Drop Shackles with Air Bags.

Cowpie · February 3, 2017

I am giving serious thought to going with the Sumo Springs. Replaces the bump stop and goes full length to the axle. No gap. Obviously not a leveling thing like air bags. But given the suspension has been dropped via the McGaughy's drop shackles, they will already be compressing just as it sits. Talked with Peter at SuperSprings about if a problem going with them and the drop shackles and he said it would not be an issue. Probably a little firmer out of the gate than being fully expanded with stock setup, but will absorb a lot of road jarring and be approaching full effect with a moderate load in the back. Resistance is progressive the more they are collapsed. At $170 and free shipping (current price on Amazon for product number SSR-207-47) to give it a shot, will not be out a lot of money. Just need to order and take the time to put them on.

Edited February 3, 2017 by Cowpie

sdeeter19555 · February 3, 2017

I couldn't imagine riding around with the Timbrens (also a progressive) contacting the perches with no weight on...

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grnmtnboy · February 3, 2017

I am giving serious thought to going with the Sumo Springs. Replaces the bump stop and goes full length to the axle. No gap. Obviously not a leveling thing like air bags. But given the suspension has been dropped via the McGaughy's drop shackles, they will already be compressing just as it sits. Talked with Peter at SuperSprings about if a problem going with them and the drop shackles and he said it would not be an issue. Probably a little firmer out of the gate than being fully expanded with stock setup, but will absorb a lot of road jarring and be approaching full effect with a moderate load in the back. Resistance is progressive the more they are collapsed. At $170 and free shipping (current price on Amazon for product number SSR-207-47) to give it a shot, will not be out a lot of money. Just need to order and take the time to put them on.

I wounder if you could trim them so you wouldn't lose your ride when not loaded? They do sound like a good alternative for air bags for the cost.

sdeeter19555 · February 3, 2017

Aren't they closed cell foam? Once you cut that outer cover, what happens? Or am I thinking of some other "spring"?

For what it's worth, I picked my Timbrens up for $160 shipped from TruckSpring. Since they are modular, you could swap out the spring for a shorter one...that's why I recommended that route.

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grnmtnboy · February 3, 2017

We have run Timbrens for years on some of our plow trucks, I'm just not a big fan of them.

The Sumo's can not be trimmed.

The overall length of the Sumospring SSR-207-47 is 5"'s and about 1" of that slides into the bump stop mount. That should leave about a 1/2" between the bottom of the Sumo's and axle pad and with there progressive design they should do what we are hoping for, keep the stock ride when empty and help keep the truck level when loaded.

I see they are rated for a total of 1500 lbs at 50%, I'm hoping that will be enough? I know it depends on how heavy we are running but...

I kinda like this idea, install it and forget it. Seems like a better idea then making custom brackets for air bags as long as they work.

sdeeter19555 · February 3, 2017

I almost went with SumoSprings, but at that time I read of a couple failures (they ruptured or something like that) and they didn't have a good warranty at that time (keep in mind this was several years ago, so take this with a grain of salt).

After owning Timbrens and airbags, I don't know what I would do...both have their pluses, minuses, and quirks.

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Good luck with whatever you chose.

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grnmtnboy · February 4, 2017

I almost went with SumoSprings, but at that time I read of a couple failures (they ruptured or something like that) and they didn't have a good warranty at that time (keep in mind this was several years ago, so take this with a grain of salt).

After owning Timbrens and airbags, I don't know what I would do...both have their pluses, minuses, and quirks.

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Good luck with whatever you chose.

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Yea, I'm undecided on which way I'm going to go.

Are you running drop shackles?

Edited February 4, 2017 by grnmtnboy

sdeeter19555 · February 4, 2017

Yea, I'm undecided on what which way I'm going to go.

Are you running drop shackles?

No, stock suspension. That's another thing I almost did, but never pulled the trigger on...

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sdeeter19555 · February 4, 2017

Yea, I'm undecided on what which way I'm going to go.

Are you running drop shackles?

No, stock suspension. That's another thing I almost did, but never pulled the trigger on...

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grnmtnboy · February 4, 2017

No, stock suspension. That's another thing I almost did, but never pulled the trigger on...

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Any idea what the measurement is from the pad on the axle to where the bump stop mounts on your truck?

sdeeter19555 · February 4, 2017

Not off hand, but I could get it. My springs are worn, so it wouldn't be perfect...

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grnmtnboy · February 4, 2017

Ok, thanks.

sdeeter19555 · February 4, 2017

About 6 inches from perch to cup, add an inch for the depth of the cup.

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sdeeter19555 · February 4, 2017

And keep in mind I have 100k miles on the clock, so things have likely settled.

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Cowpie · February 5, 2017

I almost went with SumoSprings, but at that time I read of a couple failures (they ruptured or something like that) and they didn't have a good warranty at that time (keep in mind this was several years ago, so take this with a grain of salt).

After owning Timbrens and airbags, I don't know what I would do...both have their pluses, minuses, and quirks.

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Good luck with whatever you chose.

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Kinda curious how they would rupture. They are micro cellular urethane. They show boring a 1" hole thru them and it doesn't affect capability but only minimally.

Nothing is the perfect, one size fits all situations remedy. I looked at air bags and liked them, but the practicality wasn't there and the cost could be beat. Timbrens looked interesting, but still the gap between axle and contact. Sumo Springs are directly on the axle and are progressive in resistance as they are compressed, kinda like an air bag. Kind of a middle ground between Timbrens and air bags. Air bag flexibility with no maintenance or air input, and the ease of plug and play and forget like Timbrens. Hope they do the trick. We'll see. I will only be out $170 for trying. Considerably cheaper than air bags. I have stuck my neck out before and got fooled.