Aeon Rubber

[engineer]

G'day everyone, I stumbled across this whilst looking at an OKA, and would you believe it, they do kits for an FG, easy fit too.
Has anyone tried them, and if so are they ay good, and if so how long do they last and....oh shut up chocko.

http://www.timbren.com/timbren-application-guides/mitsubishi.htm

I've tried to order a set to see what happens on my 3.3 metre high SWB.

[whatcharterboat]

Has anyone tried them, and if so are they ay good, and if so how long do they last and....oh shut up chocko.

Yeah Chock. Paul tried them way, way back but then he tried a lot of different things in the early days as you'd know. IIRC he said they were fine. I'll have to quiz him again and get back to you but I know we haven't bothered with them in my time here anyway.

John.

[engineer]

Thanks mate, I think they'll be ok for what i want them for, maybe they wern't as good as Paul would've liked.

[1Engine]

G'day everyone, I stumbled across this whilst looking at an OKA, and would you believe it, they do kits for an FG, easy fit too.
Has anyone tried them, and if so are they ay good, and if so how long do they last and....oh shut up chocko.

http://www.timbren.com/timbren-application-guides/mitsubishi.htm

I've tried to order a set to see what happens on my 3.3 metre high SWB.

Hi, Can you keep us posted on how they go.
I see they don't list any for the front axle of the NPS300
Would mind catching up next year after I get back from my trip to Bris , Syd, Canberra
I see you buses go up through Mossman most days I am home.
Wadey

[engineer]

Drop in anytime Wadey, Just call Billy Tea to make sure we're there.

[whatcharterboat]

I see you buses go up through Mossman most days I am home.


Hey Wadey, not sure if you knew but all my family are in Mossman. Well Miallo anyway. That's their truck workshop, fuel depot, cane farm, etc on "Y" intersection as you head up to the Daintree from Mossman.

John.

[DontPanic42]

G'day everyone, I stumbled across this whilst looking at an OKA, and would you believe it, they do kits for an FG, easy fit too.
Has anyone tried them, and if so are they ay good, and if so how long do they last and....oh shut up chocko.

http://www.timbren.com/timbren-application-guides/mitsubishi.htm

I've tried to order a set to see what happens on my 3.3 metre high SWB.

I found a dealer about 150 miles NW of here so I'll be interested to see what y'all think of them. Looks like it may be a good compromise between the original equipment and an "airlift" setup. I'm fix'n to do some work on the truck this winter so I might as well add these too if they measure up.

[Jeep]

I use them all the time. Check my equipment out at www.liteindustries.ca. They last forever, they are very good at stabilizing a chassis, they will squish as flat as a pancake but seem to do so very progressively. They are not real good on light rigs in the 1/2 ton range, they give a bit of a bounce when they hit on a light rig but you don't notice anything adverse when loaded or on a heavy rig. I use them as a bumpstop as well as a load assist. Great product. I've used them in some very severe environments and have never wrecked one.

[1Engine]

Hey Wadey, not sure if you knew but all my family are in Mossman. Well Miallo anyway. That's their truck workshop, fuel depot, cane farm, etc on "Y" intersection as you head up to the Daintree from Mossman.

John.

It is a small world

[DontPanic42]

I use them all the time. Check my equipment out at www.liteindustries.ca. They last forever, they are very good at stabilizing a chassis, they will squish as flat as a pancake but seem to do so very progressively. They are not real good on light rigs in the 1/2 ton range, they give a bit of a bounce when they hit on a light rig but you don't notice anything adverse when loaded or on a heavy rig. I use them as a bumpstop as well as a load assist. Great product. I've used them in some very severe environments and have never wrecked one.

After looking at your comments and website, it looks like the Aeon rubber baby buggy bumpers are a go. Looks like I have a new present on my Christmas list. Any more info on using them on a FUSO or its equivalent?

[able]

Hi, Can you keep us posted on how they go.
I see they don't list any for the front axle of the NPS300
Would mind catching up next year after I get back from my trip to Bris , Syd, Canberra
I see you buses go up through Mossman most days I am home.
Wadey

Have you done any more research on these for your NPS. We have a 1999 model that could use a set of these.

[1Engine]

Have you done any more research on these for your NPS. We have a 1999 model that could use a set of these.

Hi Able,
I am currently up north of Weipa at the moment with work, so there is not much time to do much research.
I was going to start looking into it in Feb when I get back from down south

[able]

Hi, would really be interested in what you come up with. Unfortunately our model of NPS doesn't really highlight on this site :-)
Maybe we could have one of our American or Canadian friends investigate for us.
Anyway don't work too hard up there, hope your wearing a hat.

[oka boy]

Hi all,we have the rubbers as std equipment on the OKA,front and rear these work really well and allow you to limp home if you brake a spring leaf as the vehicle will seat on them:wings:

[able]

the factory list price for the front is $230

and the rear is $425

that was for the '03-'09 FG type.

Still waiting on quotes from a dealer to see if they cut the cost any?
Hi and thankyou for the pricing details. It would be great if they made them for the NPS Isuzu.

[Jeep]

Hi and thankyou for the pricing details. It would be great if they made them for the NPS Isuzu.

Check out thier wbsite or a dealer, you can get them by dimension.

[DontPanic42]

This is way off topic but it is the reason I will not be working on my rig today. Guess the Old Farmer's Almanac was right predicting a cold wet winter for West Texas. Most snow I have seen here in years and never this early.

