GX470 Long Travel Rear Suspension Options

[HomersCanyonero]

I am contemplating a conversion to a long travel rear suspension for my air-bag tricked GX470.

This setup that I put together might have some issues. First, the combination of these Dobinson rear shocks and rear springs might not be really long travel. They seem medium travel like a 2" rear lift which is what I want. Anyone know if something like this would work to gain more articulation in the rear? Also, thinking about disconnecting the rear sway bars with this setup (keep the front sway bars connected).

Option "A" $1050 plus tax and plus shipping

Dobinson GS59-701 Med (14.25"/23.82")	$ 230.00
Dobinson C59-675V Rear Springs 18.5" Variable rate top is 157 lbs/in and bottom is 230 lbs/in	$ 220.00
MT Rear Brake Extensions	$ 65.00
MT Offset Rear Lower Links	$ 400.00
MT Rear Bump Stop Drop Kit	$ 80.00

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This next kit from MetalTech looks good, but I don't like the fact that it's a 3" lift in the rear. I really don't want to be that tall. Also, the rear variable springs seem softer than the Dobinsons. These MT rear springs claim that the top spring rate is 104 lbs/in and bottom spring rate is 220 lbs/in. Again, my main concern is the 3" lift.


Option "B" $1055 plus tax and plus shipping

Metal Tech GX470/GX460 Rear Long Travel Suspension - Stage 4

Check out Metal Tech 4x4—your home for high end off road parts and accessories, specializing in Toyota. Browse our selection of off road products today.

www.metaltech4x4.com

MT Rear Long Travel Kit MT-GSJ-4180 includes:	$ 1,055.00
Icon 2.0 VS Shocks ICON-56550 (not sure of the compressed/free length on these)
MT-GSJ-4050 Med Var Rate Rear Springs 104/220 (3" lift) (not sure on the height of these springs maybe 19.25"?)

Anyone have any opinions on these dual rate rear springs in terms of stiffness, softness, or height on a GX470?



Anyone think that Option A is a bad idea with the shorter lift?

Any other long travel options for the rear of the GX470?

 

[RigX]

Bumped because i looked. only input i can give is that i have those rear dual rate dobinson springs and they ride really well.

@Kyle Fogle is your man for anything dobinson.

 

[Kyle Fogle]

option A isn't really long travel with the 701 shocks.

675V+575 shocks+dobinsons offset lower arms is $785 before shipping, add in the bump drops and brake extensions and you're golden goose.

shoot me an email and we'll getcha fixed up. kyle@treatyoakoffroad.com

 

[GXO]

And most rear long travel is really just extended travel

 

[joabmc]

Depends how much money you want to spend....
King can make you an extended rear shock within any parameter you’d like. Radflo is a good option as well. I’m running a OME 6007IL in the rear, 11.25” travel paired with MT dual rate coils. And the 3” really isn’t 3”. It’s more like 1.5” in reality.
Fox makes one and you can even go with a procomp (bottom of spectrum)

forgot to mention toytecs super flex rear coil as an option too.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

@RigX you driving empty on rear or got some weight?

@Kyle Fogle Thanks for the recommendation on the GS59-575 - Twin Tube, Long Travel, suits 3" lift (3" bump stop spacers recommended so shocks don't bottom out). 730/28.74” extended, 425/16.732” compressed.

I didn’t realize that these extended travel (per @Vlad) shocks went well with the CS59-675V dual rate springs. I thought the shocks were too long compressed and the springs could fall out when fully extended.

I’ll call you when I’m ready to pull the trigger

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Depends how much money you want to spend....
King can make you an extended rear shock within any parameter you’d like. Radflo is a good option as well. I’m running a OME 6007IL in the rear, 11.25” travel paired with MT dual rate coils. And the 3” really isn’t 3”. It’s more like 1.5” in reality.
Fox makes one and you can even go with a procomp (bottom of spectrum)

forgot to mention toytecs super flex rear coil as an option too.

$1000 for a long travel rear suspension kit (extended length shocks, variable springs, offset rear lower link arms, extended bump stops, brake lines) is about right for my needs.

