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Veebyes's avatar
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 22, 2018

Timbrens

Every year I do an upgrade here or there for the truck or trailer. As the truck is starting to get long in the tooth I thought it time to give the rear springs a little support so I have ordered a set of Timbrens.

The truck is a DRW. The 5er has a listed dry weight of 11,500#. All loaded up full of water, 100gal, I guess I am pretty close to 13,000# if not over.

The Timbrens can be installed with or without extra rubber spacers. Are they likely to be needed?

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  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2018
    donn0128 wrote:
    Im guessing you should have done it right and bought new rear leaf springs. I think you would be happier.


    Sorry but that's silly. Timbrens and bags both work great, probably better than new leafs unless something is broken, and they're both a lot cheaper and easier to install too.

    OP, I've got a little under an inch of clearance with no spacers on my truck and that works great. You'll just need to try it both ways and see - you want enough gap so the suspension can flex unloaded, but when you're loaded up the truck is settled down on the timbrens.
  • Veebyes's avatar
    Veebyes
    Explorer II
    Mar 23, 2018
    Looking forward to seeing the difference. The test will be northern roads this spring. Looks like a very easy install. Quite some time ago I installed Sulastic shocks to improve unloaded ride. They helped too but it still reminds you that it is a truck sometimes.
  • jkwilson's avatar
    jkwilson
    Explorer III
    Mar 23, 2018
    What you want is for it not to be touching unloaded, and not to be almost touching with a load you carry often. Either sitting on the Timbrens or about a 1” gap. Comfort problems arise when you transition from springs to Timbrens while driving.
  • F-TROUP's avatar
    F-TROUP
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2018
    I've had a set on my 2001 for for 15 years still going strong and works great. Replaces axle rubber bump stop and sits 1" above my axle.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 22, 2018
    Supporting, read that as bandaids for the old springs, or buying new springs is an easy question for me. Your difficulty is?
  • djousma's avatar
    djousma
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2018
    according to the Timbren install guide, you want about a 1/2" or so of clearance between the bottom rubber and the stop. If its touching unloaded, you wont like the ride...
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Mar 22, 2018
    Im guessing you should have done it right and bought new rear leaf springs. I think you would be happier.
  • ugeesta's avatar
    ugeesta
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2018
    It might depend on your pin weight. The pin on my trailer is about 2,300lbs and drops the bumper around 2”. I just bought a set and going to put them on this weekend. For $200, it couldn’t hurt.

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