Dobinson’s IMS? (1 Viewer)

[CO18Cruiser]

Haven’t seen any updates for a while. 2018 Cruiser, shocks are leaking bit. Thinking about upgrading to Dobinson’s IMS F/R (stock height), Springs and lifting later when the wife signs off on my otb request (most of which will go to Filip @ Dissent) .

How have they been performing for folks that have them installed? Reliable? Doesn’t seems to be a ton of LC200 folks w them vs Tacos, Tundras, 4Runners, etc..

Also looking at Fox 2.0 and Bilstein 6112/5160 (though prefer larger diameter shock for rear than 5160).

 

[cryan]

I have them. Installed last fall. Not a ton of miles but pretty satisfied. I did install the C59-540 (1.4") front with C59-559V (1.5") rear and ended up with a lot more lift in the rear than the front. I'm currently installing a TJM front bumper and going to swap front springs for C59-542 (2") front coils to see if it levels things out.

 

[chriscosta416]

Personally I would go with a Fox or King that is able to rebuilt and re-valved. Get axle weights of your vehicle and then get them tuned to the weight.

Bilstein also makes nice high end shocks like the 6 series.

Filthy Motorsports (while biased on King) does a great job explaining shock technology and marketing gimmics.

 

[BVE]

I have the same Dobinson’s kit installed that was mentioned above. Only had it a few weeks but I love it it so far. It’s slightly more firm than stock but the body roll is almost nonexistent and zero squat when accelerating. Still feels smooth on the highway too. They are fully re-buildable and re-valvable so I think the gentleman above is conflating the IMS with the lower-end monotube Dobsinson’s kit.

Going out east to the desert soon and will happily update my thoughts off-road compared to stock.

 

[CO18Cruiser]

I have them. Installed last fall. Not a ton of miles but pretty satisfied. I did install the C59-540 (1.4") front with C59-559V (1.5") rear and ended up with a lot more lift in the rear than the front. I'm currently installing a TJM front bumper and going to swap front springs for C59-542 (2") front coils to see if it levels things out.

@cryan Hows’s the ride quality? Improved? Roll/dive?

I think res shocks are probably overkill. Down the line I’ll probably end up with a 1.5-2“ lift. My use case is maybe 85-90% road (some fire road, washboard and rutted ice/hard pack snow depending on season) and 10-15% off-road to fly fishing spots and hiking/mtn bike trailheads.

Fortunately when I get the otb request approved, Dissents stuff is light enough I don’t need to go crazy on springs with the net net added weight. If I have the IMS, just need to add new springs.

Thx for the link @chriscosta416. Will check it out.

Thx @BVE

 

[chriscosta416]

I have the same Dobinson’s kit installed that was mentioned above. Only had it a few weeks but I love it it so far. It’s slightly more firm than stock but the body roll is almost nonexistent and zero squat when accelerating. Still feels smooth on the highway too. They are fully re-buildable and re-valvable so I think the gentleman above is conflating the IMS with the lower-end monotube Dobsinson’s kit.

Going out east to the desert soon and will happily update my thoughts off-road compared to stock.

View attachment 2966889

I took another look and yes you are right you can re-valve them.

Yes I forgot that they just recently started selling rebuild kits for them.

I still personally would go with Fox or King if money isn’t an issue.

 

[BVE]

@cryan Hows’s the ride quality? Improved? Roll/dive?

I think res shocks are probably overkill. Down the line I’ll probably end up with a 1.5-2“ lift. My use case is maybe 85-90% road (some fire road, washboard and rutted ice/hard pack snow depending on season) and 10-15% off-road to fly fishing spots and hiking/mtn bike trailheads.

Fortunately when I get the otb request approved, Dissents stuff is light enough I don’t need to go crazy on springs with the net net added weight. If I have the IMS, just need to add new springs.

Thx for the link @chriscosta416. Will check it out.

Thx @BVE

Happy to help. I felt the same way about Kings, I couldn‘t justify them as I don’t off-road enough. My goals going in:

• Change out my tired OEM shocks with 130k on them
• Gain around 2” or less in lift
• Compromise the comfort as little as possible.

I feel like I got everything I wanted and have been pleasantly surprised so far, no regrets. I did put OME UCAs on with mine because you always get more than advertised and sure enough I did as well. I added a pic above that shows I basically have that factory rake, just a little higher.

 

[CO18Cruiser]

Happy to help. I felt the same way about Kings, I couldn‘t justify them as I don’t off-road enough. My goals going in:

• Change out my tired OEM shocks with 130k on them
• Gain around 2” or less in lift
• Compromise the comfort as little as possible.

I feel like I got everything I wanted and have been pleasantly surprised so far, no regrets. I did put OME UCAs on with mine because you always get more than advertised and sure enough I did as well. I added a pic above that shows I basically have that factory rake, just a little higher.

Def same. Better handling is a plus coming back to Denver on I70 from the mountains.

