Dobinson Shocks

[makk08 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close makk08]

Hi all,
This is my first post on PP so please bare with me, any tips would be appreciated.
I am looking at putting a 2" lift under 'Penny' (wife has decided on this name for the prado) and have been reading numerous threads on the topic. 'Penny' is prodominately driven by the wife, so the last thing I want is a rigid and stiff suspension setup. I won't go into too many details just yet on any other mods I would like to do as I am trying to establish which brand of shock would suit me best. I'm looking at Dobinson coils all round and Polyairs under the rear end but would really like to know if anyone out there has used or heard anything about Dobinson shocks. The guy that has quoted me for the bits has recommended these over the Lovells, which are the same price. Just trying to get other people's thoughts before I lay out the cash.

Thanks in advance and I apologise if this has been covered in any other threads.

Makk08

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

Re: Dobinson Shocks

Firstly Makko, you might want to put your location in your profile - it always helps when providing info.

Haven't had any experience with the Dobinson shocks, but what I can say is, shop around, go talk to some other folk - most shops will just push you towards the product they stock.

In addition to that, try using the search function on here as there is plenty of info on all sorts of shock absorbers for a range of wallets.

[makk08 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close makk08]

Re: Dobinson Shocks

Thanks for your advice Madkore. I have tried searching PP for info on Dobinson shocks but there doesn't seem to be many posts on shocks, plenty on springs.
I'll continue to ask around to see if anyone can shed a bit more light on the subject.
Thanks again :wink:
Matt.

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

Re: Dobinson Shocks

I had Dobinson springs and shocks installed in my 90 series about 4 years ago, it lifted the vehicle so much I didnt recognise it when I went to pick it up and walked straight past it.

Since then I have had a quite a bit of trouble with the front diff and CV joints and have since had the Dobinson springs removed on the front. The CVs have had to be replaced once (thankfully under warranty) and the shaft kept coming adrift from inside the diff on the passenger side due to the angle. We all noticed an improvement in the ride when the King springs went in and the front has dropped almost back to a more reasonalbe height.

After a trip up to the east Pilbara I noticed that the shocks were leaking, I went back to my local supplier and they told me that it was the excess oil leaking out and it was a normal occurrence. I'm still not sure about that one :?: but since then no more leakage has been evident.

I'm still undecided if I like the ride with the Dobinsons, I cant really say I found it any better or worse than the original Toyota set up. I guess the fact that next time I am thinking about Bilsteins isnt a ringing endorsement of the Dobinsons, but I cant really say they have been a complete failure either.

I do think the ride is a bit on the harsh side for around town, but works OK on the rough stuff. Probably not a lot of help from this reply. :|

[makk08 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close makk08]

Re: Dobinson Shocks

Hi Rainman,

Thanks for your input, definately gives me a few things to keep my eye on. I have decided to go with the Dobinson springs and Lovell strut/shock combo. I have heard that the Dobinson shocks tend to be a bit firmer/stiffer than the Lovells.
A couple of questions, was your lift a 2" lift?? Did you use the heavy duty springs? I have been told that Dobinson manufacture 3 different grades of springs for a 2" lift, regular/standard, medium (for extra weight ranging from 100 - 300 kg) and heavy duty for 300kg+.
I have opted for the medium duty as I have an alloy bar on the front and will be installing a dual battery system under the bonnet. I will also be making a set of drawers for the rear cargo area which will add a bit of weight to the rear end.

Decisions, decisions :roll:

Cheers,
Matt.

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

Re: Dobinson Shocks

From memory it was supposed to be a 2 inch lift (but ended up being something closer to 4 inches :shock: ). I had heavy duty springs all round as I have a steel bar and dual batteries and tow a camper trailer. The front ended up higher than the rear, by about 15-20 mls and when I attached the camper it was quite significantly higher.

The initial install was done at a mates business, and he installed the wrong springs up front. He then went bust (surprise surprise) so I contacted Dobinsons and they confirmed the wrong springs had been used. I had the medium springs installed but the difference was only slight with the front still higher than the rear.

