Dobinsons vs Cruiser Outfitters - 4" lift kits

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BreakerMark

BreakerMark

Joined
Oct 19, 2016
Threads
5
Messages
45
Location
Atlanta, GA
Hey MUD, I'm looking to install a 4" lift sometime in the next year. While doing some research, I ran across these two front runners in the 4" lift category.

Dobinsons: Dobinsons 80 Series 4" Heavy Suspension Kit
Cruiser Outfitters: Cruiser Outfitters

The Dobinson kit is a little pricier, but has additional components (sway bars and rear brake adjuster). It has been said that both need some additional purchases(front drive shaft, extended brake line).

Anyone have opinions on each lift kit? maybe someone who ran one/both of the kits at some point.
 
I know Cruiser Outfitters is a wonderful vendor and quality is awesome.
But having DOBINSONS extra heavy duty 4" Springs i can only talk wonders about them.. Is incredibly well made, panhard bars are beefier than OME and Springs are a dream to drive and look.
They recently opened a store in Florida..
Definitely a improvement from OME all day long..
 
Mdej3 said:
Forgot to say, i used OME J Springs before my Dobinsons set.. Again, great improvement.
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Any driveline vibrations at 4" with their caster correction?
 
What was the noticeable difference? I have ome j's and they are nicely worn in and soft ride.
Mdej3 said:
Forgot to say, i used OME J Springs before my Dobinsons set.. Again, great improvement.
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NLXTACY said:
Are you limiting to just those two?
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Those are the two that stuck out the most to me, and I have heard nothing but good things about either. Is there another brand that you'd recommend? A link to the kit/parts list would be appreciated
 
Slee off-road sells a springs that are made for them. I have them in 4" HD and love them. They are definitely a cut above OME.
 
1. with that much caster correction from plates .. keep and eye on your tie rod.

2. take a moment to read about shocks ..

3. take a moment to evaluate your front and rear overall constant weight and choose coils accordingly ..
 
BreakerMark said:
Those are the two that stuck out the most to me, and I have heard nothing but good things about either. Is there another brand that you'd recommend? A link to the kit/parts list would be appreciated
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I know its difficult to wait, but it you hold off there are several new suspension options coming to the US market. The Icon's are currently being tested by a few members. Trail Tailor is bringing two different brands of dual rate coils and adjustable shocks. The slinky coils may finally be available.

The point is the options you mentioned will still be around, but the market is about to grow significantly. If it were me I would try and hold off doing other stuff like preventative maintenance and what not.
 
b16 said:
Any driveline vibrations at 4" with their caster correction?
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Not really. Can't really tell from scratch because i put a Double U joint DS two weeks after.. But those two weeks the ride was great even at 80mph.. The DS just made it smoother..

scrowley said:
What was the noticeable difference? I have ome j's and they are nicely worn in and soft ride.
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First they don't hold on weight that good.. Had to use spacers to level front and back.. With armor and expedition gear the truck dances side to side (not that bad, but still..) and off roading i like the feel better in the Dobinson..

Don't get me wrong, i loved my J'S, they would still be my second choise.

baldilocks said:
Slee off-road sells a springs that are made for them. I have them in 4" HD and love them. They are definitely a cut above OME.
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x2
 
BreakerMark,
I'm in the same boat as you... looking for a lift in the next 9 to 12 months after I Baseline my 80. I Have spent A LOT of time on Mud using the search in regards to Lifts and I think half k cruiser is right !! with all the NEW and not so NEW vendors offering dual rate coils and adjustable shocks now or in the next few months I think that side of the market should grow and with that said I hope we have some really Great Options when it comes to Lift Kits !!

I think the day of OME being the go to Lift Option for 80's may be on its way out once we start getting feedback on the dual rate coils.
 
Hey Guys,

Thank you for your interest in Dobinsons. We make so many different coils for the 80 series and probably more than any other brand out there. We currently have 28 different part numbers just for the 80 series.

Here is a link to a short clip of the factory making springs.

 
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So, am I understanding this correctly? You build the private label "Slinky" springs for Darren @AutoCraft Aus and now you will be selling it direct even though its his private label and Redline @RLMS is pushing it for Darren and himself?

Sounds like a conflict?

@Box Rocket has been a great middle man for Justin and this seems off to me.

J
 
David Otero said:
Yes, Dobinson makes coils for different brands in Australia and Autocraft is one of them. The nick name "slinky" will not be used by us, as it's a name created by Autocraft. The only reason why i referenced it, is so everyone understands what coils i'm referring to. Autocraft coils are in a silver finish and ours are in a teal finish. I wouldn't say us offering tapered 80 series coils to the US market is causing a conflict of interest. On the other hand, King springs in Australia makes OME and Toughdog, which you are distributing i suppose. Would you not sell Toughdog because it's one of Kings private labels in Australia ?
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All my literature and even Tough Dog disclose their springs are made by King, even my TourFlex spring.

So, your spring will be "Slinkie" not "Slinky" so that makes them different, right? I can tell you that my TourFlex springs are made through Tough Dog by King and I have a private label/exclusive naming. If Tough Dog brought that spring over to the US and called it "TurFlex" I'd drop their ass in a heartbeat.

But, I have no doubt that you will rename it accordingly and reference it to all your people to resell it and "privately" disclose it as the "same as the AutoCraft SLINKY"

Just saying...

J
 
TRAIL TAILOR said:
All my literature and even Tough Dog disclose their springs are made by King, even my TourFlex spring.

So, your spring will be "Slinkie" not "Slinky" so that makes them different, right? I can tell you that my TourFlex springs are made through Tough Dog by King and I have a private label/exclusive naming. If Tough Dog brought that spring over to the US and called it "TurFlex" I'd drop their ass in a heartbeat.

But, I have no doubt that you will rename it accordingly and reference it to all your people to resell it and "privately" disclose it as the "same as the AutoCraft SLINKY"

Just saying...

J
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now we're legalese experts at IH8MUD too? sounds like you're trying to nitpick a casual comment on explaining who makes what.
 
In this thread I learned that my Slee springs we made by Dobinson, which is more info than Slee is willing to give. Now, maybe a quick call to Dobinson's and I will know particulars like spring rate, which seems to be classified information.
 
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