Dobinsons vs. Icon lift recommendations and why

[Box Rocket]

I've looked around as well trying to find some information and thought i had found what I was wanting in icon but then dobinsons came around. Now I'm more confused than before. All I know is that i want dual rate and OME don't really fit what I'd like for my rig. Maybe I'll just need to wait a little longer before I pull the trigger. Thanks!

If you're looking for dual rate, check out the Slinky kits from Redline. Similar in some ways to the Icon kits, but different. The dual rate Slinky coils are built to different specs with a slightly different process. Reports from Aus show no sagging after a few years of use (they should go even longer without sagging. The Slinky's have different rates and lift heights available. From what I understand the Icons are best suited for a lighter rig and have a lighter spring rate. If you have a heavy truck with bumpers/armor/winch/rack/interior gear etc you'd be better off with heavy rate Slinkys, although there is an intermediate available too. The Slinky kits use Icon shocks, but they are custom built and valved differently than the ones directly from Icon. Stage 1 uses a 2.0 IFP shock, Stage 2-4 use a 2.5 reservoir shock with the stage 4's also having CDC adjustability for compression/rebound.

I can't speak to the Icon kits from firsthand experience but all I've heard is that they're better suited for a lighter rig.

I do have firsthand experience with the Slinky kits. I have a stage 1 with 75mm heavies. Night and day difference from the OME stuff I replaced, especially for faster speeds over rough terrain. I've ridden in a bunch of different 80s with all kinds of suspension and I've had 2 of my own with different OME setups. The Slinkys are by far the best performance suspension I've experienced in an 80 (for bolt on kits).

Like some others have said, Dobinsons are relatively fresh here in the US, but I've heard very mixed feedback about them. I always like to hear more feedback on different setups so if anyone has any to share, I'm interested. I don't want to slam anyone, but from a number of things I've heard, Dobinsons would not be in my top 3 picks for suspensions on my 80.

 

[Box Rocket]

Here's a bit of height comparison of my current 80. First pic is with OME J springs (3-3.5") with 2" coil spacers, OME L shocks. So roughly 5.5" of lift on 35's. Looked good and wasn't terrible in the dirt and went were I wanted.


This pic is after I pulled the OME stuff and installed the stage 1 Slinkys 3.5" with the heavy rate coils, 2.0 shocks, NO MORE COIL SPACER. So I lost about 2" of ride height but gained almost 6" of suspension travel. The decreased ride height made the truck much more stable. As I mentioned in my last post, the performance was a massive change with the Slinkys over the OME. This picture is an empty truck inside.


My truck is on the heavy side with bumpers/winch/rack/fridge/CO2/other gear and often a RTT and pulling a trailer. It handles the loads very well with almost no sag even fully loaded. My speeds in the dirt are easily 40-50% faster with the Slinkys.

fully loaded


They flex pretty well too.

 

[LX450JC]

Here's a bit of height comparison of my current 80. First pic is with OME J springs (3-3.5") with 2" coil spacers, OME L shocks. So roughly 5.5" of lift on 35's. Looked good and wasn't terrible in the dirt and went were I wanted.


This pic is after I pulled the OME stuff and installed the stage 1 Slinkys 3.5" with the heavy rate coils, 2.0 shocks, NO MORE COIL SPACER. So I lost about 2" of ride height but gained almost 6" of suspension travel. The decreased ride height made the truck much more stable. As I mentioned in my last post, the performance was a massive change with the Slinkys over the OME. This picture is an empty truck inside.


My truck is on the heavy side with bumpers/winch/rack/fridge/CO2/other gear and often a RTT and pulling a trailer. It handles the loads very well with almost no sag even fully loaded. My speeds in the dirt are easily 40-50% faster with the Slinkys.

fully loaded


They flex pretty well too.

This is great feedback! The slinky setup was another that I was looking at but due to the cost it held me back. I can afford it but was trying to stay frugal since I still have a lot that I'd like to do to my truck and still have my car as another project lol.

I really like the way your truck flexes though. I guess I'll need to look into this setup a little more. I just want to do my research and buy one setup that fits my needs.

Thanks again and your feedback is well received especially with your experience with 2 OME setups.

