Timbren Suspension Overloads

[klaybus]

Has anyone used these? What do you think? Since I put my 2" leveling pods on my truck, when I hook my 5vr up it squats a bit. (tired springs?) I was looking at these as an alternative to air bags. I figure these require about zero maintenance & I wouldn't have to worry about any leaks either. Sounds like they don't affect the ride when unloaded as well. How about cost?

Does anyone have any experience with these? Positive or negative feedback is welcome... .



Thanks,

Clay

 

[IC Smoke]

I had em on the front of my 95 1500 to hold the wesern pro 7'6" plow and they worked awesome! as for the rear Im sure they would be the same, I then upgraded to 3/4 ton front coils and put a 3" lift on the truck so they were useless after the lift and spring upgrade





Ian

 

[I-6DZL]

I doubt you'll ever use them. They're about 2 to 3 inches off the rear axle. When you hook to your trailer your truck will squat just enough to engage the timbrens. If anything i'd think they'll make your right worse.



How far does your truck actually squat ? How much weight do you think is being put on the truck ?



Curtis

 

[klaybus]

Timbrens

I guess I'll have to check & see exactly how close to the bump stops it drops but it never sagged until I put the leveling kit on & bought the new 5vr. Supposedly the new 5vr has a pin weight of #1200 dry. Not exactly what it is loaded but it sags & my brother & brother in laws 2500s don't. I think the problem is the previous owner left a camper on the truck alot & it softened the springs. I guess I should check & see how much space there is between the stop unloaded vs loaded & that will tell me if they will actually stop the truck from dropping.



Clay

 

[I-6DZL]

i noticed you don't have the camper package on your truck. The camper package has overload springs on top of the rear leafs. You could look into adding 1 leaf to each side. I think that would be your best bet. Or better yet get air bags. Better stability of the truck and trailer in all types of conditions.



Curtis

 

[IC Smoke]

Curtis is right

adding a leaf is easy. OR on ebay ive seen overload springs for sale (the camper package springs) but you would also have to add the sway bar & brake booster set up for your rear brakes. (to make it a "complete" camper pakage duplicate



Id just go with the add a leaf myself





Ian

 

[klaybus]

Timbrens

Well, actually I put on a set of Dodge OEM overloads & the anti-sway bar. Thats why I figure my rear springs are soft. I know two other people with 02's that have the exact same 5vr as I do & their trucks don't squat. My brothers has the 2" leveling pods & same tires & his truck comes down to level, yet mine is squating! I believe the previous owner left a camper on this thing full time. Before I put the pods on with my 24' 5vr it came down to level but with my new larger 5vr the pin weight is approx. #1200 dry vs the #700-800 of the previous.



Clay

 

[J&LRam]

2000 lb pin weight made my '03 squat to much. The Timbrens work great and I still haves my stock ride and don't have to worry with leaky air bags anymore. ... ... ... . JIM

 

[I-6DZL]

Wow you have put on factory overloads?? Another spring pack above the main pack ?? You also put the Factory overload frame brackets on too ?? And you're still squatting too much ?? Take some pictures of this thing squating. Measure the wheel well before and after you put the camper on. Something does seem fishy if it drops too far.



Let us know

Curtis

 

[IC Smoke]

Hmm strange, Thought about changing the whole leaf pack on each side? My cousin/boss' 95 GMC 3500 dually was sagging pretty good in the rear when the 38' goosneck and case 580E backhoe were in tow so we changed the main leaf and added 1 and it sat a little higher yet stiffened it right up. BUT the gooseneck isnt hooked up for a long period either so im guessing your springs are weak. just change all of them. (call some junk yards)



Ian

 

[klaybus]

It's not like the bumpers dragging or anything it's just got a bit of a squat whereas before I installed the leveling pods in the front it would ride level. It's like since the pods were installed the front now doesn't drop at all & with the new heavier 5vr I got a case of saggin butt.

I'm a little leary of buying used springs because I have no idea what I'll be getting..... Could be better, same, or worse. Sounds like the Timbrens worked for Jim (posted above)...



