[Joe Sixpack]

I want to do something to stiffen up my back end of my new 04 Quad Cab 4x4. I put my quad in the back of my truck for the first time last week and was disappointed with how much it dropped the back end. It looked like I had a massive trailer hooked onto it. I also pulled a small trailer and it was the same way. Really surprised me because we've put quads in the back of Ranger 4x4's with no noticable drop at all. I guess Dakotas are a smoother ride though and this is the price you pay for that smoothness.

So I've been doing some reading, was thinking about adding air bags in the rear to stiffen things up a bit. Then I came across the timbren "air bag" system. I like the idea and the reviews I've read have been good. No compressors or air lines, no bags to leak, guaranteed for life, plus when you are not loaded, your suspension is the same since they aren't contacting until loaded, which wouldn't be the case if I got reworked leaf springs(helpers, add a leafs, etc). Anyway, if anyone has added them, have you had to move your brake lines at all. Where the timbrens will contact the axle, the brake lines are off to the side a bit, but I was wondering if when there is weight on them and they are compressed, will they contact the brake lines that are there?

Thanks.

 

[caulk04]

Have you looked into the roadmaster suspension?

I don't haul/tow often enough for me to worry about the sag so I haven't bothered to do anything. If I did have to haul/tow more I would definetly get the roadmaster...very little intrusion when unloaded but really helps alot when loaded. Simple install and no bags to refill if/when they leak.

 

[Bad_banana]

I tow'd my r1 home 500 miles and had a 4 inch drop in the back on my quad 2wd. Had hardly NO sag. Check your shocks?

You will hit bump stocks before you hit the frame, so no, you won't hit any lines.

 

[Joe Sixpack]

I'm not sure what the shocks would have to do with sag. All shocks do is reduce the bounce effect, whereas it's the leaf springs that support the weight. My leafs are likely worn out a bit, but I don't want to replace them or start adding leafs, it'll make the rear sit higher than it is now, which I don't want. Plus it will add quite a bit of stiffness to the ride when not loaded.

The timbren system is basically a larger than stock bump stop. You remove the stock one and put the timbren in it's place. It is an air filled rubber cylender shaped thing that sits where your bump stop was. When unloaded, it doesn't touch your axle at all, so your ride height/handling isn't affected. The sits about an inch above your axle, connected to the frame on top. When loaded, it comes into contact with the axle and provides the extra support that your leafs can't handle without sagging. It's a pretty smart system and for less than $200, the price is ok too. I just am wondering if anyone who has had them, if they had to move their brake lines at all. I don't think so but I'm not sure.

 

[dlcss396]

Timbren

I have them on my Pick-up to help when the plow is on, they work great. no mods necessary. If your springs are bad though, they should be replaced (gaps between leafs is a good indication) If you want stock ride height, or if you want to "customize" your ride softer, firmer, higher, lower, check out these guys- they are the top notch spring MANUFACTURER:

eatondetroitspring.com


hope this helps!