Best suspension setup without removing KDSS

Spixelz

Spixelz

New member
I would prefer to keep it right now and maybe in the future ditch it and go to a long travel kit. So what's the best suspension and lift amount you can gain without removing the KDSS system? Looking for reliability and capability.

Also I am currently running OME rear 2889s. Are the Icon 3" overland springs better?

Thanks for the help!
 
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Icon :flamewar:

I have 3in overlands, they are great. Not bad when the truck is unloaded. I have had 3 vehicles with OME lifts. Loved every single one but they can't hold a light to an Icon setup.
 
What exactly makes ICON's stand out so much? Is it on-road/off-road quality compared to other brands?
 
st8rocks said:
Icon :flamewar:

I have 3in overlands, they are great. Not bad when the truck is unloaded. I have had 3 vehicles with OME lifts. Loved every single one but they can't hold a light to an Icon setup.
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I love my ICON set up but truthfully its all I know. Question ^ aren't OME replaceable shocks? Is it accurate to compare replaceable with re-buildable like ICON, honest question, like I Said, ICON is the only aftermarket suspension I've owned.
MB
 
Matteblack said:
I love my ICON set up but truthfully its all I know. Question ^ aren't OME replaceable shocks? Is it accurate to compare replaceable with re-buildable like ICON, honest question, like I Said, ICON is the only aftermarket suspension I've owned.
MB
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That's above my head. As far as ride quality, ICON feels factory smooth where as OME feels like I'm in an expo rig.
 
I appreciate the replies! I like my OME but with the weight of the shrock and winch it gives my rig a wicked rake. I wouldn't mind the adjustability of a rebuildable coilover, not to mention the added flex.
 
Definitely don't have my heart set on Icon, hence why I asked. Just looking for a solid dependable platform.
 
Pretty much any aftermarket suspension system (other than long travel) for a 5th gen will let you keep KDSS as they're mostly all 2.5 to 3 inches of lift. Beyond 3 inches of lift the problems you're getting into aren't all related to KDSS, but more in having to extend brake lines, ABS wires, etc.
 
Do you plan to rebuild and/or modify the internals of your coilovers? If so go rebuild-able. If not probably go with something tuned for your use and save some $.

For my use - I probably strip a new MTB fork a dozen times before I get it dialed in and they tend to be very weight and use sensitive. I adjust pressure almost every time out for what I'm doing, and I can adjust dampening on the fly.

For my 4runner - I have never rebuilt a shock. So for me - rebuild-able is of little value. Now if I could buy a shock that was externally adjustable on the fly for high and low speed dampening, and an air spring with positive and negative chamber adjustability for a reasonable price - I'd be all in. Otherwise the off the shelf stuff works pretty good for what I do. The time and effort of stripping down a shock to add and remove various dampening shims just isn't worth it to me.

You might be the opposite and love to tune the ride of your 4runner. If you do - or think you want to some day - a rebuildable shock is probably for you.
 
Most of the top rebuildable coilovers are compatible with KDSS. I've run Icons for the last 7 years (5.5 of them on my FJ) and I have had them rebuilt every few years and still running the same coilovers on my GX right now. For the money, you get the street ride, but offroad is a whole another world. I've converted quite the few 5100/OME guys by giving them a ride in my rig with Icons. You can tell the difference at speed and soaking up the hits.
 
Ok so its settled. Get a good front rebuildable coilover. Now for the rear? New links? Panhard? Basically my thinking is this right now.

Icon Ext Travel Coilovers
Icon Tubular UCAs
Icon 3" Overland Springs
Icon Rear Ext Travel Shocks.
 
You won't need a panhard bar if you stick with a normal amount of lift, if you go big then yeah. Links? Well that's up to you. The stock works fine but will bend if you hit something. New ones will give you a little more flex too.

As for springs the overland is good if you got the weight in the rear but if you don't they might be a tad stiff.
 
mikey's2010SR5 said:
You won't need a panhard bar if you stick with a normal amount of lift, if you go big then yeah. Links? Well that's up to you. The stock works fine but will bend if you hit something. New ones will give you a little more flex too.

As for springs the overland is good if you got the weight in the rear but if you don't they might be a tad stiff.
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I currently run with my RTT on the roof and have a drawer system in the works along with adding a rear bumper down the road. So yeah I'll have the weight haha.:banana:
 
Spixelz said:
I currently run with my RTT on the roof and have a drawer system in the works along with adding a rear bumper down the road. So yeah I'll have the weight haha.:banana:
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You should be able to run any suspension... Only thing you can't do is an LT rear. which is amazing off-road, BTW.

I'm still torn on suspension... I recently switch over to ICON. Ride is great, but I have a little noise up front... there are no bushings in the ICON coil over design. It's both a good thing and bad thing, but I keep thinking how silent and reliable my OMEs were. Don't get me wrong the performance of the ICONs is great, just a little concerned about long term maintenance.... I guess time will tell for sure.

OME is a great choice for an overland rig. No maintenance to ever think about and they will last forever, plus they are very reasonably priced. Just won't ride quite as nice as something like ICON. It is always a trade-off.
 
Jeremy556 said:
Rear KDSS sway bar will hit the panhard bar, making an awful noise, and limiting down travel. Even stock, you need feeler gauges to measure the clearance between them at full droop.
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The guys at ICON told me if you lift the rear on a 4R that has KDSS you can get an aftermarket panhard bar to avoid clearance issues. not sure how that helps avoid issues with KDSS though?

I just installed the remote reservoir ICONs and it rides soooo much better... its so much more predictable and no nose dive....

If i did get springs it would probably be the sway-away 1.5" (Eibach).... that and aftermarket UCA's and wheels n tires..

One weird issue though is when I stop and let off the brakes and stop again the whole cab rocks back fourth very slightly... not a big deal but im guessing its the OEM springs?

OP,
Good luck in your search to the ultimate suspension!
 
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