 

[LX450JC]

I ordered a Icon slinky long travel stg 1 kit and had the option of intermediate or heavy duty. I got the heavy duty kit and it should be arriving in the next week.

Like this kit
Red Line 80 Series, Slinky Long Travel, 50mm Heavy, Stage 1 Lift Kit - Red Line Land Cruisers

I can give a review once installed if still interested.

That would be great! Are you running anything other than stock right now?

 

[Locked79]

That would be great! Are you running anything other than stock right now?

Still running stock atm. I heard good things about the slinky long travel kit, so I decided to buy once, cry once. My kit is the same as @Box Rocket, 75mm heavy duty. Can wait to see how it goes.

Full Disclosure. My rig is not an 80, but shares the same chassis and suspension.

 

[LX450JC]

Still running stock atm. I heard good things about the slinky long travel kit, so I decided to buy once, cry once. My kit is the same as @Box Rocket, 75mm heavy duty. Can wait to see how it goes.

Full Disclosure. My rig is not an 80, but shares the same chassis and suspension.

Now I'm curious...what do you have? Pics?

 

[Locked79]

Now I'm curious...what do you have? Pics?

79 series cab on a 105 series chassis (same as 80 series) TD V8 with 12" chassis extension. 2 year project.

 

[1973Guppie]

My truck is a heavy pig so I decided on the J old man emu lift. Personally I really like my 2 inch old man emu lift. Comfortable, affordable and no problems. IMO the springs do break in over time quite a bit. I could have just swapped in some spacers but my shocks were getting old so decided on whole new spring setup with shocks. I got 4 spring and 4 shocks for about $750, which is much more frugal than other options. I personally would rather spend that other money elsewhere.

 

[LFD2037]

79 series cab on a 105 series chassis (same as 80 series) TD V8 with 12" chassis extension. 2 year project.

View attachment 1398646

That is SICK!

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Here's a bit of height comparison of my current 80. First pic is with OME J springs (3-3.5") with 2" coil spacers, OME L shocks. So roughly 5.5" of lift on 35's. Looked good and wasn't terrible in the dirt and went were I wanted.


This pic is after I pulled the OME stuff and installed the stage 1 Slinkys 3.5" with the heavy rate coils, 2.0 shocks, NO MORE COIL SPACER. So I lost about 2" of ride height but gained almost 6" of suspension travel. The decreased ride height made the truck much more stable. As I mentioned in my last post, the performance was a massive change with the Slinkys over the OME. This picture is an empty truck inside.


My truck is on the heavy side with bumpers/winch/rack/fridge/CO2/other gear and often a RTT and pulling a trailer. It handles the loads very well with almost no sag even fully loaded. My speeds in the dirt are easily 40-50% faster with the Slinkys.

fully loaded


They flex pretty well too.

How are the road manners with this setup?

What did you do for caster correction?

Any driveline vibes?

 

[Box Rocket]

How are the road manners with this setup?

What did you do for caster correction?

Any driveline vibes?

The road manners of the Slinky Kit excellent IMO. Of course, proper caster is needed and I'm using Slee Caster plates which work nicely with the 3" Slinkys. The ride on the road is much improved over the OME setup it replaced. I haven't experienced any driveline vibrations but I already had a DC front driveshaft and I also have a full set of Blackhawk rear control arms (part of a complete Slinky kit) that correct pinion angle so no rear vibes either.

My setup has changed slightly since the post of mine you are quoting. That earlier post was with the Stage1 Slinky kit. I've since upgraded to the Stage4 shocks and added a Blackhawk rear swaybar. In terms of road manners, there is no significant change from the Stage1 to the Stage4 but I do find that I will make occasional adjustments to the Stage4 shocks for road trips where the weight/load changes. The rear swaybar has given a more stable feel to the rear end and the truck is flatter in corners and making quick lane changes. It doesn't seem to have any negative affect on flex.

The road manners of the Slinky kit are the best I've experienced in any 80.

 

[Box Rocket]

In case anyone following this thread didn't happen to see this elsewhere, it's a nice review of the Slinky Kit from a guy with lots of experience.

 

[BillyGoatMTB]

Bump

It's been a few years, who's happy with the dobinson or icon?

I'm looking at going full Delta vehicle systems radius arms and components and I'm trying to decide between Dobson and icon for springs and shocks.