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/15037/2774030220101252971S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2774030220101252971KNZDkx)

[able]

Hi Able,
I am currently up north of Weipa at the moment with work, so there is not much time to do much research.
I was going to start looking into it in Feb when I get back from down south
Have you seen these as another option? http://www.trelleborg.com/en/Automotive/Heavy-Truck/Suspension/Rubber-Tower/

[engineer]

I use them all the time. Check my equipment out at www.liteindustries.ca. They last forever, they are very good at stabilizing a chassis, they will squish as flat as a pancake but seem to do so very progressively. They are not real good on light rigs in the 1/2 ton range, they give a bit of a bounce when they hit on a light rig but you don't notice anything adverse when loaded or on a heavy rig. I use them as a bumpstop as well as a load assist. Great product. I've used them in some very severe environments and have never wrecked one.
Can I buy a set of Aeons from you as Timbren won't answer my emails..????

[Jeep]

Can I buy a set of Aeons from you as Timbren won't answer my emails..????

Yeah no problem. I only recieved one email today and responded to the email address provided.

[engineer]

Yeah no problem. I only recieved one email today and responded to the email address provided.
Email sent, thanks Defenderbeam,I did try to PM you first, but it wouldn't work. Bloody Apple Macs......

[Peter_n_Margaret]

My OKA had 330,000km on the clock when I boought it.
I fitted coils around the rubber aelerons at the rear to give a bit more support.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg120/Peter_n_Margaret/odds%20and%20ends/05-06-22NewcoilsE.jpg
That was 150,000km ago.
Both the (original) aelerons and the coils are still fine.

Cheers,
Peter

[Jeep]

I'll grab you a part number and try to locate a set at a warehouse near you on Monday. You will get them cheaper and faster that way.
Cheers,
Mark.

[kerry]

The set at the link Defenderbeam posted shows it fits years 2003-2009. Does anyone know if that same set will fit a 1999 or is a different set required.

[DontPanic42]

Kerry,
They have units that cover 1987-2002

http://timbren.com/timbren-application-guides/mitsubishi.htm

If the dealer in Odessa can't come up with some, I'll probably order from here:

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=107_279_453_3938

[Jeep]

Engineer, did you get set up with some Timbrens or a substitute?

[kerry]

I bought a front and rear set of the timbrens.

They installed in about 1-hour total.

The rear ones could be centered a little better over the axle, but they seem fine.

They do minimize alot of the extreme harshness away. Even just pulling in and out of the driveway is smoother.

The amount of travel between the axle and the stock rigid rubber bump stop is a joke. It will basically bottom out on ANYTHING.

Now at least when it bottoms out; it hits an absorbable rubber.

below is a link from where I got them on-line.

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=107_279_453_3938

Could you elaborate some more on how you think they improve the ride? I drove my newly purchased FG from NC to CO empty with too much air in the tires. The ride was intolerable. But with the camper on and tires pressures correct, the ride is much improved, roughly similar to my 96 Suzuki Sidekick's ride. Do you think adding the Timbrens would improve the ride in my situation and if so, how and why? I'm trying to decide whether it would be worth the money for me to add them.

[kerry]

Is the hardness on small bumps a result of the truck hitting the bumper stops or from a light truck not compressing the springs very far? I didn't look at mine when it was relatively light and it never occurred to me that it would be hitting the bumper stops.

[Amesz00]

Is the hardness on small bumps a result of the truck hitting the bumper stops or from a light truck not compressing the springs very far? I didn't look at mine when it was relatively light and it never occurred to me that it would be hitting the bumper stops.

That really depends on the weight of the vehicle. When its a cab-chassis, the harshness is from stiff load-carrying suspension with no load. When the vehicle is loaded up (or even lightly loaded- my truck weighs 4tonne, about 8500lb), the harshness on big bumps is from the lack of travel and damping, so the springs (primarily the fronts) punch straight through to the stops. Then the big bounce back up comes from a lack of rebound damping (in the shocks), when the truck bounces off the rubber stops.
So replacing the bump-stops with these timbren things should bring the suspension to a more gradual stop, when it does bottom out. I think this would be further helped with better shock-absorbers, primarily stiffer rebound damping.

[kerry]

Thanks. I will probably give them a try. If things go as planned I'll be driving mine over 5k miles in about 6 weeks this summer so a better ride would be beneficial, even though I'd say there is a night and day difference between it's ride unloaded and it's current ride.

[DontPanic42]

I rec'd a call Monday that my Aeon Suspension kits should be in Friday. If so, I shall drive to Odessa Saturday and pick them up. I also ordered a recording accelerometer and if I can get it to work, I should be able to generate some before and after measurements over the same terrain.

[kerry]

I rec'd a call Monday that my Aeon Suspension kits should be in Friday. If so, I shall drive to Odessa Saturday and pick them up. I also ordered a recording accelerometer and if I can get it to work, I should be able to generate some before and after measurements over the same terrain.

Man, you are serious. I'm really curious as to what the results will be. I'll probably won't have time to mount any on mine for a couple of months so I think I'll wait to order some until your results are posted.

[DontPanic42]

I guess once an engineer always an engineer. Only difference is that I don't have a big corporate R&D budget to tap into anymore. Now, I look for bargain priced equipment and sometimes it doesn't work as desired. With luck I should something to show in a few weeks.

[Bajaroad]

I guess once an engineer always an engineer. Only difference is that I don't have a big corporate R&D budget to tap into anymore. Now, I look for bargain priced equipment and sometimes it doesn't work as desired. With luck I should something to show in a few weeks.

Bruce - any update on this?

[DontPanic42]

Bruce - any update on this?

I think you would say that I am in the "strategizing" stage. Nice way to say still procrastinating. I have everything in hand but I am still learning how to program the accelerometer.
Of course there was the little issue of doing my taxes and now doing the City, County, State, and Federal taxes for a NonProfit that I belong to. Seems as I had more free time when I was working.
I hope to get back on the tests after the 20th of this month. I hope I get some useful data.

