Dobinson springs and shockies

[Majorp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Majorp]

I got a quote today from dobinson springs in Rockhampton and they quoted $1451 fitted. I have an Ironman steel bull bar fitted and tow a goldstream off road pop top van. They have quoted me c59-300 front and c59-325 rear springs. What do people think of the spring rate and also I haven't heard anything about the dobinson shockies. Sorry forgot to mention it is a V6 120 Series.:-)

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Are you trying to achieve 50mm lift?
Here's a thread on Dobinson shocks. http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...obinson-Shocks

[Majorp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Majorp]

Not worried about the lift so much, but more of the sag both ends and the floating you feel

[JPH Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JPH]

I recently fitted Dobinsons springs and shocks to my 150, I've done about 7000 km on mine during the past month that I've had them fitted. This includes a quick run up the east coast to Fraser and back. We did about 600 km of beach and inland driving and also another quick morning off road bush driving prior to leaving or Fraser. So far I've been very happy with the set up, I have better cornering, less body roll and a much nicer ride. The details are in my build up thread here. http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-150-GXL/page6

Hope this helps

Cheers

JPH

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

I fitted Dobinson springs and shocks B4 my Simpson trip. By the time we reached Lamberts Centre of Aust the rear shocks were stuffed. I haven't got round to replacing them yet, but they squeek on every bump. I'll be getting another brand shock. The springs are fine. They are progressive and give a great ride.

[Majorp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Majorp]

Thanks for your opinions. I have noticed a lot of people go with the dobinson springs and other shockies. It sounds like most brands, you get a good set up with no probs at all, while other people have lots of issues. Not sure if I will go dobinson or ironman set up. They were both around the $1450

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

Hey Majorp,

I went with 325's in the rear originally and found them too soft. I have been prepping my rig for a lap around Oz towing a Goldstream Camper with about a 150kg ball weight, drawers in the back and a fridge. When I hitched up the camper I could barely see the road in front of me for the amount of lift in the front and my chains were dragging in the rear.

I swapped out to the 329's and couldn't be happier. They take all the weight really really well and even when we are not hitched up and before we got the drawer I still didn't feel any conceivable difference in ride quality, and nor does the Mrs who reckons the ride is still smoother then the stock springs, so don't be concerned about a harsh ride.

I did pair the Dobbies up with Bilsteins though so the Billies are probably doing a good job of keeping it smooth, very happy all round. Let me know if you want a recommendation of where to buy the kit, the guy i used he in BNE was great (and he can deliver and give phone support if you want to fit it all up yourself)

Oh, and I paid the same as what you are looking at there for the Ironmans for this set up. (Keep in mind the "FoamCell" Ironman set up has had issues with the foam breaking down, and they are not repairable, Billies and serviceable)

Hope this helps

[blkd4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close blkd4d]

I fitted Dobinson springs and shocks B4 my Simpson trip. By the time we reached Lamberts Centre of Aust the rear shocks were stuffed. I haven't got round to replacing them yet, but they squeek on every bump. I'll be getting another brand shock. The springs are fine. They are progressive and give a great ride.

Very happy with the ride I have from Dobinsons Springs and Shocks I have on the front Just waiting for the rear Special order for rear.
What shocks do you get Billies, not after I just took them off the front and the rear is stuffed also .

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I fitted Dobinson springs and shocks B4 my Simpson trip. By the time we reached Lamberts Centre of Aust the rear shocks were stuffed. I haven't got round to replacing them yet, but they squeek on every bump. I'll be getting another brand shock. The springs are fine. They are progressive and give a great ride.

What exactly were the rear shocks symptoms? When you say stuffed, do you mean squeaking?


If your not worried about height the springs will be ok, and a great combination.
You will only achieve 50mm lift at rear when the vehicle is absolutely empty!
The front that spring will give you about 20-30mm with the Steele bar.
Good gear, but if you want to maintain the lift loaded 327 for the rear! At least put 302's in the front.
The new shocks& firmer springs will definitely put a smile in your face if its handling& getting rid of the roll you are after! The 325 s a very comfortable spring for the rear.
If you like p.m me, I can get you a better price - (I know someone)

As Anders said, after the failures with his billies, don't go there.
I think I can buy new Dobinsons shocks cheaper than you can buy just the parts to rebuild a billy. Don't even talk about labour......

