TruckSpring Times

Does your camper weigh down your truck’s back end? Does your camper cause your rear suspension to sag noticeably or bottom out as you pass over pot-holes, bumps and other road hazards? Even a super duty pickup can use some extra help when hauling that extra weight. If you are noticing these types of problems, it’s possible that your rear leaf springs could use some extra help. The Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Spring Kit could be the perfect solution to these problems.

We had a 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty Pick-up in the shop that had a 2010 Palomino Maverick 8801 slip in Truck Camper. The F-350’s rear springs held the camper well enough while it was sitting in the garage. But once it hit the road the pick-up’s ride was noticeably rougher and the extra weight caused the springs to excessively bounce when rebounding from large bumps. The camper also made the pick-up much more top heavy which caused sway as it negotiated corners. The obvious solution to this problem was to support the leaf springs with a Ride-Rite Air Bag Kit from Firestone.

The Firestone 2520 – Ride-Rite Rear Air Spring Kit is the perfect answer for this situation. The addition of these air bags can help in several ways. First, it reduces the amount of sway by reducing the amount of travel in the leaf spring. By keeping the spring from collapsing the pick-up is held level through turns, even with the uneven weight distribution. Second, these air bags smooth out the ride of the pick-up by allowing the driver to adjust the inflation of the air spring. This adjustment allows the driver to specifically match the cushioning of the spring to the weight of the load.

The OEM bump stop did not properly cushion the F-350's leaf springs while the Maverick Palomino Truck Camper was in place. Nearly twice the size of the OEM bump stop, the Firestone 2520 Air Springs removed a significant amount of travel from the leaf springs. Removing this travel smooths out the ride and increases the lifetime of the leaf springs by keeping them from bottoming out over rough surfaces. By investing in the Ride-Rite Air Spring kit, this customer saved himself the cost of future repairs.

The Firestone 2520 truck suspension air bag kit fits a 2011 Ford F-250 or F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks, 2WD or 4WD applications. These air springs are to be used on vehicles with a gasoline engine only. This kit fits trucks with factory installed 5th wheel or Gooseneck hitches.

Buy a Firestone Ride-Rite Air Spring Kit for the 2011 Ford F-350 from Truckspring.com, your source for truck suspension parts.

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Spring Kit – Rear

• Part #: 2520

Buy online at Truckspring.com or call 1-800-358-4751 to order Firestone air bag kits.

Even super duty vehicles need some help with their suspension when hauling a heavy equipment trailer or other loads. A heavy haul can cause costly damage to even the toughest work truck’s suspension. A Timbren Leveling kit is a cheap and easily installable solution to expensive and dangerous problems down the road.

A 2010 Ford F-550 Super Duty was recently brought to us for this very reason. This truck has been in use for hauling heavy equipment with a trailer. Even with its heavy duty suspension, it was in need of some extra leveling support to reduce the amount of roll and sway experienced while driving. The Timbren FRSDD Bump Stop was installed as an answer to this issue.

Once the Timbren FRSDD helper springs were installed, there was an immediately noticeable difference. The OEM bump stops, while of a heavy duty quality, could not compare the new helper spring. By adding the Timbren spring, we had removed the several inches of slack that had existed between the leaf spring and the OEM bump stop. As a result the Timbren Kit provides cushioning and support to the suspension at all times, as opposed to the OEM Bump stop which only will provide relief when the spring is about to bottom out. By avoiding this shock to the leaf spring, years can be added to your truck’s suspension.

The FRSDD Rear Timbren Kit fits:

• 2007 – 2011 F-450 Super Duty Cab & Chassis
• 2007 – 2009 F-550 Super Duty
• 2007 – 2011 F-550 Super Duty Cab & Chassis

Buy the Timbren Rear Helper Spring kit for the 2010 Ford F-550 Super Duty from Truckspring.com, your source for helper springs, air bags, and other truck suspension parts.

 Memorial Day has come and gone, that means summer has finally arrived. This is the time to get those campers, boats and trailers out of storage and back on the road. Unfortunately, this means added wear and tear on your pick-up truck’s suspension.

