Slinky 3" Lift vs Dobinsons 3" Lift

[Zypher]

Talk me in either direction. Going to be on a lightly loaded FZJ80 (bumpers and roof rack, no drawer system) and are going to be used for overlanding and daily driving. Currently leaning towards the slinky lift but Dobinsons is a bit more affordable. Looks like the Slinkys are going to be ~2550 + Ship (w/ caster correction) and the Dobinsons is ~2000 + ship so is the 550 that much more worth it? Thanks for all the help and sorry for the multiple threads on same topic

 

[Comet]

I have had experience with stock suspension and Dobinson's. I initially spoke at length with @crikeymike to determine the correct spring height/load requirement that suited my purposes. I chose not to lift my truck because I drive on the street 80% and off road/overlanding the other 20%. On road manners of the Dobinson's has exceeded my expectations loaded. The truck has a 3/4" stink bug stance once all the tools and equipment is out though. I do not remember the spring #'s I purchased. If I did it all over again, I would do the same.

There is a thread on Mud somewhere asking if you were to do it all over again. It seemed like most (not all) who did the lift and castor correction eventually wanted to get back to stock or switched back all together. Yes, there are those who love the lift and the articulation but I am not one of them.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[bug616]

Yes, I reckon that 550 is worth it. Dobinsons are good but I'd imagine the slinky kit is a step up, especially the shocks.

 

[Cass007]

Compiled 80 series suspension component spec thread... shocks, coils & more.

Not many people here are going to say this is better than that. Especially since many people buy one setup and stick with it. Unless you have a friend with very similar setup to your own, but a completely different suspension, it's hard to direct compare the two. Suspension is a very personal preference and highly subjective to what kind of driving you do, how your rig is outfitted, what kind of wheeling do you do and so on.

The above thread gathers most of the info out there so setups from different companies can be compared in terms of cost and components.

 

[slow95z]

all i can say is my OME was obviously better than stock as it let me stuff bigger tires. it worked great for the years i had it when not many others made lifts. i later switched to Dobinson and love it. i was going to get the slinky kit but it was more expensive and on back order of like 4 months. i am glad i went with what i did. it flexes very well.

 

[Box Rocket]

With the Slinky kit you'll get a complete suspension system that is designed to all work together so you'll maximize flex with excellent ride quality. Won't need to alter bumpstops as much (zero change up front and only 1" larger bump in the rear) than just about any other kit. There are differences in how the springs are manufactured and you'll end up with a much higher quality spring with the Slinky that won't sag and will have great flex. The shocks that are designed with the kit are custom length and valving specific to the 80 series and maximizing the performance.

Personally I'm very confident in the added value that comes with the extra cost of the Slinky. "there's never enough money to buy the best, but always enough money to buy something less twice."

 

[Zypher]

Thanks alot for all the replies guys, you are seriously amazing. After talking with a vendor here on the forums and an amazing review from Box Rocket I ended up snagging the Slinky setup. It was on backorder for a month or two but once I get it installed Ill repost some pics of the rig and maybe a little review after some driving and wheeling. Thanks again guys!

 

[Dirty Koala]

Freshly installed Slinky Stage 4 on 37's and with a Cummins 6BT under the hood....rkdes great.

 

[Ntgm37]

Man that is sweet! Is that monstaliner?

 

[Zypher]

Freshly installed Slinky Stage 4 on 37's and with a Cummins 6BT under the hood....rkdes great.
[

Read up on your build thread a bit and holy god is that thing amazing haha. I know at some point I'm going to need to tear into the rig and get alot of stuff done besides the fun stuff but that can wait until I actually have a few dollars to spend on it. College tuition or dream rig... what to do

 

[Dirty Koala]

Man that is sweet! Is that monstaliner?

Thank you, and yes it is monstaliner. It is custom color matched to Toyota Army/Dark green.

 

[Dirty Koala]

Read up on your build thread a bit and holy god is that thing amazing haha. I know at some point I'm going to need to tear into the rig and get alot of stuff done besides the fun stuff but that can wait until I actually have a few dollars to spend on it. College tuition or dream rig... what to do

Thanks...she has had a bit of work done to her.

 

[Shoredreamer]

@mryanangel do you have the heavy 3” stage 4 on there?

 

[Dirty Koala]

@mryanangel do you have the heavy 3” stage 4 on there?

I have the extra heavy rear coils. Front are the Heavy...same as the regular stage 4 kit.
I went with extra heavy because of the amount of constant weight i have. Sliders bumpers, winch rack, RTT, drawers full of tools, awning, fridge, spwski barrier, two compressors, 6BT...the list goes on.

