Dobinsons MRA - 3-way adjustable struts/shocks w/resi - 4th Gen 4Runner & GX470 (1 Viewer)

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crikeymike

ExitOffroad.com - Dobinsons Specialist
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The time has come everyone, time to list the features and details of the long awaited Dobinsons MRA.

**Reminder, Dobinsons coils for 4Runners and GX470's are offered in teal, red, or black, so you can choose that when buying

Now first up, are they called MRR, MRA, or what?
Well here's the thing - Dobinsons MRR's have been sold out of Australia for many years now, and they have been going thru a constant evolution of upgrades. First they had no valving adjustment at all, and the standard MRR's still do not but they are being phased out, which is also why they weren't ever fully stocked in the USA. So the new 3-way adjustable versions have been nicknamed "MRA" in part numbering for "MRR Adjustable" essentially and so that it's easy to keep track of. So you can call them MRR Adjustable, MRA's, or whatever you like, but for ease of keeping a separation between the regular MRR's and the new adjustable ones, I'll call them MRA's.

3-Way Adjustable - what does that mean?
First, on the external reservoir, it has high speed and low speed compression adjustability. 10 High Speed Compression Adjustments and 20 Low Speed Compression Adjustments.

On struts, the rebound is adjusted at the very top of the strut, via a shaft that goes all the way down inside the strut thru the piston rod. This is done by hand, turning a small knob. On the shocks, the rebound is adjusted at the base of the shock, via a shaft that goes up thru the piston rod. 15 Rebound adjustments. This is done with a small adjuster tool that's basically like a flat head screw driver to reach into the shallow recess to adjust them.

On the reservoir, the high and low speed compression can be adjusted by hand, however the "all-in-one adjuster tool" that comes with the shocks and struts has cut outs to adjust them too if it's hard to reach inside there.

Also, all MRA front struts have a fully threaded body for height adjustment. This isn't included as part of the "3-way" method, but a standard feature of the monotube lineup that Dobinsons has.

More from the engineers:

Built on the Back of the Race Winning Monotube Remote Reservoir (MRR) Shock Absorbers, Dobinsons new range of MRR Adjustable Shock Absorbers combine the best in high performance race-bred Monotube Technology, with an all new 3-way dampening adjustment system to turn your 4×4 into the ultimate off-road machine. Each component of the MRR Shock Absorber has been refined and improved to offer a higher level of ride quality, vehicle control and shock absorber performance.

The new 6063 honed Aluminum reservoir, revised light-weight floating piston, Carbon Fiber / PTFE / Disulphide composite wear band, improved 3 stage sealing system, and the ability to run lower gas pressure with the addition of the reservoir compression adjuster; have combined to provide massive reductions in shock absorber friction, resulting in an improved vehicle ride and dampening performance. The revised sealing design now provides a 3 stage FKM-HNBR shaft seal system that, when combined with the reduced operating frictions, provides a vastly increased service life with reduced wear.

The Micro Polished, Hard Chromed and Heat Treated shock shaft, revised CNC aluminum high flow race piston, and DOM seamless tubing body provides the ultimate in performance and off-road durability. The 3 Way adjustment design reduces the main piston working load, distributing heat more evenly between the main piston and the reservoir piston for reduced operating temperatures, and allows quick and easy damping changes for the ultimate in shock tunability in varying terrain and vehicle loads, to keep you controlled and comfortable.


Attached is the component sheet showing the main features of the MRA's, however here are some quick main points I want to pull out of there.
  • 3mm DOM (steel) thick main body
  • 6061 Aluminum spring seat and reservoir
  • Fully rebuildable design (No set rebuild mileage or timeframe!!)
  • Uses existing range of Dobinsons coils and top mounts
  • Direct bolt on design, no vehicle mods required for strut and shock fitment
  • Maintains rubber lower and upper bushings for maximum NVH dampening

So what options will be offered for 4th Gen 4Runners. To start, it will be these:
MRA59-A221 - For 0-2.5" Front lift
MRA59-A220 - For 2-3.5" Front lift - longer travel
MRA59-A701 - For 0-3" Rear
MRA59-A575 - For 3-3.5" Rear - long travel. ETA is April/May

As far as resi mounts, the struts come with universal resi mounts. The rear shocks do come with bolt on resi brackets, but have yet to be tested on a US spec 4th Gen. They do suit a Lexus GX470 and FJ Cruiser without any problems, and that's the same frame, so we're not expecting an issue. Just be aware - it's best to have a professional with the correct tools on hand to mount reservoir suspension. Drilling, trimming, adding nutserts, and hose routing all need to be taken into consideration for proper resi fitment.



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Dobinsons-MRA-component-list-features.PNG


Dobinsons-MRA-chart-specs.PNG


Dobinsons-MRA-description.PNG
 
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Photos from the install on my 2014 4Runner w/KDSS. Install will be pretty much the same on a GX470 or 4th Gen 4Runner

MRA59-A700-exit-offroad-a.jpg


MRA59-A700-exit-offroad-b.jpg


MRA59-A701-exit-offroad-c.jpg


MRA59-A701-exit-offroad-b.jpg


MRA59-A701-exit-offroad-a.jpg
 
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So why I cannot run mid travel with KDSS? I understand KDSS would limit articulation but when I jumping or beached the extra extension would still help.

I understand the panhard would hit the swaybar and potentially need custom panhard to avoid the contact.
 
So why I cannot run mid travel with KDSS? I understand KDSS would limit articulation but when I jumping or beached the extra extension would still help.

I understand the panhard would hit the swaybar and potentially need custom panhard to avoid the contact.
For the rear, you can run the 701s, but you can't run the 575 long travels. Your piston would crap out, not to mention all the interference problems you would have. If you want real rear long travel, you would have to switch to a standard sway bar or run none at all.

There's no problem running the 701s in the rear with Kdss
 
Thanks for the info @crikeymike . I just read somewhere else that any longer rear shock than 25.5" would pull the KDSS cylinder apart.

What about the front? Can I run 220 with KDSS?
How much extra travel is the front extended travel?
 
Yes you can run those 220s. They're about 15mm longer in stroke so they give about 1" or just over in extra front wheel travel
 
Stock update: These have just arrived today, so any pending orders will ship out today or tomorrow.

MRA59-A220 - For 2-3.5" Front lift - longer travel
MRA59-A701 - For 0-3" Rear
 

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