The following is a description of the Timbrens installation I just completed on my 2012 Suburban LT 4x2. Some folks will find this thread vile and depraved, as we will be showing the hard protuberances in the nether regions of one of Chevrolet’s finest as well as talk positively about the dreaded hard rubber Timbrens. There also is a topless photo of my trusty assistant for those of you brave enough to make it to the end. So if this is too much for you, give me an indignant gasp, clutch your pearls, and head for the exit!
Now on with the install!
This really is easy if you do 2 things. First, throw the instruction in the trash or use them to pick up dog poop, cause they are about useless. Second, search “timbrens install chevy” on the youtubes and there is a cool video that shows how to do this on a 2005 Chevy Suburban. It’s the same basic procedure I used on my truck.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, a Timbren is a product that is an alternative to using airbags on trucks and SUVs that experience rear end sag. It’s basically a hard rubber helper spring that goes in the place of the rubber bump stops found on most vehicles. On the Suburban, there is only one type of airbag that will fit – I tried that already – the Airlift 1000 – and it goes inside the coil spring. I didn’t like these things and there is another thread where I talk about that.
First you remove the factory bump stops. This was really easy – they just pulled right out. If you have a 5 year old neice or grand-daughter, she can handle that job for you.
As you can see here, the factory bump stop and the timbren are about the same height. But there is no comparison in the rubber. I don’t see how the factory bump stop would keep the suspension parts from crashing into each other as it is so thin and flimsy.