[DontPanic42]

I have finally been able to get back on the project. I have made 3 runs over a 26 mile circuit with several road surfaces. Below is a typical data plot. The section with large xy&z movement is a rough dirt road. The z axis measures vertical suspension movement. Next step is to install the Aeon suspension and redo the tests.
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/46415/2145552990101252971S425x425Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2145552990101252971dwWzLj)
This is raw data that I hope to smooth out to make more legible. I have been talking to the manufacturer about some software glitches, so a data smoothing program may be built in. I just have not been able to find it. Their tech guy has been very helpful.

[kerry]

This looks very cool. Keep us posted. We're planning to head out to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in early June. If the rubber springs make a difference, I may install them before we leave if I have enough time.

[Tom_D]

I started with the heavy duty (set recommended by manufacture) but changed to the mid weight when I removed the heavy bumper and winch. The company provided the mid weight set for free. They seem to help stop the truck from bottoming over cattle gates etc. My FG is heavy and I load the top rack and the mid weight works well -- the heavy set was very harsh over expansion joints etc. No sign of wear after 30K miles.

Tom

[DontPanic42]

Finally had the Aeon 'rubber baby buggy bumpers' installed this week. My initial impression is that they do take some of the harshness out of the ride. No air ride like a fully isolated cab Freightliner but better. My first instrumented trial after installation came up a cropper as the accelerometer broke free of its mount when I bottomed out on the dirt section. Fixed that and had a good run today. There was also a 35 mph cross wind during the run. The truck seemed a bit more stable. Today's run is probably the last for several days as we are in the midst of a "Frog strangler" here as I type with major rain coming down and ping pong ball sized hail predicted in some places. The 2 miles of dirt is mostly clay so with all the rain it will be as my Pappy used to say "slippery as snot on a brass door knob". Since we are expecting storms for the next 5 - 6 days or so, I should have time to crunch the data I have in hand.

[gait]

thanks for the plots Bruce, always nice to have measured data as well as subjective assessments.

[kerry]

I am now interested in changing mine out for the medium softer ones Tom was talking about. Assuming I have the heavier duty ones?

How do you tell the difference? The websites I have seen only appear to offer one kind.

[Tom_D]

Look on the Timbren web site for part numbers. The heavy ones used to be the recommend ones now it looks like the "regular" one is the mid weight.

[DontPanic42]

As I stated earlier, I had the Aeon bumpers installed and did a test run. The operative word is "a". I have been using a course that included several road surfaces including a stretch of rough dirt road that goes up to the local pistol and rifle range. After I made the first post installation run someone decided that after the very wet (for us) winter, it would be a good idea to grade the dirt road and take out all the ruts. Without going into a lot of extranious information, I believe it may have been done at this time as the Sheriffs' Department had a week of Officer Qualifications scheduled. We now have a better road but I lost my test track. So I am stuck with only one set of data and some empircial observations.
As I stated the harshness of the ride seems to be less. Also, as everything settles in, the rear seems to have a more solid feel. The fellow that did the installation said he noticed the same thing. I haven't noticed much of a change in the front. Anyway here is the data plot for the only post installation run:
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/44198/2366013420101252971S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2366013420101252971axCXpA)
The junk at the beginning is from the device beinning installed on the truck after being activated. Then there is a pause while I warm up the engine before setting off on the run. There is a second pause on the rough section when I stopped to fix the Range gate.
The run stops abruptly as a new data file is created. I plan to merge the two files and cleanup the extraneous pauses and compare it to the original preinstallation runs. That will take a while.
As an aside, does anyone know where I can obtain a suspension seat for the FG? I tried United Truck Center last summer but they said they can't get them now even though it is still on their website. I found a used seat from a FK/FM that from the picture looks like it might work. Will it? My skinny old butt will appreciate it.
I will post when I get the raw data files completed if someone would like them to play with.

[kerry]

I bought an Australian Stratos suspension seat which I installed in my FG. I really like it. I think someone does import them into the US.

[DontPanic42]

I have contacted Stratos to see if they have a US dealer. Maybe I'll hear something in a few days.
I have been looking at National stuff. I'd forgotten that Hackney used National. Thanks for jogging the memory. I'll check his build.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2343&highlight=%22National+Seat%22

I believe Kerry found his Stratos on Ebay.

[kerry]

Yes, I got my Stratos on Ebay. Someone else paid the big bucks to import it and then never installed it. It's not any higher than the OE, or at least not noticeably higher. I love it. I'm carrying a work computer with me on this trip and I don't have my seat sources bookmarked here but I'm pretty sure I found a Stratos importer at one time. I think I have a thread on here with some info on the seat sources I found. When I don't have a need for seats for two additional passengers, I'll get another Stratos for the passenger eventually. If anyone knows of a source for a dual passenger suspension seat, I'd be very interested in that. My daughter and wife are jealous of my slow bouncing up and down in the Stratos.

Here's the thread:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20711&highlight=stratos+seat

[ozzyfishaman]

Try this Guy's,it is the site for the US importers of Stratos Seating
http://www.ltss-seating.com
Cheers Ozzyfishaman

[PKDreamers]

Which seats are easiest to fit to a fg649???

[DontPanic42]

Try this Guy's,it is the site for the US importers of Stratos Seating
http://www.ltss-seating.com
Cheers Ozzyfishaman

Thanks for the link. I was thinking about checking an Isuzu dealer. The ltss site lists one in Abilene and Odessa. Only a couple of hours from here. Road trip! Just need to get a model number from Kerry or Stratos.

