Steering Stabilizer. Which one is King ? (3 Viewers)

[BILT4ME]

I find this type of logic faulty. Just because the OEM one lasted this long doesn't mean that other brands won't last just as long or longer, won't work just as well or better, and won't be a better value. It's good to look at options. JMHO.

Anectdotally, yes I see your point.

However, if you read up on other brands, they are frequently failing in 2-3 years, particularly the OME version. Many of the people there don't have the quantities on these trucks in these conditions for enough years to firm long range opinions.

Not to mention that the OEM version is about equal money to the OME version.

 

[GOTLOCKED96]

I went with the OME because it was reasonable and easiest to get. Hardware made for an easy install. It honestly didn’t make that big of a difference over stock. It does look cooler, and I’m sure cheaper than OEM.

Is it King? I don’t know.

With that big yellow tube, seafoam Dobinson taper springs, silver icon shocks, and gold zinc hardware, my undercarriage has a whole Miami Sound Machine and Crockett and Tubbs thing going on.

I’m really confused on how Dobinsons thought teal would be a hit. At least it’s better than the Ironman green. Colored springs annoy me like a huge wing on a civic.

 

[JeepinPete]

Mine left the scene 18 months back when I bent the tie rod in the woods and had to beat it back straight enough to get out. Never got around to reinstalling it, and frankly could never tell the difference. I'm running oddly worn 365/75R16 KM2s for reference.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

If your junk is set up correctly I dont see the need anything more than stock or in my case a Monroe because I'm cheap.

 

[LC4LIFE]

I run the Monroe from O'rielly's as it has a lifetime warranty and works just fine. They replaced one for me under warranty after the first one was 7yrs old and leaking.

 

[tacocat]

I’m really confused on how Dobinsons thought teal would be a hit. At least it’s better than the Ironman green. Colored springs annoy me like a huge wing on a civic.

Admittedly, I've kind of gotten used to it. I almost like it. That being said, I don't own a green, blue, or red Cruiser. That would have been awful.

 

[Pascoscout]

I just put on an OME. If I'd seen the ICON I'd probably have gotten that just to match my shocks. The OME is way stiffer than my stock one was.

 

[cartercd]

I recommend the Fox 4.0, 5-tube, piggyback bypass race shock. It's $2,300, but your truck will drive itself.

 

[marlon828]

I recommend the Fox 4.0, 5-tube, piggyback bypass race shock. It's $2,300, but your truck will drive itself.



View attachment 2275488

Say lesssss!!!!
where is the link?

 

[sicilian]

I went with the NAPA/Monroe version, wasn't too happy with the fit of the taper, so I turned it down to the oe size, fits great now. I haven't heard of this issue from other people, maybe mine were oversize? Works fine and super easy to change in the future, you can just leave the taper side in and unbolt and replace at the bushing, ...inexpensive too. Added the boot for an extra 10 bucks, to keep dirt and road debris off the shaft.

 

[izzyandsue]

I had Ironman, lasted 5 years and 40K miles. Now with OME to see if it will last longer

 

[8cam]

When I replaced my dead OME shocks, I went ahead and got the OME stabilizer too. Turns out the old one was very dead, huge difference in my steering. I have no experience with others but I will say replacing it was definitely a good idea.

 

[crikeymike]

I went with the NAPA/Monroe version, wasn't too happy with the fit of the taper, so I turned it down to the oe size, fits great now. I haven't heard of this issue from other people, maybe mine were oversize? Works fine and super easy to change in the future, you can just leave the taper side in and unbolt and replace at the bushing, ...inexpensive too. Added the boot for an extra 10 bucks, to keep dirt and road debris off the shaft.

View attachment 2275650View attachment 2275651

I'd say they just supplied the wrong part with that one that you got. Maybe you got a newer 70 series variant.

 

[RIPGMH]

Went King, picked up an easy 40hp.

 

[ColoradoLC]

IVD universal stabilizer unfortunately will not work on the 80. Already went down that road with their tech support team.

Strange that this comes up when you look for parts that will fit the 80 series...This is a bummer!

 

[jellis]

Switched from an old OME (no idea when PO put it on but it felt equal both ways so I guess it was still OK?) to the new Dobinson's Adjustable Steering Damper/Stabilizer (thanks to @Delta VS ). To those who say a damper makes no difference, you should try an adjustable damper! Sure you might not need one to make it down the road but you also don't need running hot water in your house--both just make life so much better!

