I tow a 5,500 dry weight travel trailer with my `13 LC. Without the AHC of the LX (and my previous 2nd gen Sequoia), I added Timbrens SES to level the ride and add additional support to the rear.
Install: Install was straightforward. Removed existing bump stops on the frame and added the Timbrens. The existing bolts were fairly difficult to remove, presumably due to the exposure to dust and sediment and some light corrosion. I was able to bust loose but I was very nervous about busting a bolt. They went back in slightly better after I greased the heck out of the bolts. The only concern I had is that the driver side Timbren rests against the spring - the mountain bracket is within millimeters of the spring while the Timbren is in full contact. The passenger side still has at least a centimeter or two clearance. See pics.
Performance: There is supposed to be 1/2 - 1 inch clearance from the bottom of the Timbren to the axle. After lower the vehicle, the Timbren is resting on the axle. Because of this, I could feel the Timbren engaged under zero additional load. It does provide a firmer and bouncier ride all the time. At first I didn't mind this, but it's starting to now get old after a week. When towing, the Timbren does keep the ride level (with additional help from a WD hitch) and provides more control - I'd say towing performance is as good as promised.
Problems: The biggest issue is the contact with the driver-side spring. Under uneventful driving, this doesn't seem to make a difference, but under moderate cornering and over some bumps, the spring does catch on the mounting bracket for an unsettling ping and vibration. This was more noticeable while not towing and over bumpy/rocky dirt roads, but it occasionally did the same while towing. And, as mentioned early, the unloaded ride is more bouncy than I prefer. I suspect the Timbren rests full-time on the axle because of some sag in the stock spring (117k miles).
Next steps: I'd like to keep the Timbrens on, but I will need to remedy the contact with the spring. Here is what I can do - thoughts welcome:
1) I can investigate upgrading to new springs with less sag and hopefully, at the same time, eliminate contact.
2) Remove Timbrens altogether and go back to stock (until I do a full suspension upgrade later)
3) I can modify the Timbren brackets and grind down to eliminate contact - but the Timbren itself will still be in contact with the spring
4) Airbags - I originally was going to install airbags to accomplish similar towing performance. However, after talking with Slee, and the problems they've seen that reinforced my own skepticism, I decided to avoid them.
If money was no object, I'd do a full suspension upgrade while modifying the Timbrens and eliminating contact with the spring and, when unloaded, the axle. But what are ideas on what is best to do short-term for less moola? Would new springs help?
Install: Install was straightforward. Removed existing bump stops on the frame and added the Timbrens. The existing bolts were fairly difficult to remove, presumably due to the exposure to dust and sediment and some light corrosion. I was able to bust loose but I was very nervous about busting a bolt. They went back in slightly better after I greased the heck out of the bolts. The only concern I had is that the driver side Timbren rests against the spring - the mountain bracket is within millimeters of the spring while the Timbren is in full contact. The passenger side still has at least a centimeter or two clearance. See pics.
Performance: There is supposed to be 1/2 - 1 inch clearance from the bottom of the Timbren to the axle. After lower the vehicle, the Timbren is resting on the axle. Because of this, I could feel the Timbren engaged under zero additional load. It does provide a firmer and bouncier ride all the time. At first I didn't mind this, but it's starting to now get old after a week. When towing, the Timbren does keep the ride level (with additional help from a WD hitch) and provides more control - I'd say towing performance is as good as promised.
Problems: The biggest issue is the contact with the driver-side spring. Under uneventful driving, this doesn't seem to make a difference, but under moderate cornering and over some bumps, the spring does catch on the mounting bracket for an unsettling ping and vibration. This was more noticeable while not towing and over bumpy/rocky dirt roads, but it occasionally did the same while towing. And, as mentioned early, the unloaded ride is more bouncy than I prefer. I suspect the Timbren rests full-time on the axle because of some sag in the stock spring (117k miles).
Next steps: I'd like to keep the Timbrens on, but I will need to remedy the contact with the spring. Here is what I can do - thoughts welcome:
1) I can investigate upgrading to new springs with less sag and hopefully, at the same time, eliminate contact.
2) Remove Timbrens altogether and go back to stock (until I do a full suspension upgrade later)
3) I can modify the Timbren brackets and grind down to eliminate contact - but the Timbren itself will still be in contact with the spring
4) Airbags - I originally was going to install airbags to accomplish similar towing performance. However, after talking with Slee, and the problems they've seen that reinforced my own skepticism, I decided to avoid them.
If money was no object, I'd do a full suspension upgrade while modifying the Timbrens and eliminating contact with the spring and, when unloaded, the axle. But what are ideas on what is best to do short-term for less moola? Would new springs help?
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