[kerry]

Thanks for the link. I was thinking about checking an Isuzu dealer. The ltss site lists one in Abilene and Odessa. Only a couple of hours from here. Road trip! Just need to get a model number from Kerry or Stratos.

I'll look on mine and see if I see a model number. I don't remember seeing one. It looked like a standard seat used for any cabover application. I had to make the mounting system myself to adapt to the FG.

[kerry]

Underneath mine in the front it says Stratos 40483. Don't know if that's a model number or a production number. It's the only number I can see.

[DontPanic42]

Thanks Kerry,
I'll talk to the Isuzu dealer and see what they say. I remember you saying that you made an adapter to fit the seat and it was pretty straight forward.
Enjoy your trip to the Maritimes. I have a bunch of distant relatives that are in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

[kerry]

OK, I got my Timbren rubber springs a week or so ago and tried to install them today on my 99 FG. They don't appear to fit. Rubber attaches to a rectangular steel plate with two bolt holes. These bolt holes don't appear to line up with any existing holes in the FG. Existing rubber stop attaches to a plate which in turn is bolted to the frame rail and the motor mount. I didn't remove the rubber stop because simply looking at the holes told me they wouldn't line up. Anyone have any advice? Am I missing something? I sent an e-mail to SDTruck springs where I bought them but I'm guessing I wont get a reply until the workweek starts.

Has anyone here actually installed a set on a pre-2003 FG? The kit is labelled as fitting 87-2002 FE and FG. I wonder if the stops are different on FE and FG's and nobody has actually tried to install them on an FG before??

[kerry]

Sorry, I forgot to mention these are the front Timbrens. The instruction picture does not resemble the FG. It shows a straight frame rail with two bolt holes and the Timbren mounting plate bolting underneath the frame rail into two existing holes. Mounting seems impossible without drilling new holes in the Timbren plate or new holes in the frame rail and motormount bracket.

[kerry]

I checked the part number. It's the correct one according to their website. On the 99, the rubber bump stop is bolted through the motor mount plate and frame rail with a single bolt. There's a metal raised platform on top of the spring that the bump stop hits that is held in place with the spring U-bolts.
I had just assumed that once I unbolted the rubber bump stop, I could remove one of the other bolts holding the motor mount plate to the frame rail, and the new plate could be bolted to these two holes but the holes don't line up.

[kerry]

Talked to SDTruck Springs. They were clueless. Told me to call Timbren. Talked to Timbren and Ed Sanders, the tech/salesman who is supposed to know them best is out of the office until tomorrow. I took some measurements. Holes in the Timbren mounting plates are 5 1/2" apart. No holes over 3 1/2" apart in that vicinity on the truck. I looked at all the other models for different year Fusos and none looked like they would fit the 99. All the installation instructions showed pictures very unlike the 99.

[engineer]

I'm watching this one closely Kerry.....might influence my buying decision....
Get into em mate, If it don't fit, it's wrong!!!!!!!

[DontPanic42]

Kerry,
Here a couple of shots of my front Aeon bumpers in place. Everything is held in by the "U" bolts. My FG is a 2004 so I imagine there are some differences. Maybe these will be some help.
By the way I am still trying to get a Stratos seat. Emails going back and forth to folks but sp far no results. Do you have pictures or a sketch of the adapters you made?

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/47237/2693955030101252971S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2693955030101252971xBPQBI)

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/45731/2121023160101252971S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2121023160101252971BgGoAG)

[kerry]

The Timbren/Aeon's for a 99 are very different. Yours are much bigger. The ones I have are roughly the same size as the original bump stops. I talked to Ed Sanders at Timbren today. He's the one who designed the adapter plate, supposedly for a 99. He said he's sold a lot to people who have snowplows on FG's but there must be a difference in model years on how the system works. The MFFFG is supposed to fit 87-2002. His suggestion was that since the existing bump stop is attached to the motor mount plate/frame rail with a single bolt (near as I can tell), that the rubber portion of the MFFFG kit can be bolted with a single bolt in place of the existing bump stop. I will try this, but I don't know when I'll have the opportunity to attempt it. Ed said that if that resulted in the Timbren not being tall enough (the mounting plate adds about 1"), he could send a spacer. In fact, I think the lack of a mounting plate is better. The rubber portion is about the same height as the existing bump stop, and since it flexes more than the original bumpt stop, I think it will give more travel to the suspension. Eyeing things up, I dont think the additional travel will cause the differential to contact anything.

I'll look for a picture of the Stratos seat adapter. The basic problem is that on a 99, the right side seat mount is about 2" higher than the left side seat mount so the left side has to be built up to get a level mount for the Stratos. I used 3/4" oak flooring glued together then cut to size. I then used 2" channel to span from the oak riser to the right side mount and bolted the Stratos into this channel.

[DontPanic42]

Brilliant minds work in the same way I guess. Mine has a similar offset in the floor so I was thinking of using some of my left over oak strips from mounting the subframe of the RV to make up the offset and then using channel as you did to tie in the new seat.

[kerry]

Picture of the seat base is in this thread:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20754

Picture won't appear in the thread, you'll have to click on the jpg labeled Stratos seat base in one of the posts.

