Dobinsons rear springs - C59-325

[tripleaj Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tripleaj]

I fitted a set of shocks and springs as follows:

Front Springs - Dobinsons - C59-300
Rear Springs - Dobinsons - C59-325

Front Struts - BE5-E232 (custom)
Rear Shock - B46-1478

I organized two of the above kits to do a simo / ayers rock trip for two V6 120 series Prado's, one towing a camper trailer and one (myself) not.

Unfortunately I have found the rearend setup a bit soft where my setup was sitting down a bit in the back and was bottoming out on occasion. My previous Prado 95 series was similarly loaded without issue, with standard raised Lovells.

Looking at the suspension database for the C59-325 springs they don't appear much higher rated than standard. I spoke to a Dobinson dealer and they quoted figures slightly different to the database (220 and 270 lb/in) and also said the 325's were just a raised spring, not really for any load. The 325's were recommended for 0-100kg and the 327's were 100-300kg.

I am wondering why the 325's would have been recommended as it appears the 327's would be more appropriate for anyone touring or towing. Or are they too hard every other day???

Anyone have experience with both these springs?? Also I had heard that the LC80 rear shocks (as above) were softish on compression???

[Gramps Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gramps]

Yep, I installed a set of Dobinsons with the 325's in the rear. Whilst they were comfortable, they didn't seem to like the drawer and fridge loaded in the rear. A quick fix was to install some airbags. Cheaper than a new set of rear springs with the added bonus of being adjustable. I highly recommend this remedy.

[Joshy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joshy]

m wondering why the 325's would have been recommended as it appears the 327's would be more appropriate for anyone touring or towing. Or are they too hard every other day???

I've got the 327's in mine with 80 series tough dog adjustable's and firestones. It's unloaded 90% of the time and it is just a little bit rough round town but not enough to worry about. I think it might also be to do with the valving of the shocks. But when I'm all loaded up to go away on holidays the airbags get about 15 or so psi to keep it at the right height. That's without towing anything.

[PLAYDOH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PLAYDOH]

I went with the 325's when I first lifted the Prado to go along with my Bilsteins but had no intention for towing at the time. The ride with a bit of a load and no towing was mostly my deal so the extra height but same soft Prado ride was good. I later bought a camper trailer and loaded it up for a small trip, I didn't loose any ride height as there wasn't a massive tow ball weight and neither was the camper very heavy, but I felt the trailer was pulling/controlling the rear end a bit to much on the rough roads so I went up to the 327's. I'm glad I did as the ride felt heaps more controlled. I have since sold the trailer but kept the same springs in, the ride isn't bad with the 327's in the rear, but I generally have the fridge in there and a few other things. I certainly don't think they are over kill when you are not towing.

So to answer your questions, yes I've experienced both, and in my view I don't think the 327's are bad or too harsh for every day driving. But you'd want to have a bit of a load in the back at least for off-road and corrugations which is what I do, or lower tyre pressures slightly.

[PLAYDOH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PLAYDOH]

Sorry forgot to mention, I also had a 20mm spacer put in for the softer 325's that way when I got heavier gear in the back the Prado still had a good level stance, but didn't look like the front end had massive sag or anything.

This might be another way for you to go, spacers are cheap you can do them in your driveway, keep the same soft Prado feel and have a good ride height for getaway trips.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I fitted a set of shocks and springs as follows:

Front Springs - Dobinsons - C59-300
Rear Springs - Dobinsons - C59-325

Front Struts - BE5-E232 (custom)
Rear Shock - B46-1478

I organized two of the above kits to do a simo / ayers rock trip for two V6 120 series Prado's, one towing a camper trailer and one (myself) not.

Unfortunately I have found the rearend setup a bit soft where my setup was sitting down a bit in the back and was bottoming out on occasion. My previous Prado 95 series was similarly loaded without issue, with standard raised Lovells.

Looking at the suspension database for the C59-325 springs they don't appear much higher rated than standard. I spoke to a Dobinson dealer and they quoted figures slightly different to the database (220 and 270 lb/in) and also said the 325's were just a raised spring, not really for any load. The 325's were recommended for 0-100kg and the 327's were 100-300kg.

