Dobinsons vs Cruiser Outfitters - 4" lift kits

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And I agree with you, he is mistaken that he thinks what he will have access to is private designs, it will most likely be the failing flexycoils he is referring to in the green ....

Not unlike the Frankies versions that had a similar design flaw and failed some time ago.

Still very poor form on his behalf to try and link himself to other well respected products already private labelled from the R&D process and manufacturing process that seperates them and improves them over what he would be selling, while representing a brand from Australia that has many good customers this guy has just tarnished.
 
TRAIL TAILOR said:
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.
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Well i don't know how you read stuff or how you learned how to do it.

The way i understanded the "poor man slinky" was something "close" for "less money", and EVERYBODY is doing this kinda desing, you know why? Is called progression. Somebody makes a step futher, and closelly a lot of people (or companies) start to follow the same steps

Probably even worst about you doing or cloning the "INTI" roof rack.

Is just a double face along the way.

Meehh... We just have to get used to people like this.
 
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BreakerMark said:
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.
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Fwiw we (Cruiser Outfitters) stock the sway bar components (we stock Slee) and any needed brake line extensions, etc. All of the kits shown on our website are starting points ie we will still go through a full build sheet on your vehicle (past, current, future plans, etc) and nail down the exact components to use. With Old Man Emu alone we have ~10 front coil options and ~12 rear coil options so it's really about hearing out your loads, uses and needs and finding the right combination. On a personal level I've driven around the world on Old Man Emu equipped Land Cruisers and have spent time in their facility (and visited Dobinson too fwiw) and am 100% comfortable setting up a Cruiser for just about any use. We've equipped 80's with OME to run in the Baja1000 (BostonMangler), drive to the tip of South America (dmc) and every use in between. There are a bunch of great options on the market these days and more and more are trickling into the US as the dollar stays strong and the market demand here high, will they be around in X years when you need to warranty a shock (any and every brand has failures) or replace a bushing? Will they have stock ready to ship if you find yourself in need of a quick replacement or repair. OME was chosen for the Expeditions7 fleet as it was a given that anywhere in the world we could get their components in a matter of days if/when there was a failure (there were zero in seven continents). I can stand behind that!

My 2 cents :D
 
Mdej3 said:
Well i don't know how you read stuff or how you learned how to do it.

The way i understanded the "poor man slinky" was something "close" for "less money", and EVERYBODY is doing this kinda desing, you know why? Is called progression. Somebody makes a step futher, and closelly a lot of people (or companies) start to follow the same steps

Probably even worst about you doing or cloning the "INTI" roof rack.

Is just a double face aling the way.

Meehh... We just have to get used to people like this.
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Yep I made a handful of the Inti clones when they were NOT available or being imported by anyone. Since there is someone bringing them in now, I refer to that seller when asked.

I read it correctly, he's speaking of two springs.... if not, how can he be bringing in a design in a couple of months and then just received a design?

"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."
 
Mdej3 said:
Well i don't know how you read stuff or how you learned how to do it.

The way i understanded the "poor man slinky" was something "close" for "less money", and EVERYBODY is doing this kinda desing, you know why? Is called progression. Somebody makes a step futher, and closelly a lot of people (or companies) start to follow the same steps

Probably even worst about you doing or cloning the "INTI" roof rack.

Is just a double face along the way.

Meehh... We just have to get used to people like this.
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Since you are such an English connoisseur, the word is understood, not understanded.....
 
To the OP, A big thing for me is buying something off the shelf or that is actually in stock, so you don't have to wait a terribly long time to get your product. I also like doing business with shops that have enough $$$ to keep stock on hand if I can. Just a personal preferrence I guess. i feel its important, especially on larger purchases. I don't like to float someone money for any period of time if I can avoid it...
 
Well guys, this is more pathetic than before, you children work your s*** out. And take this finger pointing off the forum.

Until then I'm buying Toyota stuff from the dealership or onur. I'll Ride stock and not ask about provenance.
 
Using a vendor with the knowledge and experience with what ever product they offer is just as, or more important, than the product itself. People like Kurt and Christo are both excellent examples of people who will take the time to discuss your needs and then set you up with the right springs/shocks or whatever. There are others out there too. I just use both of them as examples as they are who I call personally when I need something. As well as Onur.

So my advice to the OP would be to pick a vendor with that kind of customer service and go from there.

For the record Slee 4" springs and remote shocks are real nice on my heavy arse 80.
 
that kind of customer service and go from there.

I have not had a lot of exp. with a lot of vendors dealing with my LC.... but I can say I am very loyal when I get good to great customer service... and I respect folks 1000% more if they direct me in a different direction that fits my needs better... saying something like well if you dont buy from me and are using this guy... you are doing ok... they do good work either way you are set... those are the people I recommend to everyone... when it comes down to it... the strongest advertising is word of mouth... there are two kinds... bad and good... bad spreads like wild fire... good moves like a glacier slow steady but solid (no global warming joke please you get the idea)
 
screenshot before the authorities come in and delete all this info!
 
TRAIL TAILOR said:
Since you are such an English connoisseur, the word is understood, not understanded.....
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I'm not an English "connoisseur", and really don't need to be. Is not even my primary or second language. But thank you for the explanation.
If you need help with the other 5 languages i speak, just let me know. But regarding you copying designs all over, i'm pretty sure you have all the help you need.


Coming back to the thread, i agree about going with the best costumer service, you really can't go wrong with any option, is a matter of personal preference. @BreakerMark asked about opinions on who have used both. I did used OME and currently running Dobinsons.. The best that you can do is knowing for what you are gonna use it and how heavy you will be.

From there, make your decision.

Thank you and sorry if my opinion took the thread somewhere else.
 
BreakerMark said:
The main use of my 80 is a DD and camping/off roading vehicle. End game would be some easy-moderate overlanding. After the lift, I'm moving towards sliders, bullbar & winch, tire swing out and roofrack
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4" is definitely not needed for those purposes. Get the standard OME 2.5 inch lift springs, matching shocks and the caster correction bushings and you're done. In my last 80 I went with heavy springs up front and mediums in the back and it sat nice and level. Since you're in Atlanta you should check out ACC and see if they can set you up right in person (assuming you're not doing the install yourself). Then get a set of good 285 series AT tires like the Goodyear Duratracs and you're setup for years of worry-free miles.
 
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My (short but great) experience in working with @crikeymike about what I wanted for my 80 has been nothing short of exceptional. He has offered great customer service and look forward to continue doing business with Dobinsons. I'm purchasing a 2" Progressive Kit from them.

My 80 is my DD/Trail-er.
 
iptman said:
4" is definitely not needed for those purposes.
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Unless the OP have some tire size target in mind .. or an specific height / lift .. coz even the same vehicle ( 80 series ) we all have can be pretty different from owner to owner, from preferences to preferences ..
 
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