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Wal
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2004
19:52:30
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 Subject: Timbren experience?
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I've been looking at overload springs and came across a company named Timbren that makes those rubber accordian looking springs for the front and rear of my Dak; 99 CC v8 4x4. Has anyone used them or another rubber spring type setup? How well do they work? Are they linear in their action or just like hitting a brick wall when unloaded and hitting a bump? Other?
TIA,
Wal
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.DOC.
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2004
01:20:34
| RE: Timbren experience?
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Timbren I don't know, but my experience with Roasmaster Active Suspension is, to date, very satisfactory.
Check their web site and if you like, buy from SUMMIT. Priced at $169, a good value.
Transparent until needed-no ride change, and in my case, no change in rear end height. I no longer have my hitch scrub and it seems to help my factory sway bar. Hooks up better too.
A few of my friends have purchased RAS for their trucks and are very pleased.
Sorry for no info on Timbren, but consider RAS if no other help comes your way. You might want to check past threads for both,...
Doc
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2004
08:37:28
| RE: Timbren experience?
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Thanks, I did see the RAS and I read all the posts I could. The RAS seems like a nice setup, but it does not specifically add to the carrying capacity of the truck. The Timbren brings payload up but I don't know how well they work or how rough they are when in use.
My favorite so far is the Super leaf but I am having trouble with justifying the price. They do seem awesome though because they come on progressively and bring payload up to 3,000lbs (not that I'd put 3k in the bed mind you). Although I had put 2400 in my Ranger's 6' box once, hehe.
Wal
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2004
13:54:58
| RE: Timbren experience?
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I put Timbren's on my motor home for a while. Basically, they are thick rubber "coffee cans" you attach to the axle. As the axle moves up, they contact the frame rail. When they are loaded, they are linear and quite good, and a significant improvement over an under-sprung suspension.
The challenge, however, is when they are only loaded part of the time, as the transition/impact as the spring contacts the bottom of the vehicle can be rather harsh. I wouldn't call them hitting a brick wall, but you will definitely know when the suspension flexes enough for them to contact. They offer different heights and rubber stiffnesses.
So, if you can stay off them most of the time when unloaded, and on them full time when loaded, they should be fine. They are very easy to install.
Another alternative is to consider adding a leaf to your rear springs, but this will harshen up the unloaded ride quite a bit.
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a thought
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2004
17:54:23
| RE: Timbren experience?
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wont a overload leaf added help increase the capacity, without stiffening the ride ? The overload spring does not make contact until the truck is loaded.
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.DOC.
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2004
18:52:53
| RE: Timbren experience?
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Depends upon the manufacturer, model and level of "helper".
Helwig, for example, has a couple of models where one type simply adds a leaf with a particular arch that will not contact the existing leaves until there is a bit of deflection. They've got another 'heavy duty' model that has a set of brackets at the ends of the spring that put the added leaf under tension from the get-go.
I happen to like the way the R.A.S. works for the type of hauling/driving I do. I don't play the over-run the ratings game, primarily because I need my rig to last. Therefore testing the envelope of design limits isn't for me. However, though, to each his/her own,...
(Well, I do test the rev limiter from time to time :-}) ).
Doc
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
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7/15/2004
16:35:18
| RE: Timbren experience?
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thanks for the great feedback. I am sold on the Super Leaf's then. They are more $ but I am sure I'll be happier then using the Timbren. Thank you!
Wal
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/15/2004
17:03:46
| RE: Timbren experience?
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Nice price on the RAS Doc - thats about what I paid a couple years ago. Sounds like you set yours pretty soft, I got about 2" lift in the back with mine; and I'd say they definitely increase hauling capacity. Not as harsh as adding an extra leaf though, and easier to install. I can haul a full bed of logs with them without squatting too badly.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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WI-96-3.9
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2004
08:33:22
| RE: Timbren experience?
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I put on an extra leaf spring, rebent my old ones and had the timbrens installed at the same time about a year ago. since then I have had over a ton of block in the back and the ride was real nice. the timbrens stop the truck from swaying or leaning into the corners. regardless of the load my truck does not sqat under the weight keeping more wieght in the front helping the steering also.
when the truck is unloaded there is about 1.5" between the timbren and the axle but on large bumps you can definitly feal the timbrens contact. Also I have a fiberglass cap and 3 tool boxes in the bed almost all of the time so is dampens the suspention bounce.
Sorry about the long rambling message but, I love my timbrens they increase capacity and give a very stable ride. Just remember that the axle capacity is the limiting factor with these so don't put too much on!
96 cc 3.9
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