MRR - MRA Dobinson experience

[globeoverland]

All I have to say is WOW!!!

I have owned my LX450 for some time now and after 3 suspension setups I am EXTREAMLY PLEASE to finally have the set up the way I want.

My first setup: I had OME 5-inch competition suspension on my rig and it was a very nice ride but when I added some extra weight, the truck turn into a complete disaster! Not having any stiffer option for my weight, I decided to switch to Dobinson.

Second setup: I when with Dobinson 4 inch front and 6 inch rear with the heaviest spring they have and MRR Shocks. The truck when from a 2 to a 7 out of 10. I was very happy with the suspension in OFF-Road conditions 10/10 but at the city and HWY I still feel that the truck needs to be a bit stiffer.

Ran this Set-up for over 5 years with 0 issues! Never had to rebuild any shock (only checked the nitrogen twice) and look at the pictures below, not even 1 leak.
I have compete in several rallys and also some fun races with friends in gravel roads for long periods of time and my old MRR handled it like a champ! Never felt the suspension to get hoy a sagy like with my old OME (I know cant compare a regular OME with a Dobinson with reservoirs) but that was the only other shock I had before to compare it with.

Third setup: I kept my Dobinson springs and when to the new MRA 3-Way adjustable shocks and all I can say is WOW!! At the beginning I was a bit disappointed at the difference (I had it setup to the recommended specs) but after playing with the settings with the guys at Dobinson I can finally say that the truck is a 9/10 (Always room for improvement hahaha) best choice I could made.

Now with my new MRA I can adjust my Rebound, low speed compression and high speed compression on the go depending on my load and terrain. I am currently running:
Front- low 18/20 . High 7/10 and Rebound 14/15
Back- low 18/20 . High 7/10 and Rebound 15/15

For more info on how to adjust and what you can do go to Monotube Remote reservoir Adjustable(MRA) – Dobinsons Direct

Looking forward to spend some fun miles with this new setup and to tune it to 10/10 very soon

I will like to thank David, Pacho and Leo at Dobinson US for spending a very good amount of time showing me how to take advantage of all the features in the new shocks and for help me with the tune!

 

[Enders]

What kind of ride do you like when you say it’s a 9/10? What supporting suspension mods do you have that effect that (like sway bar, caster correction, panhards etc)? How hard is it to adjust the rear shocks?

I’ve got BoxRockets original slinky shocks on my rig now, and one of the rear is leaking, and the bushings are gone on the fronts, so I’m torn between the larger diameter icons and just going full Dobi.

 

[smittycrusher]

Great timing as I just ordered the 4” MRAs for all four corners yesterday. I have the Slee 4” springs (HD progressives in the rear). I am going from the 4”-6” Icon 2.0 so I expect a BIG difference.

smitty

 

[globeoverland]

What kind of ride do you like when you say it’s a 9/10? What supporting suspension mods do you have that effect that (like sway bar, caster correction, panhards etc)? How hard is it to adjust the rear shocks?

I’ve got BoxRockets original slinky shocks on my rig now, and one of the rear is leaking, and the bushings are gone on the fronts, so I’m torn between the larger diameter icons and just going full Dobi.

I am currently running:

-Front Dobinson Adj Panhard
-Rear Dobinson Adj Panhard
-Front Dobinson dual steering shocks with custom bracket
-Extended front and rear sway bar links
-Front TJM sway bar
-Dobinson Caster Plate

Coming soon:

-Front sway bar quick disconnect
-Slee Radius arm drop kit
-Rear Dobinson top and bottom adj trail arm

To adjust the shocks is extremely easy it will take less than 2 min to adjust them. To answer your question about the ride, I like a stiff ride (kind of hard with all this weight) but I am getting closer and closer to the way I want the truck to handle.

 

[globeoverland]

Great timing as I just ordered the 4” MRAs formal four corners yesterday. I have the Slee 4” springs (HD progressives in the rear). I am going from the 4”-6” Icon 2.0 so I expect a BIG difference.

smitty

you wont be disappointed!!! I love my MRAs!