Have you been noticing that extra strain on your truck suspension lately? Are you bottoming out your leaf springs every time you pull your trailer? Is there a noticeable sway in your ride when you pull your boat? Does pulling that huge camper make you nervous around turns? If this is the case, your problems can be solved by adding a Timbren Suspension Enhancement System to your truck’s rear suspension.

We recently installed the Timbren GMRCK15S Rear Bump Stop in a 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4. The owner of this truck had been towing a 21 foot 5th wheel trailer and had noticed that his leaf springs were bottoming out. Concerned that the shock would damage his vehicle, he brought it to our truck suspension experts. Adding a Timbren kit to his vehicle’s suspension system was our answer.

Upon inspection of the Sierra, we found evidence of trouble already brewing. We noticed that his pre-existing bump stops were grossly inadequate for the load he was carrying. These bump stops were literally rotting off of their mounting brackets and took only a slight amount of pressure to snap them off completely.

Timbren kits are a popular addition to a truck’s suspension for several reasons. Adding a Timbren kit can go a long way to improve the quality of your vehicle’s ride by increasing the stability of your leaf springs. By decreasing the leaf springs’ range of movement, the Timbren helper spring cushions the impact on your suspension system, resulting in more road shock being absorbed by your suspension and less shock absorbed by you. Further, by replacing the pre-existing OEM bump stop, the Timbren kit protects your vehicle from the damaging effects of overloading. This protection increases the life of your vehicle and its suspension system.

The GMRCK15S fits 1999 – 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, two wheel and four wheel vehicles. This kit will fit regular or 3 door models but it will not fit XFE models.

Buy the Timbren Rear Helper Spring Kit for the 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4 from Truckspring.com, your source for truck suspension parts.

Rear Timbren SES Kit

• Part #: Timbren GMRCK15S

 

 

Buy online at Truckspring.com or call 1-800-358-4751.

 

Does your pick-up truck’s suspension need some extra help while pulling your trailer or hauling a heavy load? Don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to improve the quality of your ride? Then the Firestone Ride-Rite air spring kit could be the suspension enhancement option you are looking for.

We recently installed the 2525 – Firestone Ride-Rite air spring kit in a 2009 Ford F-150 4x4. The owner of the F-150 drove from Montreal, Quebec to our garage in Saginaw, Michigan. Why did he make the 613 mile (987km) drive? Because we had the best prices on parts and installation he could find. He needed extra support for his suspension while towing his camper and wanted the features that the Firestone Ride-Rite air spring can offer.

The 2525 air spring offers many advantages over traditional leaf springs. This kit employs the Firestone FIR6781 double convoluted air helper spring. These air springs (also known as air bags) use compressed air, sealed in a fabric reinforced rubber bellows which has two convolutions. The main advantage of an air spring is that it can be adjusted by adding or removing air from the bellows. Because the air spring employs a sealed chamber of air, the compression of the bellows will increase the amount of pressure on the spring. This causes the amount of cushioning to increase with the amount of weight on the spring, providing a level and more comfortable ride while giving your leaf springs a longer life.

Theres no comparing the OEM bump stop with the Firestone Ride-Rite double convoluted air bag. Not only is the air spring much larger than the bump stop, but it utilizes compressed air to cushion your ride, rather than the OEM's rigid rubber cushion.

The Firestone 2525 Ride-Rite air spring kit includes all the parts needed to install the air spring. This air bag kit includes the following items for quick installation:

• 2 Firestone FIR6781 Double Convolution Air Springs
• 2 sets of top and bottom mounting brackets
• 1 roll of air line
• 2 separate inflation valves for manual inflation
• All necessary mounting Hardware

 

 

The 2525 fits 2009 – 2011 Ford F-150s and is for rear suspension applications. Buy a Firestone Ride-Rite Air Spring Kit from Truckspring.com, your source for truck suspension parts. We stock most major brands of helper air bags and air spring kits.

Firestone Ride-Rite Rear Air Spring Kit

• Part #: 2525

Firestone Double Convoluted Air Bag

• Part #: FIR6781

Buy Firestone air spring kits at Truckspring.com or call 1-800-358-4751 if you have any questions. 

