Adiós Timbrens, don't let the screen door....

[Ozz]

In theory, they are good. Proper application and all, but for me; not so much...
Timbrens are a passive system, very patiently awaiting it's job of taking over when you load the truck down. What if the truck is always loaded down? Well it rides like...a truck.
So, I stopped at K.C. Spring works, a shop here in town that has been in business for 80 odd years. I axed the shop foreman what if I put the 1 Ton springs on the truck? he said: "Ahhhh, the 3/4 and the 1 ton are the same springs." I said "Huh?" He says: "Yep".
I thought the 1 Ton had an extra spring leaf. I will verify that today at 1:00 when I go in and fork over $450 for that extra spring.
And I had air bags.. nice and worked good, but I am into passive. Winter, summer, my truck is always loaded with tools and crapola.
So, anyone want a set of H.D. Timbrens...cheap?
They would be good if your truck is not always loaded, an occasional trip to Lowe's for a bed full of paver's, or 3 or 4 full beer containers for that weekly Kegger and Toga party...

OK, I called down and talked to the owner of the spring shop. The spring packages can be the same: 3/4-1 ton, depends on what spring package came with the truck. Mine happens to be the 1 ton spring package, others may vary.
I asked if there was an extra leaf for the 1 ton, he said maybe, but generally, the springs are thicker, same amount, just thicker.
Complicated, eh?
Ozz

[Tom S.]

Ozz, what brand truck do yo have?

[Ozz]

Ford truck 3/4 ton HD

[mhs4771]

There must be some difference in rear suspension between Ford and Chevy 3/4 vs 1 tons. Chevy may use the same basic spring pack between 3/4 and 1 ton, but at least the Duallys (not 100% sure about SRW 1 ton) have the extra Helper Spring pack that does nothing until you put a load in the bed, then those extra helper springs come into play to support the weight.

[Ozz]

Michelle and Ann, it all depends on the options and set-up of the truck. It could be any combination. As I looked into it, it is very complex, down to the thickness of the spring leaf's...leaves.. whatever.. I bet they could even engineer many different flex degrees with the same metal thickness'.
Cornfusing... :0

[DQDick]

Our Dodge has the same springs as the one ton, but I don't know if the dealer ordered it special or not.

[steelpony5555]

No Dodge's are pretty much the same except for the 2 helper springs on the one ton dually.

[7.3Ford]

Jim,

Don't know about newer trucks, but when I got my 2001 F350, the F250 HD SRW and the F350 SRW were the same, except the F350 had 100 lbs more on front axle. Rear are the same. Also if buying a diesel the price is with $300-$400 of each other, because the F350 has a larger std engine.

The way to go is the F450, which comes DRW and diesel as std options, and will price out about the same as a F350 DRW and diesel.

[woodtic]

I opted for the Hellwig, Load Pro 1500 helper springs. I belived that they would have a much more progressive feel than Timbrens and more reliable than airbags. They have adjustable preload by design. I have mine set to maximum preload at the moment and I'm planning on backing them down a bit. In hindsight, I wish I would have opted for the Load Pro 2500 springs instead, for a little less rear squat. Rear squat with stock springs was 2.5" - 2" with the helper springs at full preload 2" - 1.75" (depending on pin weight of course). Empty ride height with springs at full preload increased .25".

Our truck is our only vehicle and we drive around empty most of the time.

[Champ_49]

Ozz I have your answer and it is very simple. Just buy a new truck with the right specs. Your an AC man no problem with them $60,000.00 plus trucks. Wow.........thats a lot of zero's!!! LOL

Dave

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by Champ_49

Ozz I have your answer and it is very simple. Just buy a new truck with the right specs. Your an AC man no problem with them $60,000.00 plus trucks. Wow.........thats a lot of zero's!!! LOL

Dave

Hey! it's paid for... no more payments. and I asm a part-time A/C man, part time Desert Rat.

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by mhs4771

There must be some difference in rear suspension between Ford and Chevy 3/4 vs 1 tons. Chevy may use the same basic spring pack between 3/4 and 1 ton, but at least the Duallys (not 100% sure about SRW 1 ton) have the extra Helper Spring pack that does nothing until you put a load in the bed, then those extra helper springs come into play to support the weight.

I can't speak for Ford, but what you described for GMC/Chevy is correct. They only have two sets of springs, one for 3/4 and one for 1 ton trucks (no matter if it's dually or not). Add on options have no effect on this. What add on options can effect is weight rating and towing capacity.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by 7.3Ford

Jim,


The way to go is the F450, which comes DRW and diesel as std options, and will price out about the same as a F350 DRW and diesel.

Don't forget though, for the 13,300 max GVWR of the F350 and F450, the F350 actually has a higher payload by about 700 pounds which is why I went with the F350. Would have like to have had the better turning of the 450 though.

[Art-n-Marge]

When I upgraded my 3/4 ton Ford to a 1 ton Ford I did report that I had found that many 3/4 ton trucks were already equipped with the 1 ton spring pack from a 1 ton. Unfortunately, my truck was not only labeled an F-250 it WAS an F-250, then I had to buy some 1 ton wheels and tires to complete the upgrade.

My neighbor up the street with the same year F-250 already HAD the 1 ton spring pack (out of the factory) and he had gotten the larger wheels and tires from his brother's F-350 Ford because his brother tricked out his truck with big wheels, tires and suspension and gave the factory take offs from his 1 ton.

According to the Ford techs I talked to, the factory is allowed to put better spring sets on a lesser rated truck, then just relabel it as a 3/4 ton for a consumer. They can always make a vehicle more capable and label as less, but not the other way around. Us consumers just have to know how to identify what we end up with to complete an upgrade.

Keep in mind, it is not always that simple between all brands of SRW trucks, which is why when adding aftermarket items in an attempt to upgrade a truck rating does not always work. For example, Timbrens, air bags, larger wheels or tires, higher rated spring sets, etc. by themselves may not upgrade a truck rating. Those must always be referred to as improvements, not upgrades.

With a dually, there is a whole different set of variants.

[Ozz]

I just wanted a better ride and for it to not drop much when hauling, I am a happy camper at this point. Sue's neck is a happy neck as well..

[exav8tr]

OZZ, Happy Wife = Happy Life!!!!

[Ozz]

Ha! That's a fact, Jack!!

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by exav8tr

OZZ, Happy Wife = Happy Life!!!!

X2 on that!

[Exnavydiver]

Jim, I understand about the always loaded timbrens, I had a tool box in the front of the bed and with John in the front seat and Betsy and Ann in the back seat year before last I had to move women to the front seat as spines were shattering when we hit even small tracks. The tool box is getting ready to go back into the truck but is will be very much lighter this year. Gone will be the jack stands(useless on the rig)and many of the other items I had and never used. If it hasnt been used in 5 yrs it goes away.I will also move the box toward the rear about 8 inches so I can stow lumber behind the cab. Hopefully I can afford a under frame storage box from Lippert this year...

[Ozz]

Yep, we are leaving a bunch of stuff home this trip...29 days, 4 hrs and 16 minutes from now... The truck rides so nice.
just can't believe the difference. Should have done it years ago.
That under-the-trailer storage would be a good move for you. What is your T.V.?