Dobinsons vs Cruiser Outfitters - 4" lift kits

[TRAIL TAILOR]

now we're legalese experts at IH8MUD too? sounds like you're trying to nitpick a casual comment on explaining who makes what.

Just my .02.... If it is a private label it is up to the seller to disclose the mfg of their parts if they wish. I have never seen AutoCraft of Slee disclose who makes their parts. When I first started looking at making my springs I asked who made Slee and AutoCraft springs, I dug deep into Autocraft and even a few key players didn't/wouldn't divulge the maker. I would say because Darren wanted it "PRIVATE"

Never knew until today who made the Slee springs either.

 

[decoco]

Just my .02.... If it is a private label it is up to the seller to disclose the mfg of their parts if they wish. I have never seen AutoCraft of Slee disclose who makes their parts. When I first started looking at making my springs I asked who made Slee and AutoCraft springs, I dug deep into Autocraft and even a few key players didn't/wouldn't divulge the maker. I would say because Darren wanted it "PRIVATE"

Never knew until today who made the Slee springs either.

doesn't monroe make ome shocks?

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

doesn't monroe make ome shocks?

Everyone knows it... Its been out there for years. ARB even stated it somewhere if memory serves me correctly.

 

[decoco]

Everyone knows it... Its been out there for years. ARB even stated it somewhere if memory serves me correctly.

since we're openly discussing who makes what and all... all the secrets will get out

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Yep, the SLEE and Autocraft spring maker was just named above. But until that post, to my and many other peoples knowledge was unknown.

 

[sgpipes]

is there any place to read and understand the diff between the coils... also has any one heard any updates on the bp51 shocks and what are so other good options for shocks... or to learn the pros and cons of shocks and what they are best for. thank you

 

[Fj81]

So as far as lifts go, do the progressive setups just offer a more comfortable ride? Or do they yield different handling characteristics? What is the main benefit?

 

[decoco]

So as far as lifts go, do the progressive setups just offer a more comfortable ride? Or do they yield different handling characteristics? What is the main benefit?

my understanding is that the progressive set ups are a bit of best of both worlds, part of the springs offer softer ride less harsh ride, once you pack on the weight on the vehicle it the weight is handled by the harder part of the spring so you don't loose height, no sagging etc... Like anything there's surely compromises, with the question about the handling, if you're putting on progressives on a 4x4 you're probably not hitting the local autocross track. It's probably best for people who load up the unit for an expedition and then often take that weight off and drive the vehicle in a different manner.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

is there any place to read and understand the diff between the coils... also has any one heard any updates on the bp51 shocks and what are so other good options for shocks... or to learn the pros and cons of shocks and what they are best for. thank you

So as far as lifts go, do the progressive setups just offer a more comfortable ride? Or do they yield different handling characteristics? What is the main benefit?

A quick reference for linear and progressives.

Linear vs progressive rate springs | Automotive Thinker - Discussing the finer points of automobiles

 

[GW Nugget]

Hey Guys,

We make Slee and Autocraft slinky coils, they are private labels for us in Australia. Their coils are made according to the specs they ask for but you can rest assure the same quality you will find in all coils we make under Dobinsons and our private labels. We are bringing in the slinky coils in a couple of months but they are expensive due to the tapering process. We just got in our progressive long travel coils for the 80 series. They can be considered the poor man's slinky coils, but the the slinky coils are the best in design and performance.

They aren't private now.

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

Well this all got interesting.

Yes very interesting..
Sounds like King & Dobson makes most all the coils for the 80 series.

At the end of the day I really don't care who makes what for who. As long as they are of high quality & to the specs of AutoCraft, Slee, OME, TuffDog or who ever.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

So as far as lifts go, do the progressive setups just offer a more comfortable ride? Or do they yield different handling characteristics? What is the main benefit?

my understanding is that the progressive set ups are a bit of best of both worlds, part of the springs offer softer ride less harsh ride, once you pack on the weight on the vehicle it the weight is handled by the harder part of the spring so you don't loose height, no sagging etc... Like anything there's surely compromises, with the question about the handling, if you're putting on progressives on a 4x4 you're probably not hitting the local autocross track. It's probably best for people who load up the unit for an expedition and then often take that weight off and drive the vehicle in a different manner.

My dual rate/ progressives are designed to be comfort and variable load/ constant load combined. A far as dampening/shocks TD and Trail Tailor offer many shock types/set ups (Up to 7 offerings) pending use of the rig and driving habits. This will be different for each person.

My springs are different than @AutoCrafts and his are different than Slee. While a similar concept, each has its different aspects and needs to enhance them.

