6112/5160 vs OME vs Dobinson

I’m having a very hard time deciding between the following:

6112/5160
Old Man Emu
Dobinson

I’d like 2-2.5” in the front, and will probably add shackles to the back to maintain a slight rake.

My truck is daily driver with some occasional moderate off-road use. I will be adding Firestone air bags in the back because I sometimes put an atv in the bed while towing a 2500lb pop up camper.

I’m not really sure what the main differences between these systems are! They all seem to accomplish essentially the same thing, right? OME and Dobinson look like they come with blocks for the rear I guess.

What do you guys think?

 

I’m very curious on this as well. My truck came with old man emu with the heavy duty front springs and blacks in the back. The front is very stiff and bouncy while the back was mushy. I just replaced the rear with full OME leaf packs and the 5160 shocks. It’s much more responsive but still not fully happy. I ordered front 6112 set at top height but I’m worried the added preload will mean it’s still bouncy in front. This shouldn’t be this difficult haha!

 

Not sure what OME or Dobinsons kits you're looking at, but if they are the semi-adjustable type like the 6112s with different notches for increased height, then yes, they're all basically the same concept. You can get different springs rates depending on whether you're adding weight to the front like a bumper/winch. Generally, the higher you go with those types of setups, the stiffer it will feel and you will have less up/down travel range. They're a good budget friendly option and many folks are happy with the Bilsteins for most uses. If you have the funds you may may want to look at some of the fully adjustable coilover kits available. Will be a much better ride overall.

For @DgoTss, do you have a steel bumper or winch up front? The OME Heavy Load springs are either 50 or 100lbs more in spring rate than the standard version to counter added front end weight, and they are pretty stiff, and really stiff if you don't have the extra weight.
Spring preload doesn't really effect the stiffness, its where it is in the shock stroke that's the difference. What springs are you getting on the Bilsteins? Again, plenty of folks around here with the 6112s on the top setting, even some with spacers on top of that to get even more height, and they are fine with it. Its all a trade off and what you're willing to pay for and what ride qualities you're willing to accept for the increased height.

 

I would go with the Falcon Tow/Haul setup over those. Since most is on road and you will be towing but they will handle the moderate off road just fine.

 

I'm in a similar conundrum. Think I've settled on an option, then see something else. I'm leaning 6112 @1.9" with 5100/5160 and a CB +1. Also looking at the adjustable Eibachs and twin tube Dobinsons. One consideration is I'd prefer the coilovers be pre-assembled.

I'm mostly stock and dont plan on bumpers, wenches, etc. I tow small trailers couple times a year so not even factoring that in. Driving is 98% paved roads; 2% gravel/dirt roads. No real off roading. Just looking for a slight lift w/o sacrificing ride quality. Currently have the stock black shocks with 48k on them.

 

In all honesty OP, I would also add Eibach to that list. Simply because they had the best on road characteristics of any Bilstein or OME suspension I ever had. I think they did an excellent job with their valving. Much better than the 5100’s as a daily driver. I had OME on my 1st gen Tacoma and found them to be too stiff and jarring (for street use) until significant weight was added to the truck. Don’t have any experience with Dobinson.

Obviously, my experiences are limited because I have no knowledge of Tundra lifts. Tacoma and 4Runner, slightly more...

 

Bumping for feedback from the daytime crew.

 

If I had to do it again I would try Dobsinsons whether it’s their standard setup or the new IMS. I found the OME 2613 and rear shocks/1.5” block to be stiff and slow to respond. The bilstein 6112/5160 w/OME leaf packs are much more responsive but almost too much of that makes sense and can be a little jittery at times. I’m extremely picky and drive mountain roads and forest roads often.

 

There is some good reviews of Ironman as well. May want to add them to your list to check on:
https://ironman4x4america.com/suspension/?msclkid=173f903b4247180cb2bff0615b72ffee

 

Remember when we only had like 3 or 4 TV channels to choose from and could always find something to watch? Now we have 100's of choices and can't settle on anything? Same thing with suspension for the Tundras. There's a lot out there in all price ranges, so deciding on what to go with can be a little daunting.

I'm running the Eibach Coilover 2.0 Stage 2 setup and I really like it. For the money I don't see anything out there that's better. Sure, I could've saved $300 on some semi-adjustable kit, or spent another grand for some Icon or Kings, but I don't really need all that. I think the Eibachs are a great in-between option. And I agree with @Oey12 in his assessment of their valving. It feels just right, stable and firm, but certainly not harsh.

 

The difference between the OME 612 (stock), 613 (HD) and 614 (HD for 4.7L) is length of coil. All 3 have the exact same poundage coil.

 

After looking into it, the Eibach kit actually seems like the right fit.

Better on-road comfort, plenty capable off-road, and a very attractive price point! Also in stock multiple places. Kind of seals the deal I think!

 

I think that’s a great way to go, there are technically three ways to do the eibach fronts? Eibach pro struts with stock coils and a few height options, Pro struts with matching coils and either 2” or 3” lift height or the fully adjustable coil over. Is this correct? Even when narrowed down to one company there are still so many options! I will be excitedly waiting for which option you go with and how the final product turns out!