All the best with your choice!

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

What exactly were the rear shocks symptoms? When you say stuffed, do you mean squeaking? ...

Yes, primarily the squeeking, the car sounded like a piece of rubbish along the corrugated tracks, but I felt there was a lot of bounce as well. On the Simmo I was getting into the resonant frequency of the car with large up and down movement that often ended with a huge drop onto the sand with some modifications to my bash plates . That can be partially explained by me being tail end Charlie trying to catch up to the group and going a little quick, but even now on the bitumen the car feels sloppy.

I think I will try the Toughdog adjustables next. I'm happy for any comment or suggestions.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Usually I find squeaks in other suspension components rather than the shockers themselves.
Have they been tested? Bounce test?
Dobinsons are a large and expanding business, I'm sure they would have liked to know about the problem you have had, they have a 2 year warranty, so being stuffed do fast they would be covered. Have you contacted them?
I've got some super firm valving on my shockers, but it still doesn't stop the vehicle from that large bouncing you describe.
I'd ask the question.......

[Majorp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Majorp]

Thanks for the advice. Both Dobinson and Ironman quoted a similar softer set up due to only towing 2 or 3 times a year and didn't want to give up the car like feel unlaiden. I had my concerns it will be two soft with the steel bar and still sag with the van on. I think I will go with the Dobinson set up you suggested also to help a local Rockhampton business.

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

Usually I find squeaks in other suspension components rather than the shockers themselves.
Have they been tested? Bounce test?
Dobinsons are a large and expanding business, I'm sure they would have liked to know about the problem you have had, they have a 2 year warranty, so being stuffed do fast they would be covered. Have you contacted them?
I've got some super firm valving on my shockers, but it still doesn't stop the vehicle from that large bouncing you describe.
I'd ask the question.......

Thanks for the advice, ####.
She went in for the 120.000 service yesterday and they siad the front shocks are leaking as well, so I think I should make a claim. I got the softer set up to improve comfort and off road traction. I suspect that was a mistake. I'll see how I go.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Thanks for the advice, ####.
She went in for the 120.000 service yesterday and they siad the front shocks are leaking as well, so I think I should make a claim. I got the softer set up to improve comfort and off road traction. I suspect that was a mistake. I'll see how I go.

The Dobinsons front springs on the Prado are all the same spring rate on the front.
It's the length that changes for the load to maintain the height.
I think they work excellently.
The rear, there is 3 spring rates, I have used the lighter of the 3 in many prados and think it rides excellently also.
It does go down almost 10mm per 100kg.
So if you have constant load then that (C59-325) is not for the job.

The Dobinsons struts& shocks I have supplied & fitted recently not only appear to be a very robust design, but seem to have great valving, any firmer would be too much, you can never stop the bouncing in some conditions.
If the suspension has been well used in the outback etc, I think there's always the chance of a failure, that's why I think use the warranty.
Not many people are aware of the difference between a leaking strut & a weep, it is normal for any strut to weep, although not every one will. A weep is a thin sweat of oil, that will get covered in dust.
A leak is a lot of a thicker (consistent) costing of oil, often all the way to the bottom, forming a drip.
Also on a bounce test, it's hard to explain exactly what s ok, but if you can bounce it and t keeps bouncing on, then they are stuffed. Generally 1.5 bounces is ok.
If the car bounces on after a speed hump is a great test.

Please let us know what you find and how you go.

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

Please let us know what you find and how you go.

Just an update.

Well I finally got around to taking the car back to my fitter. He rang the supplier and they have ordered new front struts on warranty due to the leakage. They said that squeeks in the rear shocks aren't normally a reason to replace under warranty, but if I leave them with them for a few weeks they will get back to me on their response. :~

I'm not sure how the old girl will go without shocks in the rear for a couple of weeks, so I may just buy some adjustable Tough Dogs and wait for their response.