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Eibach vs Dobinson vs OME

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Barcelona Trail, Jun 21, 2018.

  1. Mar 9, 2019 at 3:13 PM
    #31
    POOLGUY

    POOLGUY New Member

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    @Firstoneman, we put the same Dobinsons suspension on my son's 4runner. It's great. The on and off road ride quality and capability is has been improved. Its been 2yrs. and no problems with the lift or the 4runner. He keep the stock size tires, and it looks good. The front came up to 36.5", the rear came up to 37.75". With the drawers we built and gear the rear dropped to about 37". The best thing to do is talk with Mike at Dobinsons USA, and tell him what your looking at and how much weight you will be carrying.
     
  2. Mar 9, 2019 at 3:19 PM
    #32
    POOLGUY

    POOLGUY New Member

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    Definitely get the front pre-assembled. Not to hard to to yourself of you have the tools for it.
     
  3. Mar 9, 2019 at 3:21 PM
    #33
    Firstoneman

    Firstoneman New Member

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    David
    Mozambique
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    UniChip
    I spoke with a guy named David there. He pointed me in the direction of the particular part numbers. These setups are almost 75% more down here...not installed. Am trying to figure out if I can do the removal & installation myself? I've done a lot of other work on my 91 chevy 1/2 ton & my 1994 Suburban, etc...but the suspension on those is set up quite differently. The Dob price is a bit more than I (and my wife) intended to spend but from what I've read here and other places this is the set up I really believe I should go with.
     
    POOLGUY[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Mar 9, 2019 at 3:25 PM
    #34
    Firstoneman

    Firstoneman New Member

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    UniChip
    thanks again.
    So if the top plates are installed, then it's a matter of unbolt the whole original assembly and bolt on the new assembly - minus the danger of spring compression because the top plate holds the springs under compression on the strut assembly? Is that correct?
     
  5. Mar 9, 2019 at 3:34 PM
    #35
    Firstoneman

    Firstoneman New Member

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    UniChip
    I don't know about the 4Runners but the Surfs from Japan have the tire mounted on a swing out mount (so can open the rear hatch), on what is the rear passenger side in USA. That side of my Surf, and I've noticed many others here, sags down. I carry some safety gear and have toyed with idea of designing a set of drawers and putting a rack with recovery gear on top and also a ladder with jack, etc... So weight is going to go up. How much weight do you think you added to help load the new springs/shocks...?
     
  6. Mar 9, 2019 at 3:36 PM
    #36
    POOLGUY

    POOLGUY New Member

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    The rear is easy. On the front to make it easier, disconnect the lca at the lower balljoint so it can swing down, and give you room to remove and install the front struts.

    You will be happy with Dobinsons. I also have it on my Tacoma too. I went with the heavy duty rear springs because I haul 600-700lbs. almost daily.
     
    WallyT4R and Firstoneman[QUOTED] like this.
  7. Mar 9, 2019 at 3:38 PM
    #37
    Firstoneman

    Firstoneman New Member

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    UniChip
    Sorry to keep after it...what about the rears? Will i need a spring compressor to safely remove the rear springs? And how about getting the shocks in - anything special on the rears?

    Has been answered by PoolGuy...thanks. Only need to know about the compressing the rear springs to safely remove...does that need to be done?
     
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  8. Mar 10, 2019 at 6:31 PM
    #38
    Firstoneman

    Firstoneman New Member

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    UniChip
    Bummer. Discovered that shocks are prohibited items in checked or carryon luggage. Argh...spent a lot of time trying to arrange it all. I can at least get the better price on the coils. So can't get the fronts delivered pre-assembled. Back to the question about removing the rear springs...does it require spring compressors to remove them? Thanks much.
     
  9. Mar 10, 2019 at 8:49 PM
    #39
    POOLGUY

    POOLGUY New Member

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    The rears, no. Just lift, support the 4runner from from the frame, remove the wheels, start unbolting shocks and anything else you need to while you lower the axle with with a floor jack.

    The front you are going to need spring compressor. Can you just have your friend ship the kit to you through a freight company like DHL?
     
  10. Mar 11, 2019 at 1:12 AM
    #40
    Charlievee

    Charlievee New Member

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    Fyi, Eibach can be found much cheaper then 1900.

    FYI x2. You don't need a spring compressor to assemble the front shocks. Spare jack stand (or something to hold up the hub) and a jack will get it done.
     
