About to pull the trigger on Icon Stage 1...

[YJIANG]

As the Icon's are on 20% sale the Stage 1 kit has fallen within my budget so I am really leaning towards it for my 2015 Trail.

A lift of 2" -2.5" is what I'm planning to do. I go to our local off road park sometimes. Moderate trails mostly. I did the trails fine on stock suspension when weather was dry but struggled after rainy days as I needed a bit more clearance from the softer muddy ground. I have BFG 275s installed.

So based on my amount of off-roading I am estimating a rebuild around every 30k-40k miles.

I've considered Bilstein, OME and Toytec kits but I know that Icon is one step up and I see some people chose those less expensive kits eventually upgraded to Icons. By no means Bilsteins or any other brands are bad choices but as the price range of Icon comes down, would you get it in lieu of others?

I just need one final push (or pull) from you guys.

 

[Travo60]

Pull the trigger :AK47::AK47:

 

[CF_Machete]

Do it! Buy once cry once. You could go spacer kit in the rear with bilstien 5100's in the front if the ride is fine and height is all you need... but for a little more, you can do it right.

Once funds allow, I'm going for a stage one or toytec boss and I don't have time for trails. Just snowy roads where clearance could be an issue. Probably overkill, but its better to have and not need than to need and not have. Especially in crappy conditions with a truck load of screaming kids a hyper dog and a pissed off wife.

 

[Vinsil]

Budget in your rebuild costs if you can't do it yourself. If you haven't owned off-road toys with heim joints, shocks that need attention and noise from those components, think hard about it. Not trying to talk you out of it at all, just consider the downsides of owning better performance from your suspension and truck to the added maintenance and noise from that suspension too.

:usa2:


Mine sees 50 miles round trip a day to work and weekend duty. Had toys that needed attention and a daily driver for me..is too much work with my kids, family and other obligations.

 

[YJIANG]

Pull the trigger :AK47::AK47:

:biggrin2:

Do it! Buy once cry once. You could go spacer kit in the rear with bilstien 5100's in the front if the ride is fine and height is all you need... but for a little more, you can do it right.

Once funds allow, I'm going for a stage one or toytec boss and I don't have time for trails. Just snowy roads where clearance could be an issue. Probably overkill, but its better to have and not need than to need and not have. Especially in crappy conditions with a truck load of screaming kids a hyper dog and a pissed off wife.

Based on others' reviews Icons actually rides smoother on road than some others like OME so yea I think that's a good choice for your situation too.

Budget in your rebuild costs if you can't do it yourself. If you haven't owned off-road toys with heim joints, shocks that need attention and noise from those components, think hard about it. Not trying to talk you out of it at all, just consider the downsides of owning better performance from your suspension and truck to the added maintenance and noise from that suspension too.

:usa2:


Mine sees 50 miles round trip a day to work and weekend duty. Had toys that needed attention and a daily driver for me..is too much work with my kids, family and other obligations.

Good point. I like tinkering things myself so not particularly worried about rebuilding them. I don't drive nearly as much as you do and I commute with my other car, so the voice in my head says it'll probably be 3 years before I reach the amount of wear on those shocks to be rebuilt.

But you're right, no matter what it can still be a hassle. Another voice in my head says just install OME kits and forget about it.

 

[Vinsil]

Hey I get it. Love bling and I'm sucker for tech and fancy stuff!


I love to tinker too and have other toys for that other than my DD. BUT?..all my off-road toys end up this way, overbuilt and going the wrong way. Not saying good quality coilovers are a waste at all, they WILL ride better and if up for the attention, do it. If I wanted to, I'd just jump into LT suspension. My wife might not like it so much though....lol.olice:

 

[JSparky]

Does the stage 1 come with UCA's, and how high do you plan on lifting the front?

I know people do it, but I wouldn't go over 2" without UCA's. For me having good suspension geometry is a deal breaker I learned a long time ago. I'd seriously consider factoring in some UCA's.. or if you do pull the trigger at-least consider the possibility of having to purchase them in the future.

 

[YJIANG]

Does the stage 1 come with UCA's, and how high do you plan on lifting the front?

I know people do it, but I wouldn't go over 2" without UCA's. For me having good suspension geometry is a deal breaker I learned a long time ago. I'd seriously consider factoring in some UCA's.. or if you do pull the trigger at-least consider the possibility of having to purchase them in the future.

I'm thinking about 2-2.5" front and 2" rear. The need for UCA is where I heard many, many different stories. Some say a lift under 3" wouldn't need UCAs but some cannot get their alignment within spec with a moderate 2" lift. It's a myth!

I guess I'll set aside some $$$ for the UCA and see what happens...

 

[lilsid112]

I highly recommend getting the stage two kit with upper control arms. They make a huge difference with your suspension geometry.