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3" Dobinsons lift

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Gyoaz, Feb 2, 2020.

  1. Feb 2, 2020 at 7:07 AM
    #1
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    Well, I pulled the trigger on a 3" dobinsons lift. I went with the extra heavy coils front and rear.
    Front Springs: C59-352 - 220-300LBS heavy, 730lbs rate
    Front Shocks: GS59-574 - Twin tube
    Rear Springs: C59-701V - 600-800lbs super heavy rear load weight
    Rear Shocks: GS59-701 - Twin Tube.
    I'm coming from a taco on OME 886 and Dakars so I dont mind riding a stiff one (insert beavis and butt head laugh). I'm planning to add a full plate front and rear bumper, winch, jerry cans, and tire swing. I also got camburg ball joint UCAs.
    Pulling everything off and reassembling was pretty easy with the exception of the KDSS sway bar. I had the struts assembled by dobinsons before shipping. I've worked with spring compressors before and they suck. As an afterthought I wish I'd taken pics of the struts side by side. They were nearly identical in length.
    Time for the front end was about 3 hours and another 2 hours trying to wrestle the sway bar back into place. Eventually I placed a jack under the KDSS piston and a ratchet strap to pull the sway bar back toward the lower A-arm.
    Today I'll be tackling the rear. I'm currently sitting about 1&1/2" higher in the front. This must be what it feels like to be a monster drinking "Kyle" with a squatted truck. I have to say I'm not a fan.
    Pre lift
    19.5" front hub to fender
    21" rear hub to fender20200131_132334.jpg
    Post lift
    24" front hub to fender (both sides)
    26" rear hub to fender (driver)
    25.5 rear hub to fender (passenger)
    20200201_085307.jpg
    My CV angles were pretty ugly so I went ahead with a diff drop.
    Before DD
    20200201_135856.jpg
    20200201_135849.jpg
    After DD
    20200205_175833.jpg
    20200205_175841.jpg
    More than enough room to size up to 33s
    20200201_121311.jpg
    Old vs new rear springs
    20200202_132039.jpg
    I tried using the factory jack to get the big reds in but kept coming up about 1" short20200202_141609.jpg
    Finaly got a set of spring compressors ant squished those big reds down to size.
    Then just put in the new shocks and reattached the KDSS and wheels.
    20200203_081606.jpg
    I missed most of the good superbowl commercials but here's the finished product
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Feb 5, 2020
    ready6delta, DrewMan, gunsnob and 2 others like this.
  2. Feb 2, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #2
    wmdtech

    wmdtech Send MOD Money!!

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    275/70r17 KO2 Eibach Stage 1 JBA UCAs
    Looks good. What size tires are you currently running? I put a set of 275 KO2 on mine because I wasn’t wanting to buy new wheels, now I’m sort of regretting it as a lift may come sooner than I thought. Only going 2 - 2.5 and am hoping the 275s look good
     
    Gyoaz[OP] likes this.
  3. Feb 2, 2020 at 7:36 AM
    #3
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    If you were 19.5" in the front pre-lift and 22" post-lift, then you are 2.5" higher in the front than stock. I'm wondering how you didn't get to 3" with a stock vehicle and heavy duty springs??
     
  4. Feb 2, 2020 at 7:41 AM
    #4
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    Uh oh, I made an error. It went to 24". I'll go back and correct the original post. Thanks.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
  5. Feb 2, 2020 at 7:47 AM
    #5
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    I'm still on 265s. I think the 275s look good in a meaty tread. I did the same thing with my taco. I bought 275 KO2s then lifted to 3". I rolled like that for about 3 years. I'll look for a pic.
     
  6. Feb 2, 2020 at 7:48 AM
    #6
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Make sure you're on level ground when you measure. If you went from 19.5" to 24", that means you got 4.5" of lift in the front. Not sure that's possible with that lift.

    How does it ride so far?
     
  7. Feb 2, 2020 at 8:01 AM
    #7
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    Yup, it was on level ground and I drove up and down the driveway to make sure there wasn't anything binding. It's a bit more than I wanted. I'm told it should settle a little. It drives bit stiffer in the front but not harsh. However, it's hard to judge while the rear is still so squishy. I have a winch and plan to buy a full plate front bumper, I've got a rear bumper with tire gate on the way. This is why I chose the heavy springs. I'm going to re-measure today and see of its settled any more. I may be too high till I add the extra weight. I've seen other members claiming 24" hub to fender.
     
  8. Feb 2, 2020 at 8:07 AM
    #8
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    Stock on 275s
    629005-3c1dca84b7f7aab5b2f5f6b14521a9eb.jpg
    2.5 lift on 275s790990-4b296df1bf32260ea7447544965802b9.jpg
    On 33s (with a few more mods)
    20191004_181155.jpg

    I know the taco looks a little different than the T4R but I hope this gives you a little frame of reference. I didnt notice any in the way of offroad performance or clearance (granted you air down when you wheel) with the 33s. I'd suggest keeping your 275s till you need new shoes.
     
  9. Feb 2, 2020 at 8:28 AM
    #9
    scottalot

    scottalot Stockalot

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    To be determined
    Do the diff drops actually help cv angles on the 4Runner? I know the 2nd gen Tacoma’s see no benefit from it while the 1st gen Tacoma does.

    those are some nasty cv angles. I’d hope it settles quickly or get a bumper and winch on order stat
     
    Gyoaz[OP] likes this.
  10. Feb 2, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #10
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    I've got a warn m8000s that I took of the taco. The rear bumper is on the way. Unfortunately the front bumper has to wait for my wallet to catch up. I was told by the CSR at dobinsons that I would not have more than a 3" gain. I got over 4".
     
    scottalot[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Feb 2, 2020 at 11:25 AM
    #11
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Yeah the numbers are confusing.