Periodically inspecting your suspension air bags can increase their life and make operation safer. Luckily, there are nine easy steps to making sure that your air springs are undamaged and operating correctly. These steps can be taken while the vehicle is in for periodic maintenance. The total inspection takes a matter of minutes to complete. Finding and correcting problems with your air springs before you hit the road will save you time and money.

1. Inspect the outside diameter of the air spring. Make sure to check the bellows for signs of irregular wear or heat cracking.
2. 
   Inspect the airlines to make sure there isn’t contact between the air line and the outside diameter of the air spring. While in operation, contact between these parts can create friction and rub holes in the spring very quickly.
3. Ensure that there is sufficient clearance around the total circumference of the air bag while it is inflated to its maximum size.
4. Look for debris buildup around the air bag's piston. The piston is the bottom component that plunges the air from the bellows on reversible sleeve style air bags.
5. Make sure the correct ride height can be maintained. Any vehicle featuring air bags have an established ride height specified by the original equipment manufacturer. The ride height should be specified in the vehicle’s service manual. Make sure that the ride height is within ¼ inch of the specified height. This measurement can be taken while the vehicle loaded or empty.
6. Inspect, clean, and if necessary, replace leveling valves or height control valves. These valves play a large part in ensuring that the total air spring system works as required.
7. Make sure your shock absorbers and end connectors are not worn or broken. Be on the look out for leaking hydraulic oil, as this can be a sign that your shocks are damaged. If this is the case, you must replace your shock absorbers immediately. Your air bag can overextend and become damaged if the shock absorber does not limit its rebound.
8. Check all mounting hardware to make sure that they are tightly fastened. If nuts and bolts are loose, you should re-torque them to the tightness specified by the manufacturer, being careful to not over tighten.
9. Clean the air spring with the approved cleaning products, such as soap and water, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and methyl alcohol. Non-approved cleaners include abrasives, open flames, all organic solvents and direct pressurized steam cleaning.

Important: Never service the air suspension on a truck or trailer with the air springs inflated. 

Firestone Air Bags and Air Spring Kits

Do you notice excessive bouncing, sway or sag in your suspension while towing that camper, boat or equipment trailer with your pick-up truck? Adding a helper spring to your rear suspension will keep you riding smoothly while hauling those heavy loads.

A Timbren Kit Suspension Enhancement System is an affordable option for improving the suspension of your pick-up truck. Installing Timbren helper springs is easy, requires no special tools and can be done in just a few minutes by almost anyone.

A 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 was brought to us when its owner noticed that his trailer was causing his rear suspension to bottom out while negotiating the rough terrain of his job sites. He wanted to save his shocks the wear and damage from such rigorous use and the DR1525H4 Timbren bump stop for rear suspensions were the obvious answer to this problem.

When placed side by side, the difference between the OEM stop bump (left) and the DR1525H4 Helper Spring (right) is obvious.

We were able to install the Timbren helper springs into the Dodge Ram in about ten minutes using only a ratchet set. Upgrade your suspension and install a Timbren Kit in your pick-up truck in five simple steps.

1. 
   Raise the vehicle – Use your lift, jack or pit to give yourself room to work. Preferably, the vehicle should be raised so that the axle is able to hang freely.
2. Remove existing parts – Use your ratchet set to unbolt the preexisting bump stop assembly.
3. Assemble the helper spring – Assemble the Aeon rubber spring and bracket with the provided hardware. The spacer disc is only needed if the gap between the helper spring and the lower support is greater than 1 inch on ½ and ¾ ton pick-ups or ½ inch on 1 ton trucks. Important: This distance should be measured when the vehicle is unloaded.
4. Mount the assembly – Bolt the assembly to the frame assuring that the bracket is flush with the frame and the helper spring lines up directly with the lower support.
5. Lower vehicle – With your helper spring assembly securely fastened to the vehicle, you are ready to lower your truck and start enjoying the benefits of your newly upgraded truck suspension.

