Timbrens or Firestone Bags???
#31
Registered User
I've tried to post pictures but I'm a computer tech idiot. It's no drill on my 03 but I don't know about yours. They replaced my rubber bumps. The lower bracket sat 3/4" above the axle tube so it would clear the left brake cylinder line. I bent the brake line out of the way and cut right at 1/2" off of each side of the bracket which put it down against the tube. Lowes sells 2' pieces of PVC. I used 3" with glued endcaps. Then I drilled/tapped the sides of the caps (where the material is double thick) and used 1/4"MIP x 3/8" hose barbs and short air hoses to connect each end of the tank to a bag. One more drilled/tapped hole in one end of the tank for the air connection. I've tried both ways and I never saw a need to have seperate air lines to the bags. I hose clamped the tank crosswise to a x-member, above the axle. I didn't cut the ends completely off the bottom OLs. I have about 3" sticking out in front and behind the spacer blocks. I hope this helps. Craig
#33
Registered User
#34
Registered User
NO... it's more like, FORTUNATELY you can put them where you want them on a C-channel frame! I had the airlift drill kit on my 97 and I'd take the drill kit over the bolt-on kit ANY day! I wouldn't have had to fuss with travel with the bolt-on kit on my 03 cuz of their inherent limits. The frame is harder than Chinese arithmetic and two cobalt bits (one pilot and one full size) is the best money you can spend, for that. Craig
#35
Registered User
After using my timbrens for the past 6-8 months, I have decided to upgrade to the AirLift system.. The fact that my axle rested on the timbrens made my ride unbearable over time. I found I disliked driving my truck... they do work great for towing, but I use my truck to get back and forth to work and its just not comfortable.
#36
Registered User
After using my timbrens for the past 6-8 months, I have decided to upgrade to the AirLift system.. The fact that my axle rested on the timbrens made my ride unbearable over time. I found I disliked driving my truck... they do work great for towing, but I use my truck to get back and forth to work and its just not comfortable.
#37
Registered User
Glad you found something you like, I'm hoping I have better success with the AirLift bags. For what it's worth, the airlift kit is no-drill... I'll post my experience again, after the conversion.
Please take some pics of the system you ended up with, it would be helpful to understand what timbren system you finally found that worked.
Please take some pics of the system you ended up with, it would be helpful to understand what timbren system you finally found that worked.
#38
Registered User
I have a neighbor with the twin to my truck and he has Airlift no-drill and they are single bellows. I never looked at them til last week. I'd much rather have my FS bags with double bellows. I thought they were all the same bag design except for how the ends were put on... not! Craig
#41
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#42
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Washington
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I do not want to change topic away from some of your great points, but since I started this thread I thought I would update and I chose Timbrens. I found a brand new set on C-List for really cheap and had to pull the trigger. My first choice was air bags but I could not pass up this deal. I am so thankful for all your input, being a new diesel owner, I would have been lost on so many things.
#43
DTR 1st Sergeant
I just had the airlift 5000s - like pdogg above-- put on. With the 5 psi I really couldn't tell a difference although I tried hard to. I put on sulastic shakles afterwards and that made a big difference. I also have bilsteins and traction bars as well.
#44
Registered User
The Timbrens are cool if you're loaded up all the time like a tool truck. I haul around a truck camper and I prefer air bags because I can adjust the forward/rear bias of the entire truck with the camper on there. The trick is to use the least possible amount of air pressure to achieve the desired ride height.
#45
Registered User
As an update, I did my first towing trip with the Airbags. I originally tried 35PSI and it was too low, and checked the manual, and I realized I should be at around 50PSI for my setup.. wow what a difference. Real nice ride, and I don't hate my truck anymore in-town when unloaded..