Getting real close to pulling the trigger on an ICON Stage 1....good choice?

[montana_jeepn]

I've been doing some searches and I really can't find a bad thing about them other than having to be rebuilt every 30k miles..maybe 40k if your gentle.

I like that you can fine tune the front height while they are on the truck since they are a true coil over. I do a lot of highway driving and they sound like they are pretty road friendly.

I don't currently have bumpers/sliders, but may in the future. I am thinking about getting the 2.5" rear springs since I would like to be able to tow a small camper.

I would probably also get a Sonoran Steel trackbar as well. I already have light racing UCA's, ADDCO sway bars (with front Toytec relocate), a REVTEK Diff drop installed.

Any catches or recommendations on this system other than price? I found a reseller that has it priced at $1600 shipped.

I am a buy once, cry once kind of guy (and I'll definitely be crying).

Any way to recycle/save the factory shock system when I unplug it?

Thanks!

 

[telum01]

Rebuild every 30-40k miles? Seems a bit maintenance-intensive in my opinion.

I was starting to look at these, too. Looking forward to see what people have to say about the kit.

 

[LTDSC]

mine have 30k on them and perform just fine.

 

[wkeryder4]

Icon is one of the most well known manufactures for Toyota Suspensions. It's up there with KING and Fox. Of all the options I would highly, HIGHLY recommend going with them. All their products are built in the USA and they are quality. I've never heard a bad thing about them.

 

[eviele]

I put a Stage 2 setup on my 2004 Tacoma DC. Right from the get-go the truck drove as smooth as glass. That and the new UCA really changed the in town driving dynamics of the truck for the better.

I did have problems with the rear remote reservoir. The braided line blew off the end of the shock leaking fluid everywhere.

Still, I wouldn't hesitate to run them.
My only concern was how I was going to get them rebuilt. Do you buy another set and sell the first? Do you put the car away for a week or two?

Fortunately, never had to deal with that as I sold the truck after replacing the rear shocks.

At some point my XREAS is going to need replacing. When that day comes Icons will be one of the replacements I consider.

 

[Jeremy556]

My only concern was how I was going to get them rebuilt. Do you buy another set and sell the first? Do you put the car away for a week or two?

Do it yourself, not difficult at all. Just need to take them to a power sports place to get the nitrogen recharged.

 

[foxtrot]

I've been running them for about 7 months now, and have about 15000 miles on them. They are great. I would recommend them to anyone. Had an issue with the threads on my driver side coil over and had a brand new one within 2 days of calling them. They are truly a great company

 

[Msivley]

You might also consider Radflo. Little cheaper on price , built when you order here in the US , excellent warranty , and a little softer ride ( IMO ). I'm running 2.5" ext travel with 700 lb springs ( V8 bumper winch lightbar full skids , etc ) up front with Toytec superflex HD springs in the rear with Radflo 2.0s back there. Total cost was like $1300. I have beat the living snot outta my rig at dozens of runs over the last year. Still no issues. Just something to consider. Icon is great as well.

 

[Bonyfattony]

They are one of the best money can buy.

 

[montana_jeepn]

*bang!

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Ordered a kit this morning after I called and chatted with the nice folks at Icon. They answered my few remaining questions and I am confident I am choosing a good product. Thanks again.

 

[M1911]

Did you go stage 1 or stage 2?

I'm thinking about doing this as well. I offroad on the beach. Low speed < 20mph, but lots of washboard that makes the current suspension bottom out early and often. I'm keeping the stock tires, so I really don't want much lift, just better shock control.

Stage 1 gives 2" lift, which is about 1" more than I would prefer. If I understand correctly, Stage 2 is just Stage 1 plus UCA. Would the UCA be useful just to get the alignment correct?

 

[montana_jeepn]

I went Stage 1 as I already have aftermarket UCAs.

I would probably go in a different direction based on your wishes of 1" of lift....maybe some Bilsteins with some FJ springs.....maybe with a 1/4 to 1/2 inch spacer. The Icon is adjustable from 0-3", so you would be fine on the the front...I'm just not sure if the 2" rear springs would suit you. Maybe Icons in the front with OME 895E's in the rear.

Check out the FJ lift link on the main page. I think I recall seeing what you are looking for.

There is also the Slee Low Lift Slee - Toyota 4Runner Suspension

ETA: with a mild lift of 2" or less you will probably be okay with factory UCAs.

Did you go stage 1 or stage 2?

I'm thinking about doing this as well. I offroad on the beach. Low speed < 20mph, but lots of washboard that makes the current suspension bottom out early and often. I'm keeping the stock tires, so I really don't want much lift, just better shock control.

Stage 1 gives 2" lift, which is about 1" more than I would prefer. If I understand correctly, Stage 2 is just Stage 1 plus UCA. Would the UCA be useful just to get the alignment correct?

 

[M1911]

What I want is body control and suspension travel, not lift for the sake of lift. So spacers don't make any sense to me.

I've read a lot of posts about rough ride for Bilsteins with FJs, so that is not a direction I'm looking at.

 

[sierrahsky]

I am also going to run the icon stage 1 route. I originally wanted to stay lower but 1" of lift just won't accommodate the weight of 4 adults and gear and provide off road performance. On our other 3 vehicles, all have icon, within 3-6 months we found that 1.5" in rear is typical if you run weight as a break in period. Also found them to ride more comfortable unloaded with the break in. Prob just us, but the Tacoma, fj, and 4Runner gem 3 all sit between 1.5 and 1.7 unloaded in rear

 

[Jeremy556]

Their top mount design kinda sucks, especially since they don't have them in stock. :frusty:

 

[M1911]

Yikes. How did that happen?

 

[montana_jeepn]

Their top mount design kinda sucks, especially since they don't have them in stock. :frusty:

Yikes is right. C'mon...you can't throw that out there without more explanation. Hope the rest of the truck is okay.

 

[Jeremy556]

No interesting story to go along with it, really. Admittedly, I use it off road, a lot, and have caught a little air once or thrice, nothing lately. Hit a bump off road the other day, nothing huge, didn't even hit the bump stop. Since then, heard clunking on full extension and creaking noises, finally figured out the creaking was the top of the shock resting against the bottom of the broken mount.