Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

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

Hi All

I am having a hard time tryin to decide what suspension to get to lift my 120 2".
I am trying to decide between
Bilstein
Tough Dog
Tough Dog Adjustables
Dobinson

Price wise there is quite a difference with the Dobinsons being around half the price of TD Adjustables and Dobinsons with the normal TD's in the middle.
So what I am after is some advice on these types. I have had the dobinsons kit in my Feroza and did find the ride quite stiff, but I am not sure if that is due to the Feroza being leafs in the rear. My wife hated it and would drive it.
So I am after something that makes it offroad and still leaves it very confortable for the wife to run around in as the daily driver for her.

My ears are wide open waiting for some advice and experiences of you all.

Regards

Andrew

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

Hi All

I am having a hard time tryin to decide what suspension to get to lift my 120 2".
I am trying to decide between
Bilstein
Tough Dog
Tough Dog Adjustables
Dobinson

Price wise there is quite a difference with the Dobinsons being around half the price of TD Adjustables and Dobinsons with the normal TD's in the middle.
So what I am after is some advice on these types. I have had the dobinsons kit in my Feroza and did find the ride quite stiff, but I am not sure if that is due to the Feroza being leafs in the rear. My wife hated it and would drive it.
So I am after something that makes it offroad and still leaves it very confortable for the wife to run around in as the daily driver for her.

My ears are wide open waiting for some advice and experiences of you all.

Regards

Andrew

Price aside, of the shocks you are considering the Bilsteins are head and shoulders above the others in terms of quality and performance.
I think the longevity and ride refinement of the Bilstiens justifies the extra dollars.

Leachy

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

Agree with Leachy.

Had 2 sets of Toughdog adjustables on my 98 Prado along with Toughdog coils - killed one set shocks in under 30,000km during trip to Cape York. Had them replaced under warranty then blew the rears. Replaced these with OME before selling the truck.

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

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

thanks guys

Just found another one to throw in the mix. Ironman.
There are to many choices for one to make a decision :?

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

thanks guys

Just found another one to throw in the mix. Ironman.
There are to many choices for one to make a decision :?

In that case throw ARB OME, Monroes and others in. not necessarily all in the same leauge but helps to mess with your mind

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

It comes down to,

why the Prado ?

if price was your purchase point, why not the Pathfinder, or a Greatwall chinese car ?

Apply this logic to your suspension purchase, and as other have already indicated, there will only be one choice to choose.

[ookami Member Find all posts View Profile Close ookami]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

There have been various opinions voiced about each suspension brand all over the forum try a search, they just never compared side by side. IMO if you are worried about your choice, go with a more common or popular brand used (Read: OME or Bilstein) in a prado as you will find more happier people to help put your mind at ease. Bare in mind each persons experience is different not all people have good experiences while others have nothing but good feedback on the same product eg. I have had a bad experience with Ridepro while others have had a flawless run out of the same product - it doesn't mean its a bad product just means I was one unhappy customer, there will more than likely be 20 other happy customers just around the corner so to speak.
IMO steer clear of Ironman - you get what you pay for, if you can afford to purchase a prado spend then extra cash and get something worthwhile. I chose Tough Dog Adjustables as this kit is only an interim setup and couldn't justify the extra cost of the Bilsteins for only a year or so while our Prado is our only daily driver and have found them far better than what others will tell you - others on this forum will tell you otherwise. My old man will only use Dobinsons in any of his 4wds and has done for nearly 30 years (he lives near their factory) and has no complaints but they are quite firm imo and possibly a little too firm for a lighter Prado. All depends what your expectations are with regards to cost vs. performance and what you expect the end result to be. If Money is no object go for a Fox Shox, Icon or King setup - they will last forever as they are easily rebuildable and will take the most harsh treatment and are fully adjustable.

Like I said before it really depends what your expectations are with regards to cost vs. performance and what you expect the end result to be.

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

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

OK thanks guys, I guess I'll save for a bit longer and get a Bilsteins setup.

