Has anyone installed Timbren on a Sprinter?

jjrai - that's great to hear. I hadn't noticed a problem with dips so much, perhaps because of the Koni shocks that were already there. But like you, the cornering improved.

I finally did find something that really helped in the back and with sway/gusts/etc. I'll put that in another post. If you think the Timbrens made a big difference, this one is huge.

I put the Timbren SES rubber bumpers on my 2006 LTFS (2500 Chassis, 22', high-top. I think that they were a nice improvement for the price ($170 from Amazon). I find that pot holes and pavement seams are softened. Cornering is a bit better, too. Perhaps the largest difference is front-end bounce when hitting dips. Even after putting new struts on the front, I got some bounce over dips. With the Timbren SES bumpers, the bouncing is greatly reduced. I would recommend this product highly. It is the only upgrade I have seen for the Sprinter front end, in terms of spring assistance.

jjrai -

In the pictures, it looks like the Timbren rubber globs are in contact with the axle. And when the wife and I are inside - they very well may be. There is actually about a quarter inch of space on the passenger side, and few-sheets-of-paper-width space on the driver's side. This may go away when the van is moving and we're both in it.

The factory bump stops did have a bit more space. You can see it in the first picture - that's the driver's side, and it looks like about a quarter inch.

The "always loaded" (or nearly so) state of the Timbrens may be responsible for the somewhat dampened response I'm feeling. I still like the feel of it, so I'll be keeping them.

As to the super-long bolts. I must have spent a good hour under that thing this weekend. I tried several things, and couldn't come up with a way to cut the bolts down that I was satisfied wouldn't cut something else. I tried hacksaws, bolt cutters, Dremmel, but they all either wouldn't fit, or made me way too nervous that I was going to cut something important.

In the end, what I did was to cut some lengths of rubber tubing, and slide this down over the exposed bolts. Now, instead of sharp bolt threads, anything that comes in contact will hit rubber. I checked the wheels at full-left, full-right, and center, and nothing seemed to make contact at any of those positions, so I guess it is OK.

But if I read this post before ordering my own, I would source some shorter bolts before heading off to have them installed. And don't get cheap bolts from Home Depot for that - get good ones.

Hi FitRV
From your pictures, it appears that the Timbren blob of rubber is in contact with the front axle at all times. On my 2006, the bump stop has a gap of about 2" between it and the axle. Did your old bump stops have a gap, or were they touching?

I have a Gulfstream Vista Cruiser on a 2003 Sprinter chassis. I was very unhappy with driving in cross-winds which living in Kansas is a way of life. The recommended tire pressures were 55 front 79 rear. I looked into anti-sway bars and air bags. Before I spent the money, I decided to play with tire pressures. I increased the front to 60 psi and it helped a lot. The next trip I went to 65 psi and it was a dramatic improvement. The ride didn't change much in a straight line, a little more noise over pavement cracks, but it took the white knuckles out of 40 mph cross winds and semi's completely. Since the tires are the same all around, they are rated for 80 psi, there is no reason not to raise the fronts up and get rid of the scary swaying. My wife, has driven across Western Kansas on I-70 in 40-50 mph cross winds, with no problem.

Well, I've got them installed. I've posted a complete write up here:

Sprinter Suspension and Ride Improvements: Timbren SES review

But basically, my feeling is that it's improved, but not overwhelmingly so. The biggest difference I notice is in cornering at speed - which is nice, but not something you do a lot of in an RV.

But now I have another question - would you all be concerned about the freakishly long bolts that Timbren provided for the install? The ones that came with my kit are super long, and I'm a bit worried that something might catch on them. (like a brake line?) Should I bother to cut them down as I've planned? Or not bother?

Well, the Timbren kit can be had for less than $200. More substantial suspension work costs considerably more. I saw a post from the Sprinter Store on the Sprinter Source forum about Timbrens, and they could recommend using them on the front. It seems the easiest (and cheapest) way to start.

I just ordered the kit from Amazon. Should be in my hands in a couple of days. I'll report back when I have them on.

I have a 2006 Leisure Travel Sprinter 2500. It has the rear air bags, and, once I put some air in them, they made a big difference. Still, I am thinking of getting a fatter rear anti-sway bar. I have not seen a lot of options for the front end and would be interested in TheFitRV or anyone else tries out the Timbren. I may do it myself.

TheFitRV James wrote:
To the poster that went there, did you have an appointment and they had everything ready to go? Or did you just drop in? (I suppose I could just call them...)

When I had Sprinter Store upgrade the suspension on my Sprinter, I first called and made an appointment. I also reserved a camping spot at a nearby campground (in a different call).

When I dropped the Sprinter off, the Sprinter Store provided me a loaner car (no charge), which I used to visit a nearby shopping mall in Portland.

All the work was completed in a single day.

Bill

I've spent a fair amount of time under our rig - the rear, at least - and I've seen Koni reds in the rear, so that much may have been something Forest River added. It does look like the standard, fairly thin sway bar under there in the back though, and I've never paid much attention to the springs, so there may be things that can be done there.

Interesting recommendation on the Sprinter Store in Oregon. We're actually planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest next month!

I wonder if I could convince the wife to make a detour and wait around while they perform a few upgrades? Hmmmmm....

To the poster that went there, did you have an appointment and they had everything ready to go? Or did you just drop in? (I suppose I could just call them...)

Thanks!