 

[TYM4FUN]

These keep rolling in the good experiences from people...

 

[Enders]

I am currently running:

-Front Dobinson Adj Panhard
-Rear Dobinson Adj Panhard
-Front Dobinson dual steering shocks with custom bracket
-Extended front and rear sway bar links
-Front TJM sway bar
-Dobinson Caster Plate

Coming soon:

-Front sway bar quick disconnect
-Slee Radius arm drop kit
-Rear Dobinson top and bottom adj trail arm

To adjust the shocks is extremely easy it will take less than 2 min to adjust them. To answer your question about the ride, I like a stiff ride (kind of hard with all this weight) but I am getting closer and closer to the way I want the truck to handle.

I’ve found a stiffer rear sway bar made a huge difference but haven’t done the front yet. I’ve got LC Phil’s front sway bar disconnects and really like them. It’s easy to get to, and you only have to be careful on the passenger side due to exhaust pipes.

I’m also a fan of a stiffer ride during on road travels, and the idea of having the ability to soften it for off-road treks appeals to me. Any issues mounting the resi?

 

[globeoverland]

I’ve found a stiffer rear sway bar made a huge difference but haven’t done the front yet. I’ve got LC Phil’s front sway bar disconnects and really like them. It’s easy to get to, and you only have to be careful on the passenger side due to exhaust pipes.

I’m also a fan of a stiffer ride during on road travels, and the idea of having the ability to soften it for off-road treks appeals to me. Any issues mounting the resi?

I did notice a huge improvement when I replaced the front sway bar. my main issue was the body rolling from side to side after I added so much weight. I think with the drop kit and some playing with the new shock I should get it to be 10/10 CANT WAIT!

 

[smittycrusher]

I’ve found a stiffer rear sway bar made a huge difference but haven’t done the front yet. I’ve got LC Phil’s front sway bar disconnects and really like them. It’s easy to get to, and you only have to be careful on the passenger side due to exhaust pipes.

I’m also a fan of a stiffer ride during on road travels, and the idea of having the ability to soften it for off-road treks appeals to me. Any issues mounting the resi?

I will be installing all four shocks, wheeling the truck in Utah and then a family trip along the North Rim and then driving it back to Atlanta (It is currently in SLC). I have the whiteline rear sway bar sitting in my garage and also ordering LCP sway bar links. It will be interesting to see how much difference I see when I just change the shocks and then again when I add the rear sway bar/links after I get the truck back home.

Smitty

 

[crikeymike]

I will be installing all four shocks, wheeling the truck in Utah and then a family trip along the North Rim and then driving it back to Atlanta (It is currently in SLC). I have the whiteline rear sway bar sitting in my garage and also ordering LCP sway bar links. It will be interesting to see how much difference I see when I just change the shocks and then again when I add the rear sway bar/links after I get the truck back home.

Smitty

Been a while now. How about an update with your thoughts?

 

[smittycrusher]

I have about 500 miles off road and 6,000 miles on road. I love these shocks paired with my Slee 4” coils. I really should have gone adjustable reservoir shocks years and years ago. I have messed around with all three adjustable settings and am blown away by the ability to dial these in. One of the best mods I have done to my 80.

Smitty

 

[arkmm]

I just got these on my 100 series and I'm looking for adjustment tips. What did you find you like for on road, high speed off-road, and slow technical off-road?

 

[Trusty Rusty]

Any others rocking the MRA's with some longer term reviews/feedback?