    You might have been sagging in the front in the first place. I think most new SR5 and OR 4x4's measure around 20 1/4" in the front prior to lift. But even if that's the case, you're still jacked up pretty high in the front end if you're at 24".

    Did you torque the UCA and LCA while lifted in the air or when down on the ground?
     
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  12. Feb 2, 2020 at 12:13 PM
    #12
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    I did the UCA while Jacked up and didnt losten the LCA. Is that something that usually is done to release some of the tension?
     
  13. Feb 2, 2020 at 2:16 PM
    #13
    scottalot

    scottalot Stockalot

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    To be determined
    If I recall.. the proper procedure is to torque the UCA’s once the vehicle is back on the ground.
    I haven’t lifted a runner but on the taco I never loosened the LCAs and I have lifted several of those with no issue.. that said, kdss wasn’t involved
     
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  14. Feb 2, 2020 at 2:58 PM
    #14
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Yes, the truck is supposed to be down on the ground when torquing UCA's/LCA's. You can always loosen your UCA it real quick and re-torque it while it's sitting on the ground.

    Scottalot just brought up a good point re KDSS. Perhaps your KDSS truck will settle more than a truck without KDSS?? I'm not familiar with lifting a KDSS vehicle so maybe someone who has can read your lift procedure up above to see if that would make any difference in lift height immediately following the install.
     
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  15. Feb 2, 2020 at 3:20 PM
    #15
    jack bauer1

    jack bauer1 New Member

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    Front end is way too high. Your CVs are hating life. Diff drop doesn't do much for 5th gen. I run one and got maybe 1/4 inch better angle from it, maybe.
    Stay at 3 inches or lower of lift in the front if you want stuff to last (not to mention a better feeling ride).
     
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  16. Feb 2, 2020 at 3:29 PM
    #16
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    I did re-torque UCAs while on the ground. I'm gonna do the dif drop and add about 250 lbs to the front as a winch and bumper. Maybe I'll swap out my synthetic line for steel just for a lil added weight. I am also planning on full steel skids.
     
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  17. Feb 2, 2020 at 4:04 PM
    #17
    scottalot

    scottalot Stockalot

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    To be determined
    Between settling and the weight you’re going to add you should be sitting pretty good. Just gotta try to keep the cvs alive and not eat up boots until that time comes
     
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  18. Feb 2, 2020 at 4:41 PM
    #18
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    I'm gonna keep an eye on them boots lol. Any tips to treat my CVs well while I'm waiting?
     
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  19. Feb 2, 2020 at 5:07 PM
    #19
    scottalot

    scottalot Stockalot

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    To be determined
    I wish I knew of something to help :notsure: someone may chime in with some backwoods idea like greasing the boots or adding gorilla tape between the fins but I don’t know of any special snake oil tricks haha


    You may be surprised how long they last though.. ive seen people on tw rocking nasty angles for a good while with no issue
     
  20. Feb 2, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #20
    upperleftadventureguy

    upperleftadventureguy 2016 SR5. PNW

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    Ok, I’m very new to lifts (getting ready to order a Eibach I think) what makes 3” to high? I’m not meaning to Hijack the thread but lifts make me nervous because there is so much to learn / different opinions on stuff
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
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  21. Feb 2, 2020 at 5:17 PM
    #21
    scottalot

    scottalot Stockalot

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    To be determined
    3’ is about 33” to much :p
     
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  22. Feb 2, 2020 at 5:34 PM
    #22
    upperleftadventureguy

    upperleftadventureguy 2016 SR5. PNW

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    Touché ;)
     
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  23. Feb 2, 2020 at 5:57 PM
    #23
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    3" is about the max you can go without some fab work and bad CV angles lol. If you go bigger than 33" tires you may need to regear aaaand do a bit of modification under the fenders. There's tons of options. It just depends on what the intent of the lift is for.
     
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  24. Feb 2, 2020 at 6:28 PM
    #24
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    Aaand I'm done. Imma finish watching the 9ers and Chefs. I'll add pics to my thread in the am.
    Edit: the ride is stiff AF but tolerable. It feels more like I'm driving a truck than a station wagon now. I didn't need either front or rear trim packers for the KDSS. its amazingly even on both sides. Theres a very slight rake, exactly what I'd wanted. If I'd used the spring squisher right off the bat the rear would've taken about 3 hours. Big thanks for the advice I was given.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
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  25. Feb 3, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #25
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
  26. Feb 3, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #26
    jack bauer1

    jack bauer1 New Member

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    The Eibach Pro lift is in the safe zone as it is 2.75 inches of lift on the highest setting.
     
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  27. Feb 3, 2020 at 9:54 AM
    #27
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Looks great!
     
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  28. Feb 3, 2020 at 11:54 AM
    #28
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    Thanks!
     
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  29. Feb 5, 2020 at 8:01 PM
    #29
    Gyoaz

    Gyoaz [OP] Garyo

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    Diff breather, Camburg UCAs, dobinsons 3" lift, front n’ rear steel, RTT, scuba exuiped, OBA, and some lights
    I got the diff drop put in today . The CV angles look a hair better but are still pretty bad. After a few days my measurements are still about 24" front and 26" rear. I'm goinging to be towing a trailer this weekend. Hopefully that helps the back settle a little. For anyone who's done a 3" lift what do your hub to fender measurements look like?
     
  30. Feb 6, 2020 at 3:43 AM
    #30
    og556

    og556 New Member

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    I have a dumb question. I am in the process of shopping for a suspension system for my TRD OR. I have a hefty Fabworks aluminum bumper and warn 10k winch I’ll be installing.

    I’m wondering if the high CV angle will be resolved as you add weight to the front?

    I think for my setup I’ll go with the standard weight coils instead of heavy.
     

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