Dobinsons IMS Suspension or Ironman Foam Cell or ????

[Rambler1]

I am in the process of making the decision to upgrade my suspension. I have coresponded with several people that are using IMFCs and seem to be very pleased with the product. I have settled on an installer in San Antonio. He does not have a specific reccomendation, but is a distributor for Dobinsons. I have not given them much thought, and wanted to know opininons. I think I would be looking a the Dobinsons IMS. Thanks in advance for your opinions...

 

[John Guedry]

Is the installer good? I have a 16 and live in McAllen, looking to upgrade bumpers and need suspension. Read tough dog is good.

 

[lsc321xx]

I really liked IM CFP’s on my 2016 4Runner Limited, my kit had the performance springs. The ride was on the firm side but not harsh. Going over terrain at higher speed resulted in non secondary motion events, very controlled. Suspension smoothed out slower transitions and washboard surfaces that would rattle it in stock form with XREAS. This was especially true after my son dialed in the required amount of droop in the front.

I currently have IM FCP on order for my 2017 LC, this time I went with the softer rear spring as this will be a light build. My OME UCA’s came in as well as Trail Tailor KDSS relocation spacers. IM America is slow at pulling kits, I placed my order on 9/2/20 and it has not shipped out. I am getting flashbacks from my experiences ordering Australian components in the past, waiting for parts to be unloaded from containers or waiting while boat is still on the water. Worth the wait once received.

Installed picture is from my 4Runner, components are for my 200.

 

[John Guedry]

Cool I too had a 2016 4runner limited basically in a similar color combo as my 16 landcruiser. White w the reddish interior. Are you planning on adding replacement bumpers to the LC? Loved that 4runner got that one new drove it a few years then traded it in on a good deal for a cpo lc and now probably wouldn't be able to go back to a 4runner.

 

[John Guedry]

I've read on trail traitors tough dog flex kits are adjustable and don't require new ucas. Just sold.out on his site.

 

[Rambler1]

Not looking to add replacement bumpers at this time. I am going to keep it "stock" for the most part accept suspension.

 

[ga12r1]

I installed IMFCP back in June and Ive put about 15K miles on them since then. I Spent two weeks in Colorado and 2 weeks in Moab running trails. I also have done some east coast wheeling at Windrock. I run at a fairly fast pace and they have taken everything I've thrown at them. I don't baby my truck. IMO they are hard to beat for the price.

 

[John Guedry]

I installed IMFCP back in June and Ive put about 15K miles on them since then. I Spent two weeks in Colorado and 2 weeks in Moab running trails. I also have done some east coast wheeling at Windrock. I run at a fairly fast pace and they have taken everything I've thrown at them. I don't baby my truck. IMO they are hard to beat for the price.

How do they ride on the pavement? Similar smooth ness to stock? Where were you able to buy them from?

 

[ga12r1]

How do they ride on the pavement? Similar smooth ness to stock? Where were you able to buy them from?

I ordered them direct from Ironman USA and had them in about a week.
They perform well on the Hwy. Definitely more controlled than stock suspension. Stock is too floaty IMO.
I am running an Ironman premium front bumper and a Slee rear. So I’m a tad heavier.
I run 723s in the rear.

 

[John Guedry]

I ordered them direct from Ironman USA and had them in about a week.
They perform well on the Hwy. Definitely more controlled than stock suspension. Stock is too floaty IMO.
I am running an Ironman premium front bumper and a Slee rear. So I’m a tad heavier.
I run 723s in the rear.

How is their front bumper? I was looking at the no bar one. But I know if I get that I would need to compensate the extra weight. Do you have any pics up of your lc?

 

[Rambler1]

Seems like there is plenty of IMFCs with positive feedback anyone running the Dobinsons IMS system?

 

[ga12r1]

How is their front bumper? I was looking at the no bar one. But I know if I get that I would need to compensate the extra weight. Do you have any pics up of your lc?

I really like the bumper. I’ve beat the snot out of it and it’s held up great. Again, I think it’s hard to beat for the price.

 

[John Guedry]

Nice stance and setup. I have a 16 year and have read some people have issues with the front bumpers w flexing and breaking the headlights. You don't have that issue since you had to cut up your bumper. I love that rear slee but couldn't justify that cost for it. And too bad the no cut dobinson rear doesn't come for a 16+.

 

[Trd4rvapeur]

One thing i have learned over the years that separates suspension is the valving them selves. I have searched Iron and Dobin, I have seen more information regarding the valving on dobin than i have iron. For that reason i would have to recommend Dobin. Valving is what separates cheap suspension from high end suspension. If i see a MFG talk more about the valving of the suspension i am already inclined to believe that they have done extensive research on the suspension to match the vehicle.

