Dobinsons 2016-2023 Taco Suspension Options

I've got the basic bitch

$356 GS59-221 Dobinsons Pair of Front Struts Compatible with Toyota FJ Cruiser 2006-2010 and Tacoma 4x4 2005-2018 - GS59-221

GS59-221 struts up front with 314 coils and MRAs in rear with 110R leaf springs. Felt the rear was way too stiff with the regular

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

GS59-940 shocks so dished out the money for the MRAs and don't regret it. They seemed to allow me to soften things up from the less expensive ones.

Curious how MRAs up front with 302 coils would feel (I've got zero additional weight and regret going with the 314 coils for this reason), but I'm taking a hiatus from spending money on the Tacoma as I'm likely getting rid of it next year.

 

Getting rid of it? but why

 

full size envy and all sorts of reasons to justify it to myself...

this also assumes I won't lose my job in the seemingly inevitable upcoming recession

 

If everybody keeps buying Taco parts, it'll keep our favorite vendors in business, and they'll in turn be buying groceries and houses which will keep those markers afloat, so on and so forth....

 

@rtnstrns What gen is your truck? I thought the 314 coils were 586LBF/IN 405mm free height and the 302 coils were the same spring rate 586LBF/IN but 385mm free height. I was thinking GS all just to get new suspension on, my current rear springs are shot and my current front end is too stiff. It's a new to me used truck with a cheap front end lift that is dialed too high and too stiff a springs.

 

3rd gen, 2020 TRDOR.

Looks like you're right. The spring rate is the same but the free height is different. For some reason I thought I remembered reading the opposite. I just prefer a slight amount of rake and I currently am essentially completely level with my setup.

Can't imagine going the non-adjustable GS stuff all around plus new rear leafs could be a downgrade for you in your situation.

I basically do zero off-roading and drive 99% of the time with an empty bed, but wanted a better rear leaf setup for towing but was too cheap to get custom leaf springs done and there's basically no off-the-shelf option for non-lift upgraded leaf springs, which is why I aimed for the lowest lift I could procure with good components above Bilstein. Dobinson, I think, is the perfect balance in value, quality, and performance without being forced to do like 3+ inches around compared to any other option.

If I were planning to hold onto this truck for the next 5-10 years, I'd get a custom leaf spring made with slightly less rate than the 110R and ideally 0-1 inch of lift, then run Dobinson MRA's on all corners and then match the spring on the front strut to the low-lift custom leaf spring.

.......but instead I'm just ordering an F-150 Tremor like a jackass

 

There are plenty of sub 3 inch lifts that are quality lol


Dobinson's happens to be top notch, esp for the price.

 

Yes, that's all pretty much correct. Getting the 111's is a great in-between and the price difference is basically the leaf difference between the 3 packs.

 

I was mostly being facetious with the "3+ inch lift" comment.

Problem is that I struggle to shake my hot rod roots so I'm still somewhat of a suspension snob. There's plenty of quality, affordable mild lifts that are logically perfect for most people, including myself. But certain areas I refuse to compromise and Bilstein and that level of aftermarket component doesn't quite hit the mark for me personally.

For example, you can easily get a 1" rear lift with blocks that will probably be fine, but I'm not down for making the compromises that come with a block, particularly with towing. Lowest rear lift that I was able to find from a reputable brand with off-the-shelf full leaf spring replacements was Dobinson. Nobody (that I've been made aware of at least) with any credibility makes an off-the-shelf 1" rear lift full leaf spring replacement. The 110R leaf spring basically drove the rest of my suspension strategy.

Looked into Fox 2.5s but Accutune told me that I could not do less than 2.5 inches of lift without significantly compromising performance. Dobinson and Mike at Exit Off Road do not claim any performance detriment to doing <2.5inch lifts, so I happily stick with supporting them for my use case.

Maybe I've missed some obscure brands in my research, but that's what ultimately led me down this route.

Sorry for the derail Mike. I'll always point to Dobinson/Exit Off Road for the best suspension solution to most people's "needs" (wants), but I also think it's important to give honest, if not subjective, viewpoints and reasoning for my vehicle and component selections.

 

The Fox 2.0s can come lower lol

But hey, Dobinson's is rock solid, no worries about pushing their stuff. Been pointing people to this thread for over a year now.

 

Update to my previous post with more details, now that the entire lift is installed. Better pics to follow.

front: 314 coils on 221 struts
Rear: 111r leafs with -940 shocks
265/75-16 Goodyear Duratracs
1.25” Spidertrax spacers (front only, rear haven’t came in yet)

EDIT: I put my 7K+ lb camper on it today to help the springs settle.

 

Why the spacers? Looking to get bigger tires later?

 

i had originally planned for 285s. I don’t know where the plan fell apart. I probably should’ve forgone the spacer with this setup, but it does look nice on the front.

 

Looks nice.
How's the ride with the 111r leafs?
On my 2nd gen DCLB, I switched to Dobinsons IMRs front/rear and 314 coils last spring. The rear stayed stock springs with a 3 leaf progressive pack from Headstrong.

 

i can only describe it as riding like a truck. My last truck was a Titan XD (no judgements, I loved it). When I switched to the Tacoma I felt like I was driving a Crown Vic. It was very soft and floaty. It’s now firm, but not harsh; No more brake dive.

 

Every time I went to test drive a Titan XD they were sold before I got there. My dad has a regular Titan Pro 4x and it's got to be the nicest riding truck I've been in. Which is impressive cuz I drive 3rd gen Tundras every week at work lol

 

Crikey's a good mate he'll help get you on down the track....cheers

 

@Crikeymike I have a little squeak that started on my 110-R leaf pack. It seems the plastic pads between the leafs are almost worn though. Are we able to buy replacements?

 

Yeah, Dobinsons has them. 305-424-8353

 

Since you had your Dobinson coils on your 5100 have they sagged on you? How have it been holding up? How is your ride quality after owning it for a few months?