[kerry]

Ok, I may have been mistaken on the problem fit. I was basing my opinion on what I could feel from reaching up into the frame rail from below. With the cab tilted, I can now see that there are two bolts which hold the rubber stop in place. It's possible that the MFFFG mounting plate will fit in one of those bolt holes and another bolt hole holding the motor mount to the frame. However, after my conversation with Ed Sanders, I'm thinking that simply mounting the rubber part thru one of the existing rubber stop mounting holes is actually a better option. I'm not looking for more load carrying capacity in the front like the people running snow plows, I'm looking for a less harsh bump stop.
I'll update once I get the chance to install.
If indeed the mounting plate needs to be installed, I'm hoping the nut on the motor mount plate is welded to the inside of the frame rail because I don't see any way of accessing it with a wrench.

[DontPanic42]

Picture of the seat base is in this thread:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20754

Picture won't appear in the thread, you'll have to click on the jpg labeled Stratos seat base in one of the posts.

Picture found, copied, and filed. Thanks. Good Luck with the Aeons

[Amesz00]

Looks alright aye.


You can also see how it lines up. seems a little off, but maybe it makes sense with the rounded square axle shape?

Dont forget that as the axle moves up, it will also move back, due to the leaves flattening.

[alan]

I don't know if it's just me, but I can't see why you would fit these Aeon Rubber, your just treating the symptoms not the cause, the springs need attention.

[engineer]

Hi Alan,
I'm looking to fit them on my fleet, as we had our springs done (extended) and with previous experience using them on an M.A.N., they allow axle articulation where as the sway bar tries to limit it.
As you travel along the telegraph track on Cape York Peninsula, With a sway bar, the truck will swing from side to side as the axes drop into holes/washouts etc.... but the aeons allow the axle to drop into the holes without dragging the truck into the hole as well.
Hope this is of some help,
Chock

[PKDreamers]

Hi Chock ,
Have you fitted a set Aeons yet, and where did you get them from?
And who extends your springs?

[engineer]

Hi Pete,
I need aeons yesterday, but with the GFC, we are in save mode.
I've had 2 different fellas do the extentions, IMHO, your probably better off to get John at Allterrain warriors to do it, as i've had issues both times.
Chock

[engineer]

I attached a picture of the rear aeon. FG84.

There is about an inch of space between it and the axle and that is with the bare cab/chassis. stock leafs with the helpers deleted.

You can also see how it lines up. seems a little off, but maybe it makes sense with the rounded square axle shape?

Hi Dbeam,

Did you get your kit from SD truck springs?

Thanks,
Chock

[whatcharterboat]

I need aeons yesterday,

Chocko, How did you go finding them? Do you want me to do anything?

[engineer]

I've shot an email via the website mate, but no answer as yet....
If we did business like that.......
and i thought american companies had the best customer service in the world........

[PKDreamers]

I just emailed them (SD) too about the cost of shipping to aus.
So il let you know how long it takes to get a reply.
It is the right time to buy with the great price of the aussie $$$$.

Chocko thanks for the info on the springs looks like we will have to save sum coin before we get new springs.
It is on the wish list which for sum reason get bigger and bigger.

[engineer]

How'd you go Pete?
They don't like my home or work email.
SD email fail..

[PKDreamers]

Mate still waiting and waiting to hear from them.
I will let you know as soon as i do hear from them.

[Overland Hadley]

Interesting to hear your guys plight with ordering Timbrens from SD.

I ordered a custom sized kit from them and they sent me something different. The only way I knew it was the wrong one is because I had gone through the PDF's looking at the dimensions of the springs.

SD was okay to work with. They eventually got the correct set of parts sent out to me.

Another option for Timbrens would be these guys. www.truckspring.com (http://www.truckspring.com/) I have not worked with them, but they might be better than SD at answering emails.

[PKDreamers]

Well i am still waiting for a email reply from SD.

Thank you for that info i just emailed them.
See how i go with a reply from them.( www.truckspring.com)

[engineer]

Email sent also..... I won't hold my breath, the Americans don't want to sell to us mere Aussies.........:-(

[Overland Hadley]

If you guys want you could order the parts and have them shipped to me. Then I could ship them on to you in AU.

I could ship them in a flat rate box, so shipping cost would be easy to figure. And shipping to the US is free from SD.

Doing this just to be helpful. Send me a PM if you are interested.

[DontPanic42]

Email sent also..... I won't hold my breath, the Americans don't want to sell to us mere Aussies.........:-(

Having lived in North Jersey for 7 years, I am not surprised that a company on Long Island isn't very helpful. As a friend of mine who is from that area said, "Anything west of the Hudson River is populated by rubes and hicks"
I bought my Aeons from Tex Trail Trailer Parts in Odessa, Texas. Very helpful folks. www.textrail.com If they can't help you, they'll tell you.
Their hours are 0800 -1730 M - F. CDT (GMT-5)
Good Luck

[engineer]

Hi Gentlemen,

All good, we have contact!!!!

Defenderbeam, do you have the part numbers for the front and rear kits?

Thanks
Chocko

[PKDreamers]

Well done , which company emailed you back?
How much is the freight?
I am still waiting.

MFFFGA Fronts 2003-2009
MFRFG Rears 2003-2009

Overland Hadley thank you very much for the offer.

[engineer]

Hi Pete,

Need part numbers, as ours is an FG84D 2010......

D.Beams truck looks the same as the new model!!.

Thanks For the offer Hadley, and also for the input Don't Panic Hippo Mechanic!!!!

Thanks

Chock

[engineer]

Here we go folks, who said we never achieve anything here....(silly wife)



Following are the prices

MFRFG $283.35
MFFFGA $194.95

Following are the shipping options:

$155.44 - USPS - Priority Mail International
$177.55 - UPS Worldwide Expedited
$179.27 - USPS - Express Mail International (EMS)

We currently do not have the MFFFGA online. If you would like to order online, you can order the MFRFG and place a note in the order to ship a MFFGA also and the shipping option you would like. We will update your order before billed. You can also phone us if you prefer.
It will take us 3-4 business days to get the kits in stock.


