recently installed Timbrens on rear of my 04 F350 SC.
ride while towing is very rough, like a farm wagon, but the timbrens keep the ride height level.
Anyone have similar experience, and what did you do.
I'm considering cutting the timbrens down, as I worry about damage to my 5er hitch on rough roads. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
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2004 F350 SC lwb 6 speed 5er hitch, burgundy colour, billet 3pc grill add-on.,starter kill security system, fumoto valve, panasonic cd player, factory alloys, new aftermarket buckets and console in burgundy leather.
I put Timbrens on my truck also and love 'em. When I put a load on my truck, they helped smooth out the ride considerably. I consider them one of the best mods I have done.
Are you sure you got the correct ones for your application??
__________________ 2003 Toreador Red/Arizona Beige CC, DRW, Lariat, FX4, 6.0 PSD, Torqshift, born early Feb. 03, (still running the original flash!), AIC, MBRP turbo-back exhaust, Tuning by Total Diesel Performance, AFE PG7, Fumoto valve, B&W hitch, Di-Pricol gauges, Voyager brake controller, DIESELSITE Coolant filter, Timbrens, Rancho RSXs, Michelin XPS Traction's, a whole bunch of "bling", Connex 4300hp, JL Audio 275w amp w/ 12" sub, Alpine door and rear seat speakers. 376hp
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Sell them Timbrens and get yourself an airbag setup.
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Yup...that's the ticket. Timbrens aren't adjustable of course so ride suffers when empty. That's the beauty of airbags, you can adjust them to what you need at the time.
I am surprised when you say the Timbrens are giving you a ruff ride when towing. I have had exactly the opposite experience with the Timbrens. I think they are the best bang for the buck. I tow a fifth wheel with 2,000lbs on the pin, without the Timbrens, expansion joints drove me insane. Now with them installed, I am a happy camper. When the truck is not loaded, are the Timbrens making contact with the extension arm from the leaf spring pack? They should not. I installed a set on my 2001 F-350, had to use one of the offset mounting holes for them to line up properly. Different than for the F-250. I would check installation if I were you. Having had both, I prefer Timbrens over the airbags. Install and forget. Nothing to constantly fiddle with.
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I have the timbrens and have approx 3000 lbs of pin weight. They work really well. Empty you don't know they are on the truck. Call Timbren to make sure of the part number for your truck and check to see that they are installed correctly. Good luck
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Y2K 350 DRW PSD Lariat CC LWB 4.10 auto trans, TLS, Mag-Hytex Diff cover,Amsoil in Trans and Diff, Pillar mounted Spa tech dual gauges, aux trans cooler.Fumoto oil drain valve. Oil Guard bypass filter. AIS, 3 1/2 down 4 inch ex
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Sell them Timbrens and get yourself an airbag setup.
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Yup...that's the ticket. Timbrens aren't adjustable of course so ride suffers when empty. That's the beauty of airbags, you can adjust them to what you need at the time.
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I find you remark that the ride suffering while empty incorrect. Do you have them installed on your rig? I have them on my truck and they do not effect my ride at all on normal pavement conditions. They do not come into play until I have about 600 lbs loaded on my rig. They do ride firmer with a load on them but what do you expect whan you are using a 8k lbs pair of overloads. I don't think the airbags are a bad choice either. I just don't buy your argument. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
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thks for the many replies. I think the Timbrens are centered over the axle and are limiting the spring flex and shock action. Will check part number with supplier but fundamental question of interfering with spring action under load remains a doubt in my mind.
Pls explain further about possible spring interference and offset mount. Don't the Timbrens have to be centered over the axle??
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2004 F350 SC lwb 6 speed 5er hitch, burgundy colour, billet 3pc grill add-on.,starter kill security system, fumoto valve, panasonic cd player, factory alloys, new aftermarket buckets and console in burgundy leather.
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thks for the many replies. I think the Timbrens are centered over the axle and are limiting the spring flex and shock action. Will check part number with supplier but fundamental question of interfering with spring action under load remains a doubt in my mind.
Pls explain further about possible spring interference and offset mount. Don't the Timbrens have to be centered over the axle??
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Yes, the Timbrens are supposed to be mounted centered over the axle. The offsets he is referring to, are the other set of holes in the mounting bracket. They are there in case you need them to get the spring centered over the axle.
When properly installed on your F350, there should be about a half inch of space between the spring and the axle. Does yours have about that?? If it has more, then as posted above, you are probably not getting the full use of the springs. If it has less, then you might be "overflexing" them.
If you have the correct placement and spacing above the axle when empty, I would have to guess that you have a clearance issue when loaded. About the only way to find out, would be to put a similar load on your truck and then crawl underneath and check.
BTW, the correct part# for your application is FR350SDE.
p.s.: AlH, based on your post, I can only guess that you don't have Timbrens and have never had them. Properly installed, Timbrens don't affect ride quality at all when empty. The real beauty of Timbrens is that there is no need for doing adjustments based on load (or lack thereof) as must be done with airbags.
