vtcruiser60
SILVER Star
Prior to purchase I didn’t find much written up about Dobinson suspensions for the FJ60. I thought to offer this post for those that may follow.
On recommendation of Orangefj45 of Valley Hybrids, I ordered a complete Dobinson Suspension kit (See attached invoice). I found ordering to be pretty simple via emails with David at the Florida based Dobinson sales office. The suspension parts were palletized and I had them shipped directly to a local spring and chassis shop for installation. I’m handy, but I’ve done suspension installs before and was eager for a fast and bloodless knuckle moment paying someone else to do it. The suspension shop really liked the kit, said it was one of the better units they’ve seen before on a light truck. They reported that everything was in order, and the instructions were excellent.
My first impressions are good. I was replacing the stock suspension system on a 1987 FJ60. I’m running BFG 33x10.5 tires on stock rims. The prior suspension was even, but the leafs had lost considerable arch and the vehicle looked a little tired. There was no cruiser lean at all. This is a medium kit, but it’s pretty even all the way around. I was worried about a stinkbug stance, meaning the rear is higher than the front, but none of that is really evident in the pictures below.
One distraction concerns the caster correction after alignment. I am -.2° on the left and -.3 on the right side, which is about half a degree under factory specifications. I do have positive turn response, and have had the vehicle up to 50 or 55 mph so far with no noticeable sway. I will say given that this kit was made for the FJ60 I’m a little irritated that set of 1° caster shims are not included. My local shops said to drive it for a few weeks and bring it back so they can look over the whole set up. There may be some settling, and I should know more by then. I’m going to keep an eye on this and will report back other problems should they arise.
Unless There is something weird to report, I’ll double back on this post in the late spring when I have a little more to report. Maybe by then Mr. Dobinson will read this post and send me a T-shirt as well.
Attaching the original sales invoice with part numbers, pricing, before and after pictures with my German Shorthair Pointer as a reference, and a few close up shots.
Enjoy
On recommendation of Orangefj45 of Valley Hybrids, I ordered a complete Dobinson Suspension kit (See attached invoice). I found ordering to be pretty simple via emails with David at the Florida based Dobinson sales office. The suspension parts were palletized and I had them shipped directly to a local spring and chassis shop for installation. I’m handy, but I’ve done suspension installs before and was eager for a fast and bloodless knuckle moment paying someone else to do it. The suspension shop really liked the kit, said it was one of the better units they’ve seen before on a light truck. They reported that everything was in order, and the instructions were excellent.
My first impressions are good. I was replacing the stock suspension system on a 1987 FJ60. I’m running BFG 33x10.5 tires on stock rims. The prior suspension was even, but the leafs had lost considerable arch and the vehicle looked a little tired. There was no cruiser lean at all. This is a medium kit, but it’s pretty even all the way around. I was worried about a stinkbug stance, meaning the rear is higher than the front, but none of that is really evident in the pictures below.
One distraction concerns the caster correction after alignment. I am -.2° on the left and -.3 on the right side, which is about half a degree under factory specifications. I do have positive turn response, and have had the vehicle up to 50 or 55 mph so far with no noticeable sway. I will say given that this kit was made for the FJ60 I’m a little irritated that set of 1° caster shims are not included. My local shops said to drive it for a few weeks and bring it back so they can look over the whole set up. There may be some settling, and I should know more by then. I’m going to keep an eye on this and will report back other problems should they arise.
Unless There is something weird to report, I’ll double back on this post in the late spring when I have a little more to report. Maybe by then Mr. Dobinson will read this post and send me a T-shirt as well.
Attaching the original sales invoice with part numbers, pricing, before and after pictures with my German Shorthair Pointer as a reference, and a few close up shots.
Enjoy
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