 

[RigX]

@RigX you driving empty on rear or got some weight?

@Kyle Fogle Thanks for the recommendation on the GS59-575 - Twin Tube, Long Travel, suits 3" lift (3" bump stop spacers recommended so shocks don't bottom out). 730/28.74” extended, 425/16.732” compressed.

I didn’t realize that these extended travel (per @Vlad) shocks went well with the CS59-675V dual rate springs. I thought the shocks were too long compressed and the springs could fall out.

I’ll call you when I’m ready to pull the trigger

Correct. Stock weight, factory bumper, factory roof rack. I got right at 2" of lift (23" center of hub to fender) using a DIY spring conversion (same as metal tech, offers no additional lift).

 

[HomersCanyonero]

@RigX thanks for the info. That’s the max height I want in the rear. I currently average 22.5” hub to fender in the rear with tricked out rear air springs.

 

[RigX]

@HomersCanyonero 2" is the minimum amount of height offered in a spring long enough for long travel as far as i could find. Also, being racked, although i dont care for the look, makes more since as the GX has a bias of up-travel vs down-travel front to rear in the suspension geometry. basically, the front has lots of up-travel and way less down travel and its vice versa for the rear which has plenty of down travel and limited up-travel. So the rake helps even it out.

 

[ArBrnSnpr]

I have the Metaltech medium weight extended travel springs paired with Icon 2.0 shocks.

I have sliders, roofrack, fridge, drawers, bumper, JW tire carrier, winch and lots of gear/tools stored in the car and a rooftop tent in spring and summer. My springs are pretty stressed under that weight and I've obviously lost some lift under the weight.

Before adding all that the lift felt a bit bouncy over bumps but handled very well, and had great flex! It was good enough that I put up with the bounce. With the gear installed, the suspension compresses under very little load but still flexes very well.

I have the MT 3" heavy springs sitting in a box in my garage but I'm reluctant to install them because of the 3" aspect. I have been very impressed with the flex of the icon/MT combo, but it's not without its sacrifices.

To be fair to MT, I am running E rated 285's which transmit a lot of vibration and imperfections from the road. Maybe the heavy springs are what I need...?

MT has also been great in answering my questions and general customer service too.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

The MT medium weight extended rear springs are supposed to be 3” of lift as well? With light weight of course...

 

[ArBrnSnpr]

Hmmm...?? I thought the mediums were 2.5"
I know I didn't get 3" out if them when they were on my truck before the weight was there.

 

[joabmc]

Hmmm...?? I thought the mediums were 2.5"
I know I didn't get 3" out if them when they were on my truck before the weight was there.

I was around 23 3/4” from hub to fender with my mediums but have no clue what stock was as I yanked the factory off as soon as I got it home.
When I talked to Metaltech about going to the heavies, they said normal ride quality wasn’t compromised between the two. That I would only notice the difference under load.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I think stock factory height in the rear hub to fender is about 21” based on posted messages research on this site

 

[James C]

I'll just toss in that Dobinson's C59-701V with a steel bumper and drawers put me at 24" in the back

 

[HomersCanyonero]

The more research I do on a rear long travel setup, the more questions I have.

I’m struggling to understand the difference between the MT offset lower rear arms and the Dobinson lower rear control arms.

Besides price, anyone can tell me why one is better than the other?

 

[RigX]

The more research I do on a rear long travel setup, the more questions I have.

I’m struggling to understand the difference between the MT offset lower rear arms and the Dobinson lower rear control arms.

Besides price, anyone can tell me why one is better than the other?

The material used in each may be different. I think the thickness of the tubing may be different too. MT uses johnny joints which may require more maintenance. Dobinson uses polyurethane and oe rubber bushings so those will be better for noise and if youre in areas with salt on the road. Never heard of any complaints on either links. read up on each and decide which one meets yours needs and your wallet. Both are better than stock.

 

[captainva]

Whats the benefit of the dropped version since it seems like MT is the only one to offer those?

 

[Kyle Fogle]

the dobinsons is offset via a bend in the arm itself, they come with the rubber bushings preinstalled (this is good, i found the rubber to be much better than the poly)