Dobinsons Suspension

[StevoVX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StevoVX]

After doing a bit of research on this site and at various 4x4 shows I was almost ready to buy when a 4x4 one stop shop threw another brand into the ring. DOBINSONS. He recomended these over EFS, why I don't quite know as he stocks both and they are cheaper. Has any members heard of this brand? I know that the springs are made here in QLD, the shocks are from Europe and the main factory is in Rockhampton.

Steve. :?:

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

top quality springs. made here in rockhampton. Alot of these springs are repainted and wholesaled to the likes of lovells and other spring resellers.

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

I've got Dobinsons all round on my 90 series. Prior to fitting the standard suspension had sagged a bit and when I fitted 265/75 muddies they rubbed when compressed while turning. I was told it would be around a 45mm lift but it ended up being around a 160mm on the front and 170mm on the back. When we went to pick the vehicle up I didn’t recognise it as mine and walked straight past it. :shock:

Anyway, not long after fitting, the CVs had to be replaced as they were stuffed :cry: and Toyota wouldn’t do any more warranty work on them due to the excessive lift. Since then I have had to replace one boot as it rubbed on itself causing a small hole which resulted in grease leaking out. The boot rubbed on itself due to the angle of the CV.

I made some enquiries with Dobinsons direct and they advised that the wrong springs had been fitted up front. However by this time the mob that fitted the suspension initially had gone bust so I had to pay another $300 to have them replaced by the local distributors. The replacements only dropped things by about 10mm.

I tow a camper trailer and because of the extreme lift at the front, the back sags when towing so the front is actually higher than the rear. Air bags would probably help even things out.

After a trip up to the Pilbara I noted that the front left shocky was leaking, I took it back to the distributor to look at and was advised that most shocks are overfilled with oil and as a result you can get some leakage until the correct level is achieved. They cleaned it up and it hasn’t leaked since. However, I haven’t had the time to do any off roading in the past 12 months, so haven’t put them to the test since. They have a three year warranty which is good.

As for ride quality, I must be a philistine, but I can’t tell the difference between original and aftermarket. I have had several different setups over the years and to be honest they all feel harsh when pushed and you always bounce around in the city.

Would I use them again, probably not. Not because I have been disappointed, but probably because I’d like to try something else and hopefully find something that I can truly say has made a difference.

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

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Crikey,

After reading that little story, they sound like complete shit... :shock:

Regards,

:lol: :lol: :lol: Most of the problems I have had with them were due to the orignal mob that fitted them. They were a subsiduary of Dodgey Brothers inc.

The worst part was it was a mate who fitted them. Needless to say he has since gone bust but is now off making millions of dollars up north working for the mines.

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Crikey,

After reading that little story, they sound like complete shit... :shock:

Regards,

ummm lol..

that stuff happens when the wrong springs are fitted to a vehicle.. :lol: :lol:

id use their springs, but their shocks would be rebadged, so id just go with trusted name there.

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

id use their springs, but their shocks would be rebadged, so id just go with trusted name there.

I think they are rebadged de Carbon shocks

[mkh Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mkh]

Have heard very good things about them in another forum. They seem also quite willing to experiment with the customer to get them the setup they want / need. Most of their springs tend to get matched with Bilstein shocks.

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

They were a subsiduary of Dodgey Brothers inc.

They seem to be nationwide chain - because wherever you go, you're not far from a Dodgey Brothers outfit :evil:

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

I have Dobinsons springs on my Prado , They work ok for me , a bit firmer than the lovells , dont sag with the camper trailer on and car loaded up.

[StevoVX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StevoVX]

Thanks for the info guys and sorry that I took so long to respond. I only get to go online whilst at work and being a shift worker, well you know how it is.
I'll think I will leave them alone and go with something else, with a one year warranty they aren't backing their own product.

There is another brand that I read about recently "DUROSHOCK" apparently they use King spring but know nothing about the shocks.
The factory is at Archerfield (Brissy) and come with a 2 year warranty.

Steve