Timbren TORSEQ Rear Bumpstops Review

[jakehere]

Why: My trailer with Kawasaki Teryx probably weighs around 2400lbs total. When hitched up, the stock rear suspension sags about 3/4". I only tow a couple times here and there so I wanted a solution that would not affect my day to day driving and/or force me to get a front lift to even it out. I was gonna do airbags at first, but I learned to install airbags you have to cut the bumpstops inside the springs, take the springs out, route air lines, deal with filling air, etc. Airbags are cheap tho, at less than $100. My reasoning for going Timbren was that if the airbags would cost me about $120 to have installed, I could install the timbrens myself and come out ahead.

Where: I picked up the Timbren Torseq kit on amazon for $156 shipped. Looks like amazon has since raised the price.

Installation: Took me about 15 minutes once I had the right tools. You need an extra long socket extension (I used two together) with UV joint and I also used a cordless impact and a combo wrenches to tighten. I didn't even jack it up or remove any wheels, just slid underneath and did all the work, easy.

Review: With no trailer, I didn't notice anything which is exactly what I wanted. There was about 1"-1.25" of gap between timbren and axle. The only time I could tell they were there was going over speed bumps, I could feel the axle rebound and kick off the rubber.

Once I had my trailer hitched up, there was still about a 1/4" of gap between the rubber and the axle. (See pic). Towing with the setup was a good experience overall. I could feel the rubber Timbrens squishing on dips in the road and G-outs. When it would rebound off of the rubber I could feel it kick but it still felt controlled. I have a set of bilstein 5100's on order so I'll be curious to see how, if anything, it changes things. I think with an aftermarket rear shock with more rebound dampening you could eliminate the slight kicking. But like I said it was more than fine just the way it was. It made me feel more confident too, like if I had to do an emergency swerve my 4R wouldn't body roll like it does stock. Pretty happy I would say overall. Best part was the installation, 15 mins, that was great. I'll report back when I get the 5100's on and see if it improves things.

Download instructions from Timbren: http://www.timbren.com/timbren-application-guides/application-pdfs/TORSEQ.pdf

My setup:

With trailer on, about a 1/4" gap.

 

[philsey]

Good choice. I put them on my Pathfinder for exactly the same reasons, cheap, dependable, simple fix. The PF suffers from the same soft rear end as does the 4R, and I towed a boat at the time.

I no longer trailer my boat, but I'd put them on my 4R if I did. BTW, I did put on 5100's and find they firmed up the normal ride just right. I just completed a 400 mi. fishing trip with ~500# in the back, and the ride is noticeably improved over last year's trip.

 

[Jtraskell]

Thanks Jakehere and Philsey.....I was having some of the same concerns when towing my boat and I was wondering about getting stiffer springs. Now, it seems I will not need to go that route with this solution! Just ordered mine from Amazon, 164.00 free shipping.

 

[jakehere]

UPDATE:

I installed 5100's on the rear and yes, it does not kick as much going over speed bumps. I am very happy with this setup and would highly recommend it.

5100's in the front set at .85" lift
5100's rear
Rear Timbren bumpstops.

 

[jakehere]

UPDATE #2

I took them off and they are for sale on ebay: Timbren TORSEQ rear bump stops

They are fine when it's just me driving around. But loaded up with 4 adults the ride can be harsh, with sharp rebounding off the timbrens making an uncomfortable ride. My wife noticed it the other night, she asked if my "new shocks made it ride bumpier." There's just no way around the physics on these things, when your 4R is loaded up with people/gear/trailer the axle will be touching the Timbrens and the ride will be altered. They are just too stiff for my taste. Ultimately for a guy like me who tows a light trailer 6-8 times a year the trade-off just wasn't worth it.

If I had to do it again I probably wouldn't do anything for my occasional towing needs.
If I had to recommend a product to a friend who tows with a 4R, I would say go with the airbags.

