Dobinsons MRA - 3-way adjustable struts/shocks w/resi - 80 Series

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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.

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 are there for the 80 Series? Here they are (all with 66mm bodies and 22mm shafts):
Front and Rear for 0-3" Lift Heights
MRA59-A683 - Front 0-3" Shocks - 633mm extended, 375mm compressed
MRA59-A682 - Rear 0-3" Shocks - 634mm extended, 400mm compressed

Front and Rear for 4" Lift Heights
MRA45-A912 - Front 4" Shocks - 670mm extended, 395mm compressed
MRA59-A687 - Rear 4" Shocks - 670mm extended, 410mm compressed

Front and Rear for 6" Lift Heights
MRA59-A684 - Front 6" Shocks - 728mm extended, 432mm compressed
MRA59-A685 - Rear 6" Shocks - 710mm extended, 430mm compressed

Front resi mounts to the top of the coil tower. Rear shocks come with a piggyback bracket, securing the resi to the body of the shock.





Dobinsons-MRA-strut-shock.PNG


Dobinsons-MRA-component-list-features.PNG


Dobinsons-MRA-chart-specs.PNG


Dobinsons-MRA-description.PNG
 
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Performance costs money!!
 
If it's tested, how about a picture of the shock actually mounted on an 80 Series?
 
If it's tested, how about a picture of the shock actually mounted on an 80 Series?
Trying to get installed photos from the guy that tested them.

Here's the front resi mount bracket

Screenshot_20200121-114122_Instagram.jpg
 
Never ran Dobinsons stuff but it looks great from all the reviews. Interesting in trying it but the BP51s would be top of mind for anybody cross shopping this setup.

Can you discuss some of the similarities and differences of these shocks to the BP51s? What about general ride characteristics compared to your standard setup?
 
**Product shipping date ETA is March/May 2020 depending on lift height, available to preorder now**

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

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 are there for the 80 Series? Here they are (all with 66mm bodies and 22mm shafts):
Front and Rear for 0-3" Lift Heights
MRA59-A683 - Front 0-3" Shocks - 633mm extended, 375mm compressed
MRA59-A682 - Rear 0-3" Shocks - 634mm extended, 400mm compressed

Front and Rear for 4" Lift Heights
MRA45-A912 - Front 4" Shocks - 670mm extended, 395mm compressed
MRA59-A687 - Rear 4" Shocks - 670mm extended, 410mm compressed

Front and Rear for 6" Lift Heights
MRA59-A684 - Front 6" Shocks -
MRA59-A685 - Rear 6" Shocks - 710mm extended, 430mm compressed

Front resi mounts to the top of the coil tower. Rear shocks come with a piggyback bracket, securing the resi to the body of the shock.

View attachment 2188128

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Are they going to make squishy sounds like the yellow Dobinson shocks I bought just a few months ago did right out of the box?

Because I’m pretty sure shocks shouldn’t do that.
 
Are they going to make squishy sounds like the yellow Dobinson shocks I bought just a few months ago did right out of the box?

Because I’m pretty sure shocks shouldn’t do that.
You mean a hydraulic noise? You'll need to post a video of what you're talking about.

I have these on my 4Runner and you can't hear anything. Monotubes with reservoirs are also much different in operation than twin tubes.
 
Interesting in trying it but the BP51s would be top of mind for anybody cross shopping this setup.

These look to come in longer lengths than the BP-51's do...which are too short for my application. Been waiting for these for a while now! Thanks for the info @crikeymike !
 
These look to come in longer lengths than the BP-51's do...which are too short for my application. Been waiting for these for a while now! Thanks for the info @crikeymike !
Yeah, we have them for 0-3", 4" and 6" lifts, so definitely a good range of options there.
 
Are they going to make squishy sounds like the yellow Dobinson shocks I bought just a few months ago did right out of the box?

Because I’m pretty sure shocks shouldn’t do that.


Most shocks make (should make) squishy noises when being stroked by the weight of the vehicle (ha!). It is the shock oil / gas moving through orifices and flex plates inside the shock body and reservoirs (if equipped).

When you get a chance, give a Polaris RZR or snowmobile, dirt bike, or any other atv / utv a bounce with your body weight - squishy noise it makes - normal. Much more noticeable with high performance and long travel shocks.
 
Most shocks make (should make) squishy noises when being stroked by the weight of the vehicle (ha!). It is the shock oil / gas moving through orifices and flex plates inside the shock body and reservoirs (if equipped).

When you get a chance, give a Polaris RZR or snowmobile, dirt bike, or any other atv / utv a bounce with your body weight - squishy noise it makes - normal. Much more noticeable with high performance and long travel shocks.

Only one shock is making this noise. It doesn’t seem to bother the ride so I haven’t been too concerned by it. I’ve had several shocks on my 80 from various manufacturers and this is the only one which has ever done it right out of the box.
 
Yeah, we have them for 0-3", 4" and 6" lifts, so definitely a good range of options there.

It'd be nice if suspension suppliers would correlate these numbers to actual center hub to wheel well openings (flare/non flare).
 

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