Are you looking to improve the performance of the suspension on your SUV or truck? These vehicles, with their larger tires, greater overall weight and increased load carrying capacity, place extra demand on a shock absorber’s damping ability. The Bilstein B6 Heavy Duty Monotube gas pressure shock absorbers are the ideal solution to this problem. On or off the road, loaded or unloaded, these shocks provide improved handling and stability which delivers better control, precise handling and ultimate performance without sacrificing comfort. These shocks offer a super damping ability that makes them ideal who needs superior performance and an exceptionally smooth street ride.

Why choose Bilstein Shocks? Not all shocks are created equal. With Bilstein shocks, the difference is in the unique design. Bilstein shocks employ a Monotube design which is technically superior to conventional shock designs. Conventionally designed shocks trap heat within the body of the shock which over time causes a reduction in performance and eventually will cause the shock to fail. Bilstein’s Monotube gas charged design allows excessive heat from the oil to transfer to the outer surface, where it can dissipate more efficiently. Further, the Bilstein Monotube design uses gas pressure on the dividing piston which exerts pressure on the oil column to prevent aeration and viscosity loss. This provides the superior qualities that allow this shock to maintain full damping characteristics under all conditions.

We recently installed the Bilstein B6 24-060813 (F4-BE5-6081-H0 & F4-BE5-6081-H2) front shock absorbers and 24-060820 (F4-BE5-6082-H0) rear shock absorbers on a 2001 Chevy 1500 HD 4x4 pickup truck. These shock absorbers can also be used in 1999 – 2010 Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500 HD & 2500 HD 4x4 pickups, or 1999 – 2004 Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500 4x4 pickups.

The preexisting front and rear shocks being badly worn and they were showing signs of damage caused by inadequate heat distribution. Furthermore, they were lacking the quality and unique design found in Bilstein’s products. Consequently, the performance of the vehicle was suffering, especially on rough roads and uneven terrain, as the truck became difficult to control when driven in these conditions.

Once we hit the road with the new Bilstein shocks the difference was immediately noticeable. The Silverado comfortably breezed over even the largest potholes, due to the Bilstein B6 shocks’s ability to react almost instantly to changes in the road. Not only did the Bilstein B6 shocks create a more comfortable ride, but it made the vehicle more stable and easier to handle by reducing the amount of bouncing and sway.

The Bilstein B6 Heavy Duty Monotube gas pressure shock absorbers are an effective and efficient way to improve the performance of your Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to call 1-800-358-4751 to speak with our experts in truck suspension parts.

Even heavy duty trucks need a little help sometimes when pulling a large load. Take advantage of the brute strength offered by the AIL57338 - Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 Air Spring Kit for 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 HD & 3500 HD trucks and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD & 3500 HD trucks.

Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 Air Spring Kits are the heaviest-rated spring kits offered by Air Lift and are great for towing or hauling the heaviest of loads. The Load Lifter 5000 spring kit utilizes commercial grade convoluted bellows. These bellows are crafted with multiple layers of rubber, capped with ultra-high strength Zytel nylon and held together by Air Lift’s exclusive Shur-Grip crimp for long lasting durability. These parts combine to form a superior leaf spring leveling kit that is strong enough to cushion the heaviest load and tough enough to resist the damage caused by corrosion, vibration and road wear and tear.

With a maximum of a 5,000 pound leveling capacity the Air Lift 57338 will keep your truck riding comfortable and level, even while pulling the heaviest loads (the vehicle’s manufacturer’s recommended gross vehicle weight should not be exceeded). By allowing adjustable air pressure, from 5 to 100 psi, the Air Load Lifter 5000 provides the freedom to ride comfortably, whether loaded, towing or just out riding.

The Air Lift 57338 load lifter air bag kit is easy to install. It is designed to be installed in about two hours and contains all necessary parts, including: bellows, air lines, quick connect fittings, brackets, mounting hardware, and fully illustrated instructions.

The Air Lift 57338 is designed for 2011 Chevrolet/GMC 2500 HD & 3500 HD trucks with 2WD or 4WD.

The Load Lifter 5000 air spring suspension kit will keep the heaviest loads riding smooth and level even on the roughest roads. Truckspring.com is an authorized dealer of Air Lift air bag kits.

