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Timbren Suspension Enhancement System "Jake Morton is helping me with some of the install articles. Jake has expansive knowledge with trucks and trailers. You'll enjoy and learn from his articles." MT I recently had the chance to install and test Timbren’s Suspension Enhancement System on my 1997 Ford F-350 Crew Cab. If you’ve ever towed a large trailer or own a slide in camper, then you know how the rear end of the truck squats down under heavy loads. There are several ways to offset this, air bags, add-a-leafs, and air shocks just to name a few. The problem with some of these systems is the rough ride the truck has when unloaded. The Timbren SES changes this by not changing the factory suspension in any way. It allows you to carry heavier loads while maintaining the factory ride quality. When I first pulled everything out of the box, I thought to myself that the truck is going to ride horrible! The Timbren system looks like small air bags but are actually solid, hard rubber type bump stop extensions. The secret to the system is in the way the extensions sit above the factory bump stop bracket when the truck is unloaded. This allows the truck to maintain the factory ride. When loaded, the suspension settles down onto the Timbrens and doesn’t go any further. With a load in the back, ride quality is great because the Timbrens flex and give as the suspension loads and unloads. The kit comes with everything needed to install including instructions. There is a spacer in the kit which I didn’t need that will allow you to get the system as close to the bump stop bracket as you like. Basic hand tools and a floor jack are all that is needed for the installation. The first step is to locate and remove the factory rubber bump stops that are mounted to the frame above the rear axle. You only need to remove one nut per side to get these little guys loose.
The next step is to jack up the frame of the truck. This is crucial since the suspension needs to be unloaded in order to get the Timbrens in place on the factory mounting bracket. If you jack up the rear axle, they will never go in!
Assemble the washer onto the supplied bolt and install the rubber spring onto the supplied bracket.
Tighten the mounting hardware and eyeball it to make sure it is centered over the rear axle or the bump stop bracket.
Once everything is centered, tighten the bolts and move to the other side. When finished, the Timbren will sit about ½ to ¾ of an inch above the axle or the bump stop bracket. With this system installed, I loaded my 28 foot fifth wheel camper. The rear end settled down about and inch then stopped and stayed level once the Timbrens contacted the brackets. Driving down the road, I didn’t notice quite as much bounce from the rear and the ride quality was much better than I had expected. With the ease of installation, ride quality, and price below an air bag kit, I think that this system will solve the rear end sagging problems so many of us have and keep the check book happy too. Also for the best deals on Timbren truck springs visit www.cushionglide.com
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