Timbren rubber springs

[CToney]

Has anyone used them? I was going to try them on my '97 in the rear. and my brother wanted to try them on the front of his '93 4x4. I don't have overloads and want to stop sagging with a load.



CR Toney

 

[BDanner]

Timbrens are great

Great product! Inexpensive, easy to install and reliable.



Not only do they add load capacity, they help with cornering stability while loaded. Air bags are neat and adjustable, but Timbrens are a simple passive answer for safer hauling.



Happy with mine... ... .



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Above picture is actually a GM installation. Ours mount on the inside.



Bruce in Northern Virginia

 

[KWentling]

Like Bruce said. I've got them on both of my trucks, '98 & '04. I think their great.



Kim

 

[bkroupa]

I have a second set ordered, the first set I ordered by phone came in wrong.

They list two sets to fit a 2500, the one listed as 2500HD fits trucks with a Dana 80 or 4" axle tubes, the 2500 kit fits 3. 5" axle tubes.

 

[ridgid]

Timbren has a good product, as mentioned before simple to install and effective. I have 12 g gross weight & 24 g combined, rides nice does not sag on the 3500.

 

[MRosinski]

Does anyone know what the gap unloaded on a 3rd gen. 2500 4x4 would be. I'm wondering how much clearance there is between the axle and rubber and how much the truck would squat until they became effective.

 

[bombero]

My instructions said 3/4 in

 

[CToney]

Timbrens

I was wondering which ones I should order. The ones for the 2500 were the DR1525 H4 and the 2500HD were the 3500 (Dana 80 4" axle). The lighter ones were around $100 cheaper and were listed for the 1500's as well. They look like they would work. I don't need to add a bunch of extra capacity I just don't want my bumper dragging on the ground. Which ones have you guys installed?



Thanks for the help



CR Toney

 

[bkroupa]

No choice, if you have a Dana 80 you use the HD kit, if you have a Dana 70 or 3. 5" axle you need the standard 2500 kit. I called & ordered a kit for mine & they sent a kit for a 2500 just like I asked. It would not work with my Dana 80, so now I have a HD kit coming & had to return the 2500

 

[Fishin Guide]

I absolutely hate the Timbrens.



Firestone bags are a much better deal. The Timbrens add a ton of chop to the ride compared to bags. They are not progressive and can't be adjusted.



I thought I had an empty dump truck when towing a light boat. Firestone bags cured that one though!!



Dave

 

[bkroupa]

Well my second set of Timbrens came in & they are not right either.

The first set would've fit except the lower bracket was for a 3. 5" axle & I have a Dana 80 with a 4" axle, so I sent that one back to Michigan Truck Spring & they said you must have a 2500 HD & sent the kit listed for 2500HD/3500 & it's too long & very, very ,very stiff. It raised the back of the truck an inch & has almost no give at all. I'm getting po'd after 3 hours of labor & it's back stock. I leave for my trip in about 36 hours so I will have to go without overloads. My tuck handles the TT & the normal stuff fine, I plan to take my 800lb motorcycle this time too & I wanted a little extra capacity.

 

[MJudd]

I have Timbrens on the front of my 1998 3500 4x4. I use a 9 ft Boss V-plow snowplow (a great plow) that weights about 1,200 lbs. The Timbrens do a GREAT job... I can't say enough good about them.



I almost tried beefing up the spring/shocks in the front... . glad I didn't do it. One of the best things about Timbrens, is that your ride quality stays the same... . the only time the Timbrens come into play is when you put on enough weight to activate them.

 

[DBazley]

I've orders a front & rear set of Timbrens for my '96 Ram Van due to hearing you guys discuss 'em here.



[Don't need 'em just yet for the Cummins Ram - 1997 4by - it's got Firestone airbags]



That Van is top heavy and needs tighter suspension. If it works for all the pickups hauling heavy, should work on the van, eh ?



David B.

 

[Double J]

I absolutely hate the Timbrens.



I thought I had an empty dump truck when towing a light boat. Firestone bags cured that one though!!



Dave

That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say they didn't like them. I'm sure the main reason is because you only have a heavy enough load (light boat) to just make contact with the axle... . then yes, it will firm it up for sure from that point on. So do you really need them then? I have a slide-in camper and tow four quads and the timbrens made a huge improvement. If I just have a utility quad in the bed then it rides firmer than it does unloaded because the timbrens are just barely making contact with the axle.

 

[Big MAK]

Had them on the front end of my plow truck. Awesome.



Had them on the back end of my towing rig; AWFUL.



Conclusion? They are great if they are in contact (truck always loaded).



When they aren't in contact if you go over a bump and they touch you'll get a -terrible- rebound effect.



For the occassionally loaded rig -- airbags are much better. For the always loaded rig Timbrens are inexpensive and effective.

 

[DBazley]

Good to hear your impression - I've heard they now include a spacer with the Timbren assembly for adjusting them to a proper setting (correct gap or contact amount) that may help. I understand the fronts are 'always in contact' between the upper & lower control arms - which on the van should help.



On the rear Timbrens, we'll see. Possibly on the rear it would be helpful to have an adjustable shock like the Rancho 9000 to control the rebound effect you described - maybe ?



I think a conversion van like we have is like a light duy truck (a 2500 gasser) with a 800 lb load in the bed, then you add to that when towing.



Funny thing is, I can't find any owners of full size vans (brand D, C or F) who have fitted them - so far just trucks.



PS: I've got the airbags on my Cummins Ram - you're exactly right ... .



Regards, David B.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Could anyone measure the distance from the bottom of the Timbren to the axle housing for me ?



I am trying to get an idea as to how much space there is before the Timbrens start hitting.

 

[DBazley]

Patrick, a simple call to Timbren ought to be the best way to answer your question.



I only have the Timbrens on my 96 Ram Van B-2500, and that may not apply to your Ram truck.



FWIW, I can say that the front units had a gap, so I called & they sent out spacer so that the have light, but full contact all the time. I just reasoned that this was best, so that resistance to roll forces would begin sooner, rather than later.



On the rear, they are always in contact, probably depressing the rubber spring bellows about 20 % when lowering from a jack to the normal position.



I think they're a great improvement to ride & load carrying. I just finished towing a 5000 lb U-Haul home from Texas and it was a MUCH better and more controlled situtation than before !!



If my airbags on the my Ram Truck die, I will seriously consider obtaining Timbrens for the rear to replace them.



Take Care,



David Bazley

 

[Cattletrkr]

If you're towing heavy... 7K GN tongue weight, they suck. Way too harsh. For most apps they're probably just fine.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I have a 2002 2500HD 4x4 truck with the Dana 80 rear. I ordered my Timbrens this past spring from truckspring.com and they got it right the first time. Easy to install, and man what a difference! When empty my ride is stock. When loaded, they work great, and the truck handles better under load due to reduced body roll. I tow a 4 horse gooseneck and the ride was also improved with the Timbrens for towing the goose. I love 'em, and would get them again. Air bags are adjustable, but air lines develop leaks, are harder to install, have to be adjusted. The Timbrens are nice since they just sit there until loaded, then they come in contact with the axle and go to work. Great product, simple install, and zero maintenance and zero adjustments. I like the simplicity. These pics show the gap that lets the empty ride remain stock. These pics were taken with the truck empty and sitting down on the ground, how it rides empty. It takes about 1400 pounds in the bed to get them to touch.