Thank you,


Marc Warezak
Michigan Truck Spring

[engineer]

Michigan Truck Srings came through !!!!
Kit arrived today and will fit them tomorrow.

[PKDreamers]

Michigan Truck Srings came through !!!!
Kit arrived today and will fit them tomorrow.

Hey i got contact now too, the first email i sent though was on my work email so their reply may have blocked as spam.


So Chock have you fitted yours yet if so how did it all go for you?
Any pics?

[engineer]

Hi Pete,
Not yet mate, We had a massive failure. The FG84D hstarted haemorrhaging oil at less than 1000K, Westco took the 'box off and did a run up. They found that the oil was coming not from tthe rear main as first suggested, but from the sub frame that holds the main bearings in place, but to remedy the leak, they had to remove the sub frame, but found that they had to remove the timing cover, which requires the head off.
Once the engine was removed from the truck (GGGRRRRR) and pulled down, there was a gap of less than 1/2" where some glue screening machine skipped (maybe an air bubble in the feed) and the cone smoking moron who was supposed to be watching was too busy pulling a bong whilst getting blown by a $2 hooker or something to thet effect.
As a result, I haven't had the machine in my 'shop, it is still at Westco and probably will be until mid next week.
Pics and stuff coming when I get the bloody thing back.

[PKDreamers]

OH bum, that is not too good at all mate.
I hope it all works out well for you guys.
Going to order a front kit from them next week sumtime.
We will post sum photos when we do.

[engineer]

Righto Pete,

Got the truck back, not leaking, good sign.
Fitted the Aeons today, needed to drill out the rear mounting holes on the chassis, that was my only hurdle. I'm yet to take it for a drive, don't know if I will either.
I've had a serious personality clash with another staff member and have found a job working with a good mate in operations for an Aviation Charter company.

Sorry guys, but I may not be a contirbuting member soon, as cessna talk wont get far around here.

Will post pics later this week.

Chock

[engineer]

Here's how the fitting went,
At first the holes were too small for the bolts supplied
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0116.jpg

So then I had to drill the bastard out, which isn't an issue with the drill resharpened for battery drill cutting speed.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0118.jpg

then the bolt went through with about .25 mm tolerance, nice...
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0119.jpg

As you can see, not much chance of it working until it's loaded...
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0120.jpg

Steers were easier with a 3/4" Impact gun, loosened the U bolts and removed the bumpstop.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0121.jpg

Slide the new Aeons in and retighten the U bolts
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0122.jpg

Compare the Old V's New, You can see the difference the progressive Aeon has over the std. bump stop. And I agree with Defenderbeam (and his dog, which you would never want to argue with!!!) the steers show an immediate improvement, as I'm sure the rears will.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0123.jpg

Thanks
Chock

[daniel ruops]

The finger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[engineer]

The finger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frustration kicked in.....

[PKDreamers]

Got the truck back, not leaking, good sign.
I've had a serious personality clash with another staff member and have found a job working with a good mate in operations for an Aviation Charter company.

Sorry guys, but I may not be a contirbuting member soon, as cessna talk wont get far around here.

chock

Mate that is good news about the truck but not so good news about your job.
Thank you for all your help too.
Hey talk about planes we love them we are off to watch the Evans Head Great fly in in Jan.

I have ordered a front kit for the truck see how i go will post a few pis.

[PKDreamers]

Kerry, here is a couple of photos for you... of the bump stops on the front of our FG649...
Going by what Michigian Springs say, if your bump stops are on the chassis, you use kit MFFFG. If the bump stop is on the spring, you use kit MFFFGA. But... this is wrong after i ordered MFFFG Kit which does not fit where the original bump stop are on our truck.
So i emailed Tembrem and spoke to Murray, who tells me i need a MFFFGA kit.
So i hope this info helps you.


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/TV8TPGLdrhI/AAAAAAAABCY/OdbYRElOjg4/s512/1102130001.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_Lxivr3ihN2A/TV8TVuAproI/AAAAAAAABCc/YJTrI7Dpi3o/s512/1102130003.JPG

[kerry]

Yes, that's the same as my bump stop so I have the wrong kit too. Are you doing an exchange? I'll have to call the company and see if they will swap mine out. Do you know the differences between the two kits?

Ok, I just looked at the pdf of the installation of the MFFFGA kit on the SD Truck Spring website and it shows that kit as mounting to the spring under the U-bolts and not to the frame above the spring. Are you sure Murray is correct?

What about the MFFFESP? They look like the bolt to the frame and not the spring. But they do look too long? Maybe not. http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5497

[PKDreamers]

[Kerry,
Yes i will hopefully will be doing a exchange of the kits.
The differance is the is yes mounted on the spring, well i hope Murray from Timbren is spot on about the kits.
Maybe you should give him a call it is a bit hard for me to call him seeing they are on the other side of the world.
I really think the MFFFG kit is for earlier 2wd to FG's i have gone though the Fuso parts system and most models run the same part number bumpstop as our truck.
The MFFESP the mount studs are too far apart they are 81mm center to center and on out truck they are 33mm.
I will keep you posted on how i go with the fitment of the kit.
.

[kerry]

I'll try to call Timbren and talk to Murray early this coming week. Ed Sanders wasn't all that helpful as I noted earlier. He just said use the rubber part and mount it to a single hole from the old bump stop.
Just to be clear, you're saying that the MFFFGA kit which mounts on top of the spring in place of the raised metal platform that the current bump stop hits is the correct version? In other words, the new rubber stop will end up hitting the place on the frame where the current bump stop is bolted in? I ask because the picture of the frame above the rubber part in the MFFFGA installation pdf does not resemble the frame in our FG's.