 

[on the rocks]

High speed and rebound seem to be good on a heavier 80 (think I'm pushing mid 6K now) but low speed is way soft, not even close IMO. Up side is I talked to a rep at the mountain west overland expo and we was very willing to re-valve for free, didn't discuss shipping tho and I'm guessing they need to go out to Florida. I described the low speed rocking issue issue with being paired with the 144/145 VT springs, he confirmed, absolutely NOT under sprung but looking at a soft low speed compression issue. Easy fix with a quick re-valve to stiffen them up more.
I hope to get them pulled and out this winter but have plans to add helper air bags in the rear to help with the rear weight, thinking this may help some also. If shipping is too much I may just try 303 shock services down the road. They seem reasonably priced and look to be a major service center.
If I can get the low speed rocking fixed I would be very happy with no regrets otherwise.

 

[jellis]

Don't underestimate air bags in gaining stability, they make a HUGE difference. I routinely tow a custom pop-up camper on an M101A trailer (~4500lb) with a 6" lift on 37s and the airbags combined with MRAs has been really amazing, totally night/day difference in handling both on and off road. It no longer feels sketchy now. This thread makes me want to tweak my MRAs more, but quite frankly I haven't felt the need they are so great. Going on 18 months with mine and no regrets, and I only have them on the rear.

 

[alia176]

I used to have air bags when I towed regularly and the tongue weight was 413# and the trailer was 2600#. I don't tow since buying a V8 4runner and I went down to 3" VT springs for a 3" overall lift from Slee 4" heavies. I have to say, my 3" front/3.5" rear springs can easily handle my pig now, which checks in at 7300#. The fronts are 3" linear and the rears are 3.5" VT something or other.

From what I recall, Dobinsons charges $85/shock revalve + shipping. For my particular case, the factory valved MRRs were way too inadequate. In Aust, their 80s are limited on height and weight so the factory valved MRRs work wonders, I guess. I'm top heavy which was a killer for those valve stacks. Supposedly, they have a "stupid American heavy 80" valve stack which would've suited my MRR mo betta but I didn't feel like putting out the additional dough for revalving and offloaded them after running them for four months or so.

 

[NorCalFJ100]

Curious how these MRR shocks have been treating you?

 

[Enders]

Curious how these MRR shocks have been treating you?

I’ve got 2 years, and close to 10,000 miles of mixed use on them. Just got home from the Ozarks, truth be told. I still love them. Mine are paired with the slinky spec Dobisons progressive coils and I added a 15mm spring spacer before this last trip (I’m heavy with camp set up and was level when unloaded. Add a wife, kids and dog and I was sagging like a Carolinian.)

The shocks have met everything I’ve dished at them, to include some two wheel teeter tottering, going fast enough of gravel roads to piss off the wife, and not slowing down for any train track or other on road obstacle. Would recommend.

The juice is worth the squeeze.

 

[NorCalFJ100]

I’ve got 2 years, and close to 10,000 miles of mixed use on them. Just got home from the Ozarks, truth be told. I still love them. Mine are paired with the slinky spec Dobisons progressive coils and I added a 15mm spring spacer before this last trip (I’m heavy with camp set up and was level when unloaded. Add a wife, kids and dog and I was sagging like a Carolinian.)

The shocks have met everything I’ve dished at them, to include some two wheel teeter tottering, going fast enough of gravel roads to piss off the wife, and not slowing down for any train track or other on road obstacle. Would recommend.

The juice is worth the squeeze.

Thanks for the feedback!! How do you feel around town and on the highways? What shocks did you come from before this?

 

[Enders]

Thanks for the feedback!! How do you feel around town and on the highways? What shocks did you come from before this?

I’ve run the OG slinky spec Icon’s at 2” diameter and found them under damped for the weight of the truck. My 93 is on run of the mill OME.

Around town, they feel fine. Soaks up bumps and never had any floaty issues. I’ve got mine set more firm than the manual ask for. You still feel when the front sway bar is disconnected (plug for LandCruiser Phil’s quick disconnect) but even then it’s just more lean and not more float.

For the off highway stuff, adding white lines heavy duty sway bars front and back made the most difference. It’s not a 911, but it doesn’t feel like a land yacht when everything is hooked up.