Clay

 

[GAmes]

I have Timbrens and here are my findings. First, with a rear mounted tool box (behind the 5er hitch) an aux fuel tank and all the other crap I carry around, the overload springs were almost touching the brackets. I had to jack up the rear end to get enough clearence to even install the Timbrens.



Once they were installed the ride sucked if a trailer wasn't hooked up. In desperation I dialed my Ranchos down to the lowest setting and the ride was once again OK. When I hook up even the biggest trailer now the truck stays fairly level and my headlights don't point into the sky. One of these days I may break down and buy a new spring pack, but I currently have other priorities... ... like drinking beer ang going fishing :-laf

 

[klaybus]

Timbrens

Well I just went out & measured what I have between the overload stop & the end of the bushing with the truck unloaded..... 4 5\8". What have you fellas got? Does anyone know what the height of the Timbrens are end to end? Curious if they would be close to touching while driving empty thus affecting the unloaded ride of my truck.



Thanks,

Clay.

 

[gambler]

Timbrens

I pull a 38' Avion 5er with a tongue wieght of 3200# loaded. Before the timbrens, the truck squated 3. 5" when the 5er was hooked up. After installing the Timbrens, the truck only squated 2" and the ride was excellent.

When empty the timbrens are about 1. 25" from touching the axel housing.

They also keep the truck from swaying when loaded.

I am running a '04. 5 2500 W/load range E Michlens that are rated at 3195# each. I am wondering if there is a higher load range tire (17"), as I would like to load more in the bed when I am hauling the 5er. Oo.

Gambler

 

[TX Gooseneck]

I had a set on my 93 and they rode horribly - empty, loaded, parked, didn't matter. Cut them off and the ride is much better with them off. I'll make you a sweet deal on them

 

[klaybus]

Timbrens

Wow! It's all over the road on these things. For every good response is a negative. Keep the replys coming if you have experience using them.....



Clay

 

[CUMMINZ]

new springs

You can purchase "add a leafs" at most 4x4 type stores. Most new trucks on the market have longer leaf springs than trucks 5 or 10 years ago. When your truck is loaded, climb under the truck and look closely at the camber in your springs or lack of camber. Many older trucks have springs that loadup differently than the newer trucks. Under load is your spring pack straight in line with your very bottom thick spring? Out on the end of the first spring next to where it is connected to the frame, is the first spring supported very well by the second spring or is it sagging down at the frame connection? If it is you need one long spring that is nearly as long as your entire spring pack. If it is supported well you most likely need a single spring that is fairly stiff with maybe 2-3 inches of camber that is maybe 4 inches longer than your short thick bottom spring. This type spring will support your entire pack.

 

[gambler]

timbrens

if the wrong timbrens are installed, they will make the ride very rough, as mine did the first time I had them installed. I called the factory and told them my story and they explained the "right" timbrens must be installed for the year and model of vehicle.

I had a heck of a time finding the right ones for my '04. 5 2500 SWD longbed.

If you have the right ones, they are at least 1. 5 - 2 inches above the axel housing and can't possibly make the truck ride rough as they aren't touching anything and the truck rides along on the stock springs.

If the timbrens are touching the axel housing with the truck empty, they are the wrong ones.

Gambler

 

[kbarlow]

I use the timbrens and they are good. The first set I put on were just touching when unloaded. The set that is on now clears by 1/2 in. unloaded. The ride with the bed empty is fine. If you run empty and they are on the axle you will have a very hard ride. With 2500 lbs on the pin the truck will settle about 3/4in and rides great. Installation takes about 15 min. and the cost was around $100 I think.

Ken

 

[RRoton]

Well I just went out & measured what I have between the overload stop & the end of the bushing with the truck unloaded..... 4 5\8". What have you fellas got? Does anyone know what the height of the Timbrens are end to end? Curious if they would be close to touching while driving empty thus affecting the unloaded ride of my truck.



Thanks,

Clay.

Timbrens come in a LOT of different lengths.

When I received mine, they were a little to long. (only had about 1/4"" clearance when empty)

I called the Timbren people, and they sent me a shorter pair UPS.

Now I have about 1 1/2" clearance empty, and I love them.

By the way, Timbren paid the shipping on the new pair and on the pair I returned. They are great people do do business with.