At the tightest setting my steering wheel essentially doesn't move at all at high speed on washboard and wander on the highway is very significantly reduced. On the loosest setting it equaled my OME in slow compression strength (15lbs to push down on a scale), tightest setting is 23lbs so 50% tighter. This doesn't relate to dynamic performance at all, but is interesting. At >50% tightness it does reduce auto-return of the steering wheel around corners which takes some getting used to but I don't do a lot of town driving so it hasn't been a bother. I haven't found a desire to turn it down to <50% because I just love the stiffer steering, but it's super quick/easy to adjust down if necessary. The Dobinson's promo video has a low/high steering wheel movement shot and it is entirely accurate, driving on dirt at high speed is much more enjoyable and I feel more in control because the wheel doesn't move for "no reason", ever. The biggest surprise on road was the lack of steering wheel movement caused by bumps around corners at speed which makes a much more stable experience, the wheel used to move requiring correction and therefore a bit of rig movement in general.

As for options on the best damper: King isn't an IPF damper so if you're worried about fade it's not a good option, especially at its price point I certainly wouldn't go with a non-IPF damper. The three generic Fox IPF damper options unfortunately aren't quite the proper extended/compressed range for an 80 series so they just don't work. And these are non-adjustable which, now that I have one, I wouldn't bother spending more than $100 without the capability. I think the Tough Dog adjustable is probably the best value direct-fit adjustable damper, but I'm pretty sure it's not IPF so of course it's cheaper. The Dobinson's adjustable stabilizer is ridiculously expensive but the improvement in driving experience on a 6" lift with 37s is incredibly noteworthy and very worth the money IMO.

 

[crikeymike]

Switched from an old OME (no idea when PO put it on but it felt equal both ways so I guess it was still OK?) to the new Dobinson's Adjustable Steering Damper/Stabilizer (thanks to @Delta VS ). To those who say a damper makes no difference, you should try an adjustable damper! Sure you might not need one to make it down the road but you also don't need running hot water in your house--both just make life so much better!

At the tightest setting my steering wheel essentially doesn't move at all at high speed on washboard and wander on the highway is very significantly reduced. On the loosest setting it equaled my OME in slow compression strength (15lbs to push down on a scale), tightest setting is 23lbs so 50% tighter. This doesn't relate to dynamic performance at all, but is interesting. At >50% tightness it does reduce auto-return of the steering wheel around corners which takes some getting used to but I don't do a lot of town driving so it hasn't been a bother. I haven't found a desire to turn it down to <50% because I just love the stiffer steering, but it's super quick/easy to adjust down if necessary. The Dobinson's promo video has a low/high steering wheel movement shot and it is entirely accurate, driving on dirt at high speed is much more enjoyable and I feel more in control because the wheel doesn't move for "no reason", ever. The biggest surprise on road was the lack of steering wheel movement caused by bumps around corners at speed which makes a much more stable experience, the wheel used to move requiring correction and therefore a bit of rig movement in general.

As for options on the best damper: King isn't an IPF damper so if you're worried about fade it's not a good option, especially at its price point I certainly wouldn't go with a non-IPF damper. The three generic Fox IPF damper options unfortunately aren't quite the proper extended/compressed range for an 80 series so they just don't work. And these are non-adjustable which, now that I have one, I wouldn't bother spending more than $100 without the capability. I think the Tough Dog adjustable is probably the best value direct-fit adjustable damper, but I'm pretty sure it's not IPF so of course it's cheaper. The Dobinson's adjustable stabilizer is ridiculously expensive but the improvement in driving experience on a 6" lift with 37s is incredibly noteworthy and very worth the money IMO.

That's great information, and a very thorough description of how the damper works to change the way the vehicle feels.

 

[crikeymike]

The Dobinson's adjustable stabilizer is ridiculously expensive but the improvement in driving experience on a 6" lift with 37s is incredibly noteworthy and very worth the money IMO.

Yes, it's definitely a lot more than the standard $95 one, but with additional cost comes the better performance.

Just in comparison to shocks, since the steering damper is a shock, here is how the current pricing (Jan 2021) of Dobinsons shocks compare to each other (hello to those of you reading this in 2030!!!)

Twin tube - $135 each
IMS Monotube IFP non adjustable - $250 each
MRA 3-way adjustable with external resi - $525 each

Foam cell Steering damper - $95
Adjustable IFP steering damper - $400

 

[jcardona1]

The best stabilizer is the one that connects to your steering box

 

[MrMikeyG]

Here's my take. When I got my 80, the OEM dampers were still running around $200-250. I went through a lot of the threads here regarding steering dampers, and came away with not wanting to shell out for that particular part. Fast forward a bit and I found an "open box" Tough Dog unit from a mud member along with a couple of other items for cheap, so that's where I landed.
For my pretty mild usage and given that it now seems like I can get an OEM damper from quite a few places for $100 that's what I would do today. There are also no worries about fitment.
The Dobinsons adjustable unit sounds pretty cool though.