One important fact to remember about suspension and springs are the preloads. What do i mean by this? If you plan to weigh down the vehicle with extra weight, Front Bumper + Winch, Rear Bumper + Tire Carrier, Interior organizer + Refrigerator, Roof Rack + Roof Top tent. We are looking at around+400Lbs. This will cause the car to drive much differently if you have not already accounted for this added weight. My old 4runner drove like crap when i installed the suspension lift, I expected this because I didn't add the weight that was necessary for it to drive optimal.
Once i added all the weight the car became very comfortable and drove optimally. The suspension kit i had on it was the OME, only reason i went with them was due to the high speed valving that incorporated into the mfg process for the suspension. Not alot of people install ARB, OME kits and were surprised when i did. After driving my car they regretted getting the ICON set up.

 

[John Guedry]

One thing i have learned over the years that separates suspension is the valving them selves. I have searched Iron and Dobin, I have seen more information regarding the valving on dobin than i have iron. For that reason i would have to recommend Dobin. Valving is what separates cheap suspension from high end suspension. If i see a MFG talk more about the valving of the suspension i am already inclined to believe that they have done extensive research on the suspension to match the vehicle.

One important fact to remember about suspension and springs are the preloads. What do i mean by this? If you plan to weigh down the vehicle with extra weight, Front Bumper + Winch, Rear Bumper + Tire Carrier, Interior organizer + Refrigerator, Roof Rack + Roof Top tent. We are looking at around+400Lbs. This will cause the car to drive much differently if you have not already accounted for this added weight. My old 4runner drove like crap when i installed the suspension lift, I expected this because I didn't add the weight that was necessary for it to drive optimal.
Once i added all the weight the car became very comfortable and drove optimally. The suspension kit i had on it was the OME, only reason i went with them was due to the high speed valving that incorporated into the mfg process for the suspension. Not alot of people install ARB, OME kits and were surprised when i did. After driving my car they regretted getting the ICON set up.

Any comparison from dobinson and tough dog? Lokingofr something comfortable on pavement and off road, with proven reliability. Read tough dog flex are adjustable for both and reliable haven't read much on domain.

 

[Rambler1]

One thing i have learned over the years that separates suspension is the valving them selves. I have searched Iron and Dobin, I have seen more information regarding the valving on dobin than i have iron. For that reason i would have to recommend Dobin. Valving is what separates cheap suspension from high end suspension. If i see a MFG talk more about the valving of the suspension i am already inclined to believe that they have done extensive research on the suspension to match the vehicle.

One important fact to remember about suspension and springs are the preloads. What do i mean by this? If you plan to weigh down the vehicle with extra weight, Front Bumper + Winch, Rear Bumper + Tire Carrier, Interior organizer + Refrigerator, Roof Rack + Roof Top tent. We are looking at around+400Lbs. This will cause the car to drive much differently if you have not already accounted for this added weight. My old 4runner drove like crap when i installed the suspension lift, I expected this because I didn't add the weight that was necessary for it to drive optimal.
Once i added all the weight the car became very comfortable and drove optimally. The suspension kit i had on it was the OME, only reason i went with them was due to the high speed valving that incorporated into the mfg process for the suspension. Not alot of people install ARB, OME kits and were surprised when i did. After driving my car they regretted getting the ICON set up.

THanks for your input. I think you hit on the issue I am trying to resolve. I do not plan on adding any upgrades at this time. I want to make sure that I have a comfortable ride without the "extras."

 

[Trd4rvapeur]

Any comparison from dobinson and tough dog? Lokingofr something comfortable on pavement and off road, with proven reliability. Read tough dog flex are adjustable for both and reliable haven't read much on domain.

I haven't drove or had either one. I can only get an impression from the marketing material i see. I don't really see anything regarding valving so i would have to go with Dobin.

The only true way to get a better understanding about the valving is actually calling the MFG and see what they say about it.

 

[ga12r1]

THanks for your input. I think you hit on the issue I am trying to resolve. I do not plan on adding any upgrades at this time. I want to make sure that I have a comfortable ride without the "extras."

What are you trying to achieve with this "upgraded" suspension? If you want the aftermarket suspension to be as comfortable as stock why not keep the stock suspension?

 

[Rambler1]

What are you trying to achieve with this "upgraded" suspension? If you want the aftermarket suspension to be as comfortable as stock why not keep the stock suspension?

Great question.... I do not like the rake. I think it sits low for my liking. I think a 2" lift will be perfect for my needs.

 

[ga12r1]

Great question.... I do not like the rake. I think it sits low for my liking. I think a 2" lift will be perfect for my needs.

Just a though... OEM spacer would take care of rake plus you would retain your comfortable ride.