The Dobinsons Suspension Thread

[Buzzy]

I can have no juice in the tank on the passenger side, my FULL 40L Engel and fridge rack/slide which is on the drivers side, me in the drivers seat and someone on the back seat (drivers side) and it makes stuff all difference to the hight. Checked this yesterday arvo.
This crap about how the car should sit a bit higher on the drivers side to allow for driver weight and fuel bla bla bla............. what a load of BS!

[Homer]

Don't worry Buzman, probably just a twisted Chasis

[subi_man]

^^Mean.... but

I am watching this closely for your outcomes guys - I noticed the spare tyre is slung slightly to the left side, but if a full tank of fuel only makes a few mm of difference I can't see the off-centre spare having much affect.

Will have to re-measure my ride heights soon too

[Buzzy]

Don't worry Buzman, probably just a twisted Chasis

Dont say that

Used Triton 4 sale

Black
22,000 ks
Never been offroad
Heaps of extras clicky
Straight as a die

Best offer probably excepted

[Homer]

No mate I'm sure it is just a sag issue. I wouldn't wish a twisted Chasis on anyone. Now I feel all guilty

I had a quick look at mine and it is low on left rear also.

I will have a measure after I get back from Fraser Island next week - if the transfer case gets me home - here's hoping there is no Karma

[ML-VR08]

Ahh mate youll be fine haha, i usually encounter scratches dints etc etc...but no major mechanical issues yet! Touch wood...you will have a ball over there mate. Few mates of mine are going over this long weekend - i cant cause the misses is working saturday morning...might still be able to sneak over there!

[Homer]

Hijack:

Yeah we're doing the scissors, paper, rock thing to see who are the drivers this time.
We normally hit the beach early on the way up and have a few beers as we go - sedate Fraser driving gets us to Waddy by mid arvo.

Be aware mate - this time word has it the RBT's - and maybe speedguns will be out after the silly pommy sheila (presumption) rolled the troopy with 14 or so people in it and killed half of them a week or two ago.
You guys would probably have more info on that being local?

Always at least 10 to a troopy and always totally incapable drivers. Backpackers would make up 95% of all accidents/incidents on the island.
Then when the inevitable happens they have to have a huge crack down to appease the powers that be, instead of regulating the backpackers - just unlucky it looks like being this weekend.

I'm sus on the transfer case 'cause it whines and the mechanic says it needs repairs or a rebuild - bearings is my thinking.
Busted a transfer case on the Waddy blow in my MK a few years back.

end Hijack.

[Buzzy]

Right,
Installed my new (reset 20mm higher) spring yesterday.
Done prob 20ks so far.

FL = 581 FR = 585

RL = 640 RR = 647

AND NO SQUEEK................................................yet

Pretty happy with it now. Looks alot better
Once again great serive from Martin
It actually picked the front left up 5-10mm as well
Still dont know why it needed 20mm more set but its done now
FSC give Martin a call and tell him whats happening with yours, he might do the same thing and send you another spring.

[Dylan 191]

wonder why it needed to be different to the other spring ?
didi martin say that it was a reoccuring problem ?

[Buzzy]

Not sure why it need to be differnt Dylan. Your guess is as good as mine.
When I had the spring and spare tyre out I went through and stuck the tape on a few vital suspention brackets just to see if there was any stuff-ups in manufacture, thought mine may have been a Friday arvo job
Couldnt see bugger all difference left to right so it cant be a prob there. Got me stuffed

When I origionaly had my suspenstion installed it saged in the back left.
Martin sent a new spring up and it done the same thing
Then he sent me my old spring back on Friday with 20mm more set in it and it seams to have fixed the problem

[Dylan 191]

oh that worked out good for ya then , good to see a company backing up product with support

bet your stoked

[Buzzy]

It currently sits good. Only thing worrying me know is I dont want it to settle any lower from where it is, hopfully this wont happen. Subi's springs havent droped much so heres hoping.

[Greedy]

I hope this works for you Buzzy. I have nothing but praise for my setup and can't understand why such a problem would be occuring. Good luck with it.

[Buzzy]

Checked heights again today

FL = 580 FR = 584

RL = 643 RR = 644

Still sitting pretty good so far.

I might have a theory on this.
Been concentrating on the rear left due to it being to low. Maybe when Martin origionally sent me the springs (first set) the rear right was incorrect (to much height) it hasnt been change out, still have it in. Would indicate why I've had 2 new springs in the left and they have both been low, maybe thats the height its supposed to be

What do ya's reckon?

