BLIND SHOCK TEST: Mid Budget Shocks

Epic series. I probably will never need a mid level shock. I’m a fire road/Pyramid Lake NV trail buster/river side boat launch/maybe off road rock crawl never kinda guy and I love my Bilstein 5100s. However, if I ever wanted to feel like I needed to upgrade for no reason, I’d refer to this video when jumping up to the mid level shocks and grab the 6112's for the front and renew my 5100 in the back or get the Falcons. These guys know what the hell they’re talking about. Great series!

 

Great series, these guys drive the same truck, same tire/wheels combo but just swap out the shocks and run the same course without knowing what shocks are on the truck. Get some honest feedback.

 

These guys did the high-end test too, I forgot about this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJEkSmewcQE

 

They have already done it.

 

I was surprised by the Dobinsons.
Hopefully when they retest them the 3rd time with a proper tuning they will be better because those are the shocks I want to get next.

 

I think they said they went with the manufacturers defined specs and it was so bad they had to retest by basically turning the dial off...assuming if you want to figure out the configuration yourself, they have better suggestions based on their tests. My buddy who has an insane 3rd gen tacoma build said that Ian is a guru when it comes to shocks, I'd take his experience as solid advice on if they are a good buy or not. Did you watch the low budget series as well? Dobinson's didn't do too well in that test either. I am not hating on them, as I said in the original post, I know nothing about shocks but I feel this series gets straight to the point with honest real world feedback on what you should invest your money in. Seems all of them perform good on highway so if you're just using them for that, then go for it! I feel my experience is mostly related to the razor burn test as I'll never jump my truck or go into a whoop section at 30mph, I love my little expensive truck too much.

 

Yeah, the razor burn test is the only thing I care about really, as I won't be jumping my truck either lol.
I am definitely not a fan boy that lives and dies by one brand, just looking for the best option for my set up. I run a lot heavier than a stock Tacoma so while I like what they are doing it kinda doesn't fit what I am looking for. Still it's awesome they are out there doing these tests.

I currently have Dobinsons GS59 shocks. They are definitely a step up from the OEM sport suspension but I want better for going fast on washed out gravel roads.
My plan was going IMS up front and MMR in the rear mostly because I love their customer service and they offer lift height by getting the right length/weight spring vs preloading a one size fits all spring.


In their individual breakdown video they said they will be properly setting up the MMR shocks to give them a fair chance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy7HZWVEm8A

 

I think it's rad they are going to take the time and make a tuning video for the Dobinson's as they want to give it a fair chance.

 

Great series! Never heard much about falcon shocks so I just read through this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ew-suspension-options-for-2016.531906/page-24

Sounds like the biggest gripe about them is that you have to cut the bucket for the top of the rear shocks with stock wheels. @WEW and @WormSquirts did you guys have to do that to avoid rubbing or are you guys running aftermarket wheels with an offset?

looks like Wheel Every Weekend even has a sale on some falcons right now

 

EDIT: Just looked at the photos and we did have to cut some of the shock bucket, the shocks have an anti rotation plate that keeps the reservoir out of the tires. These are aftermarket wheels but its not a ton of backspacing, sorry that's as much info as i have.

The Dobinsons tuning video should be out soon, we went above and beyond to give them every single opportunity to perform well... but keep in mind that all reservoir side adjusters only act on oil displaced by the shaft and are not a replacement for a shock that is tuned remotely close for the application. I sort of dislike the external adjusters because it gives company's an excuse to sell poorly tuned products and blame the customer for ride quality issues. FWIW i really wanted the dobinsons to do well because we would make more money selling them than other brands lol.

 

Hoping the Dobinsons tuning video comes out in 2 weeks roughly. still working on it.

 

@WEW or @WormSquirts, after all that abuse during testing, were either of the spindles bent? Spindle gussets are frequently recommended on here but if you guys are jumping a truck over and over without them maybe they aren't that necessary for a mostly stock weight truck?

 

They probably did but not super noticeably, but like a month after we got home we were out on a trip and the owner bent the spindle super bad.

 

Totally validated me getting 6112s in front and 5100s in back.

Loved watching this series!

 

Based on their tests in the budget category and the mid level category, I am probably going to rock the same set up based on the way I use my truck and when I need to replace the 5100's up front. My truck is not a pavement princess, I don't jump it, I am driving on a lot of fire roads, dirt roads, and minor off road stuff...the Bilstein 5100's in the rear are plenty fine. Would be stoked to get 6112's later.

 

I decided to skip 5100s and go 6112 w/ 650 springs and 8100 dsa.
I'll probably make a new thread once I get them installed since it doesn't seem like many people go that route.

 

Going to try the Falcon bumpstops with my 5100's in the rear.

 

I really like my Perry Parts bumpstops, I run them front and rear. The fronts are so much better than OEM and I like the rear ones better than the Sumo Springs I used to have.
Upgrading bumpstops is one of those things most people overlook.

https://www.perryparts.com/?gad_sou...QrUySVjBZ2zi0CqG78V6Pzz5u5q32aNcaAuJUEALw_wcB

 

Ordered Perry Parts bump stops last week. Price point is waaaaaaaaay better than DuroStops. $210 for front bump stops is nuts.

 

Just saw this: https://youtu.be/_mVaWJqw-n4?si=Am0UuaZGyzygPHwN

@WormSquirts and @WEW on the “low budget” test did you guys also use extended length Dobs IMS shocks? From what I remember those were topping out a lot too.

And I guess a related question, since you had an icon leaf pack (or AAL?) sitting 1.5” higher than stock, were the falcons you tested the extended travel ones for a lift?