Dobinsons IMS Front Struts - How to set coil seat height
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มี.ค. 2020
- Dobinsons IMS shocks in their newest iteration are now available in the USA for the first time. These new fully threaded body struts come with some great features. This video shows the unboxing of a set and how to set the coil seat height during the initial install, as well as how to adjust them later.
Exit Offroad is a premium Dobinsons dealer offering over 22 years of offroad and parts knowledge to those interested in outfitting their vehicles. Feel free to ask any questions or leave comments down below.
And here you can see all IMS shock options:
exitoffroad.com/product-categ... - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
I got mine set for 2in. Ordered late on Tuesday . Got them Sunday and put on. They look good and ride alot better. Communication is great. Mike will help you out.
You're welcome bud!!!
great info but, what if I just want a 1.5 " lift do I have to experiment or is their a more precise means of calculating height adjustment.
Dobinsons offer different height springs, depending on your vehicle, so you could get some 1.5" lift springs possibly and set the coil seat height to the factory height, which is 213mm on most Toyota's. It's basically a 2:1 ratio too, so if you went with 218mm (5mm taller), it would add 10mm of lift height at the wheel.
So you set the perch to the height, as specified for your vehicle, then you use the Dobinsions springs to give you the lift? For example: a 4runner set to the height in the manual, then use C59-302 springs for a 2" lift? Then, if I want an additional 1", I adjust the coils? Thanks for your time!
Sorry for the late reply. Yes, that's correct. Set the perch to the appropriate setting then the coils do the lifting.
If I want to run a C59-675V spring should I run the long travel rear IMS shock or the normal length ones.. will long travel shocks let the spring fall out in full droop? Thank you very much
The springs will still be fine at full droop with the LT shocks, but you need to have the other parts in place to run those (sway bar extensions, brake lines, bump stops at a minimum)
If you have the struts pre-assembled by Dobinsons, can you make adjustment without disassembling it? If not, what height do they typical set them at during assembly?
The height is determined in advance of assembling them from when I sell them to someone. I'd always ask what height they want them set to based on added weight on the vehicle. Yes, you can adjust without disassembling, but you've got to relieve the pressure from the bottom spring mount, this is done with a spring compressor. SPC makes a really nice tool for this, that can get into the small gaps of the coils nicely. Some regular 2-jaw styles get stuck because the coil spacing is so small on some coils when they're already compressed onto it.
@@ExitOffroad are you saying the SPC compressor would allow you to compress the spring without removing from the vehicle?
We're are these shocks made?
Hey mate hope you can reply, I have installed this into a 2019 ford ranger and measured to 183mm for the 3” lift, I’ve found it to be extremely stiff in the front and bouncy. Is there anyway of fixing this? Cheers
The more height, the more angle on the upper and lower arms, which adds more firmness into the front end. Did you replace the UCA's with some corrected angle ones? Also a high caster alignment will be needed for it to feel the best.
I'm lifting my vehicle with the C59-314 using the 502220 shock, the coil spring seat to the shck eye still must be set to the manufacturer recommended seat height?
Is that the case?
It doesn't have to be. It can be set to the factory height and allow the springs to do the lifting, or you can raise it up to add preload and more lift
Im trying to get a lift kit for lexus gx470 there option when selecting the coils seat height , one say stock seat height the other is add one inch of lift , can u explain the different , im assuming theyre both adjustable
Just order at www.exitoffroad.com and you can put notes in at checkout for what lift height you want. Some other websites make it very confusing
Hey Mike, I have the ims with 314 springs with the seat set at 213mm on my gx470. The roads where I live are horrible with huge potholes and I feel like my struts are topping out and would like to have a little more down travel. Would it be safe to set the seat at 210mm to get 1/4” more down travel, or do I have to buy some 302 springs? I appreciate any help, thanks.
You can give it a shot, but the seat height is usually set there for sway bar clearance. The lower it goes, the more chance the sway bar has to hit the bottom of the strut seat.
@@ExitOffroad okay, thanks for the quick response. I might just go with the 302 coils then. I’ll definitely purchase through you when I decide. Thanks again!!!
do they have a rubber bushing where it connects to the lower control arm or a bearing style?
Rubber bushing, just like OEM
Hey Mike, just recently installed on my 5th Gen 4R an IMS 3.5" suspension but at the end of it, the truck is way higher than anticipated, I ended up with more than 5" of lift in the front, the back is fine around 2.75"... so my car is riding with the front about 2.5" higher than the rear... is this something I can adjust with the front coilovers? what do you think happened here during installation? thanks.
Has it had time to settle? Maybe your old suspension was also sagged down? It can be adjusted down when on the vehicle and new with clean threads but it's difficult to physically turn the adjusters down. Better to pull them, compress the spring, then adjust the adjusters down. That takes all the pressure off the coil seat.
@@ExitOffroad it's been about 48 hours since the installation... I will be taking it back to the shop as they said no worries and will make sure to bring the front down a couple of inches. Thanks for the expert reply!!!
Oh yeah, it wouldn't have had a chance to settle. Gotta bring it down some to 23.5" hub to fender as that's the max recommended height on these
Man I have a hell of a time getting a response from Dobinsons. I put a 1.5 inch front lift on my 2005 Honda CR-V AWD, and now it pulls right. No instructions came with my springs. The upper spring seat is slanted and I think I have it oriented wrong; how the hell does one orient a slanted upper spring seat with respect to the top of the spring?
