Dobinsons 2nd Gen Tacoma Suspension Options

All the specs are in the first post.

427mm comp, 540mm ext

 

Thanks, looks I’ll have to convert.

 

16.8” compressed and 21.2” extended. Only 5” of travel? I could have sworn you gave me different numbers a while back.

 

My ex wife thought 5" of travel was plenty....

Numbers haven't ever changed.

 

LOLOL. Ok I must have remembered wrong then!

 

After six months, I finally installed my Dobinsons Full Suspension on my 2014 Tacoma last month. My suspension installation got delayed because house remodeling takes priority over my suspension.

My truck ride is better than before, and the look and stand of my Tacoma are excellent. I have a lot of complement from my buddies with Fox & Kings Suspension.

Thanks, Mike, for the coil-spring and leaf pack rate recommendation.

 

You're welcome bud. Looks good!!! Better late than never

 

How much lift did you gain?

 

Sorry, I did not measure how much lift I gained. I have a TRD Pro Suspension (with a 1-3/4 inch lift on the front and a stock Lift spring pack) before. I ask for a 2.5" (As close I can get) lift front and rear. I am probably sitting on a 2.25" front with a low profile bumper, a winch (9.5K), and a front skid plate, and the rear should be close to 2.5".

 

Hi Mike! I was working directly with Dobinson's but getting confused. I have a 2012 TRD OR 4WD with a Pelfreybilt 115# front bumper and 75# winch. Currently sitting on OME 2886 springs and 90000 struts but they are pretty old. Front wheel hub to fender is 22", rear wheel hub to fender is 24"

It sags in the front: https://imgur.com/a/H45HAAU

Dobinson's told me GS59-220 + 354s or 318s. I'm not finding any 318s among discussions threads, so do you think 354s will be a true +3.5" lift with my load? Seems like a lot.

Would love to hear if you think 352 or 354 springs, or something else.

 

Why would you want 3.5 plus lift? Rip cv boots

 

I don't want +3.5" lift, especially since I just replaced the cv axles

Just looking for the front to be level with the rear, and a better spring rate in the front to handle the extra 190lbs of weight.

From the hub to the fender is 22" in front, 24" in rear.

 

You can just add the GS59-220 struts and they will add 1" of lift. Keep and reuse the current coils if you like them. Adding them with the 352 if you want 3", 23" hub to fender if you want to change the coils too.

 

Thanks Mike for the feedback. I emailed you directly to clarify a couple things.

 

Hi Mike,
I have a few things in the cart for Exit Offroad and hoping you could double-check my choices before I pull the trigger? For example I was confused about what weight to go by for the front end since it seems I have far surpassed the options. We will be travelling in this setup soon full-time. Towing a 4000+ pound camper. Just some simple overlanding, no racing or rock crawling. I'm on a budget, but that is flexible if it means avoiding headache. 2016 TRD Offroad Dual Cab Long Bed. Aiming for 2" lift front and rear to avoid the extra mods. Planning to upgrade tires to 275/70/R16 also.

• Coils: Dobinsons C59-352 Red
• Struts:
  $356 Dobinsons GS59-221 Dobinsons Pair of Front Struts Compatible with Toyota FJ Cruiser 2006-2010 and Tacoma 4x4 2005-2018 - GS59-221
  Dobinsons GS59-221 Black
• Mounts and Strut Assembly Bundle: SC59-001
• Rear Shocks:
  $315 Dobinsons GS59-940 Dobinsons Pair of Rear Shocks Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 4x4 2005-2018 - GS59-940
  Dobinsons GS59-940
• Leafs: Dobinsons L59-112-R
• U bolts: UB59-437K
• Bushings: Dobinsons PB59-1101K
• 2 x Greasable Pins pair: Dobinsons SP59-060
• Extended Rear Brake Lines 2"

Will get Timbren bump stops and u-bolt flip kit, diff drop kit, sway bar recolation kit, Add-a-leaf L59-113-R R6, and/or SPC UCA's later if needed. Those are some extra mods I am trying to avoid, but would happily get if you think they are needed up front.

Fully loaded Accessories and weights pounds (may add more later who knows):
Front 785:
Driver 180
Passenger 150
Dog 60
WARN VR EVO 12 103254 Winch 90

$1,052 Warn 100044 Semi-Hidden Mid-Frame Winch Mount Kit for Toyota Tacoma (2016-2018) , GRAY

Warn 100044 Semi Hidden Winch Mount Bumper 85
AL Offroad Roof rack 50
Roof boxes and cargo 125
Water 45
Rear 792:
Leer 100XR Camper Shell 190
Tools 150
Truck bed wood framing 50
Mattress 20
Gasoline 130
Truck bed stiffeners 12
Rear roof rack 50
Tow Hitch 15
Recovery boards 15
Other gear 100
Spare Tire 60

 

Hey bud

The parts you picked are all correct. If you think you'll want upgraded bump stops, better to do the flip kit and new bumps up front, otherwise you're buying new u-bolts that you won't be able to re-use later, since flip kits use different ones.
You don't need the brake lines with those shocks, unless you're looking to upgrade.
You should be OK without the add-a-leaf, but it depends how heavy the tongue weight is on the trailer for if you'll need more support or not. The gear you have on the back isn't a big deal for those leaf springs.
None of the other options are required at that height.

 

@Crikeymike

Can I please get your input on this? New Dobinsons leafs cutting into my shackles after ~2,000 miles is a serious issue.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/leaf-pack-recommendations.772537/page-4#post-27617169

 

The pictures are too close up for me to even make out what that is
Sorry did not see it was fro someone else.

 

This was claimed to be addressed with the “new” leaf packs, but is still an issue. I was bummed after waiting for the new fixed ones only to receive the same thing as you.

Also, bought a full set of greasable bolts but they don’t fit into the frame mounts. Gave up after a half dozen calls and e-mails with Dobinsons and they sit on the shelf.

The solution apparently is to cut off a few inches of the second leaf to keep it from entering the shackle. When flexing the axle high on one side and low on the i5er, the leaf springs splay out and dig into the shackle.

 

Dobinsons is putting together a technical memo to address the leaf springs, as it hasn't been happening to everyone. I'll post it up once I get it from them, probably on Monday.

In the meantime, adding more clearance from the 2nd leaf to the shackle is probably going to be the best action I can see. Increasing the diamond-shaped taper at the end, bringing the sides in about 1/4" each with a grinder (not a few inches) is all it looks like it would need.