The Low-down on Timbrens

[AndyN.]

Alright, I have heard a lot about timbrens, but what are they really? If a truck, say my new F350 has a plow package on it, do I need them? Do they really make that much of a difference? Do you all put them on the front and the back (if I am carrying a VBox)? Are they difficult to put on? I have seen them loose (at my plow dealer) but not on a truck. Let me know as I think you can easily convince to get them or not!
Thanks,
Andy

[wyldman]

The Timbrens are a hollow rubber spring,which gets progressively stiffer as it is compressed.The don't really come into play much until you put a load on the truck.They will greatly improve the handling of the truck with the plow on,and save wear and tear on the front end.For under $150.00,they are probably one of the best additions you could make to your truck.

You can run them in the rear as well,they will help with the extra weight of the loaded v-box.

They are very easy to install,most people can do them at home in the driveway in under an hour.

[ratlover]

I got em on my plow prep equiped truck (see sig V)

I have heard people complain that they suck in the rear unloaded(bad ride) and there are other better alternatives. I duno, just what I have heard.

They took me a 1/2 hour or so and i dont notice any change in ride really. My truck drops close to 1.5" with the blade raised and it handles the plow fine.

Dont know about how they preform on a leaf though but even the ford guys seem to like em. Cheap addition IMO

[wyldman]

Ratlover is right,there are better alternatives for the rear.Airbags would be preferred,as they are fully adjustable for load and ride quality,but are more expensive,and a little harder to install.

[cat320]

I have them on the back of my 3/4 ton and they can handel the weight just fine had a load of versa block full to the bed rail and the truck did not even go down.I also have them in the front too would highly recomend them.Was talking with the timbren rep at the snow and ice show very nice guy they really have good customer service.

[mikegamb]

well this truck here has timbrens on the front and rear.i have the EZ dumper on the rear half full of heavy wet leaves with my plow on.they act like a helper spring.so instead of adding a leaf to the rear or installing a heavy rated spring on the front you use these.now they only work when your under a heavy load like a plow or a loaded truck bed.they give a nice ride when the sup is using them

[cat320]

This is the guy i talked to at the factory very pleasent to talk to and helped me out 110% .His name is ED Sanders 1-800-263-7581

[AndyN.]

Thanks guys, great input, I think I will look into them. That photo with the plow and leaf box are a good selling point. Especially since it is an F150.

[FordPlow]

based on the genral consensus here I just ordered Timbrens for my ranger I hope to get them before thanksgiving and put them on over TG wknd


Dean:p

[Big Nate's Plowing]

Originally posted by AndyN.
Thanks guys, great input, I think I will look into them. That photo with the plow and leaf box are a good selling point. Especially since it is an F150.

that truck is not a plain jane F-150 it is the F-150 HD something like 7800# GVWR, basicaly a light duty ¾ ton ;)

this is a timbren; http://www.rigidhitch.com/pages/images/DF15002A.jpg

[mikegamb]

thats a 97 F250 LD son 11 inch rear

[90plow]

I was thinking about putting them on my GMC 1500 4x4 shortbed reg. cab on just the rear for when I have the mower in the back or leaves and the trailer on, the truck sags quite a bit with little weight. My question is will the timbrens affect my handling? I ride on the highway quite a bit and the truck gets loaded just about every weekend durning non winter months. Should I put the timbrens on or do like air shocks? Or would you suggest Air bags.
Sorry for all the questions I'm just a little :huh
Thanks in advance
Eric

[wyldman]

For the rear.......

The Timbrens are simple and easy.The price is cheaper too.

The airbags are a better solution,but are more expensive and harder to install.It will give you the adjustability when needed.

[John Banks]

Not to change the subject, but MikeGamb, are those casters on your plow in place of the doorstops, uh I mean shoes? Just curious...

[W-n-K Landscaping]

Nah! They're traning wheels!!! LOL!!:D

Actually they are casters- there is a good pic of them in another forum, I caught that earlier and asked him about them- it's actually a good idea if you've got a concrete floor where you store your plow. Why spen the money on a dolly when you can spend $20 on a set of casters and just glide your plow around!

I'm thinking that I'll find a set of doorstops in the spring for my Fisher and do the same thing!

Bill

[John Banks]

Good one Bill. I've got a few sets you are welcome to. They've been sitting around for a while, but have never been used. Even funnier is that one of our local Fisher dealers has a few sets sitting up on a shelf for sale!

[ZR2DK]

I have gabriel hi-jacker air shocks on the back of my truck. Granted, it is a 1/4 ton pickup, but I still do work with it and the hi-jackers have certainly helped increase the payload (they claim an increase of 1100lbs when they are fully inflated to 200psi.) . I have had roughly 2000lbs in the bed of my S-10 ZR2 and there was not much sag at all. Big difference from stock and at $50 a pair, not a bad price at all.

[W-n-K Landscaping]

John- I would like to take you up on that offer- I wonder how much shipping would be to have them sent to my neck of the woods? Woudl it be worth it? On the other hand if you are going to any of the get togetheres next year maybe we could hook up then? I will keep you in mind and wait to see what happens. Thanks!!!

BTW- I'm trying to catch up with Mike 97SS for the comedian of the site- I 've got a long road ahead of me though!!! LOL!!:D


Bill

[mikegamb]

okay kids here

[W-n-K Landscaping]

Mike- Are the casters welded or rivited on? It looks like they are rivited on form that pic- I thought that they were welded. If they are rivited than your idea is even easier than I thought! I'm not that good with a welder yet!:rolleyes: I definitely need practice! LOL!

Thanks again for the pic- it has really got me thinking about doing something like it for my blade next year!

Bill

[mikegamb]

there bolted on.the steel the shoes are made out of are not hardened.so i drilled 2 holes and ran a tap through them.add a few washers and it was set to go.


send me your email and i will get some better pics of it for you.i also got the casters from northern tool there rated at 650lbs each

[W-n-K Landscaping]

Even easier! Great, thanks for the info! Do you have anything on the a-frame also? I was thinking about a trailer jack with a wheel on it- one that you can pull a pin and take off so that it would not be in the way while it was on the truck. What do you think?

thanks again!

Bill

[Honest Mike]

The Timbrens helped the ride alot with the plow on in my truck, and didnt affect the ride with the plow off, which is good. Honestly speaking, my truck handled the plow good before the Timbren install, so I cant really say they helped keep the frontend up anymore than the factory rubber stops did. They were definitely worth the money though in my eyes because of the much better ride they give with the plow on driving down the street and hitting dips and bumps in the road. I wish I would have done measurements from the ground to the bottom of the front fender with the plow raised before and after the Timbren install, then I would know for sure if they helped and by how much and I could give a better answer. Either way, I like them and would reccomend them simply for the better ride if not nothing else. Mike :)

[scfall]

Mike I measured my truck front and rear before and after, no difference in the front but 1 3/4 " in the rear also my rear would fishtail at 60 mph without but is solid with them. I love them and would highly recomend them to anyone.:D :D :D


Scott:burnout