Shock refresh - Bilstein 5100 vs Dobinsons

[Makakio]

Hi All - super interested in the Dobs and have a GXOR member ready to drop an order for me at Treaty Oak, but still have a question: my tech is a super (and insistent) fan of the 5100s but I can't get any kind of feedback on how either ride with the air rear (keeping) and the OE front springs (keeping). Looking for a ride that's going to be close to "sport" on the OE selectable. Not lifting, nor armoring - this is a DD - the only reason doing this is at 130k the OEs are shot and I'm not putting $1600 into factory replacements (for a switch I never use).

Called Dobinson's US guy: nice guy, but he said he didn't know - says he has never driven a 120 stock, but his co-worker put the comfort valve in his 4R and loves it (but isn't a 4R 1000# lighter?). Thinking (hoping?) that with the 120 being super available in Australia perhaps Dobinsons has done some work on really optimizing for something almost as heavy as the LC.

So, can anyone chime in? Dob standard fronts with comfort valve rears or Bils 5100s? My concern is ending up with a wallowy mess or a super-firm hobby horse the DD (my wife) is going to hate.

Thanks to everyone who's read this far!

 

[Jstawgn]

5100 is for lifted application. I think it's tbe 4600 series if you are staying stock height and call it a day.

 

[GXer04]

I have 5100 on lowest setting with Dobinsons 2" lift coils up front and 5100 on the rear on stock air springs with sensors moved to match front height. I love the ride. Slightly stiffer, but much more competent feeling. I'd add that my stock springs were sagging about 1.5"-2", so the new springs were a huge improvement. If you're replacing front shocks, it's only $175 to replace springs while you have it apart.

 

[GXMac]

I have 5100 on lowest setting with Dobinsons 2" lift coils up front and 5100 on the rear on stock air springs with sensors moved to match front height. I love the ride. Slightly stiffer, but much more competent feeling. I'd add that my stock springs were sagging about 1.5"-2", so the new springs were a huge improvement. If you're replacing front shocks, it's only $175 to replace springs while you have it apart.

I had that same setup with the Eibach/Toytec 14" coils up front for about a year. The handling was noticeably improved over stock but I'm not sure if it will be any better than Dobinson's. You can get 5100 struts for very cheap though- I think mine cost $140 new.

 

[kbahus]

Bilsteins are nearly impossible to beat for the price.

 

[DRANGED]

I think there's a lo of chatter the 5100 is inadequate for the mass of the GX. The 6112 is a better fit...
These images are from a build here on mud:

 

[Sleepy]

Can't speak for stock springs but I have comfort valve rear Dobinsons shocks with their med. progressive rear springs and the ride is great. Dobinsons shocks and 2" springs up front. Not harsh ride at all. The shocks are much more stout construction than the 5100s.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I read in an Australian vendor web site that the Dobinson shocks have a 56mm external body oil reservoir (2.205”) and a 18mm piston rod/shaft (0.708”)

This is just using information from the internet...

 

[DRANGED]

Can't speak for stock springs but I have comfort valve rear Dobinsons shocks with their med. progressive rear springs and the ride is great. Dobinsons shocks and 2" springs up front. Not harsh ride at all. The shocks are much more stout construction than the 5100s.

are those dobsons dual tube?

 

[Sleepy]

Yes, I believe they are twin tube shocks.