Question on Dobinsons Suspension package

[knuckle47]

Frankly, I have not heard of Dobinson suspensions but I read they are a good upgrade. My Holley Sniper was a great upgrade for me. Pricey and took me a while to get the motivation to install it since my Weber was doing fine. The last few days proved to me it wasn’t really fine since the Sniper EFI is now setup well. $2500 well spent as I see it.

Next, Running down your typical dirt road maybe 25-30 mph with a few bumps here and there, my FJ40 hits these bumps firmly and of course rattles a few things inside. I’d like to try to know a bit about what the difference is with the Dobinson springs, shocks and shackles beyond the 2” lift. Is it smoother, softer or even firmer, more controlled?

This is one reason I default to the Silverado at times…it is a bunch smoother and I get the FJ40 is no modern ride and at this age there are a few days when it’s a benefit. $2800…better just get new shocks or is there more to it

Thanks

 

[77mustard40]

No experience on a 40 but their springs and IMS shocks are the bomb on my 80. On the 40 I’m running Skyjacker springs and Bilstien shocks and my flex and ride is much improved over OME in my opinion. I’d like to ride/drive a 40 with the IMS shocks to see what the difference is.

 

[trainbufftony]

The FJ 40 is a solid axle, leaf sprung truck.
It's going to ride rough, because it's a truck. I've seen the hype over dobinson suspension and here is my read on the situation.
Most of these trucks have worn out shocks and fatigued springs with no bushings after 50 years of abuse, no surprise.
Dobinsons saw a market and started creating custom leaf spring packs which I'm sure use only the latest in state of the art computer controlled horse buggy spring production. Not being one to miss an opportunity to turn a buck, they had a shock manufacturer build them basic gas shocks with their name on em. Probably built by the same fab who builds Monroe, Rancho and most others. Then they market to enthusiasts, who are acostom to paying 3x retail for everything.
In the real world, you should be able to find someone somewhat local who can make, or re arch a leaf spring. Basic steel body Shock absorbers are all the same, buy something cheap, rattle can it yourself, apply your own decals...
That's exactly what "Dobinsons" does but they market it in a convenient package.

It's not actually much better than a factory spring set with new bushings, and fresh shocks. Can't possibly be.

Better would cost significant money, and down time. Leave it alone, it's supposed to ride rough. It has rode rough for 50 years and will gladly ride rough for another 50.

 

[knuckle47]

@trainbufftony abd @77mustard40 Those are my kind of answers…concise, no BS and to the point. well taken …thank you.

There is a spring shop that does it all in north Jersey. Calling them for some information on putting the life back in those old springs and I’ll get a set of new Bilsteins…. Just saved $2000.00

 

[ryanwk628]

A lot of it comes down to how it is sprung, with higher load springs for loaded up rigs and will ride stiffer (think 1500 vs 2500 and 3500 since you have a Silverado.) Stiffer is not always better. Terrain Tamer just came out with parabolic springs which may offer some benefits. Personally I found my Sky Jackers were a big upgrade over the Rough Countries, that had more to do with flex and better shackle angles than any technology wizardry. Bilstein 5100s are nice shocks as they have progressive damping which suits most 40 series use cases.

 

[pb4ugo]

I agree with trainbufftony about the shocks, except they might have slightly different valving. I've purchased several different suspensions thru the yrs and I believe certain aftermarket manufacturers do offer better riding and more flexible spring sets than stock. I 4 wheel and trail ride a lot with aftermarket springs and it seems their longevity may become compromised over time if they are used and abused heavily. There are other manfacturers that sell crap. If the $2800 figure is legit for a leaf spring suspension, then that would be a bridge too far for me. There are some good less expensive suspensions out there.

