Bilstein vs Robinsons vs Ironman4x4 ?

silverX

Test Drive
Location
Broomfield
Hi all! New to to the forum (2012 Xterra S). I've done some good research on all three of these kits (Bilstein 5100s with Broverland leaf pack, Dobinsons lift kit via Z1offroad and the Ironman4x4 nitro gas Stage 1 2in lift) but have not found much comparing between them so I'm hoping to get some thoughts that fills that gap.

Bilstein kit via ADO: 5100s, heavy duty coils, Broverland leaf pack, unassembled coilers $1425

Dobinsons via Z1 Offroad: $1425

Ironman4x4 with assembled heavy duty coils (+ a free traction board ) on sale $1429 (which seems to be the best bang for money)

I like the Bilstein kit because its just a proven setup plus cool local company, American made leaf springs. Dobinsons I know is well known in Australia and proven too, but haven''t really seen extensive info on the kit being used on Xterra's here in the US. Ironman4x4 best bang for the money with the assembled coilovers but I've read in the past the leafs start sagging rather quickly, It's unclear if this is still true. Bilsteins seems like the best option for a good balance between inroad/offroad ride quality (it is a daily driver after all). Any thoughts from experience? Thanks in advanced and if there was already a thread comparing these kits sorry I missed it on the search…
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I’d be interested to know where you read about Ironman leaf pack sag since I have them myself. Initial impressions compared directly to Broverlands are the Ironmans are much beefier and are more suited to heavier duty. They’ve been awesome for me and you can take out one or two leafs to soften the ride if you want, and you can’t do that with Broverland.

I didn’t like the rebound of the 5100s with HD coils, but that’s perhaps subjective and based on my setup (I’m also selling a set pretty cheap). I don’t know how the valving compares on the others. I know two guys that have done Ironman full kit with shocks, but both did medium springs so I haven’t heard feedback specifically with HD springs.

Edited to add direct comparison photos we just took Saturday of Broverland and Ironman packs:
D093D6F7-E83E-4895-9CA2-B553B95AF483.jpeg
 
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outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
Welcome to the forum.

I can't personally compare it to the other options, but any reason you're not considering an Old Man Emu setup? Been really satisfied with mine in both Xterras.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
5100s are valved for OE spring rates. They don't like the higher rates that some people put on them. I had some 600lb/in Eibachs on a set of 5100s and the front end would actually jump off the ground because the 5100s couldn't control the springs.

I'm not familiar with the Ironman stuff or the Dobinson's kit so I cannot comment on them. But I would avoid the 5100s with a higher than stock spring rate myself.

I usually recommend the OME kit. OME is well known and makes good parts. You can add the SPC UCAs, a 0.5" lift spacer and adjustable shackles to that kit to get you right at 2" of lift with excellent stability since the whole kit is built to function together at the spring rates they provide in the kits.
 

silverX

Test Drive
Location
Broomfield
I’d be interested to know where you read about Ironman leaf pack sag since I have them myself. Initial impressions compared directly to Broverlands are the Ironmans are much beefier and are more suited to heavier duty. They’ve been awesome for me and you can take out one or two leafs to soften the ride if you want, and you can’t do that with Broverland.

I didn’t like the rebound of the 5100s with HD coils, but that’s perhaps subjective and based on my setup (I’m also selling a set pretty cheap). I don’t know how the valving compares on the others. I know two guys that have done Ironman full kit with shocks, but both did medium springs so I haven’t heard feedback specifically with HD springs.

Edited to add direct comparison photos we just took Saturday of Broverland and Ironman packs:
I read it somewhere either here or some of the other forums but it was an old (8-10 yrs?) thread, that why I mentioned I'm not sure if its still a thing. Will reply here if I find the thread. Thanks for the thoughts on the Bilstein's and the pics! Really impressed by the difference.

I can't personally compare it to the other options, but any reason you're not considering an Old Man Emu setup? Been really satisfied with mine in both Xterras.
I haven't discarded the OME kit at all. I'm very familiar with OME kits and I know almost everything ARB/OME makes is really well made, but they do go a few hundred $$ over these other options I'm curious about.

5100s are valved for OE spring rates. They don't like the higher rates that some people put on them. I had some 600lb/in Eibachs on a set of 5100s and the front end would actually jump off the ground because the 5100s couldn't control the springs.
Thats very useful info that may have escaped some of my research (or maybe I just don't remember) thanks!

I usually recommend the OME kit. OME is well known and makes good parts. You can add the SPC UCAs, a 0.5" lift spacer and adjustable shackles to that kit to get you right at 2" of lift with excellent stability since the whole kit is built to function together at the spring rates they provide in the kits.
Interesting route but it does put the lift closer to the 2k mark in which case the OME lift with Dakar leafs that Nisstec offers comes in cheaper and no need to get UCAs.

Thanks all for the quick responses, glad I finally joined the forum!
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
I read it somewhere either here or some of the other forums but it was an old (8-10 yrs?) thread, that why I mentioned I'm not sure if its still a thing. Will reply here if I find the thread. Thanks for the thoughts on the Bilstein's and the pics! Really impressed by the difference.


I haven't discarded the OME kit at all. I'm very familiar with OME kits and I know almost everything ARB/OME makes is really well made, but they do go a few hundred $$ over these other options I'm curious about.


Thats very useful info that may have escaped some of my research (or maybe I just don't remember) thanks!


Interesting route but it does put the lift closer to the 2k mark in which case the OME lift with Dakar leafs that Nisstec offers comes in cheaper and no need to get UCAs.

Thanks all for the quick responses, glad I finally joined the forum!
I actually meant the full kit with the leaf packs AND the spacer and lift shackle. The OME kit usually falls in the 1"-1.5" lift range if you just use their parts and run at the spec'd weights. To make 2", you usually have to add the spacer and shackle.

If you do any lift that allows the UCA to contact your coil bucket (commonly called "Coil Bucket Contact" or "CBC") you will want to put in SPC UCAs. It's very common for trucks with CBC that are used off-road to pull the upper ball joints apart because it's what is limiting down travel rather than shock length.
 
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