 

[TxCJ3Pilot]

UPDATE #2

I took them off and they are for sale on ebay: Timbren TORSEQ rear bump stops

They are fine when it's just me driving around. But loaded up with 4 adults the ride can be harsh, with sharp rebounding off the timbrens making an uncomfortable ride. My wife noticed it the other night, she asked if my "new shocks made it ride bumpier." There's just no way around the physics on these things, when your 4R is loaded up with people/gear/trailer the axle will be touching the Timbrens and the ride will be altered. They are just too stiff for my taste. Ultimately for a guy like me who tows a light trailer 6-8 times a year the trade-off just wasn't worth it.

If I had to do it again I probably wouldn't do anything for my occasional towing needs.
If I had to recommend a product to a friend who tows with a 4R, I would say go with the airbags.

X2, I went with the airbags ... great choice

 

[WCVanHorne]

Timbren Tour 2014

A bit of thread necromancy but I thought it would be best to keep this discussion all in one place.

So somewhat over a month ago I was rushing to get out of town on a 2 week family camping trip. Last summer I'd bought a covered utility trailer to put 4 bikes in and allow lots of space for camping gear and give us a bit of space to sift though gear when in rain. You can see the rig in the photo below. There is a man door on the other side. Yes I know I probably need another 1" or so of drop on my tow bar and actually have a new one now @ 5.25" to try, old was only 4".



Anyhow with a huge Engel cooler in the back, roof box, and 4 people of adult size the stock rear suspension on my SR5 was really too soft (it was actually more level without the Timbrens last year) . Having procrastinated all summer I didn't have time to do the airbag thing. I found a place with a Timbren set in stock and I literally bought them on the way out of town. Three hours later I stopped to pickup my daughter at my sister's acreage and installed them parked in the driveway in under an hour (would be much faster now that I've done it and don't have to fight with the old ones, also put on some anti-seize on bolts).

Really made a difference with the ride and stability on highway. Even with the trailer off when 4WDing on logging roads, the Timbrens still contact with the load of the back and rooftop having cooler, gear, and people. I think this makes it a stiff but relatively bounce free ride. I probably noticed a few rebounds when hitting some really bad bumps or holes but it was acceptable.

Back in town and unloaded I finally got to see the empty ride height. Definitely does not make contact. Ride unloaded is actually pretty good and I haven't really noticed contact bounce. Since when not traveling the truck gets little weekly use I don't think it's a big issue leaving them on. I had contemplated swapping them out when back.

With my use of the T4R being pretty much bimodal: Lots of load and/or trailer vs. occasional light load of single person. I think the Timbrens might work for me. No doubt air suspension would be better but there is a lot more fooling around, potential for failure, shorter lifetime, etc. I'm in a place where there is lots of rock chips, sand, and temperatures down to -30. I think this a pretty harsh environment for bags. May still try them but the Timbrens seem to do the job if you are willing to accept a little harsher ride.

See attached photos.









PS. I'm a little disappointed with the amount of weld joint rust in just two years but that's another story.

 

[Hanau]

WCVH-
Yikes the rust is apparent on the welds; i share the same observations. I have the same set of timbrens on mine and they work well.

 

[WCVanHorne]

You do seem to be riding about an inch lower in the back. Is that a bit of an illusion? If not those Timbrens must be almost fully compressed. That could be pushing the tongue weight somewhat. If it's still within spec you might need to move up to bags.

Next time I'm fully loaded and fueled I'm going to have to snap another profile and see. My goal is to stay pretty level, particularly since stock has a decent rake to it.

I do think the stock springs are a little soft; sacrificing load for ride. IMHO a mistake for a niche product; one of the only remaining small "truck" SUVs. I would think we are usually carrying a load. If you are using your 4runner to toodle around town you have the wrong vehicle; get a Highlander or something. Don't get me started on the lack of V8.

 

[Hanau]

I don't think it's compressed to its limit. There is a inch or inch and a half when unloaded so I think when it's loaded it appears worse. My trailers tongue weight is ~175 lbs. My trailers done for the season so I won't see this again til next summer. The drop looks almost identical.