IIRC the C59-538 springs give a 1” lift up front and C59-543 rear springs are OE height, so the rake will be less exaggerated than stock with the rear being .75-1” higher

The Kings are sexy but I also find it difficult to justify the expense because they may never be used to the extreme they're designed for.

 

[stevopike]

they are relatively new to 200's but have seen the Westcott lift collars that utilize the stock suspension.

maybe a fresh set of stock components with the collars may work.

 

[cr8r]

I also have the IMS kit with the 2" springs and got a bit more than the advertised 2" as well. So far, they are a marked improvement over stock on and off road and I highly recommend them. I agree that for something that's robust and much more reasonably priced than the ballin King or Fox setup, the IMS shouldn't be skipped over. It would likely satisfy the vast majority of 200 series owners if your not hung up on the baja race look/branding.

I'm a big proponent of spec'ing the vehicle for its 90% use case and I, and likely alot of others, don't need a big setup like Fox DSC or Kings to enjoy their trucks.

 

[CO18Cruiser]

Thx for the info all. Ordered the IMS F/R and C59-538/C59-543 springs from Mike at Exit. Will probably go similar lift as @cr8r @BVE @cryan once da missus approves the lights, armor and lift project. May toss on Dobinsons UCAs too depending. Like the look of those.

 

[crikeymike]

Thanks @CO18Cruiser for the order!!

For those interested that find this thread in the future, the IMS are rebuildable, but there is no specific rebuild cycle unlike a lot of other brands offered in the USA. Here's a video I made of my recent trip to Dobinsons HQ in Australia.

 

[CO18Cruiser]

120lb box of springs and shocks arrived today. Fronts are capped and height set up for an easy install.

Will report back once it has settled/broken in after install.

 

[JKite]

Looking forward to seeing your ride heights and feedback on ride once installed. Keep us posted!

 

[CO18Cruiser]

Installed. Will post pics later. Similar ride quality impressions as everyone else… definitely less body roll, acceleration squat and brake dive. The ride seems a tad firmer yet more compliant/less jarring with bumps which seems counterintuitive. Ride quality improvements make it a worthwhile upgrade alone.

I didn’t need to do more Atlas stone training to get the shipping box with OE stuff in the back after the install. My guess the Dobinson struts and coils are a good 50+% heavier than OE. Testament to their where’s the beef beefiness.

I’ve got a bit of lean which will hopefully sort out. Opened/closed KDSS valves a couple times on lift and also put a 3” block under the left rear wheel, opened the valves, rode up on it and closed it.

Having the tech doublecheck to be sure springs on correct sides as passenger side are higher/taller than driver. Sounds like it’ll take a month/500 miles for everything to fully settle.

@cr8r @BVE @cryan can you do me a favor and measure center hub to wheel well if you get a chance? Curious where you landed.

 

[cryan]

Installed. Will post pics later. Similar ride quality impressions as everyone else… definitely less body roll, acceleration squat and brake dive. The ride seems a tad firmer yet more compliant/less jarring with bumps which seems counterintuitive. Ride quality improvements make it a worthwhile upgrade alone.

I’ve got a bit of lean which will hopefully sort out. Lexus tech buddy didn’t open the KDSS so we had to do it after the fact and also put a block under the left rear wheel, opened the valves, rode up on it and closed.

Measuring center of hub to wheel well I’m at 21” front and 23” rear. So despite the 1” lift in front I think it’s still factory rake unless Dobinsons shipped the front shock with rear springs installed lol.

@cr8r @BVE @cryan can you do me a favor and measure center hub to wheel well if you get a chance? Or do you happen to know what factory is or did you measure before your lift?

I havent measured anything really...but I'll get some current measurements for you. I got the C59-542 (2") springs and SPC UCAs installed over the weekend and just dropped it off this morning for alignment. Should get it back tomorrow and be able to report back

 

[CO18Cruiser]

So rear springs swapped. Guess a junior tech was helping with the unboxing and pulled the L/R stickers off the springs. Got them on the wrong sides initially. Funnily the same junior tech has Dobinsons on his 4 runner lol.

Swapped, looking level and liking the ride. I’ll post an update after 500 miles on ride height.

Thx to @crikeymike for the assist!

 

[MTNLIVIN]

Has anyone with Dobinsons IMS installed off-road with them yet? thoughts on their performance off-road?

 

[1MAC]

Bumping this thread for more input. I've got Ironman FCP on my 200 that are 5 years old and I have added bumpers, winch and sliders since I put them on. The ride has always been a little harsh for me while at the same time I've lost height due to settling.

 

[smoothcruiser]

I'm also interested. 90K on stock suspension and noticing nose dive at braking. This 2014 will be riding long range bumpy gravel roads and highways to get to them, not so much rock crawling, looking for mild lift, will add a steel bumper down the road. Considering the Dobinsons IMS & MRR, fox, king, bilsteins, radflo trying to decide if I "need" reservoirs. I would probably go with Tough Dogs but they seem unobtainium these days. (?) I put TDs on my 80 and liked them.