[PKDreamers]

Good idea give Murray a call he seams helpful and tell him you have the same problem as Peter in Australia.

Going by what Murray told me yes the MFFFGA is the right kit for our truck.
Yes the bumpstop will hit/bump where the old bumpstop was bolted to.
I cant not find what model of Canter FG uses MFFFG kit, can anyone help on that ?????????????
Yes the PDF's are not very good at all they need sizes on them to be more helpful becuase going by year is not enough, as i said before seeing our truck was built in 2002 sold as a 2003 model i was told if bumpstops are on spring you need MFFFGA if on chassis use MFFFG.

I will keep you posted , please let me know how you go with it.

[kerry]

Tried to talk to Murray today. It's a holiday so he's not in. I'll try tomorrow.

[kerry]

Ok, talked to Murray today. I still think there is some confusion going on. I told him my 99 and your 03 looked identical from your pictures. Murray thought the 2003 was a different model than my 99. I think we both have FG 639's. I believe the model years listed in the Timbren fit chart doesn't actually coincide with the years that Fuso changed suspension designs. Looks to me that the FG639 was sold in the US until 2004 so there shouldn't be a change in bump stops in 2002 as listed on the Timbren fitment chart.
Murray didn't have a clear explanation or understanding why the MFFFG was not fitting the FG639. He gave me the dimensions of the MFFFGA--5 3/4" between the u-bolts and 5 3/8" high. I'm going to measure the distances between my U bolts and make some kind of general guestimation of the proper height necessary. If it looks like the MFFFGA looks like it will fit, he will send me a replacement. As long as the u-bolt location has not been changed in later models, I'm thinking it will fit. But something odd is going on. They say they haven't had many problems with installation of the MFFFG on 99 model Fusos. I wonder what other customers have been doing?

[kerry]

More thoughts. In looking at the pictures of Engineer's and Peter's front axles, there are some significant differences. Engineers has many more leaves in the spring and the height of the spring seems quite different. Also, Engineer's U-bolts are flattened around the top of the spring whereas Peter's are rounded.
So the question is will the bump stop designed for the later model like Engineers (MFFFGA I assume) pictured in his post fit the spring/axle/bolt system pictured in Peter's posts?
Minus the actual rubber bump stop mounted on top of the raised platform on Engineer's truck, the raised platform looks roughly the same as the one on mine and Peter's truck. The only difference appears to be the moving of the rubber bumper from the frame down onto the top of the raised platform.
Engineer--can you confirm that you installed the MFFFGA model on your truck?

[kerry]

One more item: Since the Timbren bump stops are compressible and the OE aren't its clear that the Timbrens will add more travel to the suspension. Does anyone know if this additional travel is actually permitted by the shock absorbers? It seems possible to me that with the additional travel that you might end up compressing the shocks to the limit with the force being transmitted to the shock mounts instead of the bump stop. Has anyone investigated this?

[kerry]

Defenderbeam and Bruce (DontPanic2), which model number did you install on the front axle of your trucks? Did it mount to the spring or to the frame above the spring?

[kerry]

I will need to go back and search for the part #, but they mount under the U-bolts on top of the leaf springs.

They do not mount to the frame like the rear ones do.

my is the FG84, circa 2006

If you can't find the part number, can you look at Bruce's picture of his front axle? His is an FG639 I think and he must have used the MFFFGA kit--at least that's what it looks like. I'm thinking that if that kit worked on his, it will work on mine and Peter's.

[Amesz00]

Engineers has many more leaves in the spring and the height of the spring seems quite different. Also, Engineer's U-bolts are flattened around the top of the spring whereas Peter's are rounded.

Kerry,
Chocko will need to confirm this, but im fairly sure the differences in spring setup are because his truck has the long-leaf suspension upgrade, like under the front of mine. the 200mm longer spring packs are 30mm thicker on the front, than the standard packs.
Andrew

[PKDreamers]

Kerry,

The sizes Murray gave you are the same as he gave me seam right to me after i converted them to metric.
They should fit, just have to use 2 cup headed bolts in the holes where the old bumpstop was puleed off so it looks better.

FG649,FG637,FG649 all have the same set up with bumpstop attached to the chassis part number MC110185.I checked all this useing Fuso Australia electronic parts catalogue which i have been able to use.
FG84 models have it attached to the spring re Engineer's photo.
Not sure about FG439.

So Timbren have got it wrong sumwhere along the line but they dont seam to want to listen to us mere aussies lol lol.
I am still waiting to hear from Murray at Timbren and Marc from Michigan Springs.

[kerry]

Checked the dimensions on the MFFFGA kit. They seem correct. Talked to Murray and he is sending me the MFFFGA kit. I'll keep you posted when it arrives.
I told him that something was wrong the fit chart they have. Murray said he would inform engineering. I bought my original MFFFG kit from SD Truck Springs but Murray is sending me the replacement kit directly.
Do you have Murray's e-mail address? It's sales@timbren.com

[kerry]

Installed my front Timbren's today. Took about 3 hours. The big u-bolts had probably not been loosened since they were installed in 99 so it took some wd-40 and tightening and loosening them to get them free enough to install the Timbrens. 2--14mm nuts hold the original bump stops on. Used a gear wrench on the left and a 3/8 ratchet/extension/universal joint to get them loose on the right. Haven't driven it yet so can offer no opinion on their utility.

[kerry]

Ok, I took it for a short test drive. They do exactly what I hoped they would do. They take away the bone jarring abruptness of the OE solid rubber stops. They don't turn it into a Cadillac but will stop the fillings from being jolted from your teeth.