__________________ 2003 Toreador Red/Arizona Beige CC, DRW, Lariat, FX4, 6.0 PSD, Torqshift, born early Feb. 03, (still running the original flash!), AIC, MBRP turbo-back exhaust, Tuning by Total Diesel Performance, AFE PG7, Fumoto valve, B&W hitch, Di-Pricol gauges, Voyager brake controller, DIESELSITE Coolant filter, Timbrens, Rancho RSXs, Michelin XPS Traction's, a whole bunch of "bling", Connex 4300hp, JL Audio 275w amp w/ 12" sub, Alpine door and rear seat speakers. 376hp
p.s.: AlH, based on your post, I can only guess that you don't have Timbrens and have never had them. Properly installed, Timbrens don't affect ride quality at all when empty. The real beauty of Timbrens is that there is no need for doing adjustments based on load (or lack thereof) as must be done with airbags.
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Have you ever owned airbags? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
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I will admit I've never had Timbrens. But- to me the adjustability of airbags is a plus...I can set them to exactly the firmness needed for the load and without the truck having to be lower in the rear to get them to work. I've also run airbags with unequal pressure to level side to side ie most all truckcampers are heavier on the left due to the appliances. If installed "properly" Timbrens work just as the stock overload leaves do..the truck has to squat some to get them to work, if they are installed to keep the truck level the ride is firmed up....not my idea of optimum load handling, but hey get whatever suits ya' [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
p.s.: AlH, based on your post, I can only guess that you don't have Timbrens and have never had them. Properly installed, Timbrens don't affect ride quality at all when empty. The real beauty of Timbrens is that there is no need for doing adjustments based on load (or lack thereof) as must be done with airbags.
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Have you ever owned airbags? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
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Yes. And won't again. 'Nuff said.
__________________ 2003 Toreador Red/Arizona Beige CC, DRW, Lariat, FX4, 6.0 PSD, Torqshift, born early Feb. 03, (still running the original flash!), AIC, MBRP turbo-back exhaust, Tuning by Total Diesel Performance, AFE PG7, Fumoto valve, B&W hitch, Di-Pricol gauges, Voyager brake controller, DIESELSITE Coolant filter, Timbrens, Rancho RSXs, Michelin XPS Traction's, a whole bunch of "bling", Connex 4300hp, JL Audio 275w amp w/ 12" sub, Alpine door and rear seat speakers. 376hp
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If installed "properly" Timbrens work just as the stock overload leaves do..the truck has to squat some to get them to work, if they are installed to keep the truck level the ride is firmed up....not my idea of optimum load handling, but hey get whatever suits ya'
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The "squat" you are referring to, is a whopping half inch on an F350.... Not exactly a big "squat" IMHO. And again I will say this.... When empty, the Timbrens do not make contact with the axle at all, so the empty ride is not affected in any way, shape, or form. When I'm loaded, the truck is still level and the ride is baby's bottom smooth. Compared to the hassle of having to adjust the air bags for each load or lack there of, yeah, I think the Timbrens suit me. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
__________________ 2003 Toreador Red/Arizona Beige CC, DRW, Lariat, FX4, 6.0 PSD, Torqshift, born early Feb. 03, (still running the original flash!), AIC, MBRP turbo-back exhaust, Tuning by Total Diesel Performance, AFE PG7, Fumoto valve, B&W hitch, Di-Pricol gauges, Voyager brake controller, DIESELSITE Coolant filter, Timbrens, Rancho RSXs, Michelin XPS Traction's, a whole bunch of "bling", Connex 4300hp, JL Audio 275w amp w/ 12" sub, Alpine door and rear seat speakers. 376hp
groscap: I installed Firestone air bags on my 2004 F250 and they are the ONLY way to go. I had to sell that truck and move up to a 2005 F350 DRW to handle my 36 foot 5th wheel. At the time I installed the 5th wheel hitch Firestone did not have a set of bags for this truck. After about 1200 miles of towing I felt I needed
something to bring the truck back to level with a pin weight of 3100#. So I went with a set of Timbrens. They make the truck ride terrible when towing. If someone is going to sell their truck but needs to move a ton of bricks across town then Timbrens would be wroth the price. When I'm on a 6+hour trip the Timbrens will dive you nuts. Every little ripple,pot hole or what ever in the road will come up thou the frame and into your butt. The truck rode better with out them. I wish I never put them on. Like I said across town Yes,hour after hour after hour, no no no. If I could sell them I let them go for 1/2 price in a heart beat. Firestone now has a set of bags for this truck and I would love to go back with air.
2003 Toreador Red/Arizona Beige CC, DRW, Lariat, FX4, 6.0 PSD, Torqshift, born early Feb. 03, (still running the original flash!), AIC, MBRP turbo-back exhaust, Tuning by Total Diesel Performance, AFE PG7, Fumoto valve, B&W hitch, Di-Pricol gauges, Voyager brake controller, DIESELSITE Coolant filter, Timbrens, Rancho RSXs, Michelin XPS Traction's, a whole bunch of "bling", Connex 4300hp, JL Audio 275w amp w/ 12" sub, Alpine door and rear seat speakers. 376hp
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