Oh and just because I bought a Prado doesnt mean I can throw money at anything. Have a family and a Mortgage aswell.

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

OK thanks guys, I guess I'll save for a bit longer and get a Bilsteins setup.

Oh and just because I bought a Prado doesnt mean I can throw money at anything. Have a family and a Mortgage aswell.

And you still spent the extra, so you understand value vs cost :wink:

[Garcia777 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Garcia777]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

Just to put in my 2 cents worth,

Your choice of suspension might require you answering this question 1st: What will the Prado be used for ( % On-Road, % Off-Road ) ?
NOTE: When choosing your suspension set-up, you might also have to consider what you will be towing and it's weight ? & What accessories you will have in the front ( eg. Bull Bar, Winch, Dual Battery System, etc... ) ?
For me: 80% of the time it is on the blacktop, & 20% of the time I'm out 4 wheel driving with friends ( recent trips include: Big River, Toolangi, & The High Country ).
I chose Tough Dog's, coz I've been in Prado's with either OME or TD adjustable suspension systems. I just preferred the Tough Dog's ride & handling (NOT sure about Bilstein's - ONLY coz I have never had the experience, but I believe that they would be even better - since that company has had a lot of experience with manufacturing suspension systems).
I have never had any negative issues with my TD suspension set-up so far ( both On- & Off-Road ). My friend, at work, has had a bad experience with the same TD coil-over suspension at the front with the shock absorber snapping @ the bottom weld, but I think it had a lot to do with his heavy right-boot.
Keep this in mind though - There are more brands of suspension systems than there are actual suspension manufacturers ( Some of the different brands are actually manufactured @ the same place, ONLY to be sold as different brands - eg. Tough Dog & Rancho, so on & so forth ).
Hope this insight helped somehow.

Cheers,

Noel.

[double_d69 Member Find all posts View Profile Close double_d69]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

Just to put in my 2 cents worth,

Your choice of suspension might require you answering this question 1st: What will the Prado be used for ( % On-Road, % Off-Road ) ?
NOTE: When choosing your suspension set-up, you might also have to consider what you will be towing and it's weight ? & What accessories you will have in the front ( eg. Bull Bar, Winch, Dual Battery System, etc... ) ?
For me: 80% of the time it is on the blacktop, & 20% of the time I'm out 4 wheel driving with friends ( recent trips include: Big River, Toolangi, & The High Country ).
I chose Tough Dog's, coz I've been in Prado's with either OME or TD adjustable suspension systems. I just preferred the Tough Dog's ride & handling (NOT sure about Bilstein's - ONLY coz I have never had the experience, but I believe that they would be even better - since that company has had a lot of experience with manufacturing suspension systems).
I have never had any negative issues with my TD suspension set-up so far ( both On- & Off-Road ). My friend, at work, has had a bad experience with the same TD coil-over suspension at the front with the shock absorber snapping @ the bottom weld, but I think it had a lot to do with his heavy right-boot.
Keep this in mind though - There are more brands of suspension systems than there are actual suspension manufacturers ( Some of the different brands are actually manufactured @ the same place, ONLY to be sold as different brands - eg. Tough Dog & Rancho, so on & so forth ).
Hope this insight helped somehow.

Cheers,

Noel.

I had Bilsteins and they were great... however i required something much bigger for more flex and to carry the weight of drawers, fridge which is permently mounted. I swapped out the rear for Tough Dog Big Bore from an 80 series LC.. I think these ride even better than the Billies and you have the flexability to dial in your comfort.. I've still got the billies in the front, but these will be replaced with Camburg adjustable coilovers from the US for the same reason i changed the rear.

Best of luck with it - I wish i had someone to tell me what i needed in the first place as you can spend a lot of $$$ on trial and error

DoubleD

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

I had Bilsteins and they were great... however i required something much bigger for more flex and to carry the weight of drawers, fridge which is permently mounted. I swapped out the rear for Tough Dog Big Bore from an 80 series LC.. I've still got the billies in the front, but these will be replaced with Camburg adjustable coilovers from the US for the same reason i changed the rear.

