Dobinsons Coil Springs installed on Trailhunter

[TrailhunterBC]

Yes. On the road now with new TetonX. Wanted to see how it did before changing. Now a summer project after we get home.

These coils will be good for you, you are very low in the back with all the weight.

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[elturco]

There is a whole thread about which dobinson's to put on depending the weight you will be adding to your bed. I had the 821s with only 400 lbs of extra weight on my bed. Although they rode nice, the issue with them is that they are rated for much more weight than I would even carry even when fully loaded. I dont think I go pass 700. After realizing this, I had to replace them with the 819s on my Tacoma OR and although my tail is about 1.5 inches taller than my front when only carrying 400 pound, when I add the rest of the weight it sit level. The other concern is articulation, the 821 won't be able to compress if you are not carrying enough weight and that matters when you are off roading. The people that put on the 817s with 1000 lbs of extra weight have the opposite issue, that although the springs will have the truck sit higher they dont have any spring left to compress and the weight fully compresses them. The best recommendation, is the same as the dobinson's sale rep I spoke with, figure out how much weight you will be carrying and buy the right spring (rated) for your use case.

 

[TrailhunterBC]

There is a whole thread about which dobinson's to put on depending the weight you will be adding to your bed. I had the 821s with only 400 lbs of extra weight on my bed. Although they rode nice, the issue with them is that they are rated for much more weight than I would even carry even when fully loaded. I dont think I go pass 700. After realizing this, I had to replace them with the 819s on my Tacoma OR and although my tail is about 1.5 inches taller than my front when only carrying 400 pound, when I add the rest of the weight it sit level. The other concern is articulation, the 821 won't be able to compress if you are not carrying enough weight and that matters when you are off roading. The people that put on the 817s with 1000 lbs of extra weight have the opposite issue, that although the springs will have the truck sit higher they dont have any spring left to compress and the weight fully compresses them. The best recommendation, is the same as the dobinson's sale rep I spoke with, figure out how much weight you will be carrying and buy the right spring (rated) for your use case.

That's a myth - that you need some crazy compression when you overland. You need more support for overland then compression and this coil will offer enough compression for that. Compression is for rock crawling and trust me I know. I been overlanding for 10 years and doing some rock crawling as well. While this is my first Taco I also have 2 Jeeps, both built very well and been playing with different coils for years and I will go with my own experience over what some salesman is saying. While he is technically not wrong about stronger coil giving less compression - I can tell you with 100% certainty that for overlanding you need 95% stronger support and 5% compression and these coils will have enough compression for what I need. I know a lot of overlanders in all type of vehicles and most use some type of air bag in their coils for support and works for all them. And I used it on my jeep as well and still have it. And airbag gives you zero compression and 100% support and no one ever complained about it. I found some old photo of my red jeep so you can see also how heavy we are loaded. We go deep into the wild and we need tons of gas and other supplies. If someone wants to go rock crawling with his truck then definitely these coils are no for him.

 

[HarryDaHamster]

Does anyone have the chart that shows which Dobinsons spring vs amount of lift?

 

[elturco]

That's a myth - that you need some crazy compression when you overland. You need more support for overland then compression and this coil will offer enough compression for that. Compression is for rock crawling and trust me I know. I been overlanding for 10 years and doing some rock crawling as well. While this is my first Taco I also have 2 Jeeps, both built very well and been playing with different coils for years and I will go with my own experience over what some salesman is saying. While he is technically not wrong about stronger coil giving less compression - I can tell you with 100% certainty that for overlanding you need 95% stronger support and 5% compression and these coils will have enough compression for what I need. I know a lot of overlanders in all type of vehicles and most use some type of air bag in their coils for support and works for all them. And I used it on my jeep as well and still have it. And airbag gives you zero compression and 100% support and no one ever complained about it. I found some old photo of my red jeep so you can see also how heavy we are loaded. We go deep into the wild and we need tons of gas and other supplies. If someone wants to go rock crawling with his truck then definitely these coils are no for him.

This is not a myth. It is suspension engineering grounded in measurable performance behavior. I have over ten years of off roading experience on Tacomas and regularly ride with experienced Jeep owners on technical terrain. Across platforms, the same suspension principles apply. Spring rate selection is not about preference. It is based on actual load, compression characteristics, and terrain response.

Every coil spring has a defined spring rate, measured in pounds per inch, which determines how much it compresses under a specific load. If the spring rate is too high relative to your actual rear axle weight, the suspension remains close to full extension. This severely limits usable compression travel and restricts articulation. The result is poor terrain compliance, harsh rebound response, and loss of traction over uneven surfaces.