  11. Mar 11, 2019 at 1:16 AM
    #41
    Charlievee

    Charlievee New Member

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    FYI x3
    *** Basic concept, do work at own risk and skill level. I am not a certified tech, nor did I stay at a Holiday inn express last night***

    Get the truck up on stands
    Pull tire
    Loosen the ABS wire from UCA link (to gain extra slack)
    Remove sway bar link
    Loosen upper shock nut (center one)
    Place Jack stand under wheel hub and Jack under lower ball joint
    Remove the two bolts holding hub assembly to the lower control arm
    Mark alignment sleeves and loosen the lower control arm bolts.
    Lower jack/ lower control arm.
    Once the spring is fully decompressed, remove lower shock bolt
    Remove strut
    Install new strut, torque lower strut mount
    Lift the LCA back into position using the Jack to compress the spring
    Torque the two lower ball joint bolts and LCA bolts (making sure alignment marks are in place)
    Torque top shock nut
    Install sway bar link and ABS line
    Remove Jack and stand from under the hub/ lower ball joint
    Mount wheel
    Second side is the same.
    Put rear up on stands and remove wheels (I kept the Jack under the diff)
    Remove sway bar links
    Remove upper shock nut
    Place Jack under other side shock and lift until coil spring is free
    Remove lower shock mount and spring
    Install new spring
    Install new shock, torque lower mount to spec
    Lower jack ( hope spring staid in place)
    Tighten top shock nut
    Repeat on other side
    Install sway bar links
    Mount wheels.

    Get truck alignment

    I used 3 Jack stands and two jacks

    Plenty of tube vids for reference
     
  12. May 14, 2019 at 5:30 PM
    #42
    Firstoneman

    Firstoneman New Member

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    UniChip
    Thanks much for the install detail...didn't mean to ignore you. I've been involved in some relief work these past few weeks where a powerful cyclone (hurricane) hit in Mozambique. Surf has been least of my concerns for a while now since it was not in use.

     
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  13. May 14, 2019 at 6:01 PM
    #43
    Firstoneman

    Firstoneman New Member

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    UniChip
    So...I finally go to buy the shocks and springs and the supplier in South Africa is out of the front shocks (has full rear setup and front springs only) and won't get them from Australia until after I leave for US for two months. Any suggestions for alternative shocks to pair with front springs? Or is it a bad idea? The day after I return to Moz I will have a road trip and some activities to attend (which involve light off-road driving) and will not have time to think about installing all these parts. Best if I can get it done before I leave for US...
     
  14. May 15, 2019 at 9:42 AM
    #44
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Check to see if Eibach, Bilstein, or Old Man Emu makes shocks for your specific truck. Any of those will work. Eibach is my personal preference because I like the valving on them.
     
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  15. May 16, 2019 at 5:44 PM
    #45
    Firstoneman

    Firstoneman New Member

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    UniChip
    I'm going to check on the design of the Dobinsons shocks and find something that is similar in design - progressive, digressive or linear. Can you tell me what Eibach or Bilstein is? I did a quick search and couldn't find any statement about this characteristic for them. It's super late here and I've really got to get some sleep. Thanks for the input. (edit: just found comment that Bilsteins are digressive).
     
  16. May 16, 2019 at 8:36 PM
    #46
    Charlievee

    Charlievee New Member

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    Eibach..."Each damper is vehicle specific with it's own valving. There are variances in how we valve different types of suspension, but it is safe to generalize our Toyota product (independent front) as digressive with strategically placed bleed for a progressive feel at low speed and a steep midspeed knee in the rebound to help control G-outs and big dips etc. This simulates the linear control you get out of the big shocks.

    We use digressive piston design on both compression and rebound sides of the piston, but our use of preload and bleed give the shocks a linear feel at high speed (whoops, dips etc.) This translates to a great balance of control on the street (not too wollowy) with compliance in the dirt (sucks up big bumps, drops, G-outs and gets you back in control)"
     
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  17. May 22, 2019 at 2:40 PM
    #47
    Heather4Runner

    Heather4Runner New Member

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    Looking for a good lift kit. Traded my 16 Jeep JKU for the 19 4runner, on the jeep we had OME with the heavy duty springs. We loved the jeep it was stiffer but we didn't mind it.

    I am tore between OME (thats what we know) and Kings custom lift with Total chaos UCA
     
  18. May 24, 2019 at 6:46 PM
    #48
    Barcelona Trail

    Barcelona Trail [OP] New Member

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    Colorado in Winter - SoCal in Summer
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    Bilstein 6112 & 5100 - Built Right UCAs - AFE Intake, TBS, & Exhaust - Pedal Cmndr - Icon Rebound - 285 BFG KO2
    You're absolutely right... Here in San Diego I can head up to LA and go directly to Eibach, where I can get their 2.75/1 lift installed in house for 1200. The problem w Eibach is they never answer the phone, so I wont be giving them my money. Additionally, 88 Rotors in So Cal will install 5100s w OME springs (3/2) for roughly the same price. In either case UCA and install would cost me another 600-700. So basically 1800 for either set up - give or take
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
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  19. Aug 15, 2019 at 1:53 PM
    #49
    Barcelona Trail

    Barcelona Trail [OP] New Member

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    Colorado in Winter - SoCal in Summer
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    Bilstein 6112 & 5100 - Built Right UCAs - AFE Intake, TBS, & Exhaust - Pedal Cmndr - Icon Rebound - 285 BFG KO2
    So in the end, given everything I said in my original post... I went with Bilstein 6112s and 5100s (I keep hearing about 5160s leaking) paired w Bilstein B12 springs in the rear. Who'd have thought
    :spending:
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2019
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