 

[knuckle47]

Per the Dobinsons website…. I was surprised. In fact…really surprised. No doubt they have their place in 4x4 suspensions but for me..an older guy who loves moderate easy trail rides and a 3-4 hot rod meets at Chick-Fil-A or Burger King…way over my head. I had my incredible off-road days 50 years ago…they were great, I have even posted a few photos of my brand new FJ40 riding with those CJ-2A’s or Willys. Today I am grateful to meet up with guys who admire the land cruisers and then go home. Not what I may want to do but I know my limits and ride within them…I hate being so sensible

For you 60 year olds…start getting use to it… It creeps up quickly

 

[77mustard40]

Wow and that’s just the gas shocks, click up to IMS or God forbid their remote reservoir shocks and we are talking real cake. BTW Exit Off-road is way cheaper…

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Per the Dobinsons website…. I was surprised. In fact…really surprised. No doubt they have their place in 4x4 suspensions but for me..an older guy who loves moderate easy trail rides and a 3-4 hot rod meets at Chick-Fil-A or Burger King…way over my head. I had my incredible off-road days 50 years ago…they were great, I have even posted a few photos of my brand new FJ40 riding with those CJ-2A’s or Willys. Today I am grateful to meet up with guys who admire the land cruisers and then go home. Not what I may want to do but I know my limits and ride within them…I hate being so sensible
For you 60 year olds…start getting use to it… It creeps up quickly

View attachment 3653718

Yeah, that's what at Dobinsons are now offer! Even the shackles must be "reverse only", nowadays!
Anyway, my only option was to go ahead and pull the trigger: ordered their 1.75''/4cm (the lowest possible) complete suspension kit for my future J45 pickup resto (it's on the way now)...

PS. Their price, here in Greece, is comparable to the above mentioned price and (a little bit) lower than the competition.

 

[knuckle47]

I’m looking for a little more flex in my ride. I don’t expect it to be Silverado smooth. We have had solid axle Suburbans until they went independent. One was even a 2500 but wasn’t that bad…of course in 1987 I was 44. I’ll do a search and see what comes up. The spring place told me about $3-400 per spring to re-heat, re-arch and rebuild my originals and takes about 2 days and, bring them in and we will see

 

[knuckle47]

ON A TOTALLY UN-RELATED NOTE; Maybe someone knows.
we have a 2021 Suburban with 17080 miles in it. I was going to bring my mail in and the vehicle said ‘LOW FUEL’. And, it died . Because the transmission is controlled from the dashboard buttons…you can’t put it in neutral for towing… is there some “secret’ code to make this happen without needing a wheel lift and dolly tow truck to move this?

There is plenty of fuel by the way

 

[trainbufftony]

ON A TOTALLY UN-RELATED NOTE; Maybe someone knows.
we have a 2021 Suburban with 17080 miles in it. I was going to bring my mail in and the vehicle said ‘LOW FUEL’. And, it died . Because the transmission is controlled from the dashboard buttons…you can’t put it in neutral for towing… is there some “secret’ code to make this happen without needing a wheel lift and dolly tow truck to move this?

There is plenty of fuel by the way

On a humorous note:

Use the tools at hand, if it were me, I'd chain up to the FJ55 and drag it out to the street using 4x4 low range, hang a free sign on it.
Does a 2017 suburban even have a tow hook?
An axle will do.
Get it outa here!

Seriously, maybe try disconnecting the battery for half an hour, then reconnect.

 

[knuckle47]

Actually, first thing I tried…tow truck guy used teflon skis under the tires and pulled it up on the flat bed in 90 seconds. Onstar made me go crazy looking for wheel Lift and dollies tow truck companies. They tried..I called a local guy, no problem… 2021 has a fuel module recall…this is it. Thanks though…that battery trick used to work on my F-150 until the next code popped up

 

[wngrog]

The IMS shocks are light years better than the yellow shocks. They are the #1 reason to go to Dobinsons. 100% worth the money.

The second reason I prefer them is they use fewer, thinner, more arched springs to make lift versus heavy thick packs of multiple leafs.

Third, they don’t use poly bushings and that love to die prematurely.

it’s all I use.