You have to match them up with how the originals came off and install them the same way. The seat is slanted so that the coil will sit straight when installed
I got the 3 front 2 rear Ims kit for my navara. Sat high, but once settled it feels significantly lower than before. A bit too low for my liking. Can this be adjusted again or no? Cheers
Yes but you'll probably have to compress the coil up and clean behind the coil seat before adjusting it up.
@@ExitOffroad any instructions on how to do that please 😅 how much do mechanics usually charge to do this ? Am from Brisbane
Not sure what they would charge there for that.
exitoffroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ExitOffroad.com-IMS_MRA-adjustment.pdf
I had to lower mine on the 2014 pajero. Got the 80kg constant loads in the front as I have a bullbar and they’re way too high using dobos measurements.
How did that go for you. Did you pull the strut out or were you able to adjust it in place?
Had to come out unfortunately.
I saw the IMS series available for the Tundra. I'm giving these a hard look, I'm just weary because I can't find too many reviews on them (for a Tundra). I have 5100s now and they drive well on the road but they absorb bumps and holes like a brick. I find myself offroad very frequently but never rock crawling or bombing down a trail at 70. I just need a little more absorption offroad. Are these going to ride like my 5100s now? They appear to have the same clip setup
What year Tundra? The 2007+ use circlips for height adjustment. They're a bigger body, piston, and have more comfortable valving than the 5100's, so they would ride better for sure.
Lost my instruction manual, what’s the height for the N80 Hilux? 2 inch lift is what I ordered but too high when measured. Thank in advance
226mm is the base coil seat height for the N80
Where can you get the Aus purple rings? Dumb to just have black options in the US...
exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-ims-and-mra-adjuster-rings-pair-for-56mm-body/
Once on the vehicle, can you make adjustments to the height? Or is it next to impossible without taking off? Thanks for your video.
Yes, you can. You just need to be sure it's as clean as possible. Adjusting down won't be hard, but adding height could be tricky if they're already older and if any grime got in behind the actual coil seat and is sitting on the threads. You'd set the vehicle to full droop, reducing spring tension on the coil seat, before adjusting.
@@ExitOffroad Thanks alot for your quick response and great video!
@@ExitOffroad trying to add height while the coil is still in won’t damage the threads?
It will of they aren't completely clean. Best to use a coil compressor to raise up the coil, clean it and adjust then put the coil back down
@@ExitOffroad just wondering because I just installed mine yesterday they are still like brand new just curious if anyone else had added height right after they put them on. Don’t really wanna have to pull them back off to just dial in the height perfectly 😂
Do you recommend some anti seize on the threads under the coil seat and collars?
It's not a bad idea, but be sure to wipe off excess as it collects dirt and crap so easily
Hi Mike, i got the Front Coils C59-302/ Rear Coils C59-325 with Front shocks IMS 59-50700 /Rear Shocks IMS 59-5070 on my FJ. How long usually for the coil over to settled? just installed week ago about 100miles drive. current measure bottom of rim - fender
Front left 82 cm
Front Right 82.5 cm
Rear Left 83 cm
Rear right 84 cm
should I lower the front to 78/79cm to main the corect rake amount?
Hey bud. It takes about 500-1000 miles of driving and suspension cycling for it to settle. We use measurements from the center of the hub to the fender. Don't adjust it until it has had that time to break in.
@@ExitOffroad Thanks Mike.
@@ExitOffroad Hi Mike, any advise for the routine (interval inspection) inspection or checking Gas Pressure & Refilling for the IMS model? thank you so much
I have a 4th gen 4runner before Instal the spring how do i know where to adjust to achieve a 3" lift
Normally whoever sold you the parts would be the one to tell you that, as it depends on what coils you bought and what added weight you've got
@@ExitOffroad I haven't bought anything yet. I was on your website but there is some many different spring and info about it. That is why i asked before i purchase.
You choose a suitable 2-in coil and then you would set the coil seat height to 226 mm which adds 1 inch of lift giving you 3 in. On my website it explains that where it describes the struts in the suspension kit.
If these came as one from dobinson ready to go they would fly off shelves! I want these but they look like a pain in the butt so I’m going going fox even though I want ims!!!!
They do though. Look at the coilovers section at exitoffroad.com
How are these compared to the MRR lift kit? Currently in a 5th gen 4runner
They're almost the same but they don't have an external resi and 3 levels of adjustment. I have a separate video about the MRA'S
@@ExitOffroad yeah I watched your other video on the MRR.. I’m trying to decide between the 2 right now, do you think it’s worth the extra money to get the MRR? I appreciate the advice!
If you offroad a lot and go in different terrain, then yes. If you're the kind of wheeler that never changes tire pressure, then no.
I'm looking to keep about the same lift i have billsteins meh 5100s with 3" ome springs im going to slap the springs on the MRA's im assuming this still is just a factory adjustment and the taller spring will do the lift without need for final adjustments of the preload right?> to be fair much past the 3" has broken some axels but i dont want to go any less at all in your experience this should just be a set it to factory plus the 3" spring and its done correct?
Yes you can use the MRA's and set them to the same seat height as your Bilstein struts and keep the same height.
@@ExitOffroad thank you very much are you guys running any sales this weekend on the MRA's? looking to buy now ! thanks for the response too i really appreciate it
Those have free shipping currently. That's the only deal going right now.
@@ExitOffroad damn i was looking to buy a full set today! you guys don't have the MRA59-A220 fronts IN stock like the website said though... :/
Remove
You can buy today, they're due to arrive in about a week so it's not a long wait
you have any for the toyota Hilux? 2014
Yes they are made for them too
@@ExitOffroad I visted your website. And sent an email.