Does anyone know if Dobinson state a height that the car is supposed to sit at with their kit. Something a bit more accurate that 2" lift. 2" from what??

[Greedy]

Does anyone know if Dobinson state a height that the car is supposed to sit at with their kit. Something a bit more accurate that 2" lift. 2" from what??

I was told 45mm if that's any help to you.

[Dylan 191]

Before (click for full view)


After



the filler cap and snorkel decided to swap sides in these photos

(sorry its late and im bored)

[Dylan 191]

ohhh 500 posts.........now

[subi_man]

haha, I didn't think anyone would notice I had mirrored that image!

[CairnsGSE]

I added this to another site but relivant

Well I,m not to sure about Dobson . My first package was Iron-Man ,constant load rears ,coils to suit steel bullbar etc .the front shocks lasted about 70000km then lost all compression dampening. Then my Repco drama ,same springs but my once trusted 4wd superstore guys fitted repco shockers -not my choice but thats another story -front coil support plates broke and coil ended up on bottom mount . welded them up but they had to go .On for about 12000km. The once trusted ones then fitted Dobsons shockers ,which is what I wanted anyway ,and now the fronts have gone the same way as the Iron-Mans ,no compresion dampening in about 5000k.I recon all the same shockers from china but with different paint and stickers.
All the rear ones are good ,no problems,but the fronts are a drama.
I have just ordered a set of front , Tough Dog 40mm adjustables so time will tell

cheers
CairnsGSE

[Choady]

I have finally had the time to get down and pick up my Dobinsons suspension kit from Martin on Friday

I had a bloke at a local suspension joint ready to compress the old springs and fit the new ones (for $38), but when I turned up at his shop on Sat morning, he'd double booked another job and said he couldn't do mine as he was running behind already, and then he was heading off for the long weekend

So now, its nearly lunchtime and Im searching for someone else to do it for me (I dont have any spring compressors), but everyones flat out and keen to get away for the long weekend so Im getting 'no' responses from everyone. I finally find a bloke who says he can do them if I leave then with him for a couple of hours which I do. I go back at 1500, but he still hasnt started them yet. After another 30min wating, he says his old spring compressors arnt up to it and gives them back to me !

So no im stuffed - its a long weekend and now have to wait until Tuesday to get them done - and my truck is sitting on chasis stands i my garage with the suspension in bits

Oh well - It could be worse I spose !

[Choady]

Ok - Suspension finally installed on Tuesday night until the wee hours of the morning

Am very happy with the result - it looks and drives like a new car. The most surprising aspect was how poor the factory rear shocks were after only 8500km. Their like bike pumps - could compress them with ease by hand with little effort.

The ARB rear step bar made installing and removing the rear shackles a pain in the arse and torque wrench couldn't fit one of the nuts but apart from that it went in nice and easy once Ihad someone compress the new front springs for me ($50).

Heights are as follows (measured from centre of wheel to arch with full tank of fuel.)

150km stock car with nothing fitted
Front Left 535mm Front Right 545mm
Rear Left 588mm Rear Right 594mm

3900km after tyres, barwork, canopy etc fitted :
Font Left 517mm Front Right 528mm
Rear Left 569mm Rear Right 572mm

8500km with new Dobis kit fitted:
Font Left 580mm Front Right 595mm
Rear Left 630mm Rear Right 635mm

My car has always had about a 10mm split between front left and front right. Why im unsure, but a spirit level shows level across the front

The cars a bit grubby at moment cause I took it for a 250km bush bash in Lilydale state forest to test it all out Im very happy with the extra clearance and ride. I had to let 4psi out of the rear tyres (to 34psi) to smooth out the rear with the new leafs. Here are some pics:

Before Side

After Side

Before Front Right

After Front right

Before Front

After Front

[greeny03]

Very nice!! Know what I want next!!

[subi_man]

Glad it's finally in mate - congrats. Looks great!!

[Dylan 191]

Hey Subi, you now have the same height as mine was originally. Have just made the propotype spacers and am happy with the outcome. Will machine units during the week in 6mm and 10mm and see which one better suits the upper control arm.

hey wallace just curious as to what the spacers were to achieve

im in the process of doing the front on mine and now hope to get a better understanding of how it works and what everything does

[Dylan 191]

hey buzzy you have 285's on your truck dont you
with the dobinsons greaseable shackles does your spare touch the top grease nipple ?
i only have 265's and it is right there next to it