Dobinsons and Billies still bees knees?

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

There's a lot of talk these about King/Billie combo but are the Dobs/Billies better again?

I have an ARB front bar and bash plate kit. No winch or dual batteries (maybe winch in future though). The only time we tow is a box trailer to the dump. We have an annual trip to Moreton where it's packed full but other than that it's empty. I guess adjustable front would be handy for when/if I get a winch. What part numbers would I be looking at?
Any other handy advice to give?

[Wagon Man Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wagon Man]

There's a lot of talk these about King/Billie combo but are the Dobs/Billies better again?

I have an ARB front bar and bash plate kit. No winch or dual batteries (maybe winch in future though). The only time we tow is a box trailer to the dump. We have an annual trip to Moreton where it's packed full but other than that it's empty. I guess adjustable front would be handy for when/if I get a winch. What part numbers would I be looking at?
Any other handy advice to give?

My only advice
Contact John at Zordo's he will look after you..
http://zordos4wdsuspension.com.au/

[Mike_E Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mike_E]

Great advice, Wagon Man. John fitted Dobs/Billies to my 120 a few years ago and they are excellent. He will advise you about the best set up, taking into consideration any future mods that you may have in mind.

[Guest Close Guest]

For better articulation, the new Bilstein shock combo is 24-238762/24-217897.
The Bilstein struts have circlip grooves to allow lower spring seat height adjustment. So when you add a winch, you can move the circlip one groove up.

The recommended springs for your load are
King KTFR-101/KTRR-102
Dobinsons C59-302/C59-325 or 327 (325 will go down easier when loaded, 327 may feel a bit twitchy unloaded)

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Thanks heaps Andrew. The circlip info was what I was after and you confirmed that for me. That's what I want. The winch may never eventuate but I did want the option without sag.
I was looking at the web sites for the stuff this morning and came up with the same list. The 327 said it had a 50mm lift whilst 325 was 45mm. I guess slightly higher lift to compensate for the more weight. Most of our 4wding is empty anyway. We get to where we're going and unload most of it.
Now to get some prices and start saving #taxrefund.

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Hey BiLLz0r,

The biggest difference between the Kings and the Dobinsons is the lift you can achieve. Dobinsons have a taller range of coils, as such you can get more lift with them.

Don't believe the advertising with the 327 giving 50mm lift. I ran it for a long time, and I could never get the rear of the Prado level in unloaded or loaded (including 30psi airbags) conditions. The rear always sagged with 327 coils.

I ended up using a 20mm longer rear coil to finally get the rear where it should be, and have 10mm of rake. There are a few here on PP who ask Dobinsons for an "inch taller" 327, or there is a 487 coil which has slightly higher spring rate at 280lb/in.

The 325 coil is too soft for the rear of the Prado at 220lb/in, and you will always suffer vehicle pitch if you use a typical 586/220 front/rear coil combo. The front/rear suspension frequency ratio will always be worse than 1:1 with a 325 coil. To keep 1:1 and avoid pitch, you need at minimum a 586/280 spring rate combo.

For nice flex, the 24-238762/24-217897 Bilstein combo is excellent, with 425-570mm and 380-610mm (these measurements include the shroud spacer). You will need to space the rear shock down by around 10mm as the pin length is quite long and can touch the floorpan, so it may end up as 390-620mm.

You also need to keep in mind the factory 120 brake lines are at full stretch in the 610-615mm open length range, and you really should extend them if you use the 24-217897. Further, the 120 rear swaybar binds at 615mm, and you will need to run longer swaybar links (up to 30mm longer is possible) to ensure the rear shocks top out before the swaybar does.

The 24-238762 also has x4 grooves cut in the body, so plenty of height adjustment if you do decide to add that winch later.

Best

Mark

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Wow Mark,
Thanks for the post. A lot of that went over my head but I'll read up more.

Dan