Heading out to the goldfields with the camper attached last Easter I touched the brakes and locked up the front, I can only assume because of the loss of traction on the front due to the height difference. ops:

After a trip up to the Pilbara in July last year the axle on the passenger side came adrift from inside the front diff for the second time and I had diff oil leaking all over the place. I took it to a mechanic and he diagnosed the failure due to the extreme angle of the CV joints due to the lift. The clip holding the shaft in place couldnt cope with the droop.

I replaced the front springs with heavy duty King springs and the vehicle now has a more traditional stance with the back end sloping down towards the front of the vehicle. The improvement in ride quality was immediately noticable.

Unfortunately I havent had time to attach the trailer to the vehicle since fitting the new springs (I haven had time for anything really ) so I dont know how the Prado sits with the camper attached.

I hope all that makes sense?

[makk08 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close makk08]

Re: Dobinson Shocks

All makes sense, strange that the front was still higher than the rear even after the heavy duty springs were replaced with the medium duty. :?

I will definately be asking around to see if anyone else has had issues with the front diff, the last thing I want is to have problems with the driveline. :|

I will also be towing a camper trailer and have decided to install Polyair air bags on the rear to assist with the extra weight and keep the vehicle level. Is this something you have thought about and if so did you come across any issues or problems with the systems that are currently on the market?

Cheers,
Matt.

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

Re: Dobinson Shocks

I will also be towing a camper trailer and have decided to install Polyair air bags on the rear to assist with the extra weight and keep the vehicle level. Is this something you have thought about and if so did you come across any issues or problems with the systems that are currently on the market?

Cheers,
Matt.

Yeah, I've thought about Polyairs or similar, but I've heard stories of them leaking etc so I'm still undecided. To be honest, I'm hoping the lowering of the front will make Polyairs unnecessary. Oh to have the time to even just connect the trailer up, let alone use it. :cry:

[makk08 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close makk08]

Re: Dobinson Shocks

Thanks for all of your advice. Hope you find time soon to hook the camper up and disappear for a while.

Cheers,
Matt

[JackB59 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JackB59]

Re: Dobinson Shocks

Hi I am fitting 50mm Dobinsons Springs and shocks to my 2004 120 gx this week and headding for Gib river at Easter towing a camprite will let you know what I think when I get back

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

Re: Dobinson Shocks

I have a 2004 Prado with 50 mm Dobinson Springs fitted, they have been on the car 3 to 4 years now . The springs are 300 front and 327 rear, they are certainly HARDER than the usual Lovells or King springs. They lifted the car 50mm 3+ years ago and the car is at the same height now ,(no sagging) . I somtimes think of changing them for Kings for a better ride but have not got round to it, The car drives good when loaded ,going camping ,towing our camper which is why I used the stronger coils in the first place, cant have it both ways can we ? Its the SPRINGS which give a hard or soft ride not the shocks, the shocks are really dampers and just try to control the spring movment. I have Bilstien shocks fitted .

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

Lucky I found this thread.
I've just bought Dobinsons front springs (constant load C59-302) and was told there wouldn't be any issues with the cv angles. Just touing up what springs to get for the rear, contstant load (C59-327) or not (C59-325). Front height increase is supposed to be 35mm while the rear is 45mm. If the rears were to be the constant load I'm thinking there would be an exagerated angle from front to back, is this correct?
Last question is, if the fronts are constant load and I've only got the second battery at the moment, will I need to look at rectifying the angle of the cv's????

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

HI I had C59-302 front springs ,found them to hard and to high,came up 60mm??? (bottom cir-clip on billies) changed them for C59-300, I still think they are a bit hard. I also had C59-327 rear springs which I also felt were to hard and have changed them for Kings KTRR-102 not HD . You may find the C59_325 better. Where are you getting them from ? https://www.suspensionstuff.com.au/s...5be46729bd888f
Or look at http://www.4wddirect.com.au/scart/html/384.html

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

I rang Dobinsons in Sydney direct. They were cheaper than Qld by heaps. All up I'm looking at $560 plus $30 shipping. Seriously, that is damn good value. The more I read though, the more I might pay a little more ie. 4wddirect at $859 because of the harsher ride that seems to come with the Dobinsons.
Plus, I like the way 4wddirect taylor exactly to my needs. Which way to go??????