Ford F-150: good from factory, great with suspension upgrades
The Ford F-150 is a great truck. In fact, it’s America’s best-selling truck. But here’s the thing: Regardless of its GVWR and robust towing capacity, the Ford F-150 still needs helper springs like Timbren SES part # FR1504E for its rear suspension. Keep reading to find out why...
Is the Ford F-150 any different from other pickups?
Here’s the thing about the Ford F-150: It has always been America's best-selling truck because it's no stranger to hard work, living up to the “Built Ford Tough” slogan. More often than not, the F-150 leads the competition with best-in-class towing and payload ratings, putting it ahead of rivals like Ram, Chevrolet, GMC, Toyota, and Nissan.
But just like its competitors, the F-150 has the same independent suspension on the front end and a leaf-spring suspension on the rear:
- Front suspension
Like most pickups today, the Ford F150 is designed to ride like a luxury sedan. However, increased ride quality means reduced load-bearing strength. Accordingly, when the front-end squats, the weight of the vehicle shifts forward which reduces the amount of traction on the rear tires. Furthermore, too much weight on the front end can throw the steering out and damage the suspension.
- Rear suspension
Over the years, suspensions for pickups have evolved. Even though that may be true, the rear suspension on the Ford F150 continues to favour a leaf spring setup. Believe it or not, with enough added weight, the rear end will squat. When this happens, the weight of the vehicle shifts backward reducing the amount of traction on the front tires which will impact steering ability. Not only that, too much weight on the rear suspension can cause instability such as roll and sway.
Regardless of its GVWR and robust towing capacity, the Ford F-150 still needs rubber bump stops for its front and rear suspensions.
What are rubber bump stops?
Over the years, Timbren SES suspension upgrades have been given many different names: Timbrens, rubber bumpers, rubber bump stops - or simply “them thar rubber deals.”
If you’re looking for rubber bump stops, we’re pretty sure you’re looking for the Timbren Suspension Enhancement System (SES). One of the reasons they’ve been called rubber bump stops is because they’re made of natural rubber, and they replace the factory bump stops. But Timbren SES suspension upgrades are a long way from ordinary bump stops.
In 1968, Timbren Industries introduced Aeon® rubber springs to the North American market. These rubber springs became the heart of all SES suspension upgrade kits. Because they’re made of natural rubber, they provide some unique advantages that other springs do not:
- Progressive spring rate
Metal springs have a linear spring rate: In other words, a metal spring has the same spring rate as it compresses all the way down until it bottoms out. One of the unique characteristics of a hollow rubber spring is its progressive spring rate, the ability to self-adjust. As the load increases, so does the spring rate.
- Self-damping
Hollow rubber springs possess a unique quality called “hysteresis.” Simply put, they act like a shock absorber.
Because of these 2 unique advantages, Timbren has always maintained that their Aeon® hollow rubber springs are “Stronger than steel, more reliable than air.”
Why rubber springs?
For the longest time, suspensions were either metal leaf springs or air bag systems. Timbren Industries decided to introduce an alternative to metal and air: Hollow rubber springs.
Metal springs were inexpensive but lacked good ride quality. Airbags, on the other hand, offered better ride quality but the cost was too high for the average consumer.
Here’s the reason why rubber springs became so popular: more strength and better ride quality. That’s right, Timbren’s Aeon® hollow rubber springs provide the best of both worlds! And you get both benefits at an affordable price.
The real question should be: “Why not rubber springs?”
Read on to find out about the unique characteristics of Aeon® hollow rubber springs.
Why does the F-150 need Timbren SES?
It should be clear to you by now.
Regardless of its GVWR and robust towing capacity, the Ford F-150 still needs Timbren SES upgrades for its rear suspension. Technically speaking, a Timbren hollow rubber spring has certain unique characteristics that you won’t find with other spring helpers. For instance, hollow rubber springs...
- Have a progressive (variable) spring rate
- Are self-damping:
These two characteristics offer some unique advantages:
- Their progressive spring rate means they automatically adjust to the load
- Increased stability even with super-heavy applications
- Self-damping means they act like a shock absorber
- A soft, comfortable ride empty or loaded
- Prevents damage to your suspension
- Installs quickly and easily
- Reasonably priced
In addition to the Timbren benefits, every Timbren SES upgrade comes with a No B.S. Lifetime Warranty and a 100-Day Money Back guarantee.
Is it clear? Now do you know why the Ford F-150 needs easy-to-install Timbren SES suspension upgrades?
Click here for more information on Timbren SES suspension upgrades or to purchase part # FR1504E.