I am wondering why the 325's would have been recommended as it appears the 327's would be more appropriate for anyone touring or towing. Or are they too hard every other day???

Anyone have experience with both these springs?? Also I had heard that the LC80 rear shocks (as above) were softish on compression???

Yes, i have experience with these springs, i sell suspension & At this point in time, i believe Dobinsons is one of the best set ups, & definstely the best value.

325's are very good if you not taking a load. They can take some load but go down easily.
You won't really pick the ride difference when using 327 if the correct shocks are used.
If your going to load up or tow then 327 is what I recommend. It's still a good ride, depending what shocks you put with them.
The Dobinsons combo is best.
They shouldn't bottom out, a firmer valves shocker might help overcome this.
Yes your right, the database is slightly out on the specs of those springs, one day I will have time to get the accurate info to Peter to sort it out.

Feel free to p.m me for advise.

####.

Yep, I installed a set of Dobinsons with the 325's in the rear. Whilst they were comfortable, they didn't seem to like the drawer and fridge loaded in the rear. A quick fix was to install some airbags. Cheaper than a new set of rear springs with the added bonus of being adjustable. I highly recommend this remedy.

You can get a pair of coils much cheaper than air bags.


Not that it makes a huge difference, but I was always saying the 325 needs to be 420mm long not 410mm since they were re spec'd 2 yes ago.
I ordered them at 420mm so much they changed it a couple months ago.
They are now 420mm standard :-)

[Joshy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joshy]

You can get a pair of coils much cheaper than air bags.

I paid $160 delivered for my firestone airbags from the states. Best price I could find for springs was $350 for a full set which was cheaper than buying direct from dobinsons. I'm not sure what they sell just rears for but I'd say it ends up close or airbags slightly cheaper.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I paid $160 delivered for my firestone airbags from the states. Best price I could fine for springs was $350 for a full set which was cheaper than buying direct from dobinsons. I'm not sure what they sell just rears for but I'd say it ends up close or airbags slightly cheaper.

Ok, so that's a good price on air bags if you buy from the states.
Often people PaY $2-300 for them locally.
Yes 2 coils is half the price of 4, so you are right the price is the same.
If you buy locally like the springs, springs will be cheaper.

As you would know, when you fit the air bags you loose your top outs.
When offroad you want to let the air out, to keep the flex.
Is it ok with the air out & no top outs ?
Or do you just leave the air in them to stop them compressing......?
Air bags are good option for tow vehicles.

[Joshy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joshy]

I never actually measured my up travel previous to the air bags so I don't have definite facts, but to the eye it still compresses similar to the stock setup. Minimum 5psi in the bags they do still compress a fair amount. Enough for me anyway. I still need longer shocks and brake lines to make the most of the length of the spring though.

[tripleaj Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tripleaj]

Thanks for the responses.

I believe the reference to the pulling/controlling with the trailer and the 325's (PLAYDOH) is what is being experienced by my mate with the same setup when he tows his horse float. He said it didn't occur with the standard setup.

I have since been told (supplier) that the heavier rear coils will give much more lift than the 325's, when empty??

[Joshy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joshy]

Mine sits at 850mm bottom of rim to guard unloaded in the rear. I think it's only a little more than most 2inch kits. What does yours sit at with 325's?

[tripleaj Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tripleaj]

Can't access the car to measure it at the moment. Will post when available.

Not so worried specifically about the height but would not be happy if it sat ridiculously higher than the front. I could up the front spring groove one with the Bilsteins but am happy with the front at this stage.

[PLAYDOH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PLAYDOH]

Not so worried specifically about the height but would not be happy if it sat ridiculously higher than the front.

I don't actually think there is a big difference if any between free spring height, so you won't have huge rear lift.

My Prado at the moment with the Bilsteins on the middle clip at the front, 327's and 20mm spacer rear.


Can get front and rear measurements if you are interested.

[tripleaj Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tripleaj]

I am measuring as follows, noting it is a GX with no flares, a V6, no bullbar but dual batteries. Rear has homemade drawers with about 20kg of luggage (maybe 50-60kg?)

Front = 800mm (Bilsteins on bottom groove - softest)
Rear = 825mm