Correct spring selection allows the spring to compress by approximately twenty five to thirty five percent under static load. This places the suspension within its optimal operational range, preserving both upward and downward travel. When a spring is too stiff, it prevents the suspension from cycling properly. This is not subjective. It is a direct outcome of mechanical load paths, motion ratios, and force distribution.

Using a heavy duty spring rated for over one thousand pounds on a vehicle carrying only four hundred to seven hundred pounds results in excessive static ride height, minimal deflection, and ineffective shock damping. The spring does not engage its working range, which limits both comfort and off road performance.

Airbags can provide supplemental support for variable loads, but they do not increase suspension articulation or improve dynamic response. They apply vertical resistance and reduce sag, but do not act as part of the primary suspension movement. If over pressurized, they can increase ride harshness and further limit travel.

For builds with consistent rear axle loads below eight hundred pounds, the correct technical solution is a medium rate coil spring that compresses appropriately within that range. This ensures proper stroke usage, effective terrain tracking, and stable handling. Over springing does not improve support. It eliminates compression travel. This is not opinion. It is mechanical science supported by years of practical use and proven suspension behavior.

 

[elturco]

Does anyone have the chart that shows which Dobinsons spring vs amount of lift?

There is also more information on the other dobinsons thread on this site. Look for it, lots of gems from several others.

https://dobinsonusa.com/products/dobinsons-1-3-ims-lift-kit-for-toyota-tacoma-2024-on-dsskitims4t/

• Rear Coil Spring Specs:
  • C59-869V (30mm - 1.25") Stock Load / (Stock Height) 50-100lbs
  • C59-817V (55mm - 2.25") 50-100lb Load / (30mm - 1.25") 175-330lb Load
  • C59-819V (55mm - 2.25") 175- 330lb Load / (30mm - 1.25") 440-660lb Load
  • C59-821V (55mm - 2.25") 440-660lb Load / (30mm - 1.25") 880-1210lb Load
  • C59-823V (55mm - 2.25") 880-1210lb Load / (30mm - 1.25") 1400-1600lb Load
  • C59-825V (55mm - 2.25") 1400-1600lb Load / (30mm - 1.25") 1800-2000lb Load

 

[TrailhunterBC]

This is not a myth. It is suspension engineering grounded in measurable performance behavior. I have over ten years of off roading experience on Tacomas and regularly ride with experienced Jeep owners on technical terrain. Across platforms, the same suspension principles apply. Spring rate selection is not about preference. It is based on actual load, compression characteristics, and terrain response.

Every coil spring has a defined spring rate, measured in pounds per inch, which determines how much it compresses under a specific load. If the spring rate is too high relative to your actual rear axle weight, the suspension remains close to full extension. This severely limits usable compression travel and restricts articulation. The result is poor terrain compliance, harsh rebound response, and loss of traction over uneven surfaces.

Correct spring selection allows the spring to compress by approximately twenty five to thirty five percent under static load. This places the suspension within its optimal operational range, preserving both upward and downward travel. When a spring is too stiff, it prevents the suspension from cycling properly. This is not subjective. It is a direct outcome of mechanical load paths, motion ratios, and force distribution.

Using a heavy duty spring rated for over one thousand pounds on a vehicle carrying only four hundred to seven hundred pounds results in excessive static ride height, minimal deflection, and ineffective shock damping. The spring does not engage its working range, which limits both comfort and off road performance.

Airbags can provide supplemental support for variable loads, but they do not increase suspension articulation or improve dynamic response. They apply vertical resistance and reduce sag, but do not act as part of the primary suspension movement. If over pressurized, they can increase ride harshness and further limit travel.

For builds with consistent rear axle loads below eight hundred pounds, the correct technical solution is a medium rate coil spring that compresses appropriately within that range. This ensures proper stroke usage, effective terrain tracking, and stable handling. Over springing does not improve support. It eliminates compression travel. This is not opinion. It is mechanical science supported by years of practical use and proven suspension behavior.

You didn't understand what I wrote. Myth is that you need a lot of compression for overlanding. Go read my post again, I stand behind it 100%

 

[GMak621]

Changed coils on Trailhunter. Got 2 inches on the front and 3 on the back. And I can't believe how drives much much better - huge improvement. Even my mechanic was shock how trucks feels much better with stiffer coils.

Any vibrations from the front needle bearing ?

 

[TrailhunterBC]

Any vibrations from the front needle bearing ?

No nothing at all. It drives so smooth, like floating. I have now about 300lb weight with my Decked drawer system ad 2 cans of gas full and it's just floating on the road. While before was way more bumpy and you really feel any imperfection on the road, now that is gone and truck just floats.

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