What's been your experience would you do it again or what would you do different?

 

[undecided]

Bump x2 any new experience? Trying to decide between the Delta/ICON full kit or the dobinsons. I like the delta radius arms but I can always buy them separate.

 

[BillyGoatMTB]

Bump x2 any new experience? Trying to decide between the Delta/ICON full kit or the dobinsons. I like the delta radius arms but I can always buy them separate.

I went with the Delta VS treat yourself full kit and Dobson components give @Delta VS a call.

I live in northern California and between snow sports with the family and off-roading I have highway miles. Rig runs great on everything.

I couldn't be happier with the Delta and Dobinson combination, once I changed out all my sway bar bushings and end links everything really came together even more.

Out of curiosity I did my suspension in phases although I had all the parts in my shop. 3" lift drove it, added the front radius arms drove it, added the rear panhard bracket drove it, added the front panhard drove it. Basically each piece was absolutely noticeable in handling.

First trail I ever did with the 80 series was slick Rock trail I was blown away at how well she performed.

Currently with the Delta full kit and Dobson suspension I'm considering going with @landtank rear upper and lower control arms. figure if I have to change out bushings and these will be the last bushings in the truck that need to be replaced I might as well upgrade while I'm at it. Just trying to figure out if there's going to be any suspension issues with the control arms and the Delta Vehicle Systems panhard bracket / components. I haven't seen much on mud so I'll have to report back if I go that route maybe with a thread showing the Delta treat yourself with Dobinson and land tank all work together.

Currently for Springs I have
Front with Delta full bar bumper and winch C59-170

I just ordered the rear bumper and when I install that I'll be putting on the c59-171

Once all my suspension settles I'll be adjusting the panhard front and possibly adding a rear panhard in the back.

Hope this helps you make up your mind I couldn't be happier with my setup.

 

[undecided]

I went with the Delta VS treat yourself full kit and Dobson components give @Delta VS a call.

I live in northern California and between snow sports with the family and off-roading I have highway miles. Rig runs great on everything.

I couldn't be happier with the Delta and Dobinson combination, once I changed out all my sway bar bushings and end links everything really came together even more.

Out of curiosity I did my suspension in phases although I had all the parts in my shop. 3" lift drove it, added the front radius arms drove it, added the rear panhard bracket drove it, added the front panhard drove it. Basically each piece was absolutely noticeable in handling.

First trail I ever did with the 80 series was slick Rock trail I was blown away at how well she performed.

Currently with the Delta full kit and Dobson suspension I'm considering going with @landtank rear upper and lower control arms. figure if I have to change out bushings and these will be the last bushings in the truck that need to be replaced I might as well upgrade while I'm at it. Just trying to figure out if there's going to be any suspension issues with the control arms and the Delta Vehicle Systems panhard bracket / components. I haven't seen much on mud so I'll have to report back if I go that route maybe with a thread showing the Delta treat yourself with Dobinson and land tank all work together.

Currently for Springs I have
Front with Delta full bar bumper and winch C59-170

I just ordered the rear bumper and when I install that I'll be putting on the c59-171

Once all my suspension settles I'll be adjusting the panhard front and possibly adding a rear panhard in the back.

Hope this helps you make up your mind I couldn't be happier with my setup.

Which dobinson components are you running? Right now I’m leaning towards the Delta full kit with dobinson panhards and control arms. My LX has about 250k on it so when the time comes I plan on changing basically everything for either an upgrade or an OEM replacement.

 

[BillyGoatMTB]

Which dobinson components are you running? Right now I’m leaning towards the Delta full kit with dobinson panhards and control arms. My LX has about 250k on it so when the time comes I plan on changing basically everything for either an upgrade or an OEM replacement.

For my Delta treat yourself kit
Dobinson
*Front adjustable panhard
*3" Springs and shocks

Delta VS
*4" front radius arms
*3" rear panhard bracket
*Rear bump stops
*Front sway bar drops

Wits End
*4" extended stainless braided break lines
*To much to list Joey is awesome!

Marlin Crawler
*HD DOM steel steering kit with 555 tierods, really wish I would have known or thought to paint or powder coat these prior to install, they are rusting up.