What's inside Dobinsons IMS and Dobinsons MRA Shocks and How to Rebuild Them
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- čas přidán 22. 03. 2022
- Everyone has been hearing about people running the newer Dobinsons IMS and MRA (formerly MRR) Monotube shocks, but not many people know what's inside them and how they're assembled. Mike from Exit Offroad flew over to Rockhampton in Australia to talk to the guys at Dobinsons to see their factory and get some education, and also share the experience with you!! We look at the components of the shocks, how to disassemble them and what precautions to take, and how to reassemble them.
Warning: Your existing Dobinsons warranty is void if you open the shocks up yourself!! This is not the intention of sharing this information.
Now this isn't for the everyday guy to just do at home. There are specialty tools required, and to do a setup like this at home for just a one time shock rebuild or repair would be pretty costly compared to getting a pro to do it, but we're going to show you what it takes anyway. As you can see from the video, the custom designed press clamps the shock into place to hold the body steady, and then another ram can push or pull down on the shock rod to raise or lower it to the body. Most of the other parts are just hand tools. We did not going into shock re-valving as most people SHOULD not be attempting this themselves, and there would be no reason to change the valving unless you're a professional, and if you're already a pro, you probably wouldn't be watching this video!! This video is for demonstration purposes to help curious minds understand what goes into these shocks so that you can see better where your money goes when buying a set.
We love to read your comments, so please post any questions and comments down below!!
To see all Dobinsons IMS shocks and struts, here they are: exitoffroad.com/product-categ...
To see all Dobinsons MRA shocks and struts, here they are: exitoffroad.com/product-categ...
We hope you've found this information useful and informative, and that it gives you a better understanding of the Dobinsons Monotube shock and strut options for 4x4's. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Just ordered these for my 99 Tacoma. Owned the truck 20 years. This will be its third lift. I decided to be the guinea pig for my buddies and be the first to try Dobinsons.
All very great information .
I Just ordered the dobinsons MRA kit for my Ranger. ABSOLUTE QUALITY 👍
Also waiting for the dobinsons billet UCA to be released for the px3 ranger its a work of art.
That's awesome! Yeah, those new billet UCA'S are gonna be sick!!! Gotta get my hands on a set to make a video. Should have done it when I was in Rocky a few weeks back...
Super awesome info! Good to see how it all works and goes together. Thanks Mike and Ben so much! 🤙
If wanting to have our shocks rebuilt, when the time comes, what would be the best avenue to go down to get this done?
Also, is the IMS (what I have) still considered an emulsion shock? Wild question here, but would it ever be possible to install a functional external resi to it to make it more robust and similar to an MRR setup?
You're welcome!!
Dobinsons USA has all the tools and parts to rebuild any Dobinsons monotube shocks.
No, not emulsion shocks. IFP monotubes are the type, as the gas and oil are separated and cannot mix by the floating piston separating them. Also these could be run upside down or right side up, whereas a twin tube can only go one way. Obviously the way they have to mount in a vehicle is only one way.
You could perhaps add a resi with DSC adjuster, as the IMS body is drilled the same for a hose and for the air valve. Parts and labor cost would add up fast though.
I recently put a set of Monotube Dobinson shock absorbers on the rear of the 1996 80 series (1HZ diesel), but they're definitely under damped when fully loaded (2740kg on the weighbridge). So I'm hoping I can get them revalved to get more damping (probably a more rebound and compression). I'm in Sydney Australia - is this something that I could get done here or would I need to remove them and send them up the Dobinson guys in Rockhampton?
I believe the guys in Sydney could do it for you. You'd just have to call them up and see what's involved.
Are you able to add the remote reservoirs to the ims shocks at a later date?
Technically yes, with high and low speed adjusters but not rebound. Dobinsons would have to do it but I've yet to see anyone get it done.
I have the dobinson MRR shocks in a JL wrangler and the ride is harsh even when low speed and high speed are fully backed off. Can I send these to dobinson for a revalve? Wranglers are lighter than most 4x4s and I’m after a smoother road ride.
Yeah I'm sure they could revalve them for you
I have a 2021 toyota sequoia and my dealer says I dont need to change the upper UCA or a diff drop. I bought a IMS kit. Is this true because I worry if I take it on the trails something goes horribly wrong or in long run it prematurely breaks something.
As long as it's 2" of less, that's correct. If it's the taller 2.5" up front then yes, you should at least add UCA's
@@ExitOffroad Thank you.. I'm pretty excited...
How long is the break in period for the IMS? I lifted my truck 3" and it went up 5" I dont know why! I set the front at 226mm with a 302 2.5" coil!
About 1000 miles of mixed driving so that the suspension cycles up and down a lot. Could be that your base measurement was sagged a good bit lower than new OEM heights.
@@ExitOffroad Ok only drove about 10 miles on the street.
What should be the maximum gas pressure in front and rear on Dobinsons IMS?
Minimum gas pressure for 18mm shaft - 140psi and for 22mm shaft - 120psi
why dont you guys make a 3" lift rear (non reservoir) shocks for a 2023 nissan frontier?
We do. exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-ims45-50653-ifp-rear-shocks-for-nissan-frontier-d41-2022/
Why do some shock absorbers have a internal bump stop while others don’t for the same vehicle?
It takes up a lot of space. An external bump stop can be bigger and work better in my opinion than an internal bump.
@@ExitOffroad I’m about to remove the external bump stops on the piston shaft and just rely on the bump stops on the live axles as it’s restricting the articulation when i’m going off roading compared to the original shocks . but they are not dobinsons
Hi Mike, any advise for the routine (interval inspection) inspection or checking Gas Pressure & Refilling? or when should shocks rebuild for the IMS model? thank you so much
Hey bud. There's no required interval. Dobinsons recently created this chart to give you an idea of when and what to look at: www.dobinsonsdirect.com/pages/shock-service
@@ExitOffroad thanks you so much!
I've heard that you have to ship them to Dobinsons for rebuilds. Any truth to that?
It's not required. Any shock rebuilder can do it and just order the spare parts from Dobinsons
What type of valving does Dobinsons use? Digressive, Linear, or progressive?
They're linear
@@ExitOffroad Thanks for the quick response! I'm looking to get the IMS for my 24 Pro. I want more ride height, but I'm not willing to sacrifice droop travel with something like a Wescott kit. Will the Dobs be a "downgrade" from the TRD Pro Fox Shocks??
No. Not at all. Everyone that has made that change has been super happy
Helo
looks rushed and sloppy(and I know, this is just a demo shock). Would have been much better advertising if it was super clean and precise.
That wasn't the point of this video
I'd rather have a hands on video on a quality product then some edited advertisement for a garbage product. Go watch a Rough Country video if that's what you want