Manufacturer Suggested Sales Price: $460.40
Buy online at Truckspring.com or call 1-800-358-4751 to speak with a suspension expert.

Do you have a 2011 F250 Super Duty pick-up truck? Are you looking for a smoother ride while pulling that camper, boat or trailer? If so, the Timbren FR250SDG SES Bump Stop Kit is the perfect solution for improving the quality of your ride.

This Timbren Rear Suspension Kit includes a rubber helper spring especially designed for the 2011 Ford F250 Super Duty pick-up. This rubber helper spring improves your ride and protects your vehicle by working with your existing suspension. The rubber helper spring will cushion your leaf springs from becoming damaged by the rigors of overloading, road shock, bottoming out and sway.

The Timbren Rear Suspension Kit solves several of the main problems associated with hauling a heavy load, such as suspension sag, body roll, rough ride and trailer sway.

A heavy rear load, such as a 5^th wheel trailer, can really abuse your truck’s leaf springs causing them to sag and even become damaged. With an 8,600 lbs. capacity the Timbren rear suspension kit protects your truck springs from damage caused by bottoming out on bumps my acting as a bump stop and restricting the range of motion available to the spring.

While taking a turn, the weight of your vehicle shifts, moving the center of gravity away from the center of the vehicle. The farther it moves from the center of the vehicle, the less stable the vehicle becomes. The rubber helper springs help to distribute weight evenly to all tires. This even distribution makes steering easier, decreases wear and tear on your breaks and tires.

The FR250SDG Timbren Rear Suspension Kit is easy to install. It requires no special tools or skills, does not use air lines, and bolts to your frame using existing holes. Each kit comes complete with all necessary parts and instructions for easy installation on to your 2011 F250. Additionally, the instructions can be found on Timbren's website.

Buy the Timbren FR250SDG Rear Bump Stop for the Ford F250 Super Duty Pickup Truck, an inexpensive solution for some expensive problems. Truckspring.com is your source for truck suspension parts.

Manufacturer Suggested Sales Price: $259.95
FREE shipping
Buy online or call Truckspring.com at: 1-800-358-4751.

Firestone has released its new kits for the 2011 Ford F-250 Superduty and 2011 Ford  F-350 Superduty pickups. Firestone has introduced 2 new kits for you campers that need to tow a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer, one for gas SuperDutys and one for diesel pickups. Both kits are in stock and ready to ship.

Firestone Ride-Rite kit 2520 fits all 2011 F-250 SuperDuty and 2011 F-350 SuperDuty gas engine models that plan on towing a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer.  The kit is a bolt on installatoin and does not require drilling of the frame. Ride-Rite kit 2520 has a load leveling capacity up to 5,000 lbs. 

Have a diesel engine? No worries. Firestone kit 2535 is specifically designed for your heavy hauling 2011 F-250 Superduty and 2011 F-350 Superduty with diesel engines and a gooseneck or 5th wheel hitch.  2535 also has a 5,000 lb load leveling capacity.

Todd Green from Firestones Ride-Rite division said "Our latest Ride-Rite air helper spring kits, which are available for gas and diesel versions of the new Ford Super Duty, are designed to meet the needs of today's drivers who often use their trucks for both work and play, to haul equipment or tow the family camper.  By using air pressure, we are able to offer such benefits as increased vehicle stability, brake effectiveness and reduced tire wear. Varying the air pressure in our air springs allows the driver to keep the vehicle level under a load while maintaining the ride quality"

Below is a quick reference on the air bag kits Firestone has to offer for the 2011 Ford F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks.

Kit used on trucks With a 5th wheel or Gooseneck Hitch

2011 F-250, F-350     Gas Engine                           2520        No Drilling

2011 F-250, F-350     Diesel Engine                       2535        No Drilling

Kits used on trucks Without a 5th wheel or Gooseneck Hitch

2011 F-250, F-350     Gas Engine                            2452        No Drilling

2011 F-250, F-350     Gas or Diesel Engine          2071        Drilling Required

All above kits fit 2 or 4 wheel drive models. You can Firestone Ride-Rite kits by calling Michigan Truck Spring at 1-800-358-4751 or 989-755-0561.