Best of luck with it - I wish i had someone to tell me what i needed in the first place as you can spend a lot of $$$ on trial and error

DoubleD

Carrying the weight is the job of the coil, not the shock :wink:

In measuring the longer rear shocks to use on the 120, there isnt a big difference in the 80 vs 120 rears, but a bump spacer is required, negating the extra down travel, by losing up travel, unless your trying to fit larger tyres and the spacers haelp with that.

To get the right answer, you have to ask the right question 8)

[double_d69 Member Find all posts View Profile Close double_d69]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

[quote=Auto-Craft]

I had Bilsteins and they were great... however i required something much bigger for more flex and to carry the weight of drawers, fridge which is permently mounted. I swapped out the rear for Tough Dog Big Bore from an 80 series LC.. I've still got the billies in the front, but these will be replaced with Camburg adjustable coilovers from the US for the same reason i changed the rear.

Best of luck with it - I wish i had someone to tell me what i needed in the first place as you can spend a lot of $$$ on trial and error

DoubleD

Carrying the weight is the job of the coil, not the shock :wink:

In measuring the longer rear shocks to use on the 120, there isnt a big difference in the 80 vs 120 rears, but a bump spacer is required, negating the extra down travel, by losing up travel, unless your trying to fit larger tyres and the spacers haelp with that.

To get the right answer, you have to ask the right question 8)[/quote:byohqnl8]

Correct - I run HD springs for the weight with spacers for the extra height... hence why i needed a longer travel shock... but the big bore shocky certainly soaks up the bumps a lot better. I think realistically i have no better travel then standard, however i'm sitting up 3" over stock :mrgreen:

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

Just to put in my 2 cents worth,

Your choice of suspension might require you answering this question 1st: What will the Prado be used for ( % On-Road, % Off-Road ) ?
NOTE: When choosing your suspension set-up, you might also have to consider what you will be towing and it's weight ? & What accessories you will have in the front ( eg. Bull Bar, Winch, Dual Battery System, etc... ) ?
For me: 80% of the time it is on the blacktop, & 20% of the time I'm out 4 wheel driving with friends ( recent trips include: Big River, Toolangi, & The High Country ).
I chose Tough Dog's, coz I've been in Prado's with either OME or TD adjustable suspension systems. I just preferred the Tough Dog's ride & handling (NOT sure about Bilstein's - ONLY coz I have never had the experience, but I believe that they would be even better - since that company has had a lot of experience with manufacturing suspension systems).
I have never had any negative issues with my TD suspension set-up so far ( both On- & Off-Road ). My friend, at work, has had a bad experience with the same TD coil-over suspension at the front with the shock absorber snapping @ the bottom weld, but I think it had a lot to do with his heavy right-boot.
Keep this in mind though - There are more brands of suspension systems than there are actual suspension manufacturers ( Some of the different brands are actually manufactured @ the same place, ONLY to be sold as different brands - eg. Tough Dog & Rancho, so on & so forth ).
Hope this insight helped somehow.

Cheers,

Noel.

I had Bilsteins and they were great... however i required something much bigger for more flex and to carry the weight of drawers, fridge which is permently mounted. I swapped out the rear for Tough Dog Big Bore from an 80 series LC.. I think these ride even better than the Billies and you have the flexability to dial in your comfort.. I've still got the billies in the front, but these will be replaced with Camburg adjustable coilovers from the US for the same reason i changed the rear.

Best of luck with it - I wish i had someone to tell me what i needed in the first place as you can spend a lot of $$$ on trial and error

DoubleD

So the 80 series shocks more or less just bolted in?

[double_d69 Member Find all posts View Profile Close double_d69]

Re: Bilstein vs Tough Dog vs Dobinson

Yeah although with the Tough Dogs as the bore is so big I had to use some washers to space out the bottom about 10mm. Also you will need to space your bump stops down by about 30mm, and recommended to put in 20mm coil spacers so they don't come loose at full droop.