J

 

[baldilocks]

I clearly remember off-roaders enjoying themselves years ago before so much free knowledge was available.

Back when I was new to this addiction a set of 4" leafs by rancho, 33's, and a rear Detroit locker was the cat's meow. It's what was available and ignorance was blissful because we had more trail time and a lot less shop time and zero internet time. It seems like, as a community, off-roaders are becoming less and less willing to accept compromises and more and more interested in arguing about what's best out of the many choices we have today. Web wheeling and theorizing is a pastime born of what started out as a passion that combined the love of tire treads gripping terra firma and the great outdoors.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that the 80 series crowd is seeing more choices, but let's not get all up in arms and split hairs over a damn spring.

 

[half k cruiser]

this is getting awesome !

 

[Sharky1528]

Well one thing is for sure.... There is a lot of info that has come to light in this thread !! And at the end of the day a little competition is always good for Us consumers !!!

 

[MillironFZJ80]

I clearly remember off-roaders enjoying themselves years ago before so much free knowledge was available.

Back when I was new to this addiction a set of 4" leafs by rancho, 33's, and a rear Detroit locker was the cat's meow. It's what was available and ignorance was blissful because we had more trail time and a lot less shop time and zero internet time. It seems like, as a community, off-roaders are becoming less and less willing to accept compromises and more and more interested in arguing about what's best out of the many choices we have today. Web wheeling and theorizing is a pastime born of what started out as a passion that combined the love of tire treads gripping terra firma and the great outdoors.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that the 80 series crowd is seeing more choices, but let's not get all up in arms and split hairs over a damn spring.

Couldn't have said it better... I actually found some old Australian 4WD forums ... I think I remember seeing Shane(??)from (SuspensionStuff) actually quote that Dobinsons was manufacturing the springs for "X" companies... I love Dobinsons products and I'll continue to use them... People need to move on and get over getting their feelings hurt cause they had an " Ah Ha!" moment.

 

[chap79]

Not exact spring rate info but an idea

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.

 

[Mdej3]

Mmmm... This have turned interesting.. and kinda sad also..

Is just sad seeing a vendor trying to throw dirt at another one for selling something "similar".

Is not the first time it happends, and is one of the reasons mud have become a little bit more public.

Again, everybody to their own; i have personally tried King, OME, Tough dog and Dobinson. By far bodinson springs have been the one more suitable for my needs. OME steering damper is my favorite one and Fox shocks on 4 corners. After trying all kind of combinations, this one have been my favorite.

 

[Mdej3]

And yes.. This thread have been really informative lol

 

[AutoCraft Aus]

For the record, it hasnt been a secret, and not all our coils come from one manufacturer either, so you cant just say 'made by x"

Dobinsons also made all the flexycoils as a design that didnt work for suspensionstuff, which became a huge disaster, as they sold them one of the designs we rejected at the time, because of the issues, knowing it wasnt ok. They ended up going to Kings to have a design that worked made, to try and improve their quality, because the spec they went with wasnt as ours is.

The coils Mr Dobinsons here has referred to wont be either, so he has spoken inapropriately, and the manufacturer has been contacted to get this sorted and ensure this type of inappropriate coat tail riding wont happen again. As one has said on page 1 , something is off. Tis isnt how good people do business.

It would seem very unfortunate, and bad business on behalf of a new company to come out and proclaim it has everything made by everyone else, when we spent 18 months and up to 14 designs to perfect something, and then see poor copies of old designs be promoted by someone who obviously thinks he can ride on others coat tails by posting misinformation that is generalised, to attempt to gain business.

King also make OME coils, but like every contract company, they make your design for you, and that is YOUR design. Not anyone elses.

Its the process of manufacturer, and the reason we had to up our manufacture spec, because the normal green coils werent made to a spec suitable for us, that we had our own commissioned, and I am sure Slee was the same thing, like OME do with Kings. Far less failures this way I have found, than using straight green coils in normal applications.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Mmmm... This have turned interesting.. and kinda sad also..

Is just sad seeing a vendor trying to throw dirt at another one for selling something "similar".

Is not the first time it happends, and is one of the reasons mud have become a little bit more public.

Again, everybody to their own; i have personally tried King, OME, Tough dog and Dobinson. By far bodinson springs have been the one more suitable for my needs. OME steering damper is my favorite one and Fox shocks on 4 corners. After trying all kind of combinations, this one have been my favorite.

Similar? The way I read it, he is bringing in the spring that is private labeled to AutoCraft and going to sell it along with an additional "poor man's slinky coil".

As far as throwing dirt... fine by me if that's your take. But, if it were another company(s) in a different situation I would still stand up and question it again.