Datsun Man2
Member
So I wanted to bring this information into play as I feel others may have been in the same predicament as myself. For me I run a 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X as my Adventure Vehicle that is also used as a daily. In the almost 2 years I have owned it, it has changed quite a bit in many different aspects. This includes the Suspension, Performance Modifications and general abilities to keep myself comfortable on the Trail and at Camp.
Well today I'm here to talk about the Suspension and what I had fun with over the last 2 years.
When I got my truck in March of 2024 it still had the original Bilstein 4600 Shocks and Struts at 120,000 miles. To say the least they were done. I did replace them with an aftermarket set of Bilstein 4600 not long after and it did the job for a bit. As we know since it is the Bilstein 4600, they were alright on the street and not great on the trail. I knew I was going to change the suspension as well, but I didn't know what I was going to end up with.
Later I went to Bilstein 6112/5160 with some General Spring HD Leafs. Over what I had before it was an upgrade for the trail, but not much for the street. What I mean is when I'm driving and I'm having to deal with lovely Concrete Paved Roads that like to shake vehicles apart like crazy. It got so bad that I was bouncing and almost went out of my lane into another vehicle. That was not something I would recommend.
Later on I switched to Dobinsons GS Twin Tubes with Dobinsons Coils and Leafs. In general it got the job done, but it still wasn't right. The shaking on Concrete Paved Roads wasn't near as bad, but still wasn't great if you know what I mean. Thankfully I wasn't bouncing out of my lane into other vehicles though.
After the GS I decided to move to the Dobinsons MRR Shocks and Struts. Now don't get me wrong, these are some nice Shocks and Struts if you know how to tune them. If you don't know how to tune them, you will be very unhappy. I couldn't get them to tune right for the street what so every and still has the shaking problem. It made me realize that the MRR is a great option if you are sticking to the dirt's and staying off the street.
After waiting for a while I finally pulled the trigger on the Dobinsons IMS. Now these are a Mono Tube Design vs the Twin Tubes from the GS and don't have a Remote Reservoir with adjustability like the MRR. That said after having them on for a day and traveling on multiple Concrete Paved Roads that like to shake you around and hitting some dirt roads near the house that have plenty of Washboard Sections, I can say that I wish I went with these. I don't have the violent shaking on Concrete Paved Roads. Yes I feel bumps and I can tell the Shocks and Struts are doing their job. On the Washboard Dirt Roads I certainly feel the vibrations, but the truck is staying planted and not sliding around like it would with the Bilstein 4600.
All in all I can say that the Dobinsons IMS is the way to go for most individuals that have that option. Just keep in mind that it is designed to carry weight. If you aren't carrying weight, then it can be a bit on the stuff side.
Hope this helps those that are considering Dobinsons and others.
Well today I'm here to talk about the Suspension and what I had fun with over the last 2 years.
When I got my truck in March of 2024 it still had the original Bilstein 4600 Shocks and Struts at 120,000 miles. To say the least they were done. I did replace them with an aftermarket set of Bilstein 4600 not long after and it did the job for a bit. As we know since it is the Bilstein 4600, they were alright on the street and not great on the trail. I knew I was going to change the suspension as well, but I didn't know what I was going to end up with.
Later I went to Bilstein 6112/5160 with some General Spring HD Leafs. Over what I had before it was an upgrade for the trail, but not much for the street. What I mean is when I'm driving and I'm having to deal with lovely Concrete Paved Roads that like to shake vehicles apart like crazy. It got so bad that I was bouncing and almost went out of my lane into another vehicle. That was not something I would recommend.
Later on I switched to Dobinsons GS Twin Tubes with Dobinsons Coils and Leafs. In general it got the job done, but it still wasn't right. The shaking on Concrete Paved Roads wasn't near as bad, but still wasn't great if you know what I mean. Thankfully I wasn't bouncing out of my lane into other vehicles though.
After the GS I decided to move to the Dobinsons MRR Shocks and Struts. Now don't get me wrong, these are some nice Shocks and Struts if you know how to tune them. If you don't know how to tune them, you will be very unhappy. I couldn't get them to tune right for the street what so every and still has the shaking problem. It made me realize that the MRR is a great option if you are sticking to the dirt's and staying off the street.
After waiting for a while I finally pulled the trigger on the Dobinsons IMS. Now these are a Mono Tube Design vs the Twin Tubes from the GS and don't have a Remote Reservoir with adjustability like the MRR. That said after having them on for a day and traveling on multiple Concrete Paved Roads that like to shake you around and hitting some dirt roads near the house that have plenty of Washboard Sections, I can say that I wish I went with these. I don't have the violent shaking on Concrete Paved Roads. Yes I feel bumps and I can tell the Shocks and Struts are doing their job. On the Washboard Dirt Roads I certainly feel the vibrations, but the truck is staying planted and not sliding around like it would with the Bilstein 4600.
All in all I can say that the Dobinsons IMS is the way to go for most individuals that have that option. Just keep in mind that it is designed to carry weight. If you aren't carrying weight, then it can be a bit on the stuff side.
Hope this helps those that are considering Dobinsons and others.
