So, you want to give off-roading a try? That’s great! It can be a lotta fun. But before you leave the pavement and hit the trails, we need to talk about bump stops. Not sure what a bump stop is? No problem. Today, we’re going to talk about OEM bump stops and why they’re not gonna cut it on rough, off-road terrain. We’ll also introduce you to Off-Road suspension upgrades and suggest which product is the best choice.
Why are off-road bumpstops so important?
Every truck that rolls off the assembly line comes with a set of bump stops for both front and rear suspensions. Bump stops are part of the suspension, small rubber-like ‘donuts’ that prevent metal from hitting metal when the suspension bottoms out.
If you’ve ever driven off-road, you know how rough terrain out on the trails are not easy to navigate. Every time your vehicle’s suspension bottoms out, the bump stops – usually located on the frame – slam down on the axle below with a harsh jounce that sounds and feels cringe worthy.
If the trails are particularly rough, the harsh jounce happens over and over, putting stress and strain on both the truck and the driver. Off-road suspension upgrades – off-road bumpstops – are designed to soften the blow each time the suspension bottoms out, protecting the components of the suspension and allowing the driver to spend more time out on the trails.
What exactly is an off-road bumpstop?
There are basically 4 types of off-road bump stops:
- Hydraulic bump stops (Bilstein or King)
If price is no object, hydraulic bump stops are the way to go. They’re filled with shock oil and nitrogen and are adjustable allowing you to fine-tune them to your particular needs. You’re going to need a custom shop that specializes in made-to-measure installation because these bump stops work best in conjunction with your existing shocks. Two of the most popular brands are Bilstein and King. Average price: $700.00 - $1,000.00 US (pair). -
TeraFlex Speedbump
Bump stops use the same principle of a factory bump stop but look and act much like a hydraulic bump stop. Installation requires some customization. Average price: $300.00 - $400.00 (pair).
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Wheeler Superbumps
Resemble factory bump stops but are much taller and provide better ride quality. Average price: $150.00 (pair).
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Active Off-Road Bumpstops (Timbren) are made by the same company that manufactures Timbren SES products. In fact, Timbren’s Aeon® hollow rubber springs make great bump stops for off-road vehicles. Much like the Timbren SES helper springs, they install in the same location as the factory bump stops.
Which off-road bumpstops are the best choice?
Going off-road with factory bumpstops can ruin your trip. Maybe you’ve experienced it before: harsh bottoming out, bone-rattling bumps, and dangerous uncontrolled handling that can hurt you and destroy your suspension and shocks. With Active Off-Road Bumpstops, you can hit the trails without taking damaging hits to your suspension.
Active Off-Road Bumpstops – made with Aeon® hollow rubber springs – dampen the harsh jounce every time your vehicle bottoms out, creating a softer, safer ride over even the biggest bumps, dips, and whoops. This means reduced stress on you, your passengers, and your suspension, allowing you to stay out on the trails much longer to explore comfortably and in control.
Low-cost Active Off-Road Bumpstops retail for $297.00 US and are worth every penny. Each kit comes with a Lifetime Warranty and a 100-Day Money Back Guarantee.
What is the difference between Timbren SES and Active Off-Road Bumpstops?
Several years ago, Timbren’s customer service department discovered that some of their off-road enthusiasts were looking for a solution. They wanted an alternative to the harsh response of the original bump stops installed at the factory. They were trying to use easy-to-install Timbren SES helper springs as off-road bump stops but with disappointing results.
In an effort to help, the Timbren staff partnered together with their off-road customers to design a bump stop kit that allows for proper articulation of the suspension while, at the same time, providing a dampening response (a softer landing) when the suspension bottoms out.
Do SES helper springs work off-road? No! They’re not designed to work on rough, off-road terrain. On the other hand, Timbren’s Active Off-Road Bumpstops are the perfect product designed to cushion the harsh jounce out on the trail.
Timbren makes two products that look very similar:
- SES helper springs
- Active Off-Road Bumpstops
They both look very similar because they both replace the factory bump stops. But that’s where the similarities end. The main difference is their purpose and their usage.
Timbren SES helper springs are meant to keep your vehicle level and stable under load.
Active Off-road Bumpstops, on the other hand, smooth out the ride on rough terrain and help the driver maintain control of the vehicle.
For more information on Active Off-Road Bumpstops and how to get your hands on a set, visit Timbren.com or contact Customer Service: Sales@timbren.com