I'm going to order a set for the rear also I think.

[DontPanic42]

I just found this thread. I used the MFFFGA kit on the front suspension of my FG639. As you noted, the picture I previously posted shows the final setup.
The ride seems less harsh and more stable.

[kerry]

Got my rear Timbrens and am installing them. Without them, load is carried on the second level 'overload' springs and OE rubber bump stop is about 3/8" above the axle. Timbrens are taller than the OE bump stop so when installed, load is carried on the Timbren against the axle and second level overload springs are about 3/4" from the load carrying bracket. What are people's opinions on this difference? I assume it will give a softer ride initially at least for the first 3/4" which is more travel than I had with the original bump stop.

By the way, the bolts that come with the kit were too large for the existing holes as someone else mentioned earlier. Rather than drill out the holes, I got new bolts the same size as the oe bolt to attach the Timbrens, so that if I ever wanted to go back to the OE rubber stops, they would still bolt up readily.

[westyss]

I installed timbrens on the front to try to get a better ride, and the ride was some what improved as far as a bit more absorbsion by the timbrens, but, not much. My concensus is that the travel is limited overall in the front so that the timbrens compress a certain amount to slowly absorb the shock but the limited travel available in front will not improve, that has a set limit that can only get better by a lift. Once the lift is in then the timbren could compress progressively, but as it stands in a stock truck , the front is not going to get much better. I think I said this before, but I would save my money for a better suspension, hind sight being 20/20, that being said, anyone want to buy some timbrens?? :smiley_drive:

Note: Suspension guy said the same thing, just not enough travel distance available with stock suspension.

[kerry]

I agree that there is inadequate travel in the OE suspension. However, I can't justify the $$ for a complete suspension upgrade in the my truck. The front Timbrens did improve the ride quality significantly, mostly by eliminating the ultra hard bump stop which comes into play all the time with the short travel. Not sure the rears will make that noticeable a difference but those bump stops are just as hard so they will make some difference.
I'm curious as to what more engineering inclined people than myself make of the load being transferred from the 'helper' or 'overload' spring to the Timbrens. Significant or not??

[kerry]

Here's how the fitting went,
At first the holes were too small for the bolts supplied
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0116.jpg

So then I had to drill the bastard out, which isn't an issue with the drill resharpened for battery drill cutting speed.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0118.jpg

then the bolt went through with about .25 mm tolerance, nice...
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0119.jpg

As you can see, not much chance of it working until it's loaded...
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0120.jpg

Steers were easier with a 3/4" Impact gun, loosened the U bolts and removed the bumpstop.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0121.jpg

Slide the new Aeons in and retighten the U bolts
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0122.jpg

Compare the Old V's New, You can see the difference the progressive Aeon has over the std. bump stop. And I agree with Defenderbeam (and his dog, which you would never want to argue with!!!) the steers show an immediate improvement, as I'm sure the rears will.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa129/f1engineer/Trucks/IMG_0123.jpg

Thanks
Chock

In those pictures, your rear Timbrens look much smaller than mine. Maybe it is because you are unloaded and the perspective of the camera but I had to jack up my truck by the frame quite a bit to get the Timbrens in place and they barely squeezed in between the shock and the frame. The rears on mine are far bigger than the fronts. This is with the camper on the truck. They are about 1-2" taller than the OE bump stops. Is that the case on yours?

[kerry]

I thought of another related question. How does the fact that the Timbrens cause the truck to ride higher effect the brake proportioning valve/system? I assume the higher ride means it thinks the rear of the truck is lighter than it really is??

[kerry]

Took the first long trip this past weekend with the rear Timbrens installed. They do make a difference. They left me with the surprising impression that the truck actually has suspension. Definitely worth doing front and back although the results you get will probably depend on how the weight is distributed on your truck.

[PKDreamers]

We fitted front and rears Aeons to our FG649 and took it for a test drive for 700kms on mainly dirt back roads towing a trailer the ride has improved heaps . There is no more jarring from bumps.

[Bandicoot]

Have any of you who have been running with Aeon rubber front and/or rear for a while now got any recent comments about how they are going? Have they made a real difference? How are they wearing? Any unexpected issues or concerns about "knock on" effects elsewhere in the vehicle. Would you go down this path again?
Or any comments about: http://www.trelleborg.com/en/Automotive/Heavy-Truck/Suspension/Rubber-Tower/
Rick

[engineer]

Hi Rick,
Just do it, you wont regret it!!! They are still going strong on the tour bus.

[kerry]

Just finished at trip up and down I-76 in Colorado which I had done with no Timbrens, with just front Timbrens and now with front and rear Timbrens. I'd say the ride is improved between 20-25% with the Timbrens. Very subjective measure, I know, but the Timbrens take away the very rough jarring which occurs with the OE bump stops.

[DEFENDERBEAM]

I think the improvement is WELL worth the money

[kerry]

Installed new Fuso OE shocks before going on a road trip this past weekend. Near as I can tell, the existing shocks were original with 195k miles on them. Couldn't tell the difference between the old and the new when compressing them by hand. But there was a huge improvement on the road. They improved the ride just about as much as installing the Timbrens.

[alan]

We received info in the mail today about a new product that might be of help to someone, www.sumosprings.com.au

[Taemian]

We received info in the mail today about a new product that might be of help to someone, www.sumosprings.com.au

No listing for Canter though, right? Or is that what a Triton is in other parts of the world?? I'm really looking for suspension upgrades for my FE 180 up here in Canada.

[alan]

I'm sure they could come up with a size that would do the job.