Timbren suspension helper springs for RAM 1500 vs Hellwig leaf spring
Timbren suspension helper springs for RAM 1500 vs Hellwig leaf spring
What kind of helper springs would you install on your Ram 1500?
What are Hellwig leaf springs?
Hellwig leaf springs are helper springs designed to sit on top of the existing leaf springs at the rear of your truck. They work in conjunction with the factory spring pack to increase the spring rate of the truck. Hellwig offers several types of helper springs with different load capacities and applications. The price of a leaf spring kit ranges anywhere from $100.00 - $1000.00.
A Hellwig leaf spring support system can add an additional load capacity ranging anywhere from 500 lbs up to 3500 lbs. These helper springs increase the suspension’s spring rate but do not increase the GVWR.
The following is taken from a Hellwig EZ-990 instruction sheet:
- Place the spring on top of the mainspring with the long end toward the rear of the vehicle.
- Slide the spring back and forth so the hump doesn’t touch the factory vehicle U-bolts but to maximize the distance between the leaf tips and the underside of the vehicle.
- Place the U-bolts with the short legs on either side of the hump as shown in the diagram. Using the included cross bars, washers, and nuts, tighten to the recommended torque.
- Use the longer legged U-bolts on the outside cups of the spring as shown in the diagram. Attach them once again using the crossbars, washer, and nuts. It may be necessary to either jack the vehicle up by the frame allowing the suspension to droop or use a C-clamp to compress the spring to start the nuts.
- Adjust the crossbars on the end of the springs so that the adjacent leaf tip will not contact the crossbar when the spring is deflected. It may be necessary to move the spring stack fore or aft for best alignment.
- Adjust the U-bolts at the spring end to desired preload. The minimum tension adjustment is having enough tension on the end U-bolts so that they do not loosen or rattle and move when the vehicle is driven over rough or bumpy surfaces. Maximum adjustment is when the leaf cups are 1/4” from the main spring.
- When adjustment is complete, double-nut to lock in adjustment.
- Lower the vehicle to the ground and check your installation for clearance on all undercarriage components, wires, fuel, brake, and air conditioning lines.
With the right tools, a first-time installer would take up to 2 hours.
What are Timbren SES suspension helper springs?
Timbren SES suspension helper springs are made of natural rubber designed to replace the existing bump stops. Depending on where the bump stops are located, SES rubber springs typically fasten to the frame, the axle, or the truck’s leaf spring suspension.
Designed as a helper spring to assist with heavy loads, Timbren SES upgrades do not replace or override the existing suspension. Most SES kits for half-ton pickups are rated for up to 8600 lbs additional capacity. Other severe-service kits deliver an additional 12,000 lbs.
The average SES kit for a half ton pickup lists for about $300.00.
The following list outlines five simple steps to install an SES kit on a 2023 Ram 1500:
- Raise vehicle
- Remove OEM bump stops
- Position pre-assembled components into bump stop cup
- Push and twist simultaneously until properly seated
- Lower vehicle
This easy installation requires no tools and takes less than 30 minutes.
Timbren SES vs Hellwig leaf springs: Which is the better choice?
In order to understand why Timbren SES are superior to Hellwig leaf springs, you need to understand the 2 innate characteristics of an Aeon® hollow rubber spring - used in every Timbren SES product:
Unlike metal springs that have a linear spring rate, Aeon® rubber springs have a progressive spring rate, a rate that increases as more weight is added to the truck.
Unlike metal springs that need shocks to absorb the energy created when they compress, Aeon® rubber springs are self-damping, able to absorb the kinetic energy by themselves.
These two characteristics of Aeon® rubber springs offer some unique advantages:
Top 3 reasons Timbren SES is better than Hellwig leaf springs?
Above, we compared Hellwig leaf springs to Timbren SES suspension upgrades. Have you decided which one is best for you? If not, let me spell it out for you.
The top 3 reasons you should choose Timbren SES suspension upgrades are:
- Maximum spring capacity – up to 8600 lbs
If you haven’t installed a Timbren SES upgrade, you’re missing out on certain Timbren advantages:
Think about it: Timbren SES products have been around for over 50 years and are still the best alternative and smartest choice hands down! Our customers seem to think so...
“Whether we’re towing with our Nissan Titan or our Toyota Tundra, our Timbren SES kit has been a game changer. Reduced all sag in the rear plus helps the tow rigs gain maximum control. Over a year with SES and we would never go back.” @ClicOutdoor
For more information about Timbren SES products, please visit Timbren.com