 

[nuncaperdido]

I have the extra heavy rear coils. Front are the Heavy...same as the regular stage 4 kit.
I went with extra heavy because of the amount of constant weight i have. Sliders bumpers, winch rack, RTT, drawers full of tools, awning, fridge, spwski barrier, two compressors, 6BT...the list goes on.

Now tht you've got several months and a couple of miles on the Slinky set-up, are you still happy with it? Do you know your front axle and rear axle weights? Are the std heavies up front enough with the cummins or better with extra heavies?
I'm with Adam, looking at your rig keeps me dreamin.

 

[Zypher]

Now tht you've got several months and a couple of miles on the Slinky set-up, are you still happy with it? Do you know your front axle and rear axle weights? Are the std heavies up front enough with the cummins or better with extra heavies?
I'm with Adam, looking at your rig keeps me dreamin.

I don’t have the Cummins under the hood but I ended up going with the slinky for my rig. Mostly stock but I do have a 4X4Labs rear tire swing and a bike rack on the back and I don’t have any dirty diaper stance on the rig. Running 315 Grabber ATX’s and can fully stuff them front and rear with 0 rub and no trimming. Also the icon shocks don’t suck at all haha.

 

[Dirty Koala]

Now tht you've got several months and a couple of miles on the Slinky set-up, are you still happy with it? Do you know your front axle and rear axle weights? Are the std heavies up front enough with the cummins or better with extra heavies?
I'm with Adam, looking at your rig keeps me dreamin.

I don’t have the Cummins under the hood but I ended up going with the slinky for my rig. Mostly stock but I do have a 4X4Labs rear tire swing and a bike rack on the back and I don’t have any dirty diaper stance on the rig. Running 315 Grabber ATX’s and can fully stuff them front and rear with 0 rub and no trimming. Also the icon shocks don’t suck at all haha.

Yes I am more than happy with the suspension, it is confidence inspiring being able to come in hot to a turn, tap the brakes to drop the nose a little, then power through the turn loading up the outboard springs...really changed how the cruoser handles in all good ways. I have a particularly heavy rig...but not because of the cummins...the cummins only adds about 300lbs...not much more that a 1HD-FT in Oz spec 80's. All my weight comes from all the gear that I always have in/on the truck.

230lbs RTT
50lbs awning
60lb roof rack
200lbs rear bumper
135lbs front bumper
60lb winch
200lbs drawers
200lbs of drawer contents
50lbs fridge
40lbs fridge contents
30lb dry food pantry
200lbs of camp gear/chairs, table, cloths etc.
140lbs of water/fuel in jerry cans (only on extended remote trips)


Most folks wont have soo much gear...but for my fat pig extra heavies in the rear are perfect.

 

[nuncaperdido]

I don’t have the Cummins under the hood but I ended up going with the slinky for my rig. Mostly stock but I do have a 4X4Labs rear tire swing and a bike rack on the back and I don’t have any dirty diaper stance on the rig. Running 315 Grabber ATX’s and can fully stuff them front and rear with 0 rub and no trimming. Also the icon shocks don’t suck at all haha.

Thot you had a Cummins also. Glad to hear tht you're another satisfied customer. Are you running a 50 or 75mm lift to stuff the 315s?

 

[nuncaperdido]

Thot you had a Cummins also. Glad to hear tht you're another satisfied customer. Are you running a 50 or 75mm lift to stuff

Yes I am more than happy with the suspension, it is confidence inspiring being able to come in hot to a turn, tap the brakes to drop the nose a little, then power through the turn loading up the outboard springs...really changed how the cruoser handles in all good ways. I have a particularly heavy rig...but not because of the cummins...the cummins only adds about 300lbs...not much more that a 1HD-FT in Oz spec 80's. All my weight comes from all the gear that I always have in/on the truck.

230lbs RTT
50lbs awning
60lb roof rack
200lbs rear bumper
135lbs front bumper
60lb winch
200lbs drawers
200lbs of drawer contents
50lbs fridge
40lbs fridge contents
30lb dry food pantry
200lbs of camp gear/chairs, table, cloths etc.
140lbs of water/fuel in jerry cans (only on extended remote trips)


Most folks wont have soo much gear...but for my fat pig extra heavies in the rear are perfect.

Wow, you're right, you dont travel light! But it's good to know tht the Slinkys can handle a pig. Since you have 37s, did you get the kit that moves the axle forward? And how well do the heavies articulate?

 

[landtank]

I've got Dobinson 4" flexi springs with some 4" king shocks. Truck rides great. I do distance driving and then overland off roading. It's very compliant on the road and firms up nicely when gunning down a washboard road.

Honestly, I think it's getting to a point of splitting hairs when comparing the latest offerings from various vendors. I'm sure there are some who can tell the difference and appreciate that difference. I'm not one of them. If I rode in a truck that did perform slightly better and I could tell I wouldn't care. What I have works fine for me.