Dobinsons MRR Suspension Kit - Guidance Needed

Howdy, it's my first post!

This week, I'm planning to order a full kit of Dobinson MRRs for my 2020 DCLB Off-Road Tacoma. I run at min. 500lbs of constant weight in/above the bed of my truck including an HD Diamondback and a large CVT Mt. Hood. I'll be adding 285x70xr17s immediately after installing new suspension. I do not intend to cut...yet.

I off-road my truck regularly- usually every weekend. I don't go crazy in terms of rock crawling and deep mud driving, but I often drive around 40mph for a few hours on backroads to reach camping sites or climb rough dirt hillsides near Boise, Idaho. With this suspension upgrade, I intend to push some limits that I've previously had with stock off-road Bilsteins.

A Dobinsons Sales Reps recommended C59-354 Front Springs, MRA59-A220 MRR 3-Way Adjustable Ext Travel Front Struts, L59-112-R Raised Height Heavy Duty Rear Leaf Springs, and MRA59-A940 MRR 3-Way Adjustable Rear Shocks (not long travel).

In terms of optional install parts, I'm looking at Dobinson UCAs (UCA59-003K),

$130 SC59-001 Dobinsons Pair of Strut Top Plates Compatible with Tacoma 2005-18, FJ Cruiser (all years), 4Runner 2003-18, Hilux 2005-18,Prado 2003-18 - SC59-001

SC59-001 New Front Strut Top Mounts with hardware, and a Diff Drop Kit (

$90 DD59-527K Dobinsons Front IFS Diff Drop Kit Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 4Runner Hilux Prado and FJ Cruiser - DD59-527K

DD59-527K). I'll also have them assemble the struts, press in a pair of ball joints into the UCAs, and include extra bolts for shackle end.

I'm relatively new to understanding truck mechanics and would really appreciate any guidance or feedback regarding this suspension kit. I'd like to understand that what's included in this order will be enough for a local shop to install the suspension without additional parts or cutting needed, that I won't encounter fitment issues, and that the lift can be adjusted to sit clean at a roughly level 3 inches. Is anyone aware of discounts?

From what I've read, I'll love the finished product. Thanks!

By the way, I’m also considering long travel in the rear. Thoughts? Think I’d only need to get extended bump stops and brake line extensions.

 

@Crikeymike I've read you're a great resource on Dobinsons.

 

Thanks man, yeah most guys on TW end up buying Dobinsons through me, as I've been on here for several years now and have seen pretty much every possible combination go onto different years of Taco's.

Will you have a bumper, winch, skids, or any front weight? The recommendation you listed is the tallest and heaviest front spring, and what you wrote up above doesn't look like it will have anything, unless it was left off?

If you do slow rock crawling type of off-roading, then the LT rear option would be helpful for you to keep tires on the ground. Otherwise, it's not really needed for higher speed dirt roads, as you have to limit your up travel to run the LT shocks.

 

Thanks for responding!

Yes, I will be installing skids and I do hope to eventually install an aftermarket bumper with a winch; however, neither will occur for quite some time. Especially the bumper. I'd say neither of these additions will happen until mid 2022. I'd like to be prepared to eventually add them, but I don't want to adversely impact a level lift or the suspension performance in the meantime. Can the Dobinsons be adjusted to compensate for less front weight until I install these additions at a later date?

Leonardo from Dobinsons said: "I would go with the heavier duty spring since you have the long bed and that will add extra weight (our leaf springs are rated for a regular bed)"

Regarding the rear Long Travel, I don't currently do a lot of slow rock crawling, but that isn't to say I would want to limit my ability to do so in the future...especially after spending a lot on a suspension upgrade. How much of a negative impact would it have on my up travel? I've had a handful of people recommend going for the LT, but it may not be that important to me considering I drive on-road far more than off...I suspect the rear LT could be rebuilt in the future. I guess I'd like to understand why I shouldn't add them while I have the opportunity to.

As you can tell, I'm kind of new to this. I appreciate your help and would be happy to order from you as well.

 

OK, cool. With an unknown plan of when you'll add a bumper and winch, those front springs will be very firm with only front skid plate weight up front. They're the tallest and strongest coils Dobinsons make. I think you'd be better off going with the C59-314 springs so that the ride quality is good up front and not too firm. With the adjustable height option on the MRA's, you can go anywhere from 2" to 3" or 3.5" with those if you want.

In the back, Leo is right, you'll need the L59-112-R springs.

Long travel - you gain 2" of down travel, but have to restrict up travel by 2", so you're not actually gaining additional travel because you take it away from the up travel, where the tires would tuck into the fenders. I don't see it as a useful benefit unless you were doing the slower rock crawling because being able to flex a tire downwards more can/will allow you to drive further forward (getting traction). The shocks cost the same, and yes, you only have to add bump stops and brake lines, so it's not that much more to do it if you think you'll get a benefit out of it.

You'll see on my site that I offer a whole bunch of options, including the rear bump stops and brake lines too. It's on this page here: https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...-5-to-3-0-for-2005-20-4x4-access-double-cabs/

And to answer one of your earlier questions, with all the parts I offer, you'll have all you need to get the parts on the truck. You will have to drill a couple of holes in the rear to mount the resi's, but that's it. Nothing will need to be cut.

 

This information is super helpful, thank you.

For the front springs, I'll take your suggestion on getting the C59-314, the less stiff springs. I've noticed on your website that you offer a range between the C59-314 and the C59-354. Just curious- Do you think that even with an eventual bumper replacement, I should not go with the C59-352 in between the options I've considered because those will also result in too stiff of a ride?

In summary, I will be ordering C59-314 Coil Springs in black, MRA59-A220 (Ext Travel) Front Struts, MRA59-A940 (Not L/T) Rear Shocks, and L59-112-R Extra Heavy Duty Leaf Springs.

It's less clear to me what's included in the kit, so to confirm, the additions I'm planning to order are: Dobinsons UCA's (assembled), 1x

$130 SC59-001 Dobinsons Pair of Strut Top Plates Compatible with Tacoma 2005-18, FJ Cruiser (all years), 4Runner 2003-18, Hilux 2005-18,Prado 2003-18 - SC59-001

SC59-001 Mounts and Strut Assembly Bundle, 1x Dobinsons Front IFS Diff Drop Kit, and

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

SP59-060 (Extra Greaseable Pin Kit).

I believe U-Bolts, Bushings, etc. are included in the kit. Do I need to relocate the sway bar if I reach 3" of combined lift?

Do you offer better pricing than direct from Dobinsons or a TW coupon? It'd be helpful, but the help you're providing is fantastic. What do you expect in terms of wait times if I order today?

I'm stoked on the help. Thanks again.

 

Each item gets selected on my website. Nothing extra is included, so there shouldn't be any confusion. You need to add leaf spring bushings, u-bolts, greasable pins, etc. Each drop down section shows what each item does. Some people already have parts or are buying add-ons from other companies, so that's why a lot of them are optional on my site. When the "kit" is in the shopping cart, every single piece will be itemized in there.

Without the added weight, any of the C59-35x parts will be too stiff, they are a strong spring rate to support constant added weight.

A swaybar relocation isn't required with these, but some people add them. Then again, a lot of people don't run a front sway bar once lifted to soften up the front end, but that's up to you.

Yes, I offer forum members special pricing (as my signature says), you just need to PM me.

The only wait time will be to get the fronts assembled, as the rest is currently in stock. So about 2 weeks or so for it to ship if you were to order today.

 

Sounds great, I'll reach out to you directly and make sure that all of the parts are itemized at checkout. Thank you.