Timbren rubber springs

[DBazley]

Great pics Duluth !



I can also testify that it doesn't add any ride harshness if they are in contact even when empty, at least on our Ram Van, that is. I was worried about that, but the ride is just as good with no passengers or cargo in the van, as when it's heavily loaded.



In fact, we live on a mildly rutted dirt road, and they have eliminated the suspension oscillation by dampening the spring motion, so I can go slow or quite fast, without the funny noises I had before.



Ditto for the fronts - which needed them as bad as the rear. Don't know if many Ram trucks run the fronts, but I believe they offer them.



One thing too, is they help the handling as much as load control.



There is now very, very little body roll in fast turns.



After discovering this, I cancelled the order I had for the Addco Anti-Sway bars as they didn't seem necessary anymore.



Like Duluth said, zero maintenance - nothing to break.



My only beef was their instructions for the fronts were vague, and I put them in the wrong way the first time. Our 4x4 trucks I don't think you could do that, but the Van I think has a similar A-arm front end to the 2wd trucks, and they must be installed on the proper side.

 

[SMorneau]

With airbags you can level the truck. This is very nice and if you have on board air and a control unit you can adjust them going down the road or use it to help level out at a camp site. I am sure the timbrens work very well but I fail to see why airbags wouldn't be better due to the adjustabilty. I have never had any trouble with the airbags so I don't think being simpler is a big plus here.



Just my two cents...



Scott

 

[DBazley]

Timbrens or Airbags ? Depends on your needs....

Hey Scott, how are you ? Long time no habla, or PM anyways.



Hope all is well with you these days !



You are right on re the airbags. They are tough, and adjustable for various loads. Is this how your truck is set-up ?



My truck is set up like this - on board air (Thomas Industrial 12V compressor), 7 gal air tank mounted on frame & Firestone Airlift airbags with pressure guage w/ fill / empty valve.



Pretty bulletproof. My only malfunction has been leaking air lines, which has been a small pain.



At some time they should probably all be replaced.



If you need the adjustability they're the only way to go.



The Timbrens do work (as on our Ram Van -which has the same powertrain & similar suspension as a 2wd 2500 Ram Truck) if a person only needs simple ride & load support.



Our Ram Van only requires such. They were also:



1) Cheaper - just $ 150 per front & rear set



2)Installed quickly



3) Zero maintenance



Negatives: No adjusability - smaller load capacity.



But they may be what some Ram trucks need if mainly used for light duty loads.



On our truck, compressor was $ 500 + at Grainger, + the bags & guage kit for $ 300 or so, plus labor, so it was easily a grand to install.



Timbrens were 1/3 that much and installation was done in two hours flat on the Van.



My children noted much more road comfort, less bouncing, they can now write while seated in the back so the dampening & stabilizing is accomplished by both systems it appears.



I hear the front Timbrens are mandatory for Plow Mounted Rams, as they support that heavy front weight - designed in Canada for that reason - interesting.



Good to hear from you, Take Care



David B.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

With airbags you can level the truck. This is very nice and if you have on board air and a control unit you can adjust them going down the road or use it to help level out at a camp site. I am sure the timbrens work very well but I fail to see why airbags wouldn't be better due to the adjustabilty. I have never had any trouble with the airbags so I don't think being simpler is a big plus here.



Just my two cents...



Scott

Heya Scott, How ya been?



Granted, as I stated, air bags have some big advantages. But I don't need to level a camper, and with all the road salt up here in the great white north, air lines take a beating. The Timbrens cost me $199 with free shipping. I installed them myself in less than 30 minutes, and they have been a big improvment for me. For me, being able to ignore them and just load the truck and drive is nice. Do airbags have advantages? Heck yes. Do they require more $$$ and install time and maintenance? Yes. I like that the Timbrens can sit under there and work until the frame rusts in half and I never have to look at them or adjust them again. For me, simple is handy. Different strokes ya know.....



Take care!



-Chuck

 

[Jason Griebel]

I don't understand why you need to know if you have a dana 70 or 80 by looking at Duluth's pics you don't even hook anything on the axle

 

[Double J]

I used them while hauling a slide-in camper and they made a world of difference.



I now have a different tow rig and no camper so if someones intrested in a set I can pull them off my 01 and ship. I'll make a heck of a deal for a fellow TDR member.



Shoot me a PM if intersted.

 

[DBazley]

Double J, dang my airbags haven't popped yet, or I'd wangle a deal from ya !



You're sure to find a taker I would think. Love 'em on my Ram Van - glad I got fronts & rears, really improve the ride & handling is now very tight for a high-top van. I scare Porsches !



DB

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I don't understand why you need to know if you have a dana 70 or 80 by looking at Duluth's pics you don't even hook anything on the axle

What axle you have determines what load rating the Timbrens have, how long they are, how big the spacer is, etc. Go to www.truckspring.com, that's where I got mine. They were nice guys to deal with and knew what I had. There apparently is a different part number if you have a normal 2500 with a Dana 70 or a 2500HD with a Dana 80, like mine.