 

Personally I think you are gonna to be very happy. Before I purchased mine I called Eibach and they gave me the whole break down of their shocks. In essence they are very similar to the Bilstein 5100 but they changed something (I forget the meat and potatos) to get the better initial shock absorption on a suspension hit. Which in my opinion makes the Eibach MUCH better than 5100’s. They are every bit as offroad worthy as Bilstein. I pushed the suspension a few times on rougher dirt roads and I loved them.

Not a Tundra review but here’s a review I did for what it’s worth. And there are some good nuggets of info...
https://www.4runners.com/threads/eibach-pro-truck-sport-leveling-shock-initial-review.8314/

 

Looks like toytec has the eibach’s back in stock for $512 assembled and ready to go. That really is a great deal just choose 2” or 3” and add a shim or two if needed. Makes me want to get them too!

 

That’s a great review! I’ll be sure to post up some before and afters, and give a good report on ride quality!

 

I found them in stock here with the rear struts for $595.

https://realtruck.com/p/eibach-pro-...rBMwgCAByVf6NUUEWH0d1KBWNFc8THoxoCx7gQAvD_BwE

 

It actually says on sale for $496 with free shipping! That’s a crazy deal! Not assembled but still can’t pass that up for sure
EDIT: I was looking at 2wd, it’s $596 for 4wd still a great deal! Doesn’t come with spring perch?

 

Well I think that’s the 2wd version. If you select the 4wd version it’s $595

 

I was looking at the Eibach stage 1 vs stage 2 system. Anyone know if the only difference is threaded shock body vs clip adjustment? Wondering if the stage 2 system is valved differently.

https://eibach.com/us/2209/E86-82-067-01-22-TOYOTA-Tundra-pro-truck-coilover-stage-2

https://eibach.com/us/2209/E80-82-079-02-22-TOYOTA-Tundra-pro-truck-lift-system

Edit: Found a brief video but doesnt REALLY get into the differences (besides using different springs, pre assembled, and threaded body).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRlrm5RO68M

 

Sounds like the cheaper option is fine if you won’t need to adjust ride height on the fly I think?

Don’t really know how much better the spring is on the $1000 kit though.

 

@Djone27

I've been going back and forth on these two as well. But up here in Canada, I don't see the CoilOver kit (Stage 2) with rear even available as a kit. I'll be following to see what other say about the Stage 1 vs the Stage 2.

The Stage 1 can be had for about $770 Canadian, front and rear, so it seems like a budget friendly lift that will be more than capable for my needs.

 

I did find another video from Eibach (albeit it was for the Canyon and not Tundra) that does state the valving is different in the stage 2. Both kits use the same rear shocks. Stage 1 reuses the OEM lower spring perch and OEM top hat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO9ZMeGv9eo&t=12s

 

Well now this has me wondering if I shouldn’t just cough up the extra $400 for the stage 2...

 

Okay so I fully got my suspension done. I must say the 6112 rides nothing like the 5100. I went with the 1.9” setting, 2 shims drivers side and 1 passenger for a total of 2.4” ish of front lift. Compared to the OME 612 heavy duty that was on it I must say it’s so much more plush and less harsh. With 5100 in the past I felt like it was so quick to rebound that it had a trampoline type effect. I also now measure 25.5” front hub to fender where before I was 27.25 meaning most likely I had about 4” of lift from the OME coils making bumps very harsh. I did JBA upper control arms at the same time so not sure how much of the extra travel and ride comfort is related to them compared to the bilstein 6112. I have about 2” of rake with the OME leaf packs

 

Does not come with hats and assembly, yes they are kind of a pain to line up properly. I would just call Toytec as they are somewhat local to you.

Another plus for the stage 2 is that they use the standard flat ground 3 inch springs so in the future if you add weight to the front you can get a better weight rated spring.

 

I vote OME Nirochargers. I have them with the 612 springs since I plan on keeping the factory bumper and not adding a winch.

The Nirochargers use the same shock, just different springs to account for added weight on the front end. A 812, 613 and 614 IIRC.

Also have the toytec adustable shackles set at the 1in position.

They have been on for about a year and half and I can say I am very pleased with the ride and handling. Used stock upper control arms and the alinement fell within specs, no issues.

 

I’m curious how much lift you got with the OME 612’s? At least with the 613 I was approximately 4.25” lift. I agree it’s hard to go wrong with the old man emu stuff especially for the price. I bought my truck used and it already had the 613 and nitro chargers but sadly they were just used up with at most 48k as that’s what the truck had. You could compress the shocks easily with one hand and 10 minutes later they extended.

 

I think you mean 613 springs.
If so, you’re another one on the list that got way too much lift from them, just like me.

 

Likewise. I'm extremely happy with my 612 kit. Daily driver and very comfortable on road, washboard roads, and off road. I got almost 3" of lift with my kit. IMO can't beat it for the money.