Dobinson 3” tapered install

[Beej]

Did you get the 3.5" or 2.5" Tapered?

Most that got the 3.5" coils are reporting a solid 4" (24") of lift on loaded 80s.

The VT lifts are advertised as 2" and 3". My truck weights 6600 lbs fully loaded. 2900 front and 3700 rear. I got 24" at the rear without full load. Anticipating 23" when fully loaded.

The fronts gave me a full 24" or more. I had to swap down to the 2"; now front is just under 23" The 3" gave too much.

 

[lasoundguy]

Can you give us an update on your experience with the tapered coils? Looking at upgrading from my OME setup and right now it's down to Slinky HD (with the stage 1 shocks) or Dobinson tapers. My main concern is maintaining articulation while heavily loaded, most of the trail action is while loaded up for camping. With my OMEs it wheels really nicely unloaded but seems to travel less and bottom out / drag when loaded.

 

[ewillis]

Can you give us an update on your experience with the tapered coils? Looking at upgrading from my OME setup and right now it's down to Slinky HD (with the stage 1 shocks) or Dobinson tapers. My main concern is maintaining articulation while heavily loaded, most of the trail action is while loaded up for camping. With my OMEs it wheels really nicely unloaded but seems to travel less and bottom out / drag when loaded.

I have about 5K on mine...not a fan. The amount of body roll is sketchy. Going back to OME personally.

 

[lasoundguy]

Is the additional body roll met with better flex on trail? Wondering if a Whiteline rear sway + taper coils and front swaybar disconnects for trail use would be viable.
I like my OME setup fine, and it's not my daily, but the PO put it in and it's setup for stock weight....so now with armor and camping gear it's way over taxed.

@ewillis did you have the 2.5" or the 3.5" lift version?

 

[ewillis]

Is the additional body roll met with better flex on trail? Wondering if a Whiteline rear sway + taper coils and front swaybar disconnects for trail use would be viable.
I like my OME setup fine, and it's not my daily, but the PO put it in and it's setup for stock weight....so now with armor and camping gear it's way over taxed.

@ewillis did you have the 2.5" or the 3.5" lift version?

IDK how you objectively measure flex on the trail. I have the C97-146VT and C97-147VT. I used to have 850/860 and both sets are fine off road. The linear rate coils have a very predictable "feel" on and off road. IMO...these dual rates make the truck feel very tippy and I'm not a fan. I could throw a bunch of other parts at the suspension setup, which might help but I can also simply go back to what worked better for my taste.

 

[lasoundguy]

IDK how you objectively measure flex on the trail.

Yeah, valid point. I think the main thing I'm hoping for offroad (beyond clearance) is more travel up front, it feels to me like the front end crashes down into bumps rather than flexing the wheel down into it, particularly when loaded...as advertised I was thinking these variable rate coils would be a good option for that. Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[LC4LIFE]

I have about 5K on mine...not a fan. The amount of body roll is sketchy. Going back to OME personally.

That is a very interesting observation. I have the tapered up front and OME863's in the rear. It drives very well and I am happy with it. I have been considering moving to tapered, but maybe I will just stick with what I have.

 

[baldilocks]

Is the additional body roll met with better flex on trail? Wondering if a Whiteline rear sway + taper coils and front swaybar disconnects for trail use would be viable.
I like my OME setup fine, and it's not my daily, but the PO put it in and it's setup for stock weight....so now with armor and camping gear it's way over taxed.

@ewillis did you have the 2.5" or the 3.5" lift version?

I’ve run the 3.5”/3.0” tapered coils for three Years now. The on road ride is superior to my OME set up but shocks have a lot to do with it. The ome shocks incorporate very agressive compression damping. The dobinson yellow shocks not so much but rebound damping is comparable to the OME shocks.

Body roll increase with the tapers coils is a fact but it’s not crazy especially if you run both sway bars. These coils were produced in response to those wanting increased down travel without having to ride around in a tall spring with a low rate which would render unsafe high speed handling. So, if you don’t own an 80 mostly because you are an off road nut who loves deep ditches and rock crawling sort of action, there is no need to install tapered coils.