just updating this thread....I recently switched from OME Dakars (CS047R + aal for 8 leafs total) to the Dobinsons 112-R pack with the 113-R aal (for 8 leafs total) and am very happy with how this turned out. My truck runs at least 6900lbs loaded so she's a heavy girl. Front bumper and skid plates are aluminum and the rear bumper w/dual swing outs (33" tire, 40L fuel and high lift) and sliders are steel. The Prinsu rack has an awning, Maxtrax and a gun case with recovery gear in it. Front is lifted approx 2.25" from stock. I may have been alright with just the 112-R packs but I still have room to add a few more camping items an will be pulling a small inflatable boat in the future. If you need a heavy duty leaf pack for your application, consider Dobinsons as a better option to the Dakars at 2/3 of the price of Deaver Expedtion stage 3s.

Truck with the Dakars (below) is completely unloaded.

Truck with the Dobinsons (below) is fully loaded.